The stage is set. The Pigeon Detectives' charm and arrogance wafts through the air alongside a distinctive burger aroma and I ponder the question 300 music fans bouncing all around me asked themselves in the run-up to this gig.

Where would I rather be: decked out in waterproofs and wellies, wading knee-deep in a muddy field surrounded by swarms of people; or wearing sunglasses and sandals after a day on the beach, watching the sun go down with a select crowd?

This country's lack of summer sunshine, rising costs and general greed has seen many music lovers shun this season's big gigs and head abroad for festival frolics. But is it really all it's cracked up to be?

Ibiza Rocks With Sony Ericsson kicked off last week and looks forward to a summer jam-packed with great gigs and guaranteed sunshine.

Now in its fourth year, the hit guitar music festival has put Ibiza's dance scene firmly in the shade.

"Five years ago, Ibiza was a cultural universe, but it hadn't moved on," says festival organiser Andy McKay as we relax in the sunshine listening to the sound check.

He couldn't be more laid back and chatty if he tried, his face perfectly content. And so he should be.

The man who took superclub Manumission to Ibiza back in 1994 and set up Ibiza Rocks a decade later has an enviable lifestyle.

He has a deep-set passion for The White Isle and although McKay is happy to see people in their 30s, 40s and 50s dancing the night away at his club, he knew there had to be a generation to replace those who can't help but smile when you mention the 1988 Summer of Love.

"I didn't want Ibiza to turn into Jimmy Savile-land," he says, straight-faced.

"When The Strokes came on the scene in 2001, I saw a generation who were challenging their parents musically and I had a wish for the island to have a relevance with young people again."

And with that, Ibiza Rocks was born. A festival that "stands up for the 'now' generation".

And that generation seems to be making a stand; leaving behind waterproof ponchos and jetting off to sunnier climes for a slice of the live music action this year.

"Very few festivals wouldn't be better with a bit of sunshine," Andy continues. "But it's not just the weather, Ibiza Rocks offers the whole package.

"You buy the tickets, book the hotel, have a holiday and get to lounge by the pool or mingle at the aftershow parties with the bands – and there's something on every Tuesday throughout the summer so you can pick and choose when you go.

"You also get to see bands close up and in smaller venues," adds Dave Best, The Pigeon Detectives' bass player.

It's mid-afternoon and the roadies are setting up their gear ready for the band to kick off this year's season.

"It's great to play in a nice setting," says the band's drummer, Jimmi Naylor. "The sun will be setting when we go on."

"There are a lot of horrible venues in the UK – sticky little places with no windows," Dave chips in. "We wanted to play here last year but we weren't popular enough."

Support for the gig came from Ladyhawke – a band set to be very huge, very soon.

New Zealand-born singer Pip Brown fronts the band.

"We wouldn't expect to play to this sort of audience," she tells me as she scuffs her Doc Martins and looks up from beneath her big-brimmed black hat.

"It's amazing that people fly here for the whole experience – it really is incredible. But it seems like more people are coming over. Everything's so much more accessible now."

And perhaps that's why Glastonbury didn't sell out for the first time in recent memory.

"I think the weather has a lot to do with it," says Jimmi. "We went for the first time last year and it was so muddy. We had to walk to the stage in wellies and then get changed."

Andy McKay has the right idea, not that he's ruling out a big three-day festival.

"I'm not saying never," he ponders, "but it's a lot more difficult. Flight prices would go up and the island is better suited to smaller day events.

"I'd be more inclined to put a second night on." He thinks for a while and then appears to talk himself out of it.

"I like being ridiculously small and we're actively keeping it that way."

"We'd like to take T In The Park and move it to a beach in Hawaii," The Pigeon Detectives declare.

And it doesn't sound like a bad idea. But whereas choosing sunshine over mud is a no-brainer, what about the extra costs, travelling and potential pitfalls?

From personal experience, I loved Ibiza Rocks, but it's not a patch on Glastonbury and when I arrived in San Antonio but my suitcase didn't, I was beginning to regret the whole thing.

And that brings me back to my original question.

Would I rather be watching The Pigeon Detectives in a big old muddy field or in the sun without my luggage?

There's no easy choice. No festival is totally perfect (yet) but with a combination of wellies, waterproofs and a decent travel insurance policy, you'll come out smiling wherever in the world you end up.

Other bands playing Ibiza Rocks With Sony Ericsson through the summer include We Are Scientists, The Zutons, Reverend And The Makers, The Fratellis and Soulwax.

For more details, visit www.ibizarocks.com and for information on accommodation, visit www.ibizarockshotel.com

Don't forget to take your sun tan lotion!