August 16, 2008 18:18

Amy Winehouse plays V Festival - just!

After dramatic delay singer wins over Staffordshire crowd

Photo Gallery: Amy Winehouse
Photo: Pa Photos

Amy Winehouse performed what is expected to be her third last gig before she takes an extended break from playing live at V Festival this evening (August 16).

Taking to the V Stage with the rain pouring down at the Staffordshire leg of the event, the singer's band emerged first nearly 20 minutes late, then paused and just stood there in limbo doing nothing for several long minutes.

Following a mixture of cheers and boos from the waiting festival crowd, Winehouse broke the mood, dramatically scampering onstage at 6.30 (BST).

NME.COM later learnt the delay was down to the singer's helicopter to the site being held-up, forcing her to make a last minute dash to the stage.

Wearing a skimpy, black and white checked top and rolled up half-jeans, the singer greeted the crowd with a simple "Hello, alright?"

However, whatever ill-feeling might have been festering evaporated with sing-a-longs to the likes of 'Back To Black' and 'Tears Dry On Their Own' as even the weather appeared to favour the singer, as the rain eased up.

"How you feeling, listen you look gorgeous in waterproofs," Winehouse then told the audience. " I'm telling you, you all look gorgeous."

The singer dedicated 'Wake Up Alone' to her husband - Blake Fielder-Civil, who is currently serving a 27-month prison sentence - which caused some boos from the crowd, but 'Love Is A Losing Game' and 'You Know I'm No Good' soon restored the positive spirits as the singer danced about on the spot.

Despite picking up her white guitar on several occasions, Winehouse did not play as she and her band chopped her set around to accommodate the lost time.

'Rehab' earned loud cheers, as Winehouse moved towards the climax of her V Stage appearance.

Finishing with The Zutons' cover 'Valerie' a now smiling Winehouse led the crowd through the laid back sing-a-long, then thanked them and left the stage, leaving her band to wrap the set up with a short flourish.

Winehouse is now set to play the Chelmsford leg of V Festival tomorrow (August 17) after which, according to her father, Mitch Winehouse, she will play one more gig before taking an extended break from playing live after September 6.

Keep checking NME.COM for the latest news, pictures, videos and blogs live from both V Festival Chelmsford and V Festival Staffordshire all weekend.