WHENEVER an act cancels, the air of disappointment is inevitable.

Add that to 24 hours of rainfall and it's no wonder the crowds at the first night Ramsbottom Festival seemed a bit, er, damp.

But Manchester's I Am Kloot did their best to liven up Friday's beleaguered festival-goers after original head-liners The Furtureheads pulled out at the last minute.

And when the rain finally stopped, what could have been a sweeter song than Kloot's second album beauty Northern Skies to lift everyone's spirits - as did their single Some Better Day.

It seemed like front man Johnny Harold Arnold Bramwell and the rest of the band knew what they were up against last night but they took it all in their stride, joking they'd rinsed all other festivals this year, so why not 'sneak into this one.'

Not only that, they had to stretch their usual 45 minute set to 1 hour 25 job and it's thanks to more than 10 years of good, solid song writing and performing they were able to pull it off. 'Proof' and 'These Days Are Mine' were particular highlights for me.

Plus it's that ease and light-hearted attitude that make Kloot such a likeable band and it's no wonder they have such a loyal following.

A hub of Kloot fans had made a last-minute trip to Rammy specially and did their best to liven-up some of the grumpy crowd.

It has to be said footfall was thinner on the ground this year but when a band drops out, it's not anyone's fault. It's just a shame, because a punchy, poppy set from the Futureheads would have kicked this festival off a treat.

Well done Kloot for stepping in but I would have much preferred to have seen them, sitting down on a sunny afternoon.