The weather forecast map for Sunderland on the local evening news must had looked a complete shambles. If it was right (and lets face it, the chances of that are pretty blooming slim, but bear with us). The city would be hidden under pictures of hailstones, sun, rain and clouds. The Radio One Weekend brought the most spasmodic weather the city had seen for years, probably something which hasn't been witnessed since the foundations of Penshaw monument were laid. Maybe that is stretching the truth a bit, but at least it leads us quite nicely into our report from our first Radio One Weekender and blimey, what a corker it was. The biannual event has now been condensed to once a year. Although this now ensures a huge two day free concert with some of the biggest bands on the planet. We aren't talking about your McFlys or Reality TV rejects (well, apart from Lemar!) We mean acts from the Foo Fighters, Chemical Brothers and Jamerquoi to name but three. Lets break the weekend up as God intended, that being two days and take you through a weekend which will make Independent Radio Stations blush with embarrassment when they reveal their lineups for their crappy little roadshows this Summer...
SATURDAY
Let's get the site layout out the way shall we? Big field, on the right - Main stage inside a 'big top'. On the left the second stage, again in a marquee fit for a circus. Behind Main stage, the guest area. Inside Guest area, a bar, a food outlet and the Radio One 'Starbar' where the Dj's broadcast from. On the right of Starbar entrance to backstage. Backstage, on the left, dressing room area, next to this catering and opposite to catering loads of lorries and tour buses. Simple. Normally that kind of stuff takes us a good two paragraphs to fill, but we thought seeing as there was so many brilliant bands to report back from we would shorten it a bit. Now on with the music, which is the main reason of attending the weekend in the first place. We spent most of our weekend at the main stage as the weather was so crap we needed armbands to swim across to the other marquee. The first band were competition winners, Battle. The only unheard name to be uttered by a Radio One presenter over the two day, in this case it was Chris Moyles. After the unknown lads wetted our appetites the household names rattled out from the stage wings like a chart show rundown. First off was KT Tunstall, about to embark on a UK tour Turnstall could well be the next big thing as far as female solo singers are concerned. Her current ditty 'Other side Of The World' can trigger off an emotional nerve cell on the most Northern bloke in the crowd and make him bear hug the nearest Newcastle fan. Well nearly! Next up came Rooster who are looking to be on every bill we go to this Summer. Imagine sticking McFly in a pot and adding a spice of talent and you have just cooked up a typical Rooster tune. Everybody's second favorite Australian singer, Natalie Imbruglia reminded us that she was still around and treated us to a couple of new tracks and of course 'Torn' followed by Athlete. You have to see this band live. We can't stress just how ruddy good they are and when they played 'Wires' spines were cracking with shivers running up and down like cars in rush hour. Kasabian, another lineup favorite for the Summer ahead entertained us without being smacked in the face with a bottle, which happened a week before in Glasgow and then the big boys took the stage. After 'nearly' canceling because of a throat infection Dave Grohl took to the main stage and gave a 40 minute unbeatable set. The Foo Fighters canceled Top Of The Pops and a secret gig the night before and it was still uncertain that the band would go ahead earlier on in the day. But Grohl told the crowds that despite doctors orders he was going ahead with tonight's set and what a blooming good job it was too! The band play T in the Park and the Carling festival later this Summer, if tonight's performance is anything to go by fans are in for a treat. Lets just hop that no more doctor visits are on the cards until at least September. The Chemical Brothers ended the night which saw a small wave of dance lovers leaving the second stage, they had been enjoying the likes of Shapeshifters, Pete Tong, Judge Jules and Mauro Picotto throughout the day. We ended up in the Star Bar with Colin Murray and Co. who apart from being drenched were enjoying a quick and reminiscing about what a fantastic day it had been. Maybe the rain will stop for tomorrow and the sun would shine all bloody day. There couldn't be anymore bad weather ahead, could there?
Note to self, when going away for a weekend pack a spare pair of shoes, especially if you decide to take brand new suede footwear. These can get ruined in the slightest puddle of mud. Which we found out!
SUNDAY
Regardless of the weather which was beginning to make Glastonbury look like an exotic holiday destination we returned to the site thanking our lucky stars that camping wasn't part of the agenda! The second stage had a cracking lineup today which included Sunderland's home boys, The Futureheads as well The Magic Numbers who conjure up a fantastic performance which is worth braving yourself against hurricane Sunderland to catch. The Numbers hanged out in the Starbar all day and for that matter - all night! They were also the last guests to leave. Another essential band which can be rewarded the ABLE2UK seal of approval. Vernon Kay arrived on the site fresh from giving Chesney Hawkes an opportunity to return to the music business after winning last nights Hit Me Baby One More Time competition. He introduced The Bravery, Vernon not Chesney! after telling us about their honest mistake they keep making The Bravery made way for Lemar. Now we have to be honest here, we aren't fans of this Fame Academy loser. We have no idea how the hell he is still going. If you are unfortunate to see this reject live this Summer see how many times you can count he says 'Right' between what he classes as songs. Bring back David Sneddon, in a matter of fact Sneddon should sign up for the next series of Hit Me... and knock that stupid cocky grin off Lemars face once and for all. Enough of that though, lets tell you more about the next great act. After the short break of live decent music Kaiser Chefs invaded the stage with another amazing live performance, we have already praised this band twice and expect one of those gold discs in the post when their album sells enough copies! Basement Jaxx gave their high quality standard next followed by The Black Eyed Peas who have a knack of getting away with murder with their song lyrics. First 'Lets get Retarded' went under the title 'Lets Get Things Started' now their current single is called 'Smell like Funk' which is a cover up of the F word. Reports that their next single is called 'You Silly Can't!' has, well just been made up from us! Gwen Stefani was the next act with her huge bodyguard watching in the wings. We met him backstage and despite looking as if he could break every bone in your body with his little finger it turns out that he's a really friendly chap. Mind you, you wouldn't want to piss him off! Gwen took to the stage as a cheerleader resembling her current video to 'Hollaback Girl'. The inspiration behind the image is basically a two finger salute to the people who gave her stick when she was a cheerleader at school. The weekend came to a close with Jamiroquai making a comeback. Although he's still wearing those stupid hats he's still as cool as ever. What with Sunderland winning a bloody important football game and the crème of the crème of the best live music acts and Lemar playing in town the northern crowd had every reason to be cheerful, well for 48 hours at least!