Sunny Together festival enjoyed by thousands

There was something for everyone – including a children’s play area kitted out with a climbing wall and bouncy castles, various different stages and a VIP area for those wanting to spend the day in style.

The day ran from noon, with hundreds of visitors already settled down with picnic blankets to enjoy the performances.

Buffalo Huddleston took an afternoon slot, a band that many people said was the highlight of their day.

‘Last time we were the first ones here,’ said tattoo artist Frankie Toy, who was at the festival with two of her friends.

‘We couldn’t wait for Buffalo Huddleston. We will be here all day – it’s the daytime drinks in the sun and the good music,’ she said.

Although there was minimal parking, festival organisers had arranged for an Evie bike base to be set up near to the entrance and many others chose to catch the bus.

The Rabbit Warren, where the event took place, had been divided into three sections comprising the BBC Introducing stage, where the kids’ attractions were based, the main stage area and the dance tent.

Banker Marc McGrath, his partner Sheralee Torode and her daughter Immie, 10, had secured a spot with picnic blankets early on.

‘It’s a great family day out, it’s family friendly, especially when the weather is like this,’ said Mr McGrath, who was particularly excited to see Stuck to the Ceiling play.

All 5,000 tickets were sold out in the days before the event.

Jane Kurz, whose son Alex Lock organised the event, said they had spent 16 hours on Friday setting up.

‘We were getting all the last-minute jobs done and setting up the flags. Everything is flowing now and I’m feeling relaxed,’ she said on Saturday afternoon.

She added that the clean-up took a week last year. Clearing the festival site was due to start at 7am yesterday.

When the event went ahead last year it marked the first large-scale festival the island had seen since Covid hit in 2019, with more than 4,000 people attending.