For Paul Wilson, bass player with Chichester's finest Hope of the States, V is going to be a whole new experience.

Paul Wilson - Hope of the States. How does it feel to be headliners at V?

Paul: "It's great to get finally recognised at long last. I think we are a band that you either love or hate so it will be quite interesting to see how it goes. I think we're up against Dido which we're not really worried about."

Who are you looking forward to seeing at V?

Paul: "You don't really get a chance to see other bands but rather bizarrely we have been bumping into Tim Booth of late who is playing the same stage as us. I think the Bees are just before us and they'll be good to see."

What have been your other festival experiences?

"Last year we played Glastonbury just over a month after we got signed which was pretty scary but the crowd seemed to like it. At T in the Park this year we got taken off early so we did a bit of an acoustic set off stage."

What is the best part of being involved with a festival?

"You definitely have a laugh. You get good crowds at a festival. Sometimes at gigs you get people folding their arms demanding to be impressed but at festivals the people are really up for having a good time."

What is the best thing you've heard about V and the worst?

"I've heard it is the poshest festival so I'm looking forward to going to the loo without the fear of porto potties. The worst is that Dido is headlining."

Published Monday August 23, 2004