BARRY Ashworth could probably start a party by himself in an empty room, so it was inevitable that the charismatic Dub Pistols frontman would crank up the atmosphere to boiling point at this Larmer Tree warm-up gig.

You always know what you are going to get from the Pistols – a high energy mixture of ska, reggae, soul, hip-hop and big beat.

The six-piece combo offered plenty of heavy bass and brass, with a fair degree of backing tape material augmenting the musicians.

Bouncing Barry and co ran through their entertaining set of originals, plus covers such as The Stranglers’ Peaches, to much acclaim.

Neville Staple may not have been the best singer in The Specials – he may not even be the best in his own band – but he can put on a show.

And the veteran skaster and former Funboy Threester surrounds himself with excellent musicians to run through a set of reggae and ska standards.

We enjoyed the likes of Toots and the Maytalls’ Pressure Drop and the Specials’ very own Gangsters and Ghost Town.

 The Larmer Tree Festival takes place from July 16 to 20 at the Larmer Tree Gardens on the Dorset/ Wiltshire border, starring Tom Jones, Squeeze, Frank Turner, Dreadzone and Tom Odell among 80 bands.

Details from larmertree festival.co.uk