Gig played on 09+10+11/06/06

The meteoric rise of Editors is evident in the number of sun struck people muttering "This lot are supposed to be great…" as we enter the closing stages of Saturday at IOW 2006. And they're not wrong. Propelled along on an insistent percussive throb, courtesy of drummer Ed Lay, the band's intense approach has turned heads and given us all the excuse to pretend we remember Joy Division. Tom Smith may struggle for a tune at times, but the band have some strong material. Particular note goes to "Someone Says", with its agile drumming, "Bullets" and the magnificent "Munich", which could have become an instant anthem today if singer Tom Smith could have engaged more with the massive crowd.

Headliners Foo Fighters close the second day, but by now too many drums have been smashed (though none quite as loudly as Taylor Hawkins'), too many guitars thrashed and too many lyrics barked into the night. Someone seems to have turned the sound down too, but when the lasers - check them out, Dave - shoot out to accompany the intro to "Best Of You", you can feel the shockwaves on Sandown pier.

Sunday's more eclectic mix bodes well for tired ears and, whisper it, Procul Harum's Gary Brooker has the best voice of the weekend by a seaside mile. Meanwhile, Geordie's aren't usually short of a word and Paul Smith is no exception. Maximo Park are perhaps the hit of the day and that's down to the fact that Paul's talking to us and - note to all those young guitar slingers - appears to be enjoying himself. "The Coast Is Always Changing" seems rather apt and they also play new song "Monument" and the slightly disturbing "Apply Some Pressure". Brilliant, but you wouldn't trust him with your sister.

It would be a perfect day if Lou Reed followed the script, but the old curmudgeon begins with a fuzz guitar solo which terrifies even his own band. Lou plays, they do their best to follow…and it works brilliantly. "Waiting For The Man" and "White Light / White Heat" have grown men in tears. "Tell It To Your Heart" is simply magical and although "Walk On The Wild Side" is surely on the set list, Lou ignores it. We are not worthy - evidently.

Richard Ashcroft may sing like an angel and have a fantastic band but, sadly, he bores us all silly with his soundbite politics. "The Drugs Don't Work" - that's probably because of all the sniffer dogs at the gates today - "Music Is Power" and "Lucky Man" betray a rich vein of classics, but "Bittersweet Symphony" ignites the evening beneath a blood red sunset before Richard thumps his heart yet again, puts his coat on and leaves.

This year's festival draws to a close with Coldplay, which sees Chris Martin crawls, sit, roll and prance his way through an impressive greatest hits package. "Square One" is a perfect start alongside a magnificently dissonant "Yellow" and a soaring "Don't Panic". Six years on from their first album, it's testament to the songs that they've come this far despite rather limited music backing from the band. Jonny Buckland is no Johnny Marr, but Chris Martin appears to be the new Paul McCartney and when he sits and thrashes at his piano, Coldplay can be a thrilling spectacle.

They play a rough version of "Perfect Day", fireworks explode into the night sky as we head for the ferry home after another excellent Isle Of Wight Festival.

by Andy Strickland