More on: Sugababes

Our day at Hylands Park starts with an eyebrow-raising moment when 'Road To V' winners Matt Trakker open on the Channel 4 Stage and admit this is only their third gig. If voters had discovered a hidden underrated gem that we didn't know about, we could understand. Alas, eyebrows remain quizzically raised.

The Futureheads on the V Stage are good, as always, but it's a pedestrian performance. Not much of the quartet's usual wit is present, but great to see the drum kit for Dave, complete with 'Dave', as in the TV channel, logo. Being one of the greatest indie bands in the country, they don't really fit in with the rest of the festival line-up of the middle-of-the-road XFM playlist, hasbeens, pop acts and the mighty headliners. At least they have the decency to get on with the show in hand with good nature without making acerbic comments, unlike some bands which we will mention later. However, a not-quite-on-form Futureheads piss on the likes of Pigeon Detectives, so we should be grateful.

We catch a bit of guilty pleasure Shed Seven back at the Channel 4 stage, and thankfully get to see 'Disco Down' and closer 'Chasing Rainbows'. Tokyo Police Club get a big crowd in the the Virgin Mobile Union Tent, which when you see the reaction other contemporary indie bands are getting at V, is no mean feat. Looking at the evening's line-up, the horror starts to sink in - your early evening choices are The Kooks and Stereophonics, Newton Faulkner and The Pigeon Detectives, The Twang and Jamie T, and Bryn Christopher and Infadels. It's time to embrace the one thing V Festival does well - pop.

Off for some Sugababes in a rammed JJB Arena, and despite being a huge fan of their tunes, Clickmusic was a bit dubious about them live, following a ropey instore session one time. The decision to see the trio over Maximo Park and potential new material was a hard one, but having seen Paul Smith and co. approximately 412 times over the last few years, we figured this would be the best one. Were we right? Yes. From the moment Keisha, Heidi and Amelle strut on stage to 'Hole In The Head', it's a non-stop onslaught of fabulousness. Keisha's sly foxiness is a perfect foil to Heidi's sunshine and kittens adorableness, and Amelle fits in just fine with her feline slinking around.

Joined by lookalike backing dancers who mirror their every move on 'Round Round' and 'Freak Like Me', it's an energetic set that is 100% tedium free. Keisha announces they are to do a cover and the ensuing En Vogue classic 'Don't Let Go (Love)' shows off exactly what makes Sugababes a step above most pop acts - great harmonies. It also leads to an amusing observation - most of the men in the crowd are abandoning themselves to the groove, but during 'Don't Let Go (Love)' they go mental, singing their hearts out. It's quite touching. After 'Overload', to remind us where it all began (well for Keisha anyway), the girls leave the stage, and their band starts up with Frankie Goes To Hollywood's 'Two Tribes', which ends up being a mash-up with 'Red Dress'. Just when you think that couldn't be topped, this reviewer nearly has a heart attack when the distinctive and classic intro to The Who's 'Won't Get Fooled Again' leads into 'Push The Button'. Absolutely brilliant. Now if some of the more tedious 'real' bands on the bill could shake their set up as well, life would be better. Sugababes are great because their stage show just screams "we're fucking fabulous and don't forget it". We believe it.

Buoyed by the 'Babes, we decide to make it all about the pop this weekend. So what could be better than seeing Mr Pop Idol himself, Will Young? Ebola, probably. Dull, dull, dull. DULL. Will manages to be both fake and indifferent - be one or the other please. Overheard on the way out - "I voted for Gareth Gates anyway". So did we.

As it takes over half an hour to get a beer, even with the silly token system, it seems sensible to queue in the main area and observe Stereophonics, who incite horror/laughter by launching into a bit of 'Ace Of Spades'. Hey, the crowd loves them. That's all that can be said. The daylight is disappearing, and V Festival is gearing up for what will undoubtedly be the performance of the weekend, if not the summer. The stage is flanked by two huge satellite dishes on each side, with two on stage also. It's almost unsettling when they beam red lights across the crowd - it's like being in a Dr Who episode. Which is actually fun. It's a well known fact that nobody puts on a show quite like Muse, and the definition of a great festival headliner is one that can thrill you even if you are not a hardcore fan. Muse are that headliner. It's a staggering, exhausting romp through their back catalogue, although 'Showbiz' is neglected. The overblown qualities of 'Black Holes & Revelations' are perfect for an epic live experience, and that's exactly what happens tonight. Matt Bellamy commands the huge stage, not even overpowered by the pyrotechnics and lasers (which even make the drizzle look pretty), whether he be piano-bound for 'New Born' or tearing up the side runways. If the encore of 'Plug In Baby' is the icing on the cake, and there could've been no better cherry on top than the musical theatrics of 'Knights Of Cydonia'. So good, we've completely forgotten we're at V Festival.

Click here for our Hylands Park Sunday review!

Becky Reed

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