Pinkpop is held every year in the southern hilly bit of Holland (yes we do have hills in bits of Holland) on the long Dutch holiday weekend of Pinksteren (hence the name). It one of the two big summer festivals here with the other being Lowlands in August. Having had more than enough of teenagers drunk on cider last year at rock werchter, and given the dodgy weather forecast we broke with the camping tradition to stay in hotel.

We arrived on the Saturday in time to catch some of Placebo. A few nice tunes but no great shakes. The sun was shining so there was time to wonder around and soak up the atmosphere and spot the pinkest sunburn cases to match the pink Amnesty hats. Next up was Skin - former lead singer of Skunk Anasie in the 3FM Tent. She was fantastic with the response of the crowd making for a great atmosphere in the tent. Hearing the crowd sing back whole hits was great. Moby closed the evening on the north stage with a good set and some right on comments but a tad dancy for my liking.

The heat of Saturday brewed the inevitable thunderstorms for Sunday so we arrived in the late afternoon in a vain attempt to stay dry. As the dandy warhols warmed up the clouds gathered and 2 songs in the heavens opened for 20 mins. Even an umbrella didn't prevent a soaking. It was a shame because the warhols were good - even they looked sorry for the crowd in the downpour. It was a very cold wait for the Counting Crows, trying to avoid the ever spreading mud. Luckily the threatening sky didn't drench us again during the set but the imminent treat of another soaking was pretty distracting.

Before Massive attack closed the main stage there was the sight of the many trying to avoid the mud and the few trying to get as close to it as possible to keep you entertained, especially as we could feel smug about having a hotel to go back to. Try as we might we couldn't muster the enthusiasm to stay for the whole massive attack set. Their music is not suited to huge open air stages anyway and the cold wind and mud drove us prematurely back to the delights of a warm hotel and shower.

Monday was again warm and sunny. The highlight of the day, and for me the whole festival, was Moloko in the 3FM tent. Fantastic set which you couldn't help but dance to and a good show fronted by the delectable Roisin. 'Sing it back' and 'the time is now' had the whole tent getting down. The tent always gives a better atmosphere for me than the stage but Moloko even topped Skins performance. Closing the main stage was Manu Chao. I was really looking forward to this but live he tended to revert all songs to the same jump up and down tune after a while so it all started to sound rather similar half way through. A shame but still a fantastic festival.