Once again Victorious Festival provided two days of world class music, fantastic family atmosphere, plenty of dancing all that was appreciated by the thousands of music fans turning up on the two days. It was truly amazing to see how many turn up for the event and as I’ve never been before due to it clashing with Reading & Leeds Festival, I was so surprised how big the event actually was. On the Saturday night, I decided to go and watch The Levellers. The Brighton based folk punk band really put one hell of a show in their 30 minute set that really got the Portsmouth crowd going in the early evening. They sung their classic song What A Beautiful Day as the weather started to pick up and the sun started to set in to the early evening. Stephen Boakes certainly added a bit of oddness to the festival with his brilliant face paint and Didgeridoo playing.
For me Travis was certainly the best event of the evening as the Scottish band pulled off some classics such as Why Does It Always Rain on Me? and Closer. Travis lead singer Fran Healy sure knows out to put on a show and the front man even got on a fan shoulders for another classic Sing. Elsewhere Annie Mac really got her crowd going at the Castle Stage at the other side of the festival. Many fans were dancing throughout the evening to her DJ set that really provided an awesome atmosphere to the two days.
On the Sunday, I managed to catch Public Service Broadcast for the first time. The group sung a really catchy song, Spitfire, among others that really gave an authentic feel to the set. Despite no one actually singing throughout the set, it was a well deserve spot on the Common Stage with even a space man making an appearance. I then went over to the Rhino AV Acoustic Stage where singer Rob Green was making his name on the stage with some superb vocals. The up and coming singer/songwriter put on an awesome performance and even sung a melody of songs that included the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme tune. I managed to catch up with Rob after his set and talking to fans and he said:’It was amazing, I just had no idea what to expect and I never even been to Portsmouth before, this is the furthest South I’ve ever been in England!’
‘It was a incredible, to be honest like, it was a nice set.
‘I think it was good because the sun was sort of setting and people were getting into the party mood anyway so it was nice to end on a up beat song – it was was sick.
‘The medley, I made it up because I use to get really awkward when plugging my social media and my manager just said I should put in a song at the end I managed to fit my social media in.
‘I caught JP Cooper who was wicked, if you didn’t he was sick.
‘In five years time, I hope to still play Victorious, maybe a bigger stage.
‘I just got to keep gigging and keep recording and you know just follow it through.
‘I’ve just released an EP titled Rob Green and I’m just about to start on the next recording next week so hopefully that will be out 2017.
Another singer I caught up with before her set was the beautiful Irish singer Orla Gartland. She brought her awesome vocals to the festival crowd that was complimented by her brilliant guitar playing. Orla said:I’m really looking forward to playing, it seems like a really nice crowd!
‘I never heard about the festival before I got asked to play it but I was so glad because I got to watch Public Service Broadcasting on the main stage and I was like how have I not heard of these before? It’s absolutely amazing.
‘A few people tweeted me which was really nice, I’ve never played in this neck of the wood so just to have one or two people is just amazing.
‘I still trying to figure out my sound but any gigs that comes along, it’s really good for trying out new singles.
‘I’ve got two EPs, they’re called Roots and Lonely People, I’d love to do an album, it’s just like figuring it out.
‘In five years time I’d just like to be still doing it.
‘There’s a load of really cool Irish singer songwriters that I really like, it’s a good place to play guitar and write about your feelings.’
Folk singer/songwriter Beans On Toast also put on a decent show as he started his show early. I managed to catch Wolfmother’s set also, as the old school style band really knew how to put on a show in front of thousands of people on the Castle stage before Mark Ronson performed his headlining DJ Set.
I decided to watch the iconic Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds to end the weekend. I was truly no disappointed as they sung Oasis classics such as Champagne Supernova and Don’t Look Back In Anger. It was a brilliant way to end the weekend with the band also singing original songs on their set. I’d urge any music festival to experience this truly unique and massive festival in the future that will guarantee you to dance and have an awesome time.