A sea of neon face paint, shorter than short shorts, copious amounts of sunshine, and a fair share of incredible live acts were among the ingredients creating a – memorable Sundown Festival at the Norfolk showground in Costessey.

The sun has brought people out in their droves, and the crowds are an array of ages, from families, teens and toddlers.

The atmosphere is fun and friendly for the most part, with die-hard music fans congregating in front of the main stage for some hero-worship, and an array of fairground attractions for the youngsters, and the daredevils amongst us. People had travelled from all corners of the United Kingdom to be in Norfolk for this weekend, and although this is only Sundown's third year, it's popularity is growing as one of the established summer festivals.

Comprising of two stages, the large main stage and a cosier dance stage, Saturday hosted a variety of acts, from complete newcomers from human beat-boxing a capella singer and performer Tom Watson, who opened the day in a quirky set comprising of covers, to 19 year old Michael Hough, an impressive up-and-comer from East London.

As a die-hard Biffy Clyro and Mumford and Sons fan, I honestly didn't think I would enjoy more mainstream acts like James Arthur and Ria Ritchie, but I caught myself more than once recognising the songs and singing along with my daughter. James Arthur's top hit from last year 'Impossible' being irresistible.

A brand new act to several of the festival goers, including myself, was grime and rap artist Amplify Dot from South London, whose performance of her hit 'Kurt Cobain', which was featured in this years MOBO awards had the teens up and bouncing around. High energy, and electrifying, although I would urge festival organisers to re-think scheduling acts who use stronger language to post-watershed.

Local girl, Ria Ritchie captivated the mid-afternoon crowd with her mix of soulful and up-beat covers, songs from her upcoming album and some from her EP Wrong side of paradise.

As one of the last festivals in the summer calendar, organisers can be proud of themselves for bagging big names for a visit to Norfolk, and the energy level increased with the setting of the sun with an amazing, high octane set from DJ's Jaguar Skills, who took the chill off the autumnal feel to the evening and heralded the coming of evening, and the big guns.

Example closed the night with a variety of old and new songs including 'Coming Back' and hit single 'Changed The Way You Kissed Me' and 'Love Kickstarts Again' which had the crowd singing, dancing, screaming and genuinely wanting an encore at the end of a thrilling first day.

It was above all pleasing to see newcomers alongside established greats on one stage, something you don't get at other festivals, which makes Sundown very special. Definitely a spectacular Norfolk can be proud of.

*Don't miss Monday's EDP and Evening News for an eight-page supplement from Sundown.