Snoop Dogg @ Lovebox

Non-camping festivals suffer in the rain. Without a tent-based community stoically braving the elements, Saturday’s Lovebox took some time to get into full swing. With ticket-holders staying at home or in the pub until the weather cleared up, the early stages were muted to say the least. Foster the People attempted to liven up proceedings but were stymied by a curtailed setlist: they were only allowed to perform three songs. It was a real shame – they sound like MGMT before someone sucked the joy out of them and are sure to become a household name.

Ziggy Marley already has quite a name to trade on, but reggae is best enjoyed in the sunshine and his set had very little of that. Perhaps a Bob cover might have warmed the audience, but he (perfectly justifiably) ploughed his own furrow.

Further up the bill, Katy B endured arguably the worst of the weather. This seemed entirely fitting given that she delivered the worst set of the day: utterly uninspiring music in torrential rain. The Joy Formidable fared much better, filling the Gaymers stage with some powerful chords and unexpectedly fine harmonies.

Santigold promised much but delivered little. Expecting a pulsating performance, a decent crowd gathered around the main stage only to be disappointed by a lacklustre set which lacked the colour and vitality expected. She at least looked pleased to be there – after a late call up to replace ankle-knack victim Jessie J, De La Soul turned up late, ambled half-heartedly around the stage and had their set cut short. When will hip-hop acts get the message about their terrible timekeeping?

Thankfully the day’s true star arrived bang on time. The artist formerly known as Calvin Broadus brought the full Doggystyle entourage to Victoria Park and delivered a set worthy of any festival headliner. With stars like Dr Dre and Pharrell Williams starring in video idents, a trio of scantily clad dancers and a microphone dripping in bling, Snoop gave a consumate and charismatic performance. Somehow that half-smile which plays on his lips and his pair of girly pigtails seem to undercut any misogyny in his lyrics, and the rapper manages to get the ladies in the audience onside by constantly asking them to identify themselves.

Classics like Gin n Juice and Gs & Hustlaz get an airing alongside newer tracks and House of Pain covers, Warren G pops up to give Regulate a thoroughly welcome outing and the entire audience enthusiastically remind Snoop what his name is. It's a tour-de-force of a performance and one which fully justifies the decision to allow the strangely loveable 'gangsta' back into the UK - and which saved Saturday at Lovebox from becoming a damp squib.