They came, they saw, they chuckled. Now in its second year, Suffolk's Latitude Festival has established itself as the discerning rock fan's Glastonbury alternative, offering music but also arts events from theatre to burlesque to an enviable all-day laugh-fest. At times it felt as if all 20,000 ticket-holders were squeezed into the sweaty stand-up tent.
Friday quickly hit fever pitch with Bill Bailey's mix of faux Dutch hip hop, Al Qaeda gags and well-worn Killers parodies. Unashamedly posh Michael McIntyre closed the Comedy Stage by complaining about tractors on his journey - "When you're ploughing do I drive in front of you at 2mph?" The Poetry Tent was another major draw, thanks to quickfire Beckham-baiting compere Luke Wright and the proximity of water taps.
On Saturday, divorce-obsessed Sarah Millican sent Croc-wearing-mums fleeing with pure filth, while Dylan Moran expertly moaned about everything from parenthood to foreign holidays.
More laughs were available at the Literary Stage, where Robin Ince's Book Club held court and Josie Long effortlessly entranced with a heart-warmingly twee tale about buying wheat-free bread.
If fatigue was setting in by Sunday the mandatory storm refreshed everyone. Phill Jupitus and his improvising "hangover all-stars" earned their free tickets and Adam Hills raised the canvas roof before Alan Carr confirmed his star status with his northern campery. Imagine Alan Bennett scriptwriting Coronation Street.
Along the way, Jarvis Cocker's droll witticisms stole the music show, cult poets Scroobius Pip and Polar Bear made many new friends and Stewart Lee put the boot into Joe Pasquale with a brilliant, if old, routine. Three cheers for three days of sniggers with Latitude.
Latitude Festival
Southwold
Suffolk
