HEADLINER Paolo Nutini brought rock, blues and soul to Southsea Common to end a packed second day of music at Victorious Festival.
The Paisley star played hits like Jenny Don’t Be Hasty, New Shoes and Lose It after earlier standout sets from other main acts Bastille, The Wombats, Kula Shaker, Declan McKenna, White Lies, Ocean Colour Scene and Sports Team.
Organisers say 65,000 visitors were at the festival on Saturday, but that this number could be exceeded today when fans gather to watch Newcastle sensation Sam Fender, Suede, Ann Marie, Metronomy and Nothing But Thieves in more fine weather.
The unique location of Victorious was also highlighted yesterday when aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales sailed past in full view, departing Portsmouth for exercises on the USA Eastern Seaboard, during The Sugababes set.
On Saturday, as Portsmouth’s Devin Jade opened the second Castle Stage with a fantastic acoustic session, Earlestown four-piece The K’s drew a big early crowd on the main Common stage.
Singer-guitarist Jamie Boyle, lead guitarist Ryan Breslin, bassist Dexter Baker and drummer Jordan Holden are playing four festivals in four days. Ryan says that they enjoyed playing at Victorious.
He said: “It was brilliant, I think these past four days playing the main stages at Reading & Leeds, Victorious and Camper Calling (in Warwickshire) are going to be a pinnacle for us. The crowds are getting bigger, the flares are getting better, and it's been ace, really good.”
Read more: Victorious Festival wows crowds on Southsea Common - In pictures
The band, who are no strangers to Southampton having played The Joiners, Heartbreakers and supported DMA’s at The Guildhall in the past 12 months, have released seven singles including landmark tunes Sarajevo and Hometown. Now fans are eagerly awaiting news of their debut album.
But even with a long career ahead, it’s unlikely The K’s will warm-up for many acts like The Sugababes again.
The formidable trio and original 1998 line-up of Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Siobhan Donaghy, reignited memories from the early Noughties with killer songs like Push The Button, Round Round and About You Now in their special guest afternoon slot.
The beats are still infectious, and the vocals are as strong as ever. The Sugababes headline Southampton Guildhall in October.
Later Canadian super trio We Are Scientists and rising Dublin stars Inhaler took to the main stage, and south coast five-piece Crystal Tides drew an impressive crowd on the enlarged Beats and Swing stage.
Weeks after selling out the nearby Wedgwood Rooms, front man Billy Gregory, guitarists Harry Knowles and Neil Cripps, bassist George Regan and drummer Joe Knights performed Radio One played single Honey and Backbiting, the first song they wrote as a band.
Their next date in Southampton is at The Joiners on Friday 7 October.
On the Castle Stage, Indian mysticism devotees and indie rockstars Kula Shaker reminded fans how many great songs they had produced and what they have been up since last touring in 2016.
Front man Crispin Mills and the band played classic hits such as Hey Dude, Tattva, Hush and Govinda, plus tracks from latest album 1st Congregational Church of Eternal Love and Free Hugs.
The four-piece have announced a Christmas show in London but, after this set, another return to the south coast could be on the cards too.
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