Jem said the Belfast crowd were a fantastic audience

Art scene darlings Scissor Sisters headlined the Tennents ViTal event in Botanic Gardens on the first day of the two-day concert.

Organisers predict the fourth year of the festival will be the biggest, and Welsh singer Jem said Tuesday night's crowd had been great.

"I think it's one of the best festival audiences I've played for," she said.

"I think just seeing so many happy up for it faces, really screaming it was so nice."

The bands were as popular with the concert goers.

Joe Madden from Newry said that it had been a great night.

"It is absolutely amazing, so many people, just a brilliant experience," he said.

The stage in Botanic Gardens is the biggest ever in Belfast

Organisers covered the grass of the genteel park with sheeting in an effort to avoid a Glastonbury style mudbath, and as one concert goer noted it "bucketed down".

One of the organisers, Brian Thompson, said the fans had not let the rain and wind dampen their spirits.

"The place is jumping - weather doesn't mean a thing because the fans are here to enjoy the music and boy they are getting some good music," he said.

However, organisers are bound to be hoping for better weather on Wednesday night when acts such as Faithless, Kings of Leon and Black Velvets take to the stage.