I write this, the amazing team behind the Victorious Festival are removing the last remnants of the festival. Southsea Commons is going to seem so bare next week. We will always have the memories and what amazing memories they are!

In the aftermath of events people are quick to pick fault and sometimes for good reason, I have also previously been frustrated by long queues at the bars and toilets, along with an inability to access my phone due to networks being down. To their credit, the organiser listen. They have always worked hard to fix what they can to make this the best possible festival experience. Spoiler alert: they smashed it and this was the best Victorious Festival yet!

The main change to this year’s event was opening fully on Friday as opposed to the previous partial opening of the site. The line-up boasted some big names from the off with Blossoms and Billy Nomates both taking to the stage just after lunch.

Although I was nowhere near those acts as I came down with my partner, three-year-old and three-month-old. We went straight to the Kids Area. This was the first time that I properly explored the Kids Area, last year my daughter was more interested in just exploring the site but this year she was the perfect age to appreciate what was on offer.

Unsurprisingly the Princesses were a massive hit with my daughter – so much so that we caught them each day of the weekend. They put on a really good show and seeing my daughter’s face light up and her jump for joy when she received a wave from Cinderella and Snow White was a priceless highlight of the weekend.

Situated opposite the Kid’s Area is the World Music Area. I don’t know if I would quite call it a hidden gem but it is certainly an area that is likely to be missed by many over the weekend as they focus on the main stages. There is always a great vibe and it is the home to some of the best grub that you could get your hands on over the weekend.

I managed to catch Southsea Jazz with Alice Milburn followed by Megan Linford. Both pulling big crowds in the Friday sunshine. Victorious Festival has always prided itself on providing a platform to local artists and the aforementioned could be called veterans of the event.

Due to childcare commitments, we did have to leave late afternoon and I suffered huge FOMO as I’d loved to have stayed to see Friendly Fires, Raye and Jamiroquai but family duties came first. Listening to the rain come down while I tucked into my Natty’s chicken I felt slightly less sad at not being there. The people I spoke to who were there said the rain was so heavy that you were drenched in seconds, although unanimously it didn’t seem to have ruined their experience.

On Saturday morning I was pleased to see blue skies above. While there was still rain forecast in the late afternoon I was excited to get back to the festival as early as possible to make the most of the good weather.

After using a bus and taxi on Friday we got up early enough to grab a parking space in nearby and had a short walk to the festival. Did I try and sneak a can of booze into the festival? Yes. Did the person on the door find it? Yes. Oh well, can’t blame me for trying. Fortunately, he missed the cartons of squash that were stashed in the buggy! One of my few criticisms is the lack of kid’s squash available on the site. My daughter is young enough that we are still trying to avoid the introduction to fizzy drinks.

Entering the site via the Pyramids entrance meant that we were already well placed to catch the first performances of the Princesses before exploring more of the activities available within the Kids Area.

The Parenting Network offered bracelet making for kids to use the numbered beads to show their parent or guardian’s telephone number in case the worst happened and we were separated. This was a great idea and one we appreciated!

While my daughter was a bit too young (and shy) to take part in the Bandeoke on offer hopefully she’ll return next year as she loves blasting out a bit of Disney at home.

The first proper bit of Main Stage action that I got to enjoy was Natalie Imbruglia’s performance. It has been twenty-five years since she released ‘Torn’ and that was a stat that made me feel old.

Pale Waves followed after, while I’d heard of them before I wasn’t too familiar with their work. While they didn’t quite do enough to make me want to add them Apple Music library I enjoyed their performance and thought that lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie was superb.

As someone who is involved in women’s football and someone who is already aware of the hugely successful England Women’s Beach Soccer team, I was excited to catch them in action because normally they play matches outside of the UK – for obvious reasons.

Coach Steve Black calls upon a group of talented players who are conveniently based in the south of England, including Gemma Hillier, Molly Barron-Clark, Becca Barron-Clark, Katie James and Alisha Buckingham, all of whom play their grass football for AFC Bournemouth Women.

Over the weekend they invited young festival goers to take part in training sessions and offered a meet and greet afterwards. My daughter, who is no stranger to women’s and girl’s football loved it, when I had the ball at my feet she told me that she’ll show me what to do.

Victorious Festival are the team’s principal sponsor and made the shirt available to purchase at the merchandise stand. It was great to see so many people wearing it throughout the weekend. This group of players are some of the best in the world on sand and should be celebrated.

There was even time on Sunday for a little exhibition match between them and the Yardboiz, the amazing team responsible for building the festival. The girls went easy on them, ha!

Sadly this was another day without a headliner due to getting home at a decent time for the kids. But the feedback I’ve had from those who attended Kasabian was that they were incredible and reaffirmed their status as one of the best live acts in the country.

Sunday was my birthday and I couldn’t have asked for a better party to celebrate! I have always been lucky to be able to celebrate my birthdays during Victorious Festival weekends, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Many of my must-see acts performing over the weekend were playing on Sunday, starting with The GO! Team. Formed in Brighton, the six-piece are no strangers to the south coast. Their 2004 debut album, Thunder, Lightning, Strike was a favourite of mine and tracks like ‘Ladyflash’ featured on many a mix tape.

Nearly twenty years on and after a few changes to the original line up this was my first opportunity to catch them live and they did not disappoint. Their energy was infectious and while I loved their classics, their new music was also a joy.

After a couple more hours in the Kid’s Area tiring my daughter out she went home for the evening and I was able to check out Ben Howard. Howard shot to fame over a decade ago and quickly established himself as one of the premier singer-songwriters of the generation with tracks including, ‘Only Love’, ‘Old Pine’ and ‘Small Things’.

In March 2022, Ben was sitting in his garden when he found himself unable to think clearly, form sentences or speak for almost an hour. A month later, after the same thing happened again, the Ivor Novello Award-winning singer-songwriter learned he’d suffered two TIAs (transient ischemic attacks – known as mini-strokes).

It was great to see him fit, doing well and hearing that his vocals were still strong.

While waiting for Johnny Marr and Mumford & Sons my friends and I thought that we’d check out the Big Top after hearing Elton John banging out of the speakers. While Reggie wasn’t appearing in a special guest slot it was tribute act, Absolutely Elton. He was brilliant and this was my weekend highlight!

I had the pleasure of enjoying the real Elton John at Bestival in 2013 and this wasn’t far off. We were treated to a selection of his biggest hits expertly performed with the same swagger and showmanship that you’d expect from the man himself.

It seemed rude not to watch the legend that is Johnny Marr and the former Smiths put on a performance worthy of a headline slot.

I wanted to catch Mumford & Sons so I slipped away mid-set. Timetable clashes at the festival aren’t too much of a concern given that it is relatively easy to get around the site.

I was glad that I did. I arrived during ‘Ditmus’, one of their newer tracks, not a strong one if I am being honest. The newer music was well-received but it was those from their debut Sigh No More that received the loudest cheers. The encore of ‘Awake My Soul’ and ‘I Will Wait’ led to one of the best atmospheres that I have ever experienced after coming to this festival.

The whole event was a pleasure and I cannot wait to do it all again next year.

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Photos: Tom Langford, Emma Wurfel, Matt Stills and James White