Samplers: Baystock concert featured Woodstock songs by various artists. Some surprise omissions (no CS&N!) but welcome inclusions. The Earth Hour Concert was described on and off stage as 'a spiritual experience'. President Roots (774 competition winners) played instruments made from recycled parts. Laughs: After two years off the comedy circuit, Anthony Morgan manipulated the audience with his loser-next-door shtick. From his casual opening suggesting a train wreck about to happen, he wove the disarray into triumph.

Surreal Rhythms: A late start and some IT-induced dead air aside, Ash Davies first live presentation of Muscle Drum Music was a highlight. Davies shared the stage with a movie screen matching music to retro dance footage. Different, nice, unusual.

Solution to global energy crisis: Plug in Blue Shaddy (WA) and beam into the next millennium. Faultless guitar and drums accompanied the glorious harmonica of Belly McClelland. He cast a shower of sweat from his brow like a human Catherine Wheel. Goes without saying: Kasey Chambers, James Blundell, Whitley, Djan Djan, Even, Sally Dastey, Fourplay. Upheld their reps as proven players.

Variety plus: Quality from The Bay of Pigs, Bert's Boogie, Dan Warner, Lee Rosser, The Megahorns, Paul Greene, Snarski vs Snarski, Tenzin & the monks, The Wilson Pickers and The Last Hope surf films with music by the Windy Hills.

Inspiring imports: Josh White Jr enthralled crowds at a range of venues including gospel session backed by the local community choir. Scotland's Eddi Reader played to packed houses. Bob Brozman, Chris Smither, The Flatlanders, The Whitetop Mountaineers, James Keelaghan and the delightful Claire Jenkins all shone. Good idea: As headliners finished on the main ABC Radio stage, momentum was maintained via a handball to the rear of the room for gigs on the Sessions Bar stage. 

Venues: Something for everyone - kick back and chill or rock out and swill. The Surf Club hosted some of the finest shows. Rory Ellis (with Tim Hackett's relaxed and righteous guitar) shared stories to give us a chuckle or a lump in the throat with vocals pin to you to your seat. RRRs live broadcast from the same room showcased ad lib samplers from the line-up between gags from JVG and co. Von Goes declared as a proud patron, "It was a ripper festival. At Apollo Bay, because of the size and enthusiasm of the crowds the gigs go off. By all reports, on all musical levels, across the board, the festival was an unqualified hit.!"

Needs improvement: Long wait Friday for wrist bands before kick-off. Power failure didn't help. After a long drive, we were gagging for first drinks and dancing. Littering campers on 'the hill' weren't brung up proper. Amazing daily clean up job done by local authorities.

Chris Lambie: Rhythms Magazine