This was billed as a local gig for Bury based Elbow combined with a large number of support acts. After the success of the Jodrell bank festival last year the number of tickets on sale had doubled to 10,000 and everyone had sold out really quickly. 

On entering the venue the organisation was good – queues went down relatively quickly to get in and there were plenty of stewards and security to guide people through and answer any questions. 

Facilities were also good with large numbers of clean portable toilets being brought in to supplant the Jodrell bank facilities and also there were good disabled facilities both in terms of bathrooms and also a special raised area to guarantee a great view. 

There was plenty to do in between acts as Jodrell had opened up a science arena where combined with a live XFM show there were various interactive displays including the large Hadron collider and the Mars Rover. There was also the permanent cafe which had opened for the day and served quality meals if people wanted to get away from the burgers and hotdogs. 

The stage was excellent with a crystal clear sound from all of the acts. First up was Willy Mason a US folk singer who performed for around half an hour with just a guitar. The growing crowd soon got into his songs and by the time he was on to his last two numbers were clapping along with him. 

Next up was Lianne La Havas performing tracks from her forthcoming album “Is your love Big enough”. She played the crowd pretty well repeatedly telling them that she loved them and although many of her songs appeared to be about her ex boyfriend with one of the crowd telling her to “get over it!” her voice was strong and the band was playing a tight soul funk groove. 

Downbeat Cherry Ghost delivered a set of strong melancholy songs but the crowd, now getting close to full capacity enjoyed it and supported them. 

Before Field Music there was a lecture by one of the Jodrell Bank scientists to add a scientific edge to the whole evening with a live link to the Andes to view one of the largest telescopes in the world. 

Field Music played a strange almost prog rock set with numerous pitch and time signature changes, with the drummer and the guitarist regularly swapping the drumming duties. Technically strong but melodically unmemorable, but it certainly got the crowd really in the mood when finally Elbow stepped out and launched into their medley of singalong anthems. 

Suddenly the heavens opened but with the fantastic light and video show and a live projection onto the Lovell telescope dish Guy Harvey and the band did not disappoint and the crowd who lapped it up with every word being sung straight back by the crowd at high intensity. 

There was plenty of banter between the band and the Jodrellites as Guy referred to the crowd. But even after the event with cars being stuck for over two hours the crowd will have remembered a fantastic visual and aural spectacle by Bury’s finest.

Alas due to the great British weather Sundays event was cancelled.