CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE FESTIVAL HERE.

When you hear headline act The Killers, and British drawcard Friendly Fires both pulled out on the same day, you can’t help but feel a little disenchanted with what was a promising line-up. A day out from the festival, organisers were facing refunds and worrying weather predictions.

But when the cloudy Saturday rolled in, thousands made the entertaining walk to Centennial Park; there were cheeky spews, peeing punters and bikinis paired with gum boots (yes, really) all before hitting the gates.

Welcomed by the sounds of Bluejuice fans cheering the end of what was an animated and explosive set, the attention shifted to Inner West locals, Spit Syndicate. Under the Roots tent, they had an energetic crowd on side singing tracks like Here Today, Gone Tomorrow from their album Towards The Light, proving they’re a fresh talent here to stay.

The impressive acoustics in the tent continued as the energy and heat levels soared when Kid Cudi took to the stage. The set was electric, with the sweat-soaked crowd loving every minute of tracks such as Pursuit of Happiness and the poignant Soundtrack 2 My Life. Then the party escalated to another level entirely with Day N Night.

Back at the main stage, the crowd buzzed at the prospect of the return of ‘80s hip hop queens, Salt N Pepa. Looking as fine as ever, the trio played what was essentially a set of covers sprinkled lightly with their much-awaited hits and eagerly anticipated end-of-song poses. And whether it was because the hits were just few and far between, or the sound quite simply wasn’t loud enough, unfortunately they weren’t sounding as fine as ever; delivering a largely flat performance.

After the main stage speakers failed to carry the hype of Push It and Whatta Man, everyone had fingers and toes crossed that Gossip front lady Beth Ditto would belt out a stellar set. Needless to say, whatta woman. One song in, Ditto declared “We are the Killers”, ripped off her dress for Pop Goes the World and had you falling in lust.

She is sex. What Salt N Pepa had lacked, Ditto more than made up for with fiery vocals in Standing in the Way of Control and Heavy Cross, not to mention her amazing rendition of Lady Gaga, draped in an enormous black plastic tarp (turned cape). Truly the standout act of the day.

As the sun set and rain came down, Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr – aka Busta Rhymes – performed to a Roots tent crowd with anything but dampened spirits. The ‘90s hip hop king delivered everything you’d expect; working the crowd into a riot with champagne, crotch grabbing and topless girls on shoulders enjoying a very public pash. Smith was an old pro, proving a crowd-pleasing phenomenon as both rapper and entertainer.

Shuffled to the headline position, Basement Jaxx met expectations, but that isn’t to say they surpassed them. Their set was full of colour, crazy dancing, and a costume change for every track. But between the headdresses, sequins and a crowd more than ready to Jump N Shout, it’s always a worry when your own voice is louder than the music. But they won the crowd over with a bouncing encore of Where’s Your Head At?, topping off a dramatic performance with an old favourite and booming applause.

So, as the Saturday drizzled to an end, thousands made the long walk back to civilisation; most with the inspiring and bare Beth Ditto leaving plenty to gossip about. Bikini babes huddled together and bare-chested boys slipped their shirts back on, all with a shared day’s memory soaked in rain, sweat and pretty damn Good (but not great) Vibrations.