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Acoustic Gathering II began perfectly at midday, with 15 year old Alastair Schmuck. His version of "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out" made perfect Sunday afternoon listening. Deep vocals and agile finger work from Phil Latham sounded divine, while Whitby's Alex Kirby is infectious and entertaining.

The sun's shining for cello and guitar duo The Producers, their��tender songs move effortlessly as dragon boats glide past the stage.

Comperes Graham Rhodes and Mr Jim introduce The Pieces; a superb local duo comprising Jon Neaves and Ed Preston, who win over the crowd with inspiring close harmonies, competent musicianship and fantastic songs. A little older are Adams & Greaves, whose voices gel softly together on��John Martyn's "May You Never". It's a heart warming sound and the congregation of pigeons fluttering above��the water stage seem to be enjoying��it too.

Billy Neilson is an interesting songwriter. "Too Emotional" keeps the crowd guessing as it twists and turns through different rhythms and unexpected chord changes. Further proof of local talent comes from blues singer/guitarist Tom Townsend, the ever rhythmic��Jess Hutchinson and Ollie Banks, whose songs are given an extra depth with the addition of congas, cello and musical saw.

Amaya Huntley sings like an angel on her own "Sunny Afternoon".��Captain Ant's visuals take effect on screens behind the stage, but grey clouds gather as Carl Woodford takes to the stage, opening with "The Love, Laughter��And Money Show". Woodford's vocals sound strong during "Bridge Song" and the rain holds off until the appearance of opera singer Vicky Wright. Accompanied ably by pianist David Evans, her poignant versions of "He Was Beautiful" and "I Dreamed A Dream" warm the spirits of the drenched audience.

From Birmingham, Vijay Kishore has an extraordinary voice, while Hayley Hutchinson's vocals are as radiant as the rainbow which appears for fellow headliner Tasmin Archer. "I feel a little nervous" smiles Archer, but the audience doesn't mind, and sing along to her number one "Sleeping Satellite". Equally soulful is Jess Gardham from York, with a voice reminiscent of Tracy Chapman��during��a touching song called "Patience".

Tom Hingley counts us down to "Saturn 5", one of the best songs he ever performed with The Inspiral Carpets. The crowd is taken on a further nostalgic trip with the Carpet's “Dragging Me Down” and a stirring version of Ben E King's "Stand By Me".

Summer may nearly be over, but AG 2 once again showcased our areas local��talent�� and��was��thankfully��well supported. Thanks��to��all the��performers, volunteers, the brilliant sound crew, stage hands and of course the event organiser Steve "Whiskey" Dickinson.

David Wright