Friday, August 24, 2018

Victorious Festival 2018 - Sunday Preview (part two)

5.4.3.2.1 and we're back in the room or, rather, the field as that's more apt for the festival experience. Following on from part one of my recommended acts to see at Victorious, which served up some afternoon delights, this second helping of covers the evening, from seven o'clock through to the last chord. Are we ready? Eyes down for a full house...

Embrace (Castle Stage, 1900-1945)
Arguably the one band on the bill most likely to produce an Elbow-style "get your lighters out and let's have a sing-song" festival moment. Not everyone's bag of chips I'll grant you, but this still holds up...



Hipshaker (Soul Circus Tent, 1915-2020)
Simon & Dave, aka the famous Hipshaker DJs, bring experience, knowledge and some excellent vinyl to the party. Expect music to move your feet to and, if you like what you hear, be sure to check out the Hipshaker radio show, every Friday night on ExpressFM (or catch up on MixCloud).



Temples of Youth (Beats & Swing Tent, 1930-2015)
This Winchester duo produce moody and melodic electronica, consistently beautiful music. Trust me, your ears will love you forever for listening.



Friendly Fires (Common Stage, 1950-2040)
A pleasant addition to the bill this, Friendly Fires have been out of the limelight for a few years, so it's good to see them back with a new collection of tunes. Might there be Hawaiian shirts on display? Here's hoping.



Andrew Foster (Strong Island Acoustic Stage, 2010-2100)
This highly talented singer-songwriter crafts exquisite indie-folk-pop music and has excellent taste for choosing the right cover version...



Example & DJ Wire (Castle Stage, 2015-2100)
I'm sure I saw an interview with Example where, as everything in his life is going so well, he felt he couldn't write the same kind of music as before. First world problems...



Chris Helme (Acoustic Stage, 2045-2130)
Late of The Seahouses (not not be confused with The Shirehorses), Chris Helme has been refining his craft as a solo act for several years now, releasing indie-folk that has been compared to the late, great Gram Parsons. Nice.



The Prodigy (Common Stage, 2120-2250)
I'm not saying that I find the Keith Flint a scary man, but the sheer power of his stare is enough to make you dance (and that's before the beats, or his spiky hair, work their magic). Reach for the lasers..



The Correspondents (Beats & Swing Tent, 2130-2230)
He is Mr Bruce and he is DJ Chucks, together they are The Correspondents. Swing. Your. Pants.



Pete Scathe (Soul Circus Tent, 2140-2255)
aka The Legendary Pete Scathe, Portsmouth legend and host/DJ of the Connection indie night since I don't know when. Ah, Scandals, now there was a place... *sigh* expect a blend of new and retro, Indie and Electro..



Years & Years (Castle Stage, 2145-2245)
Frontman Olly was in Gulliver's Travels, a definite low-water mark in Jack Black's movie career, but such knowledge should not be used as an excuse not to see Years & Years. Expect the crowd to go royally nuts when this is played...




Lucy Spraggan (Acoustic Stage, 2200-2245)
An X Factor alum who, since moving on from her Cowell experience, has released several albums of delightfully crafted folk-pop.



Flowvers (Seaside Stage, 2215-2300)
Pompey indie outfit Flowvers want to be the best thing you've ever heard... are they?



Put a fork in me, I'm done. Those are my selections for what to see on Sunday night at Victorious (although, if I'm honest, I'll probably be so transfixed by Keith Flint's hair that I'll miss out on the remaining delights on offer). When the last chord fades, with myself and several thousand happy punters making our way out into the night, no doubt we'll all be thinking the same thing; that was fun, shall we do it again next year?

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