David Gray

V Festival (Chelmsford) review

By Luke Seagrave | Published: Thu 11th Sep 2003

Saturday 16th to Sunday 17th August 2003
Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8WQ, England MAP
£90 with camping, £75 without, day £42.50 - SOLD OUT. camper van £30 (with w/e ticket)
Last updated: Wed 2nd Jul 2003

Some people would question the organisers planning in putting David Gray's stage time in between Queens of the Stone Age and Red Hot Chili Peppers. As much as I adore and appreciate his music, it certainly killed the momentum that QUOTSA had built up, and therefore it a left a slightly motionless audience for the Red Hot Chili Peppers to contend with after David Gray had finished.

Anyway, that aside, he seemed to be one of the few artistes that genuinely wanted to be at V and he put his heart and soul into it, instead of going through the motions like some other bands (cough, cough, Foo Fighters, cough, cough).

David Gray

‘Sail Away’ gave the sweaty crowd a chance to have a nice heart warming sing along, along with his other huge hit ‘Babylon’.

David Gray is quite simply one of this moments greatest songwriters, with such heartfelt melodies and poignant lyrics, brought to life with his angelic vocals. Even a few of the audience had tears in their eyes once he finished his set.

It is safe to say that this wasn’t one the most energetic performances of the weekend, but then again his music isn’t supposed to be energetic, just heart-warming. Which it truly was.
review by: Luke Seagrave

photos by: Luke Seagrave


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