A Rocking Weekend

The Big Chill, what's that all about then?

Named after the popular London-based club night, the Big Chill Festival is now in it's 16th year. With just under 40,000 revellers it's tiny by Glastonbury standards, has ten stages and hosts over 350 acts over a three day period. It's an eclectic mix of every genre of dance music from chart to African, dance, Latin and trance.

We've been going for years and to be honest it's changed a lot over that time. The original owners sold out a couple of years back and although it's lost much of the original arty vibe and the clientele has become more mainstream it's still a unique and friendly gathering. This year they introduced a "family arena" with specialist DJs, non-swearing stand-up comics, a working farm and a dressing-up box. This was brilliant for us non-parents who for the first time were able to enjoy the music without nearly being garotted by a diabolo-toting child .

There's still quirkiness around.

I love The Enchanted Garden, alternative therapies and hippiness aplenty.

The food at the Big Chill is possibly the finest at any festival. This white van serves authentic Kolkata vegan street food and offers early morning Bengali cookery lessons.

Somebody's a fan.

There's loads of cool places to chill ...

...and sights to marvel at. This greenhouse is situated in the main arena and is tended to by a team of blokes in skimpy pants.

Situated in a valley, the Big Chill seems to have it's own micro climate. We only had a couple of heavy showers all weekend. Friday was particularly glorious.

I hadn't seen the Chemical Brothers since they supported Oasis at the now legendary Knebworth gig in August 1996 and they still rocked.

How many festivals can boast a duck pond?

A mini Stonehenge made from recycled water tanks. My Cher outfit proved very popular.

During The Empire Of The Sun set.

The Bullitts featuring Idris Elba, Jay Electronica and Lucy Liu.

Saturday morning festival essentials, a pint of cider and a Guardian newspaper in a special festival bag.

During the Crystal Fighters set.

Robert Plant played with The Band Of Joy, his original band from 1966. Being a local lad there were lots of Midlanders who'd turned up just for his set. It started well, his voice was excellent but sadly became a bit dull.

During the Janelle Monae set.

Testament to a great band is that you can sit through the rain and enjoy every minute. Jon loved Steel Pulse, a legendary Birmingham reggae band in it's 35th year.

Every stage is presented beautifully and the entire festival site is immaculately maintained. The things that most often irk festival goers aren't in evidence at the Big Chill. There's no litter, clean toilets (so no men peeing in open view) and a campsite crew on hand to assist anyone taking down their tents to ensure none are left behind.

During the Kayne West set. He was on for over two hours, went off on a bizarre 15 minute rant set to music about how lonely and misunderstood he was but he was still absolutely brilliant and his tribute to Amy Winehouse was beautiful.

Great acts, fab weather, good food, plentiful cider and perfect company and only three weeks until the next festival.