MARK ASQUITH reviews V2000, Weston Park, Staffordshire...

YOU can never trust weathermen. The predicted weekend-long downpour did not happen and it was suncream that was in demand not wellies. As the sun shone down, Coldplay, on the MTV stage, were the first band to attract a large crowd. The quickly rising band did a faultless run through the new album with a couple of older tracks thrown in for good measure. The confidence of this band is astounding and they are surely ready for a the step up to headliners on next year's festival circuit.

The second stage headliner was one of this year's festival darlings, Moby. You can't help but think that no matter how much the crowd are enjoying his set, he's having a better time.

The main stage line-up on the Saturday was full of big-name acts. James, Brand New Heavies and Paul Weller all entertained the crowd, but there was no doubt that the major draw was headliner Richard Ashcroft, who was playing his first solo UK gig. His set was a strange mix of songs from his debut solo album and tracks from the last Verve album, Urban Hymns. The biggest cheer from the crowd, perhaps tellingly, went to The Drugs Don't Work. It might just take a while for his solo stuff to attain the same stature. The biggest disappointment of the weekend was the small crowds that watched the bands on the second stage. Hefner's laid-back guitar style was one of the highlights of the festival -- perfect for a sunny Sunday afternoon. Soulwax stepped up the pace and maintained the quality, and headliners Supergrass produced one of there classic live performances. The event of the day on the main stage was Travis on their last UK show this year, and in time-honoured festival tradition half way through the heavens opened and the predicted rain arrived. Shed up the mountain

Guest reviewer PETE NORMAN, of Clayton-le-Moors indie band Ten Stone Dead, watches as Shed Seven warm up for the 2000 Carling Weekend with a gig at Spanish Hall, Winter Gardens, Blackpool...

NEW deal, new guitarist, once again the Shed's gave themselves a mountain to climb, and climb it they did -- all the way to the top.

With his charismatic presence, Rick Witter was born to rock and roll. The band just thrive on his aura and the crowd responded equally. Bad press has been the thorn in the side of Shed Seven but tonight they proved their worth. This could have been an untimely comeback but they have a way of drawing you in. Classic old tunes like Chasing Rainbows and Disco Down went down a storm with the four new tracks that were aired. Still very much work in progress, the catchy tunes are very much keyboard led. Now back, bigger and better, surely this time the band will hit gold. To cap off the evening, the Dandys, surprisingly enough, showed some promise. These guys will break the scene at some point, but tonight belonged to Rick and the Boys. Just pure rock and roll.