Summer Sundae

This year Mumford and Sons - the folk band everyone wants a piece of - are headlining the Sunday evening. It's their first ever headline slot at a festival. They seem as honoured to be given the opportunity as Summer Sundae are to offer them it. Other headliners including Seasick Steve and Tinchy Stryder mean that something is on offer for everyone.

The music is now set across four stages, three of which are covered, which proves ideal in the hit and miss weather that the festival was graced with this year. The indoor stage, based in De Montfort Hall itself, is a stunning location - a beautifully flexible space, big enough to host bands such as The Futureheads and intimate enough that stunningly understated sets from Liam Frost and Laura Veirs aren't lost on the audience.

The music compromises a nice mix of something for everyone. There's dance, pop, hip-hop, folk, Americana and jazz every day, and the line-up provides a diverse blend of the up and coming and big names.

Equally, it should be noted that the site doesn't just boast an excellent musical line-up. The comedy tent has been one of the highlights of the festival in previous years and 2010 is no exception. The children's area, named "The Garden," contains "the world's smallest theatre" - capacity for four people.

The festival's ethics are admirable. Children normally too young to enjoy such an atmosphere are seen roaming the site with parents, helped by the hall's proximity to the centre of Leicester's amenities - the train station and town centre are five minutes walk away. It means that while those who wish to can camp in the grounds and party until the wee small hours, others can stay in one of the town centre's many hotels.

The festival has also won awards for its attitude to the environment. There is hardly any litter to be seen and recycling bins are never more than a few feet away.

Summer Sundae works in partnership with a firm called Complete Wasters and consistently wins the Greener Festival Award.

As more and more of these festivals begin to emerge, Summer Sundae continues to punch well above its weight. The festival is innovative, exciting and a superb way to spend a weekend - something more and more people are sure to acknowledge in 2011.