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The dates have been announced for Victorious Festival 2024, with the event returning to Southsea Common on 23, 24 and 25 August.

2023 saw Victorious Festival open for a full three days, with revellers on site from 10am on Friday for a full itinerary of music, comedy and family activities.

On the main stages it was Blossoms who brought the biggest early crowd, the Stockport band delighting in the early afternoon slot with a setlist picked from across their four studio albums. The Common Stage went on to welcome UK Eurovision entrant Mae Muller, as well as Victorious Festival returns for both The Charlatans and Friendly Fires

The Castle Stage, meanwhile, kicked off with winners of the Road to Victorious competition, Crystal Tides. The Portsmouth band had been travelling around a number of UK events before returning home for the final show. They were followed by a host of emerging singers: alternative rocker Sofia Isella, TikTok star Ellie Dixon, and Irish powerhouse Cian Ducrot. Later on it was the turn of some more big names to return to Victorious Festival - including Katy B, who played the very first event back in 2013. The garage singer delighted with a 45-minute set that included some of her biggest hits, showcasing a voice just as powerful as it was a decade previous.

Similarly great voices were on offer as the Common Stage welcomed its headliners. First Raye warmed up the crowd with tracks from her number 2 album 'My 21st Century Blues' before making way for the self-styled "Space Cowboy" - Jamiroquai. Jay Kay may freely admit he's feeling it after three decades but his voice shows no sign, sounding as fresh as it did back in the 1990s.

Back at the Castle Stage there was more dancing to be had as Pete Tong and Jules Buckley brought the Heritage Orchestra for a performance full of Ibiza classics. There may have been an orchestra but Chilled Ibiza it wasn't, with the enormous stage setup and host of top musicians faithfully recreating some of dance music's biggest ever tracks for a delighted audience.

Saturday saw Victorious Festival's first ever secret set. The gap on the Castle Stage from 1.05pm to 1.35pm was amply filled by McFly, the pop-rockers playing an energetic set that drew numerous singalongs from the packed-out crowd.

Over on the Common Stage it was Aussie popstar Natalie Imbruglia whose set in the sun included Torn, Shiver and Big Mistake. Later, Kate Nash would draw a huge and impassioned crowd for a loud set that was certainly cathartic for those fans packing out the stage barrier. Next were Scottish alt-poppers Belle and Sebastian, whose 45-minute set involved bringing a whole host of people up onto stage for The Boy with the Arab Strap.

Next, Kaiser Chiefs welcomed a big crowd for a sunset slot, delighting the masses with chants and singalongs - not least on Ruby, I Predict a Riot and Oh My God. Then it was the turn of Kasabian, the band that had previously headlined Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury and Isle of Wight making their Victorious Festival debut. The Leicester dance-rockers brought out their biggest hits, opening with Club Foot and including Shoot The Runner, LSF and Fire. They even covered/sampled a whole host of iconic dance tracks, among artists including Daft Punk, Fatboy Slim and Faithless.

Sunday was kicked off on the Castle Stage by Victorious Festival favourite Annie Mac, returning for another triumphant DJ set. Meanwhile on the Common Stage Hard-Fi continued their return from hiatus by drawing a crowd keen to hear the lad rock anthems made famous by their debut: Stars of CCTV.

Later on Heather Small delighted the Castle Stage with some of M People's biggest and best loved hits (as well, of course, as her anthem, 'Proud'). She was followed by The Enemy, drawing a similar response to Hard-Fi just a few hours before, with fans keen to hear tracks from their number 1 debut, 'We'll Live and Die in These Towns'.

Back on the Common Stage, seven-strong band The Go! Team harnessed the good weather vibes for their half hour set of infectious indie pop. They were followed by alt rocker Dylan, who managed to fit in two covers (by Harry Styles and Guns n Roses) into her stomping 45-minute set.

Later on, Nordic pop sensation Sigrid got the crowd dancing to tracks including Strangers and Don't Feel Like Crying. The pop theme continued when Ellie Goulding took to a stage transformed by her silvery backdrop. Goulding's voice rang out clearly over the fields but she needn't have worried if not, as the huge crowd was vociferously singing it all back.

The Castle Stage welcomed Johnny Marr for its Sunday headline slot, the guitar legend treating the crowd to a host of Smiths covers alongside his solo material. They included 'Panic', 'This Charming Man', 'Bigmouth Strikes Again', 'How Soon is Now', and 'There is a Light that Never Goes Out'.

The biggest crowd of the whole festival, however, was almost certainly reserved for Mumford & Sons. Having come a long way since playing the Eastney Cellars back in February 2009, the folk-rockers played a 90-minute set of iconic tracks that were bellowed back word-for-word. With a setlist that included 'Dust Bowl Dance', 'Little Lion Man', 'The Wolf', 'Lover of the Light' and 'I Will Wait', it's easy to see why they drew such an enormous audience.

Of course, the main stages held just a share of the top music, comedy and family entertainment on offer over the weekend. On the Acoustic Stage festivalgoers enjoyed sets from Newton Faulkner, Badly Drawn Boy and Gabriella Cilmi. Or, those wanting more of a party atmosphere had much to enjoy on the Beats and Swing Stage, where DJ Fresh, Sigala and The Freestylers all played.

There was an enormous response to the big-name comedy acts this year - especially Dara O'Briain, who drew such a crowd that many couldn't even get into the tent. He was joined on the bill by Jason Manford, Kerry Godliman, Tom Davis and more.

To make sure you don't miss Victorious Festival 2024 (and to take advantage of the Early Bird offer) book your tickets at: victoriousfestival.co.uk/buy-tickets/.