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The big gates at De Montfort Hall welcome me to 2011′s edition of the Summer Sundae Weekender, after a quick mosey around the poetry tent where local group ‘Word’ are entertaining the festival early birds I head down the hill, first up & opening the main stage is a band selected via BBC The Beat’s East Midlands Competition, Dancing Lotus, Lincoln’s eclectic six-piece get us under way with raging orchestras, a rapper & bass beats, worthy winners from this evidence, mid-set, a heavy down pour pushes half the crowd inside, they missed a treat

Inside to dry off & for a warm, onstage walks Elliot Morris, he’s one of the hardest-working stars on the popular acoustic music scene at the minute and this eager crowd can see the potential as the guitar finger wizard uses wrists, thumbs & magical theatre to create an intriguing sound that leaves the crowd gobsmacked, finishing with a one man, multi-sound version of ‘Billy Jean’ proves Elliot is one to watch

The Fists have one of those names which intrigues, the Nottingham 5-piece batter out low-fi indie songs on the main stage as the sun starts to appear, across the site to the Rising stage sponsored by Last.fm to witness 2:54, they remind me of a young mashed up PJ Harvy/Nirvana/ Garbage Up cross over, the pretty London based sisters are causing a stir with their unique marriage of downbeat pop and stoner rock

Wandering by the tempting pie stall, an unfamiliar voice comes from the main stage, ‘Hey we’ve come all the way from Louisiana to play for you guys today’, a lot of effort…. i bet go and check them out, Givers confidently belt out joyous afro-beat and synth drenched indie-pop, 2 drummers, 3 guitarists, 2 singers and only 4 members, on this evidence, this time next year they may well be a household name

The Bees calm the mood with laid back tunes, Frontman Paul Butler knocks out hits & treats the crowd to their latest album E’very Step’s A Yes’ along with some old classics closing on ‘I Really Need Love’, winning the crowd over, the band are in fine form.

Inside to see the attention soaked King Creosote & Jon Hopkins, fresh from their Mercury nomination, Kenny ‘King Creosote’ Anderson has a magical voice, he & Jon attract a good afternoon crowd, you can hear a pin drop in De Montfort Hall as ‘Diamond Mine’ gets an outing with the crowds full attention

Graham Coxon warms up the main stage in prep for tonight’s headliner, and proves why he is one of the most gifted guitarists of his generation, on the back of 7 solo albums, the ex-Blur man treats the main stage crowd to classics, Just enough time to nip over to the Musician Stage to see a Leicester legend, Uncle Frank (another curious name) he puts on an unstoppable live show that starts in the middle of the tent with flashing glasses & flower balloons, the show is jam-packed with gags, funky dancing and tear jerking original songs

The Maccabees are tonight’s headliners, i’ve seen this band nail pubs, clubs, intimate tents and academy venues, could they crack the festvial stage?  Their first time to Summer Sundae, the South London 5 piece bang out new songs, hits from the darker ‘Wall of Arms’ and tunes, now classics from ‘Colour It In’.  Gone are their 2007 bright baggy hoodies & short hair, in is a darker look & longer hair for half the band.  Lead singer Orlando maintains his sharpness & attractive charisma, he owns the stage, effortlessly knocking out classics ‘Lego’, ‘Last Love’, ‘Precious Time’ & ‘Kind Words’, the band admit it’s a risk playing so many new songs in a headling set, they even play a chistmas song!… fan favourite ‘Were walking in the air’, its is a cracker & shows the bands versatility. On first listen, the new songs have big potential… edgier, punchier, darker, but still maintaining The Maccabees sound, the band are maturing and the 3rd album, scheduled for the winter could establish this band as mainstream

After riot threats all week, The festival maintained its family friendly record with a trouble free day & continues throughout the weekend, Newton Faulkner headlines tonight whilst McFly close the event on Sunday evening

Dancing Lotus

Givers

Admiral Fallow

Graham Coxon

Festival Site

Uncle Frank