Village Green music and arts festival - in pictures

Among the hundreds of performances across the park, headline music came from Ed Harcourt, The Skints, Sam Duckworth and surprise special guest Wilko Johnson Photograph: Carl Hawkins/Metal

Tim Elsenburg of Sweet Billy Pilgrim tries out a different kind of bass jumping ... Photograph: Simon Fowler/Metal

Mika Bomb 'Japan's most shambolic export' arriving at the park and later performing on the main stage
Photograph: Simon Fowler/Carl Hawkins/Metal

Away from the music, entertainment came in all shapes and sizes: comedy, acrobatics, sport and cabaret. Lili la Scala drums up business at the Kotiri tent, which brought together circus and sideshow performers from around the world, including New Zealand, Canada and Portugal Photograph: Simon Fowler/Metal

The LED screen at the Village Hall stage was powered by The Big Charge project. Run in conjunction with Cycle Southend and Bike Friendly Cities, festival-goers were encouraged to book a session on a bike or in a giant hamster wheel to charge the screen's batteries Photograph: Bradley Keeble/Metal

Southend local Sam Duckworth of Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly stops backstage for a photo call Photograph: Simon Fowler/Metal

By 3pm the park capacity of 31,000 had already been reached and organisers had to shut the park to new arrivals, instituting a one-in-one-out policy. Regulars to this festival, now in its fifth year, had staked out their picnic spots in shadier areas but it was hard to find a blade of grass in front of the main stage between the blankets, tents and folding chairs Photograph: Carl Hawkins/Metal

Performer Joe Black takes some time out. The free festival was blessed with good weather, falling on the hottest day of the year so far, but the sea breeze kept spirits up Photograph: Simon Fowler/Metal

Rampage Carnival Arts not only performed but also ran dance and costume-making workshops throughout the day on Saturday. Rob Tinlin, chief executive of Southend Borough Council praised festival organisers Metal for 'getting people to stop performing to themselves in drafty halls and come out into the sunshine'. Photograph: Bradley Keeble/Metal

Ed Harcourt at the piano on the Village School stage Photograph: Bradley Keeble/Metal

By early evening, the crowd had begun to thin in front of the main stage as the identity of the headlining act had been kept secret all day. But when Wilko Johnson took to the stage and plunged into All Through The City, the festival-goers swarmed back and the party was on again Photograph: Simon Fowler/Metal

Wilko Johnson's crowd-pleasing trademark moves and stare were there, as were all the favourite tracks. The set was not lacking in edge or intent, but Johnson looked relaxed in front of his home crowd Photograph: Simon Fowler/Metal

After an hour on stage, Wilko departed – but then swiftly returned for an encore, Bye Bye Johnny. Chalkwell Park was missing him already Photograph: Simon Fowler/Metal