Thousands of revellers enjoyed the return of Latitude Festival on Friday, the first major music event since Covid restrictions were lifted.
Festivalgoers enjoyed sets by Mabel, Maisie Peters, Declan McKenna, and headliner Wolf Alice on Friday evening with no masks or social distancing as tightly packed crowds of people dancing along to the upbeat music.
The four-day festival, which is part of the Government's Events Research Programme, is being attended by 40,000 people.
Festivalgoers must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test or be double vaccinated to access the site at Henham Park in Suffolk which also boasts its own pop-up vaccination clinic.
Headliners The Chemical Brothers, Bastille and Bombay Bicycle Club will perform at the event.
Thousands of revellers enjoyed the return of Latitude Festival with sets from Declan McKenna, Wolf Alice, and Mabel on Friday in the first major music event since before the pandemic began
Festivalgoers enjoyed sets by Mabel, Maisie Peters, Declan McKenna, and headliner Wolf Alice on Friday evening, with tightly packed crowds of people dancing along to the upbeat music
Revellers took part in a mass Disco Yoga session at Latitude Festival on Friday, the first major music event since the pandemic
Festivalgoers dressed up in bright colours as they descended on Latitude Festival, the first major music event since Covid restrictions were lifted
Revellers looked happy to be back at a mass festival on Friday as they soaked up the last of a heatwave ahead of storms forecast over the weekend
The four-day festival, which is part of the Government's Events Research Programme, is packed with 40,000 people in the first major event since social distancing was scrapped on Monday
Festival goers enjoyed performances by Declan McKenna, Mabel, and Wolf Alice at Latitude Festival as the first major music event since the pandemic began got underway
Revellers enjoyed a performance by Lynks at the Obelisk Arena at Latitude Festival in Henham Park, Suffolk, as the long-await event got started
Festivalgoer Rebecca Watson, 32, a creative director from London, who had her nine-month-old daughter Minnie in a baby carrier on her front, said: 'It's just amazing, isn't it? It's great.
'And also for Minnie, as she's never seen any of this before. It's so good to see people, and happiness.
'I think it's the tonic everyone needed at the end of last year.'
Kris Spandler, 31, of Brighton, who is working on a stand at the festival, said: 'It feels amazing.
'Last night was an amazing feeling, everyone back together again.
'The feeling of the energy of everybody just enjoying each other's company, watching a live act and listening, reacting as a crowd rather than just watching something at home for one-and-a-half years.'
He said the festival feels 'safe so far', adding: 'Everyone's approaching it like that. Everyone seems happy so far.'
Two festivalgoers enjoy the view above the crowd as they watch Maisie Peters on the Obelisk Stage at Latitude Festival on Friday
Festivalgoers enjoyed sets by Mabel, Maisie Peters, Declan McKenna, and headliner Wolf Alice at Latitude festival on Friday evening
British singer Mabel was among Friday nights performers, with the main stage headed by alternative rock band Wolf Alice
Mabel made an impression with her luminescent yellow and black mesh outfit as she was joined on stage by four backing dancers during her Latitude Festival set on Friday
Thousands of people packed into the main stage to watch headliner Wolf Alice as Latitude festival got underway on Friday night
Maisie Peters performs at the Obelisk Arena at Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, as the first major music event since Covid restrictions ended on Monday
Thousands of festivalgoers enjoyed a performance by Maisie Peters on the Obelisk Arena at Latitude Festival on Friday
At least 40,000 people have flocked to Henham Park, Southwold, for Latitude Festival, the first major music event since the pandemic started last year
Revellers enjoyed the sunshine at Latitude Festival in Suffolk on Friday ahead of heavy rain and storms forecast over the weekend
Festival goers enjoy the 'Mind, Body & Zen' area at Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, as the first major music event since Covid restrictions were lifted gets underway
Revellers look delighted to be back at Latitude festival as the four-day event, which is part of the Government's Events Research Programme, got underway on Friday
Festival goers watch a performance by Declan McKenna at the Obelisk Arena at Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold
A tired festivalgoer takes a nap on a camp chair after the first night of Latitude Festival in Henham Park, Southwold, on Friday
Thousands of partygoers packed into the main stage at Latitude Festival on Friday to watch British singer Mabel perform
Thousands of people have descended on Latitude festival, the first major music event since Covid restrictions were eased on Monday
Jason Appel, a 45-year-old accountant from north London, said: 'It feels great, it was really nice, really happy when we walked in.
'Just generally nice to feel like you're in a bit of a sanctuary, I think. I think if you've come to a festival in the first place you're going to want to be in a place like this so for me it's felt absolutely fine.'
University worker Stephen Matthews, 50, from Wivenhoe, near Colchester in Essex, said it felt a 'little bit odd' to be back at a festival.
'It's a little bit odd,' he said. 'Very happy in general, but standing in a crowd for the first time last night was a little bit strange, and feeling people come quite close to you was quite strange.
'But good to hear
