Live Review: A Day On The Green

As the still stupidly hot sun beat down in the early March afternoon Ratcat kicked off A Day On The Green. A mixture of heat and traffic meant crowds were still coming in as they took to the stage (always the festival way, unfortunately), but those down the front singing to That Ain't Bad weren't held back, nor was the swoon-worthy lead Simon Day. Timeless.

Died Pretty took over next, a little less bouncy but not less musically on it. Highlights were DC and Through My Heart, as well as some very excited fans from back in the day at the merch tent for signing later.

A little before 5.30pm, as more shade finally crept over the park Sunnyboys took over and heated things up again. Although drummer Bil Bilson was missing in action ("the first time in 35 years we've been without him"), the band played as if no time had passed. Alone With You of course got an airing, but there was also no stopping Happy Man, Tunnel Of Love or What You Need either.

More dancing with ADOTG's resident between-set DJs Grand Master Baitz (this time Bowie-themed) killed time until it was Violent Femmes time, and they blew the lid open starting with Blister In the Sun. Despite a couple of tech issues through the set (it's never good when the lead mic goes out mid-song), their set was tight and fantastic, with classics American Music and Gimme The Car sitting well next to newbie We Can Do Anything. And yes, of course Add It Up got an airing, and it was good.

Final act Hoodoo Gurus played in the cool, dark night to a ramped up — but perhaps starting to weary — crowd. Hits like Bittersweet and What's My Scene and Like Wow Wipeout made it all worthwhile. "You look like you've had a great day, we're just the icing on the cake," said Dave Faulkner from the stage. Not a bad wrap of the day, actually.