Madder

V Festival, Centennial Parklands, Sydney
Well I was hardly not gonna go to V, the first time it made it to the Sunny side of the world. After doing 8 back in Blighty - so close to home was always a 25minute drive to Chelmsford. Now however, it's 45minute walk from home.

Only problem was for me, the lineup, pretty week and it's only a one day event, though I had a large crew of friends going, so I figured it would be unlikely I'd have a crappy time.

Myself, Craig and new temporary housemates Rich & Lou, Martin & Tracy rocked up about 3.30pm to find what I can only describe as one of the most fun-killing things I've ever seen at a festival - yes, an hour long queue for beer. Almost a carbon copy layout of Good Vibes the other month - on the same site, they really managed to get the drink situation so horrendously wrong.

Eventually, walking away with 4beers in my hands (I was hardly gonna queue up again any time soon), I settled to watch a band I've not seen before from the US - The Rapture. I was dead impressed. The sound and the band were great. However time was tight and it was time to whizz off to go see Britpop legend gone solo; Jarvis Cocker.

Despite only hearing all new stuff and no Pulp classics, I thoroughly enjoyed the set and especially his quips between tunes.

Next up, Groove Armada. My 4beers had kicked into play as had everybody elses 4 drinks so we had a really lively time as the English boys saw the crowd 'shakin dat ass'.

My final hit of the day was gonna need some more juice, and Australia V gets a plus point for the Jaeger tent. A couple of bombs and I was ready to go party hard to the first band I've seen play twice in Australia - 2Many DJS. As expected, an absolute pearler of a set rounded off the evening.

The tyro organisers have a lot to learn to get something as successful as the UK leg of this festival, but it was a real pleasure to be part of the first one here.

After V we fell into a nearby pub where as luck would have it, Craig was able to see his beloved Arsenal take on Liverpool... I'll just leave a picture as a memento of this occasion: