Picture by Daniel Chesterton/Stella Pictures. 15/07/12 Alabama Shakes performs at Latitude, a music and arts festival in Suffolk.

Latitude Festival was given a sunshine shot in the arm on Sunday after a dismal few days.

So it felt wholly appropriate when breakthrough rockers Alabama Shakes complemented the brightened skies with their repertoire of smooth southern grooves.

Following on from Rufus Wainwright, they kicked-off proceeding at the Obelisk Arena with the aptly named track ‘Hang Loose’ - as if anyone at the festival needed reminding.

But it wasn’t until the crowd heard the distinctive bass-line riff of ‘Hold On’ that they began to clap and whistle.

When it comes to a main stage performer at Latitude Festival, few rival the vocal power of lead singer Brittany Howard.

From the soul-inspired ‘Heartbreaker’, to the furious limb-shaking track ‘On Your Way’, Howard encapsulated shades of Aretha Franklin and Chuck Berry in her impassioned performance.

In all, Alabama Shakes delivered a no nonsense set. There was little repartee with the audience - except for Howard preaching: “I love y’all beautiful people. And I love your painted sheep.”

But given the tight festival schedule, the band can easily be forgiven.

And with the crowd clapping along to ‘Be Mine’ as it reached an electrifying crescendo, it seemed they had no problem letting them off the hook as well.