September 8, 2008 9:57

Amy Winehouse booed at Bestival

Grace Jones, Hot Chip and The Specials also play the rain-lashed bash

Photo Gallery: Amy Winehouse
Photo: Danny North

Amy Winehouse was booed at Bestival this weekend (September 6) after arriving on stage 40 minutes late, marking an ignominious end to the singer's final performance of 2008.

The long delay angered Bestival festival-goers, who had endured high winds and muddy conditions all weekend at the rain-soaked Isle Of Wight bash.

Winehouse's late arrival meant she had to cut her set short, telling the crowd after 35 minutes: "Bestival, I have been told I've got to wrap it up after the next song."

The singer then performed her cover of The Zutons' hit 'Valerie', but cut the song short, telling her band to play 'Rehab' instead.

Adding to revellers' displeasure, the sound on the main stage was unusually quiet, leading to repeated cries of "turn it up!".

Winehouse's late arrival mirrored events at V Festival in Staffordshire (August 16), where she was also booed.

The singer recently pulled out of the Rock en Seine festival in Paris (August 29) just hours before she was due to go onstage, due to illness.

Winehouse's Bestival setlist was:

'Addicted'
'Just Friends'
'Tears Dry On Their Own'
'Cupid'
'Back To Black'
'Wake Up Alone'
'Love Is A Losing Game'
'You Know I'm No Good'
'Me And Mr Jones'
'Valerie'/'Rehab'

The singer's headline set capped an eventful Saturday at Bestival, which had earlier witnessed a surprise appearance from ska legends The Specials, playing their first gig together in 27 years.

Grace Jones also made an unannounced appearance on the main stage, playing hits including 'Slave To The Rhythm' and 'Pull Up To The Bumper.

The 60-year-old disco veteran's set was witnessed by comedian Alan Carr, who later joked to Bestival organiser Rob da Bank: "When Grace Jones came on and sang 'Nightclubbing I thought I was gonna come!"

Many acts honoured the festival's tradition of fancy dress. Hot Chip's vocalist Alexis Taylor took to the stage wearing a medieval knight's outfit, while keyboardist Joe Goddard wore a green dinosaur costume.

The electro act delighted a huge main stage crowd – the biggest of the weekend – with hits 'Ready For The Floor' and 'Over And Over', as well as a climactic cover of Prince's 'Nothing Compares 2 U', made famous by Sinead O'Connor.

Elsewhere, Florence And The Machine generated an ecstatic crowd response with a set that climaxed with a cover of The Source feat. Candi Staton's 1991 hit 'You Got The Love'.

As previously reported on NME.COM, this year's Bestival suffered from appalling weather conditions, which caused many acts to be cancelled, including Sam Sparro, Lykke Li and Black Kids.

Bestival organiser Rob da Bank has been blogging exclusively for NME.COM all weekend. Check the NME Festival Blog to read his Bestival musings.