THE big-hitters were out in force at the second day of the V Festival in Stafford as they drew the musical extravaganza to a close in spectacular style.

With musical giants Radiohead making their only UK festival appearance of the year, previewing material from their long-awaited follow up to 2003's Hail To The Thief, it was always inevitable they were going to be a highlight.

Audiences were treated to everything from the haunting Pyramid Song to the gargantuan slabs of tunes that are Karma Police, and Just, the group concluding with the classic Creep - a song often absent from their setlist despite its huge popularity.

Theirs was always going to be a hard act to beat but earlier in the day saw the music of indie band Kula Shaker experience a renaissance; the band greeted like the return of a long-lost cousin.

Crowds responded to airings of their mid-90s hits including Tattva and Hey Dude with glee, each sounding as fresh as when it was first released, with new tracks such as the political Dictator of the Free World getting an equally warm welcome.

Trendy post-punk art rockers Bloc Party whipped up a storm later on as they declared it would be their last gig for some time and reeled through the hits including Helicopter with its buzz-saw guitar riff.

Further treats were to follow in the form of Battle band Keane, revitalised thanks to a stunning second album, much of which they showcased including the excellent U2-esque Is It Any Wonder?

Frontman Tom Chaplin was on fire as he and keyboardist Tim Rice-Oxley playied off the energy each seemed to be emitting.

Canadian oddity Beck also pulled off a hugely-entertaining show, he and his band unleashing the hits while a cast of talented puppeteers mimicked their movements on a replicated miniature stage.

Elsewhere in true festival spirit Editors - virtually playing a homecoming as they met a stone's throw from the festival - got members of the band We Are Scientists up on stage for a lively rendition of REM's Orange Crush.

Applause also has to go to post-punkers The Young Knives who blew away the competition on the Virgin Stage at a gig with a couple of the Hollyoaks cast spotted among the audience. In all another victorious V!