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:

Video: Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy

With most of the music industry this week backslapping itself at South By Southwest in Texas, Friendly Fires are preparing for a second tour of North America before hitting their biggest UK venues yet at the end of April.

It's been a slow, measured build for the St Albans trio, and word of mouth has propelled them into the hearts of clubbers across the globe. Helped by some inventive, catchy singles ('Paris', 'Photobooth', 'Jump In The Pool') and cutting edge remixes (pick up the Air France remix of 'Skeleton Boy' here), Friendly Fires are certainly on a roll.

Check out our review of Skeleton Boy for High Voltage while enjoying the video and their laid-back cover of Lykke Li's 'I'm Good I'm Gone'.






Download 'I'm Good I'm Gone' (Lykke Li cover)

Skeleton Boy is out now on XL, find the bands world tour dates on their MySpace.