'The vibe is good' - Return to normality on first day of Latitude Festival

The event in Suffolk's Henham Park runs until Sunday, with headliners Wolf Alice, The Chemical Brothers, Bombay Bicycle Club and Bastille ReOrchestrated.

An aerial view of the Obelisk Stage arena at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

It is the first major UK festival to take place following 'Freedom Day' and the lifting of the majority of Covid restrictions on July 19 and it is part of the government's Event Research Programme (ERP).

After two years without a Latitude Festival, people were very glad to be back and to put the worries of the last year-and-a-half behind them for the weekend.

Molly Norman, Tom Whitehouse, Becca Hicks and Mikey Jones at Latitude Festival. (Image: Louisa Baldwin)

Mikey Jones, 28, from Norwich, said: "We had tickets for the year before and held onto them and it is awesome to get out and about.

"It is a bit weird because there is Covid, but like the rest of the country I think at what point do you not just try and do normal and nice things."

While the event, which will welcome 40,000 people over the weekend, offers welcome escapism from the pandemic, there are reminders across the site, including enough hand sanitiser to probably fill the lake in Henham Park.

Attendees also had to show proof of either a negative lateral flow test or that they were double vaccinated to enter and a vaccine bus is offering Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs.

Sammy Najimaldin (second from left) with his friends on a stag do at Latitude Festival. (Image: Louisa Baldwin)

Sammy Najimaldin, 38, from Newport, said: "I'm here on a stag do and we are all double jabbed, as we are that old, and it is my first ever festival as I hate camping.

"There is not enough people dressed up but the vibe is good."

Acts performing on Friday afternoon on the Obelisk Arena main stage included JC Stewart, Maisie Peters, signed to Ed Sheeran's record label, and Beabadoobee.

Lucy Grubb singing at The Inbetweeners Stage. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Access Creative College, which has campuses in seven cities including Norwich, celebrated its 11th year curating the Inbetweeners Stage, with singer Lucy Grubb the opening act on Friday.

The festival is also great for families, with a dedicated Kids Area offering a whole host of activities, and for food, with a huge selection of vendors in its Street Feast.

Back L-R - Kate Hill, Chris Stuckey, Paul Hill, Freddie Hill, Laura Stuckey, front L-R Edie Stuckey and Margot Stuckey at Latitude Festival. (Image: Louisa Baldwin)

Kate Hill, 34, from Leicestershire, said: "We love being here and that it is a family-friendly festival and it is just an exciting and fun place to be."

Crowds enjoy Maisie Peters on the Obelisk Stage at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

An aerial view of the Obelisk Stage arena at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Victoria and Sue Perry on the Cinch viewing area. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

An artist in the woods at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Friday at Latitude festival. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Friday at Latitude festival. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Disco yoga at the Waterfront Stage on Friday at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Disco yoga at the Waterfront Stage on Friday at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

The latitude punters take part in the disco yoga. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Members of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Committee discuss the plight of the UK's live events. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Liv Grant in an amazing outfit. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Friday at Latitude festival. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Children having fun in the ribbon entrance to the Zen Area. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Children having fun in the ribbon entrance to the Zen Area. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Ecstatic dancing in the Zen Area on the Friday morning of Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Ecstatic dancing in the Zen Area on the Friday morning of Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Matilda and Amelia with the pink sheep. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Lucy Grubb singing at The Inbetweeners Stage. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Thomas James, Ellie Williamson,Tabitha James and Georgia Bolton in front of the iconic Latitude sign. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Sammy Case, Lucinda Griffiths and Ben Case enjoying themselves at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Latitude festival is now well underway with crowds enjoying the first day of entertainment in the arenas. (Image: Archant)

Friday afternoon at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Amber Sergent, Rebecca Quince, Sophie Franklin and Shandelions. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Matt Harris's stag do in fancy dress. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Alison and Daisy Doughty. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy Maisie Peters on the Obelisk Stage at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy Maisie Peters on the Obelisk Stage at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Maisie Peters performing on the Obelisk stage at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy Maisie Peters on the Obelisk Stage at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy Maisie Peters on the Obelisk Stage at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy Maisie Peters on the Obelisk Stage at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Maisie Peters performing on the Obelisk stage at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy Maisie Peters on the Obelisk Stage at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy Maisie Peters on the Obelisk Stage at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)