As formulas go, V Festival's is pretty simple - popular, radio-friendly music in a field full of Virgin advertising.

The weekend festival is set over two sites: Hylands Park, Chelmsford, and Weston Park, Staffordshire. Now in its 13th year, it remains a popular draw for casual music followers and, in Chelmsford's case at least, tends to attract a certain chav element.

The line-up yesterday included Amy Winehouse, who took the stage to a hero's welcome. While it was far from a vintage performance - her voice sounded croaky, she had an uncomfortable habit of clasping her dress like a toddler bursting for the lavatory and an even more irritating one of shoehorning references to imprisoned husband Blake Fielder-Civil into songs - an adoring crowd and excellent nine-piece band helped her through.

Rehab was announced with a wry smile, while Tears Dry On Their Own had a soulful strut. Later on, Valerie had the crowd dancing and Winehouse seemed to be enjoying herself. Indeed, she even managed to see the funny side of a fan's sign that read: Punch me Amy, a reference to Winehouse's recent fracas with her bodyguard (or perhaps her slightly less recent tussle with a fan at Glastonbury). Either way, it prompted a naughty, mid-song giggle from the singer.

Kings of Leon don't do giggling but the bashful Followill brothers are an impressive live act. Their raw, rootsy music, characterised by frontman Caleb Followill's gruff tenor, has endeared the Tennessee group to British hearts with their latest album, Because Of The Times, reaching No 1 last year. It was from this album that the best moments came. Charmer was a gutsy delight, while On Call prompted a mass singalong-Before The Verve sang another festival-home (they've appeared at pretty much every one this summer) the giant screens that flanked the stage blared out Oasis's Don't Look Back In Anger. As the boozed-up throng sang along, it seemed a tad disappointing that two bands, whose peak was Britpop more than a decade ago, were still the flavour here.

However, with rumours of a break-up abounding in the press, The Verve sounded every bit the tight unit. Older songs such as Sonnet were triumphant, although newer material like Sit And Wonder suggested that the Wigan group won't be modernising their sound for the new millennium.

V Festival won't be changing either - but yesterday its formula was simple but effective.