James Morrison, and Alison Moyet, get a sunny Cornbury going on the opening day

Once again, it was time to head to the Great Tew Estate for the 9th Annual Cornbury Music Festival. After the success of last year, I was really excited to don my camping gear and brave the elements. Although the line-up itself didn't hugely appeal to me, I didn't want to miss out after being so impressed the previous year. With headline acts including James Morrison, Elvis Costello, and Jools Holland, the festival which aims to cater for all, could easily. I TRY and be open to all forms of music and what a better way to put that theory to the test by going to a festival where I didn’t know half of the acts.

Cornbury Festival is set in such a beautiful location. With the Pleasant Valley & Song Bird stages taking on the 'bigger”' artists, Cornbury also provided stages for up and coming artists on the Café Nero Stage and the Riverside Stage. Great Tew Estate played host once again to Hugh Phillimore and his team. With stalls selling hats, wellies, vintage clothing and jewellery, delicious food from around the world and more importantly, alcohol, the weekend was relying on one thing…the weather. Both David Cameron and Noel Edmonds were in attendance at this year's Cornbury Music Festival.

As Friday came around and our home was set up and ready for the weekend, my first stop would be to see Beth Hart on the Pleasant Valley Stage. She states her influences to be rock, blues, gospel, jazz and classical music which are all developed throughout her music. Her hearty, earthy voice expelled out and captured audience members which encouraged them to move closer and closer. The Cornbury crowd welcomed Hart and in return, they were presented with her incredible music.

Charlotte Church is generally more known for her operatic voice yet she has attempted in recent years to put that behind her and create a new sound for herself. Church's voice is fantastic yet I didn't feel as though her new music really did her voice any justice. While her passion for her new music is clearly there and she does have the voice, for me it didn't feel as though the two connected. Also - after making a statement about the photographers in the pit, her set felt slightly tainted and the comment unnecessary.

Alison Moyet was without doubt one of the highlights of my weekend. Not only did she look stunning but she sounded incredible. Before hearing her, I was informed that she was "the Adele of her time." A big statement or so I thought. Moyet was the lead singer of the band Yazoo and then went on to work as a solo artist and yet, after all this time she is still sensational.

Donned in short shorts, Pixie Lott's performance was energetic and lively and got the younger members of the audience ready for the rest of the weekend. Poppy and quirky, Lott's set was fun and included a few Motown tracks and also a cover of Ceelo Green's 'Forget You'. The Waterboys attracted a large crowd during their slot and have famous fans including Bono and the Edge from U2. While a lot of the audience enjoyed their set, to me personally it felt as though it dragged. Front man Mike Scott simply said "Less talk, more music!" and that's exactly what they did. Again - I can appreciate what they do and their sound but for me personally, I found the set a little bit, uninspiring and found my mind and feet wondering off to elsewhere.

The soulful voice of James Morrison headlined the main stage on Friday night to rapturous applause. Hailing from Rugby, Morrison music is mesmerising and calming. Laid out on the Cornbury hillside listening to Morrison underneath the sunshine was a fantastic way to enjoy his set. Playing some of his hits including 'You Give Me Something', Morrison, armed with his guitar wowed the Cornbury crowd and I would say, surprised some of the audience. As the rain kept away for the first day of Cornbury, all thoughts turned to the next two days and if we'd be as lucky.

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