BELLY LAUGH

Firstly, the event itself. Simple foundations and passionate organisers ensured that the whole thing ran smoothly. Not bad considering year two has seen a 500% increase in numbers from the inaugural bash. Then, more importantly, the music. It could not be disputed that at least a couple of the acts are on the brink of something huge.

Take James Yuill. At roughly 9 p.m he coyly took to the stage and connected his laptop, keyboard and a hole host of other gizmos. Oh, and a mandolin. By 9.15 the crowd were in raptures and chanting his name. His deeply imaginative brand of electronic folk is truly groundbreaking, and his set all the more memorable thanks to his unmistakable melodic movements. It required all-consuming concentration to pull together the pulsating armoury of electronica with sweet vocals and a perfect command of the mandolin. To the joy of the crowd, it was interspersed with the occasional, incredibly modest grin that said ‘yes, that bit wasn’t too shabby was it?’

After James Yuill, The Isle of Wight’s favourite sons, The Operators, were up. Yuill was a hard act to follow, but the foursome delivered a set that was up to scratch. That may sound downbeat, but not when you’ve experienced their level of ‘scratch’. As a live set, they deliver a show-stealer every single time, without fail. They are born for the stage and the news that galvanised their growing legion of fans is that they are in the process of recording a debut album which, I am told, is due out later this year.

All in all, it was a cracking weekend - new talent, great weather and hopefully a festival date set in stone for years to come.