The Big Chill is often dismissed as a festival for ex-clubbers who spend their weekends pushing baby buggies and discussing organic cider. But the cliches overlook the fact that it attracts genuine music lovers. This year, the predominant sound was reggae, whether it was Max Romeo on the main stage, DJ Norman Jay giving Obama speeches a dub mix or DJ Derek, Don Letts and son Jett laying down uplifting platters in one of the many bars. Otherwise, over four scorching days, it gradually turned into a UK version of Woodstock.

Hare krishnas banged drums on the campsites; a giant wicker man burned while one woman instructed small children not to pillowfight because they would "ruin this beautiful country". You could have had an amazing time without seeing any acts, but the Mercury-shortlisted Friendly Fires and the Invisible delivered excellent sets, the former's singer Ed Macfarlane dancing as if with a greased ferret down his trousers. Many relaxed to the beautiful melodies of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra and White Tree Project (To Rococo Rot's collaboration with contemporary classical pianist Ludovico Einaudi).

An on-form Spiritualized piled into Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space as lanterns rose into the night sky, and Orbital turned the idyllic site into a giant rave. Sunday's crowdpuller David Byrne delivered a stunning audio-visual extravaganza: Talking Heads classics played alongside his collaborations with Brian Eno, accompanied by contemporary dancers. When Byrne then donned a tutu, he provided the most extraordinary moment of what often felt like a once-in-a-lifetime festival experience.