The Charlatans were the pick of the festival today with an excellent performance on the main stage.

Last year front-man Tim Burgess performed solo at the festival with mixed success but today the reuniting of all the band members seemed to bring out the best in him.

The performance spanned the years from early hits like "The Only One I Know" and "Sproston Green" through "One To Another" and "North Country Boy" and then "Love is the Key."

At one stage Burgess told the crowd that this was like "their Woodstock 69" referrring to the legendary music festival in America.

Although this was perhaps overstating it, the band certainly did have the crowd in raptures.

Looking at those present, another noticeable aspect was that enthusiasm for The Charlatans is not just restricted to those who remember the 'Madchester' era.

They have succeeded in attracting a new generation of younger fans and that truly is the mark of a great band.

Published Saturday August 21, 2004