end of the road

They end with an impromtu reading from Bez's autobiography

And Arab Strap's Malcolm Middleton turns PR for a Swindon hotel...

The second time we saw Super Furry Animals was on their 'Rings Around The World' tour in 2001. They had complicated visuals, mostly taken from the album's accompanying DVD but screened in perfect time with the music, and a quadrophonic sound system all the better to transmit their electro wigouts. It was also at a large venue, resulting in an overwhelmingly loud and grand psychedelic AV feast. Seeing them last night at End Of The Road couldn't really have been much more different.

The band also sing 'Happy Birthday' in Welsh to guitarist Bunf

The great thing about small festivals is that you can flit between stages in less time than it takes an I'm From Barcelona balloon to be passed around the crowd. That's what we did this afternoon at End Of The Road. After taking in some of Swedish oddballs I'm From Barcelona and Joan As Policewoman with a trusty cider in hand, we decided to stick around for Scottish folky King Creosote.

I'm From Barcelona and Joan As Policewoman treat Dorset festivalgoers

The second stage also sees an all-star jam from Americana star Howe Gelb

The Texan five-piece co-headline the first night and dedicate closing number to organiser Simon Taffe

The Dorset countryside - lush, green and verdant. Good for dairy farming and Thomas Hardy novels, but hardly the place for one of this summer's best folk, post-rock and Americana festivals? Well, we reckon it's perfect. Everyone at End Of The Road Festival seems to be enjoying the varied acts, relaxed atmosphere and country estate setting that equals Latitude Festival in the beauty stakes. The myriad stalls selling premium local cider are, of course, just a plus. Ahem.

Our last Summer festival highlight kicks off in two weeks; starring SFA, Lambchop and Yo La Tengo