Mixed day today, if I’m being honest. Some surprises, some disappointments. I wouldn’t say it lived up to the promise of yesterday. I’m pleased to say that I saw at least part of 12 sets out of a possible 15. I can’t therefore report on Hello Saferide or Danielson or Ruins (Solo).

So, the meh’s first. Wasn’t hugely impressed with Lightning Bolt. They seemed quite inoffensive, but nothing really grabbed me. Ponytail were OK musically, but the singer had a habit of screeching which grated just a bit. She and Him were a bit of a cheese fest for my liking. Not at all what I was expecting, and left me cold.

Disappointments: The xx were a band I wanted to like: I’m keen on the album’s sparse, downtempo sweetness. Live, however, they failed to do it. It wasn’t the sound: they managed to produce some beautiful, crystalline noises. No, the sad fact is that on last night’s evidence, they’re not a very tight band. There were too many awkward pauses and bumbles to concentrate on the mood. A real shame.

The rest was much better.

The African contingent represented by Konono No.1 and Amadou and Marian were about as far apart on the musical spectrum as you could imagine. The former played a dirty 60 minutes of overdriven thumb piano and trancey conga. Amazing irrepressible noises. The latter were a smooth corporate unit playing big tunes. Impossible to sit still for either.

Deerhunter and Thee Oh Sees fulfilled the quota of 4 piece guitar bands today. There the comparison ends: art rock versus garage. Both enjoyable.

James Chance and les Contortions brought the funk. Mr Chance is a 1980s New York musician clearly in love with the likes of James Brown on the basis of the little bit I heard.

I found The Residents music a bit soulless, but I think that’s probably the point. They certainly put on a great show, full of warped visuals, storytelling and insanity. I don’t think I’d listen to them by choice, but I’m glad I’ve seen them.

In a similarly unhinged vein, Panda Bear’s set was a psychedelic end to the night. He creates intense yet vague music: it feels like sounds from a distant poorly-tuned radio invading your dreams. I know it’s not everybodys cup of tea, but it is mine.

But without doubt, the highlight of the day was the performance of Boadrum by The Boredoms. Had no idea what to expect, but was blown away by the set. The band comprised seven drummers playing largely in unison, a guitarist and a multi-instrumentalist playing electronics, shouting and whacking merry hell out of a seven necked guitar and seven lap guitars. Far from being a cacophony, the result was deeply melodic. The piece grew and mutated towards a coordinated climax, leaving me reeling and smiling in equal measure. Just brilliant. It’s on again today, and I’m definitely off to see it again, if only to catch the moment that one of the drummers made his entrance through the middle of the crowd, borne on a platform by eight roadies with a full drumkit.