The sun was shining and the painted sheep were out as thousands of revellers began making their way to Henham Park for Latitude Festival today.

The music and arts showpiece, this year celebrating its 10th birthday, has become a fixture in the festival calendar and is known for its eclectic mix of theatre, poetry, and dance as well as some top bands and musicians.

This year will see former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher and trip-hop legends Portishead headline the Obelisk Stage.

But the weekend will kick off in earnest tomorrow with headliners Alt-J who will bring their award-winning art-rock to Suffolk.

Among those taking in the arena atmosphere in the evening sun tonight were Ruth Shewry, 42, her daughter Belle Shewry, 16, and friend Izzy Walker, 16, who had made the short journey from Earlham Road, Norwich.

Belle said: “We are very excited, it is going to be amazing.

“I really want to see Catfish and the Bottlemen and The Vaccines.

“Alt-J are going to be amazing as well.”

Meanwhile, Alex Clark, 20, who travelled from Mid Norfolk with a friend for the festival, said: “We are working as crew. The others have been before but I haven’t.

“We have got to say we are looking forward to Noel Gallagher and Wolf Alice is going to be really good.”

Other acts on tomorrow include QI regular Alan Davies in the comedy arena, Cumbrian rock-band Wild Beasts, electronic musician Caribou and indie-group Django Django.

While it is always wise to prepare for all eventualities the weather does not look too extreme for Latitude.

Dan Holley, forecaster for Weatherquest, said: “There is a risk of one or two thunderstorms until about 1 or 2am on Friday but it is not certain if it will reach that far east.

“Friday will be dry but quite blustery with gusts of around 35 to 40mph. There will be some sunny spells but temperatures will be down to about 22C.

“Saturday will be quite breezy with some sunny spells and temperatures down to about 21C.

“Sunday is looking fairly quiet with some sunshine around.”

Some of the musical highlights this weekend will include Badly Drawn Boy, The Charlatans, Manic Street Preachers, Caribou, The Boomtown Rats, Jose Gonzalez, Jon Hopkins, James Blake, Santigold, The Vaccines, Laura Marling, Warpaint and Seasick Steve.

In the comedy arena there will be performances from Alan Davies, Marcus Bridgestock, Jon Richardson, Russell Kane, Jason Manford and Shappi Khorsandi.

Theatre acts include Paines Plough, The National Theatre presents Everyman Live, Jack Dee’s Help Desk, Kneehigh and Failed States.

On the poetry stage there will be performances from Michael Rosen, John Cooper Clarke, Simon Armitage, Tim Key and Luke Wright.

For more Latitude news, previes, and reviews, see our webpage here