Victorious Festival returned to Southsea with its most impressive line-up yet.
Incredibly, Victorious began each day with a band capable of taking top-bill at any festival.
On Friday, Primal Scream kicked off proceedings in their own unique style, having headlined Glastonbury earlier this summer. Taking to the stage in a red suit made from the classic Screamadelica sunburst album cover, Bobby Gillespie launched into Swastika Eyes – although the band began with with a few rarities, they soon launched into their singalong anthems, before being joined by the local Southsea Alternative Choir for a heavenly rendition of Come Together.
The only trouble with beginning a festival with a band so good as Primal Scream and a frontman as enigmatic as Bobby Gillespie is how to follow them…Self Esteem brought the choreography to the main stage, while Anna Calvi came with classic style and impressive guitar solos, but it wasn’t until 90’s legends James took to the stage that anyone came close to their stage presence. Diving into the crowd multiple times and even trying some crowd surfing, frontman Tim Booth is still at the top of his game, finishing inevitably with Sit Down.
Bombay Bicycle Club were fairly bland with their indie-pop, but Stereophonics reignited proceedings, for yet another triumphant headline slot at Victorious. Playing a mix of new songs from their brilliantly named album Oochya, along with classics such as Traffic and Thousand Trees, they left to a firework finale with the sublime Dakota.
Reiterating the point that headliners aren’t only there for the evenings, Sugababes began proceedings on Saturday lunchtime – no wonder the roads around Portsmouth and Southsea were gridlocked so early. Playing hit-after-hit, the original three girl line up reformed earlier this year with style, glitz and glamorous catsuits.
The Sugababes were definitely the highlight of the day, although Bastille were a close second, despite vocalist Dan Smith frequently reclining on a chez-lounge (yes) throughout his energetic set. During Shut Off The Lights, it was truly impressive to see all the iPhones (and Androids) flashlights fill the sky with stars, before the band finished with the pounding drums of anthemic Pompeii.
Sunday was arguably the best day of the weekend, with not only The Libertines taking to the stage at 1pm on the Common Stage, but Example opening proceedings on the separate Castle Stage. What a choice to make after breakfast at one of the hundreds of food stalls. Pete Doherty played the festival previously as a solo artist in 2017, but was far more coherent and in fine form with Carl Barat and the rest of The Libertines. Carl graciously gave a heartfelt shout out to local mental health charity Tonic also.
Sam Ryder followed with his amazing flowing locks, concluding with Eurovision runner-up song Space Man, joined by the local Portsmouth Batala band.
Suede later strutted onstage with their brattish attitude and swagger of their former selfs still seamlessly intact. Elsewhere, Becky Hill drew in a huge crowd at the Castle Stage after disco queen Sophie Ellis-Bextor brought the glitch, glamour and sequins.
Finishing off the weekend was a true battle of headliners. Sam Fender brought his strong Geordie accent and crowd pleasing rock to the main stage, while The Voice’s Anne-Marie took over the Castle Stage, with multiple songs about her numerous ex-boyfriends and catchy singalongs – she is clearly born to be a performer with no back up dancers or dance steps needed.
What an epic end to another summer. Happy and glorious, Victorious!
Words: Graham Tarrant