Big Weekend: Best of the new bands

by Kev Geoghegan
Radio 1 music reporter

Katie White from The Ting Tings tried to outdo Usher in the noise stakes

While Madonna drew the biggest crowd, some of the best music was coming from the smaller bands on other stages. Here's a roundup of the best.

The Ting Tings managed to break the rules within the first 30 seconds of opening the In New Music We Trust stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Maidstone, Kent.

Despite the dressing rooms being plastered with 'no swearing' signs, singer Katie White told the crowd: "It's ****** hot in here! We're The Ting Tings and we're gonna make more noise than Usher!"

While the R&B artist performed on the main stage, the Manc duo pulled a very respectable sized crowd as they launched into their single Great DJ.

The biggest cheers were left for their new single, That's Not My Name, as the crowd braved the rising temperatures inside the tent

White told Newsbeat: "Even our roadie who was passing us guitars was covered in sweat. It was so hot, I guess, because we were in the midday sun.

"But it was so much fun."

She added that they were surprised by just how many people showed up.

She said: "To be honest, we didn't know if we'd have ten people here or loads so we weren't too nervous."

Vampire Weekend

Shortly after, New Yorkers Vampire Weekend took to the same stage for a short but punchy set which included their best known track A-Punk.

Singer Ezra Koenig insisted that despite a few technical hitches they were happy.

He said: "We had a few technical dramas but the audience carried us through them, they were great."

The crowd were happy to be involved in a call and response with the band on the track, Blake's Got A New Face.

Koenig said: "We realised that the UK is one of the best call and response nations in the world, possibly even better than New York City and that's our home town."

James Yuill

Over on the BBC Introducing Stage, the temperatures were soaring even higher in the early afternoon sun.

Newcomer James Yuill, a double for Gareth from The Office, chilled out the crowds with his brand of folktronica.

Borrowing from the likes of Kings of Convenience, his short set proved popular so early in the day.

The heat prompted him to tell the crowd: "This is the hottest I've ever been in my life…not sexually!"

Paramore

Paramore brought some US pop-punk to Maidtsone with a punchy set back on the INMWT stage.

Back at their dressing room and completely out of the blue, teenage singer Hayley Williams admitted she was most excited to see pop pixie Robyn.

She said: "I was psyched 'cause I met Robyn. She's just awesome.

"She came out with a record when I was really young and I saw her on this show on Nickelodeon and I love her.

"I just love good pop music."

Foals

Jetting in from New York especially for Radio 1's Big Weekend, things couldn't have got off to a worse start for Foals.

Singer Yannis Phillipakis struggled with guitar problems for the first two tracks, before eventually bringing things back on track in time for songs like Cassius, Balloons and Hummer.

Phillipakis said: "I was worried but sometimes the best shows are the ones where everything is against you and then by the end, the crowd was really supportive and it was fun."

The gig was a flying visit for the band who fly to Japan almost immediately.

Phillipakis said: "Apparently it's the most jet lag you can acquire unless you're flying from the west coast of America, the wrong way round."

He also revealed the band are already working on the follow up to their number three album, Antidotes.

He added: "We were thinking about new material the minute the record was released. To us, all the fun is in the writing."

White Lies

Topping the bill on the Introducing Stage were White Lies.

Dressed in identical black shirts, the band wore influences like Joy Division, Interpol and Editors firmly on their sleeves.

They drew the biggest crowd of the afternoon on the small stage.

Bathed in simple white lights set from below them, it gave them a gothic appearance which complimented their impressive, if melancholy set.