V Festival returns this summer to Weston Park (Staffordshire) and Hylands Park (Chelmsford) on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th August. A huge range of top-class artists are set to take to the stage, including headliners Pink and Jay Z as well as Emeli Sandé, Jess Glynne, Craig David, Ellie Goulding, Clean Bandit and Stormzy.
Pink, who is headlining Hylands on Saturday and Weston on Sunday, was certainly a surprise addition. Apart from ‘Just Like Fire’, penned for Alice Through the Looking Glass, we have not received any music from her for five years. Her headline slot thus nearly ensures new music is on its way. Pink is sure to bring her artistic and creative flair to the V Festival stage as her characteristic quirkiness and ability to portray a live concept will make for an energetic and visually – as well as vocally – spectacular set. Jay Z grabs the second headliner spot again off the back of a few quiet years, as his most recent album, Magna Carta… Holy Grail, is now four years old. Again, we can expect new music, which will probably have its first exclusive live performance at Weston Park.
Away from the headliners, other performers have certainly not been quiet in recent years. Emeli Sande, off the back of her Brit Award this February, will perform a set that will offer something different amongst the more traditional pop offered by other artists. Chart toppers Clean Bandit will bring an exclusive DJ set that is bound to include hits such as ‘Rockabye’ and ‘Rather Be’. Sadly, the fact that Jess Glynne and Clean Bandit are performing on different days rules out the possibility of a ‘Rather Be’ duet. Also joining them is Southampton based Craig David. His unique approach to the UK garage scene is sure to be one of the festivals highlights. On the line of chart-toppers, James Arthur will also perform as well as grime superstar Stormzy.
There are also some old favourites set to take the stage too. To transport every university student back to their school days, Busted will be performing (we’re all excited, even if we don’t admit it) as well as Scouting For Girls. For the older generations, Madness will also perform as their legacy throughout the 1980s is still retained today. Other notable performers include Brit nominees Calum Scott and Ellie Goulding, Rudimental, orchestral superstar Pete Tong, and rising stars The Vamps and Anne Marie.
Tickets for V Festival are available here.
