Sunday at Cornbury is the Jools Holland show

Sunday came around too quickly and soon enough I was stood at the Songbird stage to see 15 year old Issy Ferris perform. From Leamington Spa, Issy owned the stage and performed her self penned songs and also a cover of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene'. Her voice at 15 is amazing and you can only see her going further and developing her talent. As a song writer, she is very talented and her confidence at 15 to take a stage in front of such a large audience is commendable.

Having seen the The Chipping Norton Allstars last year, I knew that they were good. However, it seems as though this year there has been a bit of a change about and a new female singer takes the front, who, while good was not as good as the previous years. I found myself feeling as though the set was a bit tedious and they may have lost some strength within the band.

After rising to fame with thanks to Jools Holland and his New Year show 'Hootenanny', Seasick Steve has taken the UK by storm. I have heard his name banded around for a while now yet haven't taken the time to have a listen. Seasick Steve sits with his guitars and homemade instruments including 'Diddley Bo', drinking wine out of the bottle. Why be something you're not when what you are is perfect? I love how somebody so unsuspecting can create such an impressive sound. Again - scrap all the mumbojumpo of sets and stages, Steve has everything he needs to put on an enchanting show. He doesn't try to be someone he isn't which is seen with his clothes. He spoke of how backstage he was being interviewed and the interviewer called him scruffy. I won't type what he said about it but scruffy? That is who he is and who cares how he looks?! If he is happy and can make the sort of music being who he is, who are we to challenge that? It is great that there are musicians out there who won't sacrifice themselves to be mainstream and Seasick Steve is a fantastic advocate for this idea. Go Steve!!

After graduating from the TV show Pop Idol 10 years ago, Will Young has carved his own path in the music industry. With hits such as 'Who Am I', 'Leave Right Now' and more recently, 'Jealously', Young was a charming addition to the set list. With three number 1 albums in the UK, it seems that Young has truly settled into the musician that he wants to be and with the help of an enthusiastic audience, Young rose to the challenge of taking to the stage before Jools Holland.

The big dog of the weekend - Jools Holland. Seriously, what a fantastic man and band. Supported by his Rhythm and Blues band, Holland is so ridiculously talented its almost unbearable - in a good way! Over the weekend many acts had paid tribute to Holland including Seasick Steve and Will Young which shows just how much Holland does for the music scene.

Yet, it is easy to forget that he isn't just the face of 'Later with Jools Holland' but he is a musician in his own right and an incredible one at that. What he can do on a piano is mind-blowing and the whole weekend and the rain was worth it just to see him perform. He eases into every song, he immediately strikes up a bond with the audience and he appreciates every member of his band for their own unique skills. Holland, personally, is the cement and in a way, backbone of some of the worlds artists. Without him, many of them would not have been given a chance in the spotlight but Cornbury provided Holland with his own spotlight so that the crowd could enjoy him for what he is - a truly fantastic entertainer.

Cornbury Festival once again was friendly, safe and buzzed with life. The festival proves what is great about music and why we should step aside from the lightshows, the pyrotechnics and the overbearing stages and sets. When you have a great artist and a great line-up, you don't need to sugar-coat it with extras. Let the music do the talking and Cornbury is exactly the sort of place that you want to be and where you want to take your family. Regardless of the rain, the festival felt a pleasure to be at and be apart of. Here is to year 3 (at the new site)!

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