Biggest names in music taking to the stage at Oxegen

The Oxegen music festival gets under way at Punchestown racecourse this afternoon with crowds of 80,000 gathered to see more than 200 acts over the two-day event.

Some of the oldest living legends of rock will rub shoulders with the youngest, as The Who make their Oxegen debut alongside the Arctic Monkeys on the festival's main stage tonight.

The concerts have been spread over 10 stages at the Co Kildare racecourse, which will host some of the biggest names in the music industry including The Strokes, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Franz Ferdinand, Primal Scream and the indefatigable Godfather of Soul, James Brown.

Concert goers began to arrive yesterday afternoon, with more than 5,000 revellers having already pitched their tents by 2pm, just two hours after the campsite opened.

The 80,000 Oxegen tickets released last March sold out in just two days. The majority of people, about 70,000, bought tickets which include campsite access. According to the event's promoters MCD, site facilities have been improved this year and, in addition to screenings of the World Cup matches, hot showers are available for the first time. The showers are communal and campers are invited to use them with the proviso that they wear swimming togs.

"She-pees" are another new addition to the festival kit. Exclusively for women, the cone-shaped paper devices, disposable after use, facilitate the use of toilets without sitting down.

Medical facilities are provided on-site with first-aid posts and a medical centre. However the local accident and emergency (A&E) department at Naas General Hospital is expected to come under increased pressure over the weekend due to referrals from the festival.

The number of attendances at the hospital's A&E department increased by 45 per cent during last year's Oxegen festival.

More than 1,300 people sought medical attention at the concert and, while most were treated on-site, 72 attended Naas hospital.

Almost half of those attending had consumed alcohol or used "illicit substances", according to statistics compiled by the hospital. Those referred ranged in age from 16 to 35 years. Doctors did note, however, that no one was referred without being assessed by doctors at the on-site medical centre.

Traffic will be extremely heavy on all routes leading to the venue but particularly on the major arteries from Dublin. Organisers and gardaí have advised concert goers to use public transport where possible.

Dublin Bus is operating a special service from Parnell Square West which departs every 20 minutes today and tomorrow from 10am to 5pm. Bus Éireann is also running a service from Custom House Quay in Dublin on both days.

Campers will be given free parking on-site if four people travel in the same car. Day ticket holders are being encouraged to use a new free park and ride service which will operate from Goff's on the Naas Road before and after the concerts. Gardaí have warned that vehicles parking on the approach road to the racecourse will be towed.