Roxy Music Fail to Inspire at London's Lovebox

London's Victoria Park has been both a blessing and a curse when it comes to live music. A beautiful location set amongst trees and open spaces, the prohibitively low volume levels imposed on the main stage have proved to be the undoing of many a band over the years. Roxy Music's headline slot at Lovebox on Saturday -- the band's first London gig in five years -- was also hampered courtesy of a set that flew in the face of what a Saturday night should be all about; fun.

While the soundmen struggled to make some sense of the audio levels, Roxy Music's set failed to ignite despite presenting gems such as 'Re-make/Re-modell' and 'Ladytron.' As the sound of the crowd drowned out Roxy Music's efforts, 'Song for Europe' and 'In Every Dream Home a Heartache' simply became so much background noise with a sizeable amount of the audience voting with their feet and heading for the exit signs.

Yet Lovebox proved to be a treasure chest in other places. Over at the Gaymer's stage, Yeasayer's blend of psychedelia, Afro-rhythms and 21st Century pop effortlessly won over a crowd eager to party. '2080' struck home early while 'Madder Red,' 'Ambling Alp' and a celebratory 'O.N.E.' displayed why 2010 will have this magnificent band's fingerprints all over it.

Also stepping up to the plate to claim a major victory were Wild Beasts. With a set weighted in favour of their last album, 2009's 'Two Dancers,' the band took ownership of the main stage with a confidence that was infectious. and by the time 'All the King's Men' dropped, any doubts that may have lingered soon gave way to surrender and appreciation.

Elsewhere, These New Puritans' post-punk was given a boost in the shape of a brass duo and a two-pronged drum attack that propelled 'We Want War' to new heights.

Depending on which side one fought during the post-punk years largely determined the enjoyment of Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes' appearance during Mark Ronson's set on the main stage, and the unconvinced made with great haste to the Rizla arena for Grandmaster Flash's adventures on the wheels of steel.

Beat-driven, urgent and creating the ultimate party atmosphere, this was everything that a Saturday night should be about and an event that knocked the memory of Roxy Music's turgid return into a cocked hat.