kaiser Chiefs - Chelmsford V 2005
In the run up to V, the rumor was that Kaiser Chiefs might have to pull out due to singer Ricky Wilson's busted ankle. On the day the adrenaline of the crowd and no doubt the return to the UK after traveling far and wide carried him through. OK, so he had to make a quick trip to the first aid tent during one of the bands performances over the weekend but I doubt anybody minded.
The anticipation before hand, as well as the fact that the space in front of the Channel 4 Stage was rammed, gave the impression that this was a headline set. They didn't disappoint as they blasted through most of their Mercury nominated 'Employment' album. It goes without saying that the biggest reactions were for the singles; 'I Predict a Riot' was probably the pick of the bunch.
Strangely though the crowd thinned quite noticeably at the half way mark, maybe as they'd seen that one as well as 'Everyday I Love You Less and Less', but the draw of The Streets on the main stage may have had something to do with it. For those who stayed (it was one of the biggest audiences for an act aside from headliners or the V Stage all weekend) still got a rousing version of the new track from their forth coming double A side 'Sink That Ship', and the set was rounded off, quite predictably with 'Oh My God'.
One of the interesting things about going to the same festivals each year is seeing how bands progress up the scale, this lot must surely be V stage material in the next couple of years.