Sceptics may have pooh-poohed the idea of comedians headlining an open-air festival but The Mighty Boosh pulled it off on Saturday.

After a day including Ross Noble, Gary Numan, The Charlatans and DJ Jarvis Cocker which failed to rise above the usual inconsistent al fresco affair, madcap twosome Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding closed in triumphantly distinctive style fronting their seriously musical band.

It helped that Fielding thoroughly embraced the absurdity of rock stardom. Gliding onstage on a giant boat in his sailor's outfit, he was the perfect amalgam of Adam Ant and Captain Pugwash. Barratt, following in his wake, was the ideal deadpan foil, playing guitar after arriving in a rubber dinghy. For once, their offbeat bickering banter played second fiddle to their comically catchy singing.

The set constantly jumped genres, keeping things interesting. Electropop was followed by jazz, punk and pulsating funk.

Guests Har Mar Superstar and Peaches rapped and Boosh sidekicks Rich Fulcher, Michael Fielding and Dave Brown added to the anarchy. There was more than a hint of Flaming Lips mayhem but nobody else could climax with the lead singer falling off an enormous inflatable eel.