More than 2,500 people descended on Petit Bot to see one of the most successful fund-raisers ever put on there by the Vale Earth Collective. (0779243)

IT was the Vale Earth Fair’s annual Beach Life on the bank holiday weekend and thousands of you turned out in support.

With more than 2,500 people estimated to be there, it was the biggest yet.

More than 15 local bands and DJs took to two stages throughout the day, offering a variety of musical styles in one of Guernsey’s most tranquil settings.

The first band I saw was Schema and, as always, they played a tight set, even though their regular drummer was somewhere in Leeds.

The set did differ slightly to the norm and I noticed there were more covers than originals.

I saw Mike Meinke afterwards – what can I say about him, apart from the fact that he amazes everyone watching him when he plays?

And rightly so, the guy has amazing technique when it comes to playing the guitar.

It was pure guitar-abuse, especially when he laid it across his knees and started to slide his fingers up and down the strings, while beating it like a drum at the same time.

As well as being a great musician, Mike is a really diverse one, lending his skills to different genres of music and making them work.

Apex from the Asylum Seekas joined him for one song – the combination of the acoustic vibe and freestyling MCing was a great collaboration.

As well as the likes of Mike and Schema, I enjoyed sets from instrumental funk three-piece Parched and a heavier rock-infused set from Teaspoonriverneck.

Local favourites Asylum Seekas also took to the main stage, yet their set seemed to be dogged by sound issues – a shame, as they were tipped as the highlight of the day and had drawn in a 2,000-strong audience.

They performed old songs and new, with the crowd singing along to the ones they knew.

But honestly – it wasn’t the best I have seen them and I think it had a lot to do with the sound, but also I think they are better suited to an indoor venue, where the acoustics of a room can carry their beats and rhythms.

So was Beach Life 2009 a success? Well in so many ways yes – but has it become a victim of its own success?

With the sun out in force, attracting the crowds down there, the ratio of music lovers to Earth Fair Collective members was large. And, of course, if you are one of them, running about all day, making sure the place is clean, organising bands and attending to sound issues – it’s very hard to keep on policing people.

And it’s not as if they seemed to receive much help from the constabulary – I saw no more than two officers the whole day.

But with Petit Bot being a public place, which is not shut off,  how do you draw the line?

Nevertheless, it is one of my favourite gigs of the year – not only does it highlight the talents of great local bands and the efforts of individuals to bring about a great day, but in terms of the setting, it also reminds you how beautiful certain locations in Guernsey are.

Petit Bot is most definitely one of those.