Blessed with an embarrassment of musical riches their versatility shames more famous ensembles as they range across

Blessed with an embarrassment of musical riches, their versatility shames more famous ensembles, as they range across the entire breadth of American music (North and South) with an easy command that reflects the group’s longevity. On any given day, Los Lobos are one of the best live bands on the planet, guaranteed to provide a good time whatever the circumstances. The only major act to have mixed trad-rock and techno with any real success, the Scream live are an unrelenting assault. Some of the newer stuff is a little bewildering, and all the rushing around does take the wind out of Bobby – “Rocks” is hopelessly tuneless – but even when they’re bad, they’re impressive. And when they’re good – “Medication”, the freshly funked “Movin’ on Up” – they’re simply amazing..

Or Chicks on Speed, livening up the wee hours with an apposite “We Don’t Play Guitars”.Of course, you can use big guitars to express big pain and make it brilliant Especially if you look the epitome of “rock chick” glamour. You can’t accuse someone who commands a stage like PJ Harvey in pink high heels does of wallowing in self-pity. Moreover, she’s backed by a grinding, bass-heavy rock noise that sounds like nothing else, making even the stadium riffs and embarrassing lyrics of her last album exciting. The new stuff, meanwhile, recalls her first record, Dry, four songs from which fit comfortably into tonight’s set.You can also use big guitars to get people dancing and make it work Especially if you’re Bobby Gillespie. Primal Scream’s singer makes Harvey look like a gawky teenager, so convincing a rock star is he. A wisp of a man in a billowy white shirt, he struts the stage like Jagger on fire, frequently looking as though he might take off.

But then, perhaps anyone fronting a band as taut, wired and downright rocking as Primal Scream would do the same. The following day, Elbow lead a host of bands employing the guitars-as-catharsis principle to similarly mind-numbing effect. There are more interesting acts to be found on the minor stages – the mystical troubadour Devendra Banhart is a particular highlight, captivating a packed tent all alone. As classic after classic rolls by, Kim Deal smiles the indulgent smile of a mother handing out sweets.It’s something some of the other bands on this guitar-heavy bill should heed.

The Raveonettes open promisingly with cute garage-pop and exhortations to “rave on”. And the crowd in the dusty car-park that houses the main stage sighed a collective: “Yep, they sure are great.” Their delightful set amply proves that their songs have stood the test of time. Franz Ferdinand also implore the crowd to dance, but their translation of disco into guitar rock is painfully sterile. In just four years Primavera Sound has become one of Europe’s biggest festivals, and it’s a fitting setting for a welcome comeback.
For at 2.15am on Friday night, the Pixies did appear here, played their songs, smiled and took a bow.