Despite a shortish programme of entertainment on Friday, with nothing starting until 6p.m., a large number of people turned up to catch the offerings, bring with them friendly smiles and a positive outlook.
The site is laid out similar to last year: improvements include the ditching of last years unsuitably large sponsored dance tent (complete with door staff with bad attitude) in favour of a smaller, more atmospheric tent - and it's decorated better than most dance events manage. There's also a new Comedy Tent, which immediately proved popular. The new markets layout disappoints, as some of the intimate magic has gone.
Bands included Alabama 3, who had a big early crowd dancing away, including people who'd obviously never heard them before.
At the Aladdin's Cave Stage, The Bollywood Brass Band gave something different, mixing big brass to a modern sound. Dreadzone finished off the night with a tight set.
The Main Stage was closed by an on-form Pulp, Jarvis wearing one of his sick sweaters, soon discarded as he hots up. They started with Common People and ran through a set of old and new to an appreciative crowd.
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