The Wickham Festival struck lucky on the opening day, escaping the worst of the weather.
Although there were several heavy downpours, the bigger risk was the electrical storms across the area which threatened the Big Tops.
There were dozens of lightning strikes in the region and if they had come any closer, organisers might have had to cancel the opening acts on safety grounds.
As it was, the lightning stayed just far enough away for the show to go on with only the opener Alistair Russell being pulled.
Fans were not allowed into the Big Top as a precaution until just five minutes before the first main act and, remarkably, Judie Tzuke began her set just three minutes late.
Organiser Peter Chegwyn said: “It was a close call but thankfully the lightning stayed just far enough away. It was unfortunate that we were unable to even allow fans to shelter in the Big Top on safety grounds especially as there were a few heavy showers.
“But, as always, our crowd were amazing and I have to thank them for their patience and understanding in very difficult and damp circumstances. And I also need to pay tribute to all our site staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the opening night was such a success.
“Thankfully the forecast is now much better for the next couple of days which will dry out the ground though our new grassed site has held up well considering the atrocious weather.”
Judie Tzuke played a marvellous melodic set showing her voice is as sharp and as sweet as ever, mixing old and new material… though she did concede it might not have been the best choice to play Bring the Rain!
Inevitably she ended with the crowd favourite Stay With Me Till Dawn backed by her 10-year-old granddaughter Rani to the delight of the fans.
Next came a big shift in tempo and style as the Bootleg Beatles took to the stage and rattled though the Fab Four’s biggest hits.
They not only sounded the part to get the crowd dancing but also looked it, initially in Sixties suits and then swapping those for Seventies gear. Ironically the heavens opened again as they launched into Here Comes the Sun!
And the eclectic opening night was brought to a fantastic finish with old favourites Lindisfarne proving as popular as ever finishing with a triple whammy of Fog on the Tyne, Meet me on the Corner and Run for Home to send the crowd into the night on a high.
Day tickets are still available at the box office for the remaining three days but all weekend tickets are now completely sold out along with all camping.
However, fans can save £100 off next year’s weekend tickets (July 30-Aug 2) if they buy before they leave on Sunday or online from midnight Sunday for a limited time at www.wickhamfestival.co.uk/tickets
Friday sees Fisherman’s Friends top the bill in the Big Top with Flook and Steve Knightley while Talisk headline the Little Top backed by the Dhol Foundation, Newton Faulkner and Lucy Spraggan.
Folk legend Richard Thompson stars on Saturday alongside Leo Sayer and the Tom Robinson Band with Alabama 3 and Merry Hell on the other stage.
And Sunday sees Oysterband performing one of their final ever UK shows before quitting as a live act. Support comes from Kate Rusby and Reg Meuross with the Little Top featuring The Peatbog Faeries plus Ian Prowse and Amsterdam.
