gossip-2 music vfestival Virgin Media
The Verve
The Verve’s singer Richard Ashcroft has said the band has reformed because there was "unfinished business". He told BBC Radio 1 the band had not made the most of their chart-topping success in the late 1990s and fans deserved to hear their songs in a festival atmosphere. "Half the reason for getting the band together was so we could play some of the old songs," he said. “We did Slane Castle in Ireland and the V Festival before we split in '99 but that was pretty much it." Ashcroft said the buzz of headlining the Sunday night at this summer's Glastonbury was one of his best experiences with the band. He also said he would continue with his solo career despite the band's reformation. The Verve's new album, Forth, is released just a week after their V Festival appearances.
---
Matt Bellamy of Muse
Following the leak of a demo collaboration with The Streets, Muse have posted an official explanation on their website explaining that the track is "not intended to be a serious release". The band write: "The MP3 floating around on the message boards at the moment is a track we recorded with Mike Skinner a few months ago. The track was the result of a late night jam session and something we did for a bit of a laugh featuring a blues riff we have been playing live recently upon which Skinner recorded some vocals. It is not intended to be a serious release so we are happy for it to be leaked around unofficially. Hope you enjoy, Cheers. Matt, Dom & Chris." But with rumours that the Devon trio are planning an on-stage collaboration at V, all eyes remain on The Streets.
Muse in pictures >>
---
Sugababes
The Daily Star has reported that chart-topping pop trio the Sugababes are already hard at work in the studio laying down their follow-up to last year's number one album, Change. Jason Pebworth of Californian pop-rockers Orson, who co-wrote the girls' single Easy and is helping to produce their new material, apparently revealed: "I've just come out of the studio with the girls and they're like machines - they don't stop working. You gotta admire them. The new tunes are taking them in a much funkier direction. I think this next album will be their finest moment." Could the 'babes be planning a sneak preview of this new material when they take to the JJB Champion Arena at V Festival? You'll have to be there to find out!
Sugababes in pictures >>
---
Coleen McLoughlin
Following news that Wayne Rooney has had the Stereophonics album title Just Enough Education To Perform tattooed on his arm, The Sun have claimed that his other half, Coleen, is "demanding" stage-side access to watch the band perform at this year's V Festival. The Welsh trio are set to hit the stage just before Muse's Saturday night performance.
---
David Gest
Reports have surfaced that former husband of Liza Minelli and I'm A Celebrity... contestant David Gest is set to appear on-stage with the band Attic Lights at V Festival. The Glaswegian quintet will perform on the Sessions Stage, with Gest appearing to perform his guest spot on the band's single Bring You Down. Frontman David Sherry reportedly revealed that Gest "is a true television legend and is great fun to be around".
---
Dom Howard of Muse
In an interview with The Daily Star, Muse sticksman Dom Howard has hinted at a show-stopping collaboration for their headlining V Festival performance. "We are looking into a big collaboration for V but we need to see if it'll work out first... Even though we have a good live reputation we put a lot of thought and planning into our shows", Howard told the paper. Watch this space!
Meet other fans and talk about your favourite acts, top festival tips and whatever else is on your mind.
