Isle of Wight Festival, Seaclose Park, Newport

Ever since the triumphant revival of the Isle of Wight festival in 2002, the event has continued to expand in size. This year, the camping area had sprawled even further away from the main festival site and revellers had to walk epic distances in the blazing sunshine. But at least it wasn't raining.

The music got under way on Friday evening with a trip back to the 1980s courtesy of Echo and the Bunnymen, who got the crowd on side with favourites like The Cutter and The Killing Moon. Next on was radio friendly band The Feeling, who gave a chirpy sing along performance that included an ambitious cover of This Charming Man by The Smiths. Dance music for the night came from Groove Armada who gave the sound system a serious workout with tracks like Superstylin and material from their new album Soundboy Rock. As the sun went down over the main stage, Groove Armada cheerfully obliged by ending on the super chilled At the River. It was left to Snow Patrol to wrap up the first night with a stripped down and raw performance that put the emphasis on the more anthemic numbers.

To Saturday, where the elfin Donovan brought the festival back to its psychedelic roots with a setlist that comprised classics like Mellow Yellow and Sunshine Superman.

A visibly sozzled Amy Winehouse followed and precariously teetered about the stage on some impossibly skinny legs underneath an enormous hairpiece. Winehouse managed to hold it together throughout, but praise must go the backing band that kept her going. Heavy rock arrived later from Wolfmother who provided the soundtrack to an aerial display for the Red Arrows. More guitar madness as Ash took to the stage and got the crowd bouncing with tracks like Burn, Baby, Burn and Girl from Mars. Perhaps lacking a little in their usual rock and roll swagger, Kasabian were in the mood for fun and gave a more relaxed performance. Saturday headliners Muse rounded things off nicely by wowing with a space-age lightshow.

Sunday afternoon and acts like The Fratellis, Melanie C and James Morrison came and went as revellers counted down the hours to the Rolling Stones. Solo artist Paulo Nutini pulled out all the stops for the festival's most energetic performance and a fresh-faced Keane did their thing. However, it was welcome relief to see Mick Jagger and the boys skipping out to the strains of Start Me Up. The Stones delivered hit after hit and ended the festival with the kind of showmanship and gusto that had perhaps been lacking from many of the other headline acts.

Patrick Gough * Tune into Virgin Radio this week to hear live tracks, backstage interviews and relive the Isle of Wight Festival again.

* For more information on travelling to the Isle of Wight please call Red Funnel Ferries on 0870 444 8898.