THERE were a few dishevelled figures wandering among the giant foam footballers and ever-present waft of hot dogs on Sunday morning.

Big Brovaz, The Divine Comedy, and Athlete were the first three bands to open Sunday's festival on the V Stage.

They were followed by party girl Pink who performed her set against a backdrop of inflatable spikes. Pink's much loved hits came thick and fast, starting off with Don't Let Me Get Me, followed by Trouble, and God Is a DJ. Bizarrely enough it was her cover version of Four Non Blondes' What's Up? which caused the biggest reaction to her set, the last show of her eight-month tour.

Pink thanked the audience for making this show "the best gig ever" and finished on a high note with the thumping beats of Get The Party Started.

The party was well and truly on its way when Faithless followed with their banging beats, trippy loops and synthe-sised sounds to tracks such as I Want More.

They brought the masses together with tracks such as Mass Destruction and its lyrics "Racism is a weapon of mass destruction." The biggest cheer came from the crowd when a blonde, balancing on a friend's shoulders bared her assets on the V Stage screens. Festival-goers were just as ecstatic when Faithless played their final number, We Come One, which left them shouting for more.

The crowd went mad for The Charlatans, next up with their second song, The Only One I Know, and I went mad for Love is the Key, from their album, Wonderland. Singer Tim Burgess was in fine form, teasing the crowds with his charming smile.

They were followed by Dido, then headliners, Muse.

Morgan Nichols from The Streets was playing the bass with Muse as their usual band member Chris Wolstenholme had broken his wrist.

Muse have hit the perfect musical formula with their bass riff led tunes that have classical overtones. Their iconic status was symbolised by the Christ-like white statues against a black back drop for their opening few numbers.

From New Born, and Bliss, to the monster Hysteria, Muse had the crowd eating out of their hands with their classical rock tunes.

It was a nice touch when Muse threw giant white balloons into the audience but the balloons unfortunately were blown back over the security gates by the wind.

V2004, the ninth annual V festival proved to be a fantastic weekend out.

And now it's goodbye from me

THE V Festival had extra special meaning to me as it is the last piece I will ever write for Nightlife.

This is my last week at the Evening News, I have thoroughly enjoyed my three years writing the music page (formerly known as Pulse) and I would like to say thank you to everyone for taking an interest in it, as well as goodbye to the wonderful musicians and artists I have met during my time here.

My page will now be written by new Evening News music maestro, Joby Mullens.

To contact Joby with any stories or gigs, call him on 01905 742252.

Alternatively, you can e-mail him on jobymullens@midlands.newsquest.co.uk