Such is the broad appeal of the V Festival that it will no doubt attract the seasoned festival goers - and those a bit wet behind the ears.
Familiarise yourself with the event at Hylands Park, with the potted history below - all the way to V
A is for August
The one constant in an ever changing festival is the fact the event takes place this month.
B is for bottle
Plenty of these will be in evidence at the festival this year, for drinking from and for answering a call of nature. as Cher Lloyd discovered to her cost in 2012. The former X Factor contestant was pelted with bottles of urine and left the stage upset.
C is for comedy
The V Festival has a comedy stage. Sean Lock, Milton Jones, Jon Richardson, Eddie Izzard and Josh Widdicombe count among the stars to have appeared. This year sees Alan Carr, Adam Hill and Paul Chowdhry each perform a set.
D is for dry wash gel
For all those camping at V this year, this is a must. Whilst there is nothing that can beat a nice hot shower, this is the next best thing.
E is for extortionate prices
One of the main criticisms of the event is its corporate nature. £7 burgers, £2 bottles of water and £10 programmes, the only way to see the times artists are performing, have been criticised
F is Futures Stage
Formerly known as the Virgin Media Undercover Tent, the Futures Stage showcases new and emerging talent. Alex Clare and Embrace are headlining the stage this year. The Enemy, Jamie Cullum and Misha B all performed last year.
G is for general release
The much-anticipated date in which tickets go on general release is etched in most V goers' minds very early in the year. Tickets for the event itself range from £96.90 for a day ticket and £303.95 for a VIP camping trip.
H is for Hylands Park
Since the very first V festival in 1996, Hylands Park's 574 acre site has played host to the Chelmsford half of the event.
I is for incidents
One thing for certain is that the police and medics have to perform as well as the artists. Volunteers at St John Ambulance gave first aid to more than 650 people at V Festival 2013. There were more 100 arrests made, including 22 for drug offences.
J is for Justin Timberlake
Rumours circulated for weeks as to the identity of this year's headline act - and joy was confirmed when pop superstar and actor Timberlake signed up as the main man alongside other superstars including Ed Sheeran, Kaiser Chiefs and Tinie Tempah.
K is for (The) Killers
Nevada's finest have been semi regulars at V since 2004 and will no doubt have a massive following at this year's festival.
L is for line-up changes
From damaged vocal chords to undisclosed reasons, last minute line-up changes are as much a feature of the festival as the artists themselves.
Last year was particularly unpredictable, Beady Eye, Little Mix and James Arthur all withdrew in the days leading up to the festival, resulting in plenty of changes.
M is for mud
Whilst not a notorious as Glastonbury, our delightful summer weather can still cause V goers to consider wellies as essential wear. It also warrants an event to rival the array of music and comedy on show, mud sliding.
N is for nachos
In terms of nutritional value, this doesn't score particularly highly. However it is readily available at V and does compliment the expensive alcohol very nicely.
O is for Olly Murs
Witham's favourite son has been a fixture in the previous three festivals at Hylands Park. He won't be there in 2014 however.
P is for Pulp
The blueprint for V Festival originally came from Pulp's frontman Jarvis Cocker announcing he would wished to play at two outdoor venues in two days. It was Pulp's promoters who thought of putting the events on in both the north and the south. The idea of putting more artists to the bill shortly followed. From the original two stages and tent, the event has grown to four stages and a comedy tent at both sites.
Q is for queuing
One of the drawbacks of the festival comes from the disruption caused by queuing. In previous years, Essex Police have advised festival goers not to arrive before the opening time at Hyland's Park, usually Friday at noon.
The main area usually opens at noon on Saturday and on Sunday, acts will finish at 11pm.
R is for rock
V was once known as a rock festival, but now looks well and truly mainstream. Pop acts and former X Factor contestants are now as commonplace as indie and drum nad bass acts as its appeal has widened.
S is for Staffordshire
Weston Park in Staffordshire has hosted the northern half of V Festival since 1999. It had previously been held at Victoria Park in Warrington and Temple Newsam in Leeds.
More than 170,000 festival goers were spread across the northern and southern versions of the event.
T is for Tulisa
The former N-Dubz singer was involved in an altercation with celebrity blogger Vas Morgan at last year's event in Hylands Park and has subsequently been found guilty of the assault.
U is for unruly
Doves star Jez Williams had to content with the "unruly" side crowd at the 2010 Festival, prompting a foul mouthed tirade whilst the band performed their set. They are now on a break.
V is for the Virgin group
What better way to end this guide than with the giant conglomerate who has made it all possible. The Virgin Group has been the main sponsor of the festival each year, and also sponsors the main stage.
