Maxi Jazz is a very happy man. There's a smile going from ear to ear and he's got every right to smile after the set Faithless have just played.

Faithless on stage at V

It's not the first time the group have appeared at the V Festival, but this is certainly their most complete performance and is one of the highlights of the first day of the event.

From the opening beats of Reverence to the closing track We Come One, there's no let up.

The audience are swept along and even though the group's most famous track Insomnia appears early on there is no sign of interest falling off.

There's even time for the group to make a side swipe at the War in Iraq as well as playing out Mass Destruction which receives enthusiastic support with several thousand arms in the air.

As well as introducing a new singer into the line-up Faithless now have a rich back catalogue of material to choose from.

It's difficult to pick a highlight when a group have produced such a polished performance, but watching thousands clapping in time for Mass Destruction sticks in the mind.

The organisers may have decided not to have a dedicated dance tent as in previous years, but Faithless seem more than capable of filling any void which may have been left.

Published Wednesday August 25, 2004