Charlie Simpson launched his debut solo album 'Young Pilgrim' in London last night (16.08.11).

The Fightstar rocker played a show at the city's Borderline venue where he performed most of the tracks from his first record, which showcases a more folk and Americana influenced sound.

Backed by band of five musicians, Charlie played tracks including recent single 'Parachutes', 'Down Down Down' and 'Cemetery'.

Charlie recorded the album through Pledge music, where fans pay money to artists directly so they can make their records, bypassing the need for labels, which he felt was important so he could keep creative control of his work.

He told BANG Showbiz: "For me this is something that is very special to me but, as far as success and how many records you sell, that kind of stuff, I stopped worrying about that a long time ago.

"I was talking to labels all the time but I was worried that if I'd gone with them that way I would have had to compromise what I was doing. Just from the initial meetings with record companies we were speaking to, I could see they'd start off saying one thing, then further down the line they'd be making me compromise.

"I'm so proud of this record, and whatever happens after that is a bonus."

Charlie has also today (17.08.11) been announced as an additional act performing at this year's V Festival.

He said: "I'm really excited to be added to the bill at V Fest, it'll be the perfect opportunity to play my new album on the week it comes out. I've never played V before, I've heard the crowds are really up for it so can't wait to get out there and have a great show."

Charlie has also been joined on the bill for the three day festival - which takes place across two sites in Weston Park in Staffordshire and Hylands Park in Essex, England, this weekend - by The Enemy and Hard Fi.