Evening goes with a Fun Lovin' bang despite drizzle

Wellington boots at the ready, the weekend crowd may swell to some 80,000

AFTER A slow start, the 2011 instalment of Oxegen began to kick into gear last night.

A dark cloud moved over Punchestown Racecourse shortly before the festival got under way at 2pm yesterday and, although there was a good deal of activity in the campsites, few turned out to see the opening acts.

New York based funk-rock act Fun Lovin’ Criminals opened proceedings on the main stage to a crowd of hundreds rather than thousands. Even so, frontman Huey Morgan had a few soft words for those gathered to see their set in the persistent drizzle which has become an Oxegen staple. “We’re so f-cking happy to be here,” he told them. “Over the years, Oxegen has been our favourite.”

But by the time acts such as Weezer, My Chemical Romance and Calvin Harris took to the stage yesterday evening, the numbers in the concert area had swelled.

Oxegen’s organisers have rejected claims that ticket sales for the festival have been slow. They expect crowds of 70,000 to 80,000 to attend over the weekend. However, the level of foot traffic in and around the festival stages last night suggested otherwise.

“I know better than to come without these bad boys,” said James O’Donnell from Limerick, pointing to his muddy green wellies, as he unloaded his car. “They’ve served me well here over the years.” People young and not so young and from as far afield as Malta, Norway and Brazil were among those there yesterday.

Seventeen-year-old Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, duo Clare McQuaid and Victoria Quinn said they were enjoying their maiden festival experience.

The pair arrived at lunchtime on Thursday, some 24 hours before the festival got under way, but Clare said she did not feel four days would prove to be too much.

“It’s been great,” she said, “We’ve been having great craic with our neighbours on the campsite . . Everyone has just been so happy.”

Stephanie Scicluna from Maras in Malta said Oxegen was unlike anything on offer there. “It is different,” she said. “Festivals in Malta are a lot smaller. There‘s only a population of 400,000.” Camilla Tvedte from Bergen in Norway said the Irish crowd was different. Her friend Louisa Danielsson said she had not found the welcome as warm as expected. “They’re just not the same as us but they are fun,” Camilla said.

A Garda spokesman said the festival crowd had been well behaved over the first 24 hours with about 20 arrests recorded up to last night for public order and minor drug offences.

Oxegen continues today and tomorrow with Beyoncé, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, Brandon Flowers and Primal Scream among those performing.

Met Éireann said today would be mostly dry with temperatures of up to 20 degrees, with more of the same expected tomorrow.