To start with... After finally reaching De Monfort (one missed train and a quick sprint to collect equipment from BBC Leicester later) I realised I had no idea what to do! This was my first experience of a music festival and I had been thrown into it all on my own. I wandered round aimlessly for 20 minutes until I decided it would probably be a good idea to actually find out who was on where. 1.30pm - The HaveNots | "A 20 minute wait and a extortionate (though very nice) £3 portion of chips." | | Becca on festival food! |
The indoor standing area provided quite hard to get to when I first entered - probably due to the fact that my eyes had not adjusted to the dark and therefore could not see a number of people sitting at tables around the halls edge. The HaveNots provided the perfect way to kick off my musical Sunday and it was great to know that they come from Leicester! Their songs were all met with great applaud, especially when joined by the American Chris Mills who added an energetic finish to the set. 2.00pm - Sondre Lerche At first I wasn't sure what I thought of the Norwegian Sondre Lerche's unusual voice, something about the guy reminded me of Buddy Holly; however it didn't take long for me to become caught up in his performance.  | | Sondre Lerche |
Using my press photo pass (don't I sound important!) I made my way into the pit not just to get some pictures of the singer, but just so I could get a closer view as he reeled off each of his enchanting songs. I was very impressed by his whole set and was disappointed to find none of his records for sale in the merchandise tent... but I'm determined to get one somehow! More wandering Feeling more confident I swung my two cameras over my shoulder and marched round the festival. Purchasing a "bums on sheets" plastic mat lead me to sitting in on a range of different acts outside, in the Rising Stage tent and Musician Acoustic Stage tent without fear of mud. I explored the upper stalls of De Monfort Hall and chilled out listening to some of Aladair Roberts set. 4.00pm - Patrick Wolf Patrick Wolf's choice of clothes suggested that he was about to perform a punk inspired set. The singer-songwriter actually performed a very well received performance, infused with folk roots. His own songs were very good but I especially enjoyed his rendition of a Kate Bush classic that brought a new edge to the familiar tune. It is interesting that songs with such strong imagery, such as that in 'The Libertine', can be teamed with a ukulele (which I'd normally find quite amusing) and still achieve such a haunting performance. 5.30pm - Alfie  | | Ian from Alfie |
I'm at a brilliant indie festival, it's glorious sunshine outside and I decide to lounge inside with my iPod turned up to full volume. I hadn't got sunstroke - I had decided it would be handy to listen to Alfie's album 'Do You Imagine Things' in order to prepare questions for the interview that would follow their performance. The recorded version of Alfie turned out to be nothing compared to the live alternative. They opened well with the gentle but familiar 'People' that immediately got the audience tapping their feet and went on to deliver a brilliant set that comprised of many of their new, funkier songs. The indoor audience was the biggest I had seen up until that point, even with the sun beating down on The Duke Spirit's performance outside. Like most of the crowd a soon as Alfie had left the stage, I hurried outside to catch the last of The Duke Spirit's set. The Interview Definitely one of the highlights of the day. I knew I liked Alfie from the moment I heard them, but I knew nearly nothing more about the band other than that. So the interview with Lee, the lead singer, was a learning curve in more ways than one. Of course I'm not going to give away too much as you'll have to watch and read about the interview in my special Alfie feature! The rest of the day... Continuing my circuits of the festival, I took in half of The Wedding Present's Performance and browsed the power shells on a New Zealand inspired stall before giving in to my growling stomach.  | | The Outdoor Stage |
A 20 minute wait and a extortionate (though very nice) £3 portion of chips later I joined the increasing number of festival-goers sprawled in front of the main outdoor stage. Their was a great feeling of nervous excitement, especially from the groups of older audience members in identical black Patti Smith tee-shirts, as we waited for the headliner to close the weekend. Unfortunately I couldn't stay until the end of her performance (as my parents were waiting patiently in De Monfort car park!) but the part I saw was well worth the wait, and I made sure we kept all the windows open in the car as I travelled away from the venue until I could no longer hear her singing. To conclude... I really enjoyed the day and although it was a bit weird being on my own as it is definitely a group thing, I didn't get too lonely as there was plenty to hear, see and do. I felt a bit like a wandering free spirit! Best band of the day - Alfie (not just because I interviewed Lee!) Best new (to me!) performer - Sondre Lerche Best audience member - the guy in the hat before the Alfie set who offered me a rich tea biscuit! | 
