TENS of thousands of music fans flooded into T in the Park yesterday as the first festival at the new Strathallan site got under way.

While many of those descending on the campsite may have had one eye on the acts such as The Libertines, Noel Gallagher and The Prodigy, who will be playing over the weekend, they were treated to a stellar line up on the opening day.

Although only open for a matter of hours, the site was already threatening to turn into a mudbath. The sun was on the festival-goers’ side though, as rays broke through the dull sky, matching their optimistic mood.

Opening the main stage, Prides commanded an impressive crowd considering their early time slot, wowing those gathered with their signature pop sound.

Tucked away on the Radio 1 tent were Slaves, who may have been the band who really kick-started the weekend. Their rousing half-hour set encountered a small delay as frontman and drummer Isaac Holman got a little too enthusiastic and broke his snare drum, rendering them helpless for five minutes or so.

Guitarist Laurie Vincent thankfully had a trick up his sleeve, keeping the crowd happy with a rendition of the title track of their newly released album Are You Satisfied? – a question answered with a resounding “Yes”.

The crowd at the festival’s second-biggest stage were now suitably prepared for the bounce which was to follow, as the London two-piece broke into fans’ favourite, Debbie Where’s Your Car?

The closing trio of Cheer Up London, The Hunter and Hey is likely to ensure that the band’s set goes down as one of the highlights of the weekend.

Away from the main stages, a full line-up of acts were taking to both the T Break and BBC Introducing Stages.

In the BBC tent, Irish soul rock’n’roll collective Riptide Movement got the crowds grooving, while on the T Break Stage singer Indiana put on an impressive performance with her backing band. She was followed by Rae Morris.

In the infamous King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent, Jessie Ware had the crowd in raptures, with a solid night of DJs then taking over the reigns to keep the crowd bouncing.

Dance legend Fatboy Slim was the highlight of the lot, storming the King Tut’s Tent to provide the crowd with a real ‘I was there’ moment.

Throughout throng of bodies on site there was a considerable amount of excitement evident for the treats night had still to bring.

T favourites Kasabian were preparing to take to the main stage, which must almost feel like home for them by now.

Mega DJs Mark Ronson and David Guetta were both taking headline slots, while Scotland’s own Hector Bizerk were getting ready for their first ever T headline slot at the Transmission stage. As The National went to press, the anticipation building for the rest of the night was palpable.