On screen: Radio 1 Big Weekend in decent line-up shocker

Last weekend saw the annual BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend pitch up in Swindon. A quick flick through the online highlights revealed a none too shoddy line-up, and we were spared any contact with 'presenters' Edith Bowman and Reggie Yates = result.

OK, so obvious chart botherers Calvin, Dizzee, Lily, Akon, Kasabian, Franz and er, Chris Moyles all plugged their latest records/tours/weight loss but there were also sets from the very new Temper Trap, promising indie-geeks Bombay Bicycle Club and god-like disco boys Friendly Fires.

There's a ton of footage over at Radio 1's homepage, while we've scoured YouTube for embeddable highlights - enjoy...

Calvin Harris played his pop hit 'I'm Not Alone' - a chavvy rave-up with wayward vocals. Highlight comes 4m 10secs in; "Swindon, get ready to go off!!"



Dizzee Rascal goes 'Bonkers'. Noisy:



Friendly Fires 'Jump In The Pool'. Yes please:



Is that Kings of Leon? No it's Midlands apes Kasabian easing through 'Empire':



Like your pop soppy? Getting wallowing with The Script's 'Breakeven' (SPOILER: it's a fan video):



Recession = the return of escapist, fantasy pop (see La Roux, Little Boots, Marina and the Diamonds). Lad rock is dead - try telling that to The Enemy:



Alesha Dixon's 'The Boy Does Nothing' still sounds fresh even with ropey dance moves:



White Lies. Immaculate on record, 'Fairwell to the Fairground' sounds a little tired here:



'Kingdom of Rust' by Doves. Nuff said, these blokes deserve every accolade they'll pick up via their new album:




P.S. Where were Great Britain's best pop band - A.K.A Take That?



























Oh, found 'em:

Welcome back: Doves

Touring the UK this week (all now sold out, new dates are scheduled for April/May), Doves return with new album Kingdom of Rust on 7th April. The single of the same name is released on 30th March (pre-order here).

On the evidence of teaser download 'Jetstream' and 'Kingdom of Rust', we shouldn't expect a vast departure from the trio's cinematic indie-rock, but if it ain't broke etc. They've certainly timed their return well, with fellow Mancunians Elbow finally making inroads into the nations hearts.

Kingdom of Rust's video takes in the windswept suburbs, motorways and hills of the North West before sampling the delights of Blackpool sea front.


Of the couple of remixes currently doing the blog rounds, Still Going's disco-tinged reworking trumps Prins Thomas' sedate, slo-mo remix.

Melancholy has never sounded this good.