ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL
It all kicked off with the Isle of Wight Festival, which played host to the irrepressible Ray-Ban Rooms. A strong army of duelling, Wayfarer-wearing DJs kept the Rooms rocking all weekend and included the likes of Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man, Kid Harpoon, Merok Records, Young & Lost Club, Florence Welch (minus The Machine) and Drew McConnell from Babyshambles.
The main arena crowd went crazy for an unparalleled line-up including, The Police, The Kooks, The Kaiser Chiefs and The New Young Pony Club. At the same time the Ray-Ban Rooms were equally ablaze with a heady mix of sweet leftfield pop, un-relenting neo-punk and some classic dance floor fillers.
With Iggy Pop's distinctive brand of insanity taking-over the main stage, Kate Nash ran through a set of female-fronted punk back at Ray-Ban Rooms. The Cribs followed by spinning tunes from XTC and Edywn Collins. An awesome time was had by all, the Isle of Wight was right on it once again.
GLASTONBURY
As Glastonbury set out to re-establish itself as the Daddy of the festival circuit, a sunny start brought with it a celebratory atmosphere. All was in place: the big names, the scrum to the gates, the fluttering flags and a sprawling tent city. The frenzied crowd was awash with colour and the Ray-Ban Wayfarer proved a firm Glasto favourite.
Jay-Z bulldozed critics and got the crowd pumped with an incredible video montage and an opening of Wonderwall. Yorkshire lads One Night Only delivered an infectious set, with front man George Craig donning his white Wayfarers before hitting the Pyramid stage. Dave McCabe of The Zutons also sported the hottest festival eyewear as he strutted their unique blend of rock-pop and gave a blinding rendition of Valerie with Mark Ronson.
OLD QUEENS HEAD
For those less inclined to get their wellies muddy, the Old Queens Head Islington delivered a more local affair with the unique Festival in the pub.
Courtesy of Ray-Ban, North London rocked out to major new talent Micachu and the Shapes; the crowd getting down to their distinctive blend of electro-pop. Three piece band Little Barrie delighted pub revellers with some stripped down soul infused rock and roll. Feet tapping, drink clutching festival goers were also treated to the divine tones of the wonderful Ciara Haider. Cheers to that.
T-IN THE PARK
With its fair share sunshine beating down on proceedings, Scotland's favourite music festival had plenty to shout about this year. With a storming line-up, T-in the Park 2008 was alive and kicking with the sound of summer.
Showcasing his debut album, Hand built By Robots, Newton Faulkner opened the main stage with an inspiring set. Richard Ashcroft treated the crowd to a mix of old and new, rounding off the night with a spirited sing-a-long featuring The Verve's trademark Bittersweet Symphony.
Other highlights included an impassioned performance from Rage against the Machine, British electro-poppers Hot Chip and a wayfarer clad KT Tunstell shaking up the main stage.
LEEDS
Proving it is decidedly un-grim up North, Leeds Festival rounded up August in a blaze of glory. An astoundingly good and finely tuned set from Raconteurs, featured an ever-committed performance from Aviator wearing Jack White and a stunning drum interlude.
The Dirty Pretty Things played with unbounded energy and gave us a cover of Nirvarna's In Bloom before wrapping up with the popular Bang Bang You're Dead. The Killers closed Sunday night with a grass flattening- sweat inducing bounce fest.
With rock Legends Metallica headlining Leeds Festival this year, it promised to be a weekend to remember. They did not disappoint. Wowing the crowd with classics such as Ride The Lightning and Fuel these masterful rock legends provided an epic finish to an epic festival.
