THE spirit of Isle of Wight music festival season belatedly presented itself, as the most peculiar summer in memory drew towards an end.

Robin Hill hosted one of the UK's most popular tribute bands on Sunday, with Fleetwood Bac performing amid the same glorious surroundings which used to regularly host Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, Elton John et al.

This was a more genteel affair as empty silver canisters and the squall of inflating balloons were replaced by chairs being unfolded and hushed murmurs of satisfaction between tunes.

Island band Lucid got proceedings underway through a series of high-octane originals before slipping in a Beatles cover and a couple of ballads.

Isle of Wight County Press: Lucid were an ideal support act for the eveningLucid were an ideal support act for the evening

Their set featured the spine-tingling harmonies for which the band have become known during the past 11 years.

Lucid were apt support for the evening's bill toppers.

Isle of Wight County Press: Fleetwood Bac had the crowd in raptures by the end of their setFleetwood Bac had the crowd in raptures by the end of their set

Fleetwood Bac were not short of come-hither hits to choose from as the natural light dimmed, allowing the full majesty of Robin Hill by night to be accompanied by a host of timeless tracks such as The Chain and Everywhere.

Apprehension remained palpable at ground level, with guests glued to blankets and seats in a scene reminiscent of an obedient Sunday School seminar, but the mood was soon to change.

The anthem Tusk enticed two enthusiastic young women to rush the stage, valiantly sashaying as if it was 1999. The valve of pressure released, others began to follow their lead — all liberated through dancing.

Isle of Wight County Press: It was Fleetwood Bac's first live performance with an audience for around five monthsIt was Fleetwood Bac's first live performance with an audience for around five months

By final track, Don't Stop, few of the crowd remained seated.

For a heartbeat it was possible to suspend disbelief, forget about pandemics and live in the moment, with multi-coloured bulbs lighting up the forest and the bustle of feet trekking across the ground as people filtered out of the venue.

Sometimes it is challenging to recall how pertinent the absence of live music is, an ostensibly trivial casualty of the 'new normal' among the wreckage of a deadly pandemic.

Lucid, Fleetwood Bac and Robin Hill served up a timely reminder of what it is to be emancipated. We may never break the chain, but, at least fleetingly, we can become unchained.