The sun shone bright and hot and most of those gathered in the main arena when Isle Of Wight band Los Fantasmos took to the stage were more interested in catching rays than Latin rhythms. Still, the lads who won their line up spot thanks to a local competition did their best to entertain the small gathering of enthusiastic local support, who cheered their heroes through a set of sunny vibes and chilled out rhythms – a perfect start to the day.  | | The Jackson Analogue |
United by a love of facial hair and baseball caps another Island band The Jackson Analogue took centre stage to entertain the growing band of early risers. Their big Hammond organ driven sound (think The Doors with Kings of Leon attitude) was helped along by some gruff vocals from youthful grizzler Rob Homes. It was a quick fire set and the lads left the stage without even saying goodbye. The beardy young Islanders made way for new-comer Tara Blaise and the Irish singer songstress took to the stage wearing a sheer green top and long flowing skirt. She opened with a soft folky Gaelic number, before launching into a set of saccharine sweet pop – a bit like a sugar coated Natalie Imbruglia. If Tara’s soothing vocals were lulling the gathering crowd into a snooze in the afternoon sun, four young indie lads arrived to the jolt them from their slumber. Manchester’s Nine Black Alps may be festival debutants, but their heavy rock songs wowed their own knot of support as well as the wider audience. Wearing their influences on their sleeves, they were true to their Manchester roots - following in the footsteps of Ride and The Charlatans, with a huge dose of Nirvana inspired energy.  | | Former Kinks Frontman Ray Davies |
The contrasts in styles continued with former Kinks frontman Ray Davies taking centre stage for some ripe entertainment. Davies is an old school entertainer and soon had the festival crowd on their feet. From the front row in the main arena to the food stalls and probably the campsite beyond, everyone was singing along to some classic Kinks, Sunny Afternoon, Lola, and Dead End Street - perfect for a sun drenched afternoon. There was just enough time to wander up to the Extreme Sports arena and check out some of the super cool boardriders, and stop off for a quick champagne cocktail in the Bollywood Bar before the mercurial Pete Doherty and his Babyshambles took to the stage. Doherty’s self-conscious stage antics thrilled his ecstatic followers, who cheered, screamed and wept as he meandered his way through a hit and miss set of punk fuelled tunes.
The Babyshambles bubble was burst by Goldie Lookin’ Chain, who could barely contain their excitement bounding onto the stage 15 minutes early.  | | Catalogue kings Goldie Lookin' Chain |
The Newport collective were a perfect pick-me-up for the flagging mid-afternoon crowd, combining laugh-out-loud humour, thumping Welsh rap and eye-watering obscenity to produce a memorable 45 minute set - leaving the stage to a massive ovation. If you go to a festival and forget your towel then you’ll have to hope that Feeder are on the bill. Not only did they throw their towels into the crowd, but they lobbed over their drumsticks, set lists and pretty much whatever took their fancy as they strode their way through a mixed set. They roused a noisy sing-a-long with Just the Way I’m Feeling and the Feeder fever peeked as they launched into crowd favourite Buck Rogers. With the main arena at standing room only, and the feel good factor still sky high, Roxy Music gradually brought the crowd back to ground level with a collection of early tracks that showcased - sometimes at length - the accomplished musicianship of the band.  | | Bryan Ferry |
They left it late before they wheeled out a series of classics – Jealous Guy, Love is the Drug and Avalon which delighted the crowd as did the pair of pink feathered carnival queens who appeared to brighten the gathering gloom. It’s not surprising that great artists like Bryan Ferry and Ray Davies with a back catalogue that stretches way into the last century can pull out a familiar track at will. But what is amazing is Travis appear to now be entering the same league. How many Travis songs have now filtered into that backlog of tunes that you didn’t realise you knew? Frontman Fran won the affection of the packed main arena with some good humoured chat and cranked up the feel good factor with tunes from each of their previous albums.
And despite Morrissey’s late withdrawl, he was not forgotton as Travis sent the happy campers back to their tents with a cover of Mozzer’s Every Day is Like a Sunday. | 
