Saturday 23/07/11 Ben & Jerry's Summer Sundae Festival @ Clapham Common, London

It's safe to say that Sundae On The Common is quite different to many other festivals that are happening throughout the summer in the UK. Instead of a straight up music festival it rather pitches itself as a good old style family day out, by giving the attendee the chance to compete in toe wrestling, banana jousting or alternatively spend time visiting the on-site city farm, yet there was a decent sized portion of people who were enticed by the sponsors offering attendees as much free ice cream as one can bear to eat within eight hours.

The soundtrack to these events pumped out from the solemn stage, followed the festivals tradition of offering a mixture of fast rising names and long established greats; while the former was represented by the anthemic rock of Brighton five piece Munich, the latter was more formally stacked as Saturday had a slightly post Brit pop, pre 21st century feel to it that would remind your everyday late twenties or early thirties semi professional of their now long lost youth.  

With the sun shining and a relaxed friendly atmosphere permeating around the site, the Huey lead Fun Lovin Criminals played a set that included the much known 'Scooby snacks', while later Ash embarked on a thrilling display of punk spirited ear friendly guitar pop that proved they still firmly know how to deliver a crowd pleasing set.

Yet the day was closed by headliners Ocean Colour Scene, a mod touched group that were once the house band of The Chris Evans fronted TFI Friday and a programme most would have instantly been reminded of when their most known hit 'The Riverboat song' was giving an airing.     

Early Sunday afternoon once again saw a return to the new, as it saw the jazzy grooves emitted by Sound of Rum's rhythm section being peppered by rapping poet Kate Tempests much admired lyrical flow. 

While latter in the day, the previously Mercury nominated artist Stephen Fretwell reliant on vocals and guitar proved that these two instruments combined does not always add up to being an inferior Billy Bragg. 

There was a positive upsurge of excitement when Gary Numan graced the stage and played a hit strewn set of dark electronic touched hits, ranging from Are Friends Electric? to the vastly popular Cars.

The day and festival was closed by north-eastern indie band Maximo Park who informed us that this was their only appearance in the capital this year saw fit to mix things up by playing a energetic set that drew from their 2005 debut A Certain Trigger, as much as it did from both of their latter releases, as well as some material which is yet to be released.

Ben And Jerry's Summer Sundae 2011 - photos