'This is better than playing Glastonbury'

'THIS is what every festival should be like, a proper festival, no commercialism. The vibe and the ethos of the day is great and it was wicked to perform.'

That's the opinion of NUMB, one of the acts that took to the stage at last week's Vale Earth Fair – and one of the best yet.

There was a massive pick 'n' mix of electrifying sounds on Sunday.

Okay, so the sun didn't come out to join the party but that didn't deter Guerns and our visitors from painting our faces blue, wearing tutus and drinking vast volumes of Breda.

And it didn't stop the acts from giving us those 'Earth Fair magic moments'.'

All of Guernsey's weird and wonderful hippies come out the woodwork for one day each year and it's this day.

As do your punks, goths, ravers and rockers.

The Earth Fair has always been an occasion on which all types can live, for a day, within the castle walls.

This had to be the festival's most diverse line-up yet – a colourful palette, something for everyone.

From Skindred's heavy reggae-metal to Dub Pistol's beat culture and Thee Jenerator's garage gems, there was almost too much to choose from.

I arrived on site with one thing in mind – to make my way to the magical blue bus for Nessi G's set.

When I got to the Folk Buzz bus I was surprised to find that Nessi had transformed into a 14-year-old boy.

The boy in question was Issac Evans from Jersey – this kid was beatboxing, playing guitar and singing.

I later found out he had been performing only since the start of the summer, so I was gobsmacked at the wealth of talent he had.

Time for Nessi, and not only could I not get into the bus, there was no room for me even to gawp at her through the window.

But I did hear her, and I guess that's all that matters.

I love watching Nessi play.

Sultry, sexy and sassy, she's got it all.

She completely captivates her audience until they are drinking in her words and eating out of the palm of her hand.

Having screamed 'sing Prince', to her from outside the bus, I was pleased to hear the opening chords of When Doves Cry. She takes well known tracks, makes them her own and makes them current.

Is it controversial of me to say that Nessi was the highlight for me for the whole day?

Making my way up the hill, I could hear Jamaica calling from the Breaks 'n' Beats tent.

I had a mosey and found Limey Banton behind the decks.

Close your eyes and you're on a hot beach in the Caribbean sipping rum and Red Stripe lager.

As always, Lime threw out some great reggae, dub vibes, which always sit well with his niche audience.

I had a dance.

Double XL went behind the decks after Lime. I was preparing myself for some dirty, dark dubstep and was surprised to find that he played a hip-hop set.

A larger crowd gathered to the front of the tent – hip-hop has always gone down well with a Guernsey audience, and XL played on this fact by spinning some old-skool classic tracks tightly woven with commentary on race, women, flossing and, of course, marijuana.

However, once I'd listened to 15 minutes of XL's set I had pretty much listened to it all. Let's face it, it can get a bit samey, hip-hop, for the untrained ear like mine.

I left, headed for the infamous 'tunnel' at the back of the main stage, where members of Thee Jenerators were preparing to go on.

'I am actually quite nervous,' said Steve Lynch.

'We haven't played out in a while.'

I left him with his thoughts and stood at the side of the stage to see the last part of UK band NUMB's set.

With the motto Never Underestimate Musical Belief (hence the acronym), I knew that this performance was going to involve blood, sweat and tears, with the same fire that Nirvana's Kurt Cobain displayed every time he smashed another Fender Jag to pieces.

You might also have noticed a familiar face – their trumpet player was Guernseyman Glyn Le Page, who has in the past two years transformed into some kind of superstar, so much so that he was signing autographs after the set.

This band pulled off what so many are attempting to do right now – the live band with an MC thing.

They stayed away from the funky jam with obvious basslines and instead their songs clearly relied on detailed songwriting and talented musicians.

They are a fresh new urban sound, which incorporates the use of an acoustic guitar, melodies, harmonies, a decent MC, heavy beats and an enchanting trumpet.

After this performance, these guys deserved their successful summer, playing the likes of Hyde Park and Glastonbury.

'This was better than playing Glastonbury – and I am not just saying that – I mean it,' said NUMB's MC Wyzeleigh.

'It was awesome to play back at home and show everyone what I have been up to,' said Glyn.

'Vale Earth Fair was always one of my favourite days of the year, so playing here with the band was a massive big-ups to the committee.'

Had Lynchy overcome his nervousness?

Well, yes, it seemed he had to.

Lead singer Mark Le Gallez was wearing a wrestling mask, so there was no room was nervousness.

Thee Jenerators pulled it out of the bag on Sunday – but then again, what's new on that one?

Showcasing some new tracks, the band, as always, revitalised a number of genres, from rock and roll to garage-rock, heavy soul, punk and even some ska-bop.

The crowd was under the band's command and they loved being manipulated by one of Guernsey's greatest.