Red Room's V Festival picks
- By Jack Preston -
- Aug 16, 2012
As the sun rises over the V Festival stages for the last time before the crowds descend (it’s looking good, right?) Red Room gets down to business, going through the line-up with a fine toothcomb.
As always there’s no shortage of heavyweight talent at the top of the Virgin Media V Festival bill, with The Stone Roses, The Killers and Snow Patrol making worthy headliners.
However away from the main stage there’s a whole host talent to be discovered. Take a look at our festival favourites and let us know what you think – are there any must-see acts that we’ve overlooked?
Niki and the Dove (Undercover by Virgin Media stage)
The Swedish duo of Malin Dahlström and Gustaf Karlöf are responsible for some of the most imaginative and fantastical music of the year, with debut album 'Instinct' being released to strong critical acclaim.
Drawing on influences such as Bjork, their innovative electro leanings and lively stage presence makes them incomparable to any other act on the bill. Not to be missed.
Childish Gambino (The Arena stage)
The closest you’ll come to an Odd Future at this year’s V (especially now Frank Ocean has cancelled), with Childish Gambino’s aggressive rap style and relentlessly driving beats at loggerheads with many of those occupying The Arena stage.
If you like you’re music with a bit of bite, you could do no better than to check out what should a typically hectic set from the Californian hip hop star. Gambino fact of the day = he used to be a writer on acclaimed US comedy 30 Rock (best to drop that nugget to a friend mid set).
Lawson (The Arena Stage)
Recent Red Room guests Lawson have been going from strength to strength in the past few weeks, with chart success and a more than impressive online fanbase pointing towards pop stardom.
The boy’s delicate harmonies and chiselled looks are certainly proving popular with young female fans, head over to The Arena stage this weekend to see what all the fuss is about for yourself.
Minus The Bear (Undercover by Virgin Media stage)
American indie band Minus The Bear find themselves nestled away on the Undercover stage, offering fans the chance to see them in a slightly more intimate setting than they may be accustomed to.
The Seattle band’s guitar driven indie riffs could prove just the tonic if Childish Gambino gets a bit too much for your over on the Arena Stage.
The Charlatans (4 Music Stage)
While it’s never easy saying goodbye to Dappy (the N-Dubz star cancelling his appearance earlier this week), there was a silver lining to the dark could with The Charlatans stepping in as last minute replacements.
There’s many reason why you should go see the Manchester stalwarts this weekend, the only one that really matters though is frontman Tim Burgess. The best haircut in rock. Manhattan doughnut anyone?
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By Jack Preston. Content Executive. Tweets at @JackPressedOn
