Victorious has steadily gained popularity over the years, combining pop, indie, and world music to entice fans at Southsea seafront, often enjoying the late summer sunshine. This year, the headliners were notably more prominent than in previous years, featuring the American trio of Queens of The Stone Age, Vampire Weekend, and Kings of Leon, accompanied by a variety of British acts.
The festival kicked off on Friday with the Britpop favorites The Charlatans as special afternoon guests, delivering energetic performances of hits like ‘One to Another’, ‘North Country Boy’, and ‘The Only One I Know’ to a sizable crowd. Fresh from their tour supporting Fontaines DC, the Irish indie rock band Sprints electrified the audience with a dynamic set ahead of their upcoming sophomore album.
Changes to the seafront layout this year meant there was no comedy tent, resulting in a variety of performances spread across the weekend on the main Common stage. Joel Dommett attracted a fair crowd, but responses to his set were mixed, possibly leading to a decreased number of bands performing.
The Mary Wallopers were a significant draw, yet their performance became the most controversial moment of the weekend when their set was cut short after a brief chant in support of Palestine and the appearance of a flag on stage. Confusion ensued as no explanation was given to the audience, which learned about the incident later through social media. This rare point of contention marred the otherwise great atmosphere, with some acts reportedly withdrawing due to the festival's management of the situation.
Friday evening showcased a mix of new and iconic UK indie acts, with Wunderhorse delivering their distinctive sound. Although they skipped a couple of fan favorites like ‘Purple’ and the new single ‘The Rope’, they still entertained the crowd for 45 minutes with songs from their two albums. Kaiser Chiefs, stepping in for Michael Kiwanuka, energized the event as they celebrated 20 years of their debut ‘Employment’, performing beloved tracks like ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’, ‘Modern Way’, and crowd anthems such as ‘Ruby’ and ‘I Predict a Riot’—a perfect build-up to the main event.
Queens of the Stone Age transported the desert vibe to Portsmouth, their legendary alternative rock resonating deeply with the audience. Starting with ‘You Think I Ain’t Worth a Dollar, but I Feel Like a Millionaire’ and ‘No One Knows’, their performance soared, demonstrating their enduring magnetism and energy even after 25 years. Their set, centered around ‘Like Clockwork’ and ‘Songs for The Deaf’, featured no weak moments, with ‘I Sat By The Ocean’ and ‘Make It With Chu’ standing out. They concluded their set amid a spectacular fireworks display, captivating the audience for an impressive 90 minutes.
Saturday began with Rizzle Kicks, followed by Scouting For Girls, who drew one of the largest afternoon crowds of the festival. They kept the energy alive with hits like ‘She’s So Lovely’ and ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, creating a lively atmosphere for another sun-soaked afternoon.
With The Last Dinner Party canceling, set times shifted, allowing Shed Seven and Travis longer performances. Shed Seven, gaining momentum with two number-one albums anticipated for 2024, stirred up the crowd with classics like ‘Disco Down’, ‘Chasing Rainbows’, and ‘Going for Gold’. Public Service Broadcasting performed on the Castle Stage, gathering a large audience with their distinctive blend of archival sounds and dance/indie, delivering one of the weekend’s standout performances.
Travis, moving to a later slot, captivated the audience with an acoustic rendition of ‘Flowers In The Window’ and other favorites such as ‘Driftwood’ and ‘Side’, culminating in an exhilarating performance of ‘Why Does It Always Rain on Me’. Fran Healy shone as an engaging storyteller and frontman throughout.
Vampire Weekend, though attracting the lowest crowd among the headliners, had a fervent audience. They opened their set with early hits like ‘Mansard Roof’ and ‘Holiday’ before focusing on their latest album ‘Only God Was Above Us’. Despite being more experimental than previous material, the audience remained engaged. They finished their set with favorites like ‘A-Punk’ and ‘Harmony Hall’, as well as some audience-selected covers, a tradition at their shows, which included Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Crazy Train’, Weezer’s ‘Buddy Holly’, and an electrifying rendition of ‘Common People’. Ezra Koenig’s vocals were robust, and the band performed excellently throughout.
The final day featured a mix of acts, including Craig David, who drew a crowd with a DJ set blending his own tracks and dance classics. The Waeve, featuring Graham Coxon on the Castle Stage, showcased their art rock sound despite some technical difficulties. Jasper Carrot entertained the audience with comedy for an hour before the evening acts.
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Victorious has been an increasingly popular festival in recent years, featuring a mix of pop, indie, and world music that enchants fans along the Southsea seafront, frequently.