Public Enemy: On-stage presence rarely bettered

Saturday's dance-orientated day fused the best of the new with the finest of the old.

With Luke Vibert and the Stanton Warriors impressing early on, other notables included the always popular Jurassic Five and DJ Luck and MC Neat.

Yet with such a "blink and you'll miss it" line-up, it appeared bizarre - and may be construed as cynical - that two of the most anticipated dance DJs played their sets before much of the crowd had arrived.

Techno legends Richie Hawtin and Derrick May played at two and three in the afternoon to whoever had been conscientious enough to get there early.

But as expected it was to be the main stage headliners of Stereo MCs and hip hop legends Public Enemy who stole the show.

The festival was held in east London

After first bursting onto the scene in 1982, Public Enemy's popularity fuse still has a way to go before burning out.

Although much of the crowd will have heard the "hype" not so many will have witnessed it live.

Their on-stage presence suffers many imitations but it is rarely bettered.

The call and response routines with the crowd and the enigmatic figure of Flavor Flav guiding the crowd through the classic Public Enemy No 1, Fight the Power, and Rebel Without a Pause left us wanting more.

The Stereo MCs' much talked about comeback has now left everyone feeling that they have never been away.

Front man Rob Birch is now 39 and, though he looks no healthier than he did at the beginning of the 1990s, he seems to be enjoying a new lease of life.

Their live performance reminded everyone what all the fuss was about and provided the crowd with much to talk about.

Roll on Sunday.