Music fans from across the country were in high spirits on the first day of Latitude Festival as they were allowed to party in a crowd of strangers once more.

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

Eastern Daily Press: An aerial view of the Obelisk Stage arena at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy BrownAn 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.

Eastern Daily Press: Molly Norman, Tom Whitehouse, Becca Hicks and Mikey Jones at Latitude Festival.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.

Eastern Daily Press: Sammy Najimaldin (second from left) with his friends on a stag do at Latitude Festival.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.

Eastern Daily Press: Lucy Grubb singing at The Inbetweeners Stage. Picture: Sarah Lucy BrownLucy 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.

Eastern Daily Press: Back L-R - Kate Hill, Chris Stuckey, Paul Hill, Freddie Hill, Laura Stuckey, front L-R Edie Stuckey and Margot Stuckey at Latitude Festival.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."

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

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

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

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

Eastern Daily Press: Friday at Latitude festival. Picture: Sarah Lucy BrownFriday at Latitude festival. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Friday at Latitude festival. Picture: Sarah Lucy BrownFriday at Latitude festival. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Daily Press: Friday at Latitude festival. Picture: Sarah Lucy BrownFriday at Latitude festival. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Daily Press: Friday afternoon at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy BrownFriday afternoon at Latitude. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

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

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

Eastern Daily Press: Alison and Daisy Doughty. Picture: Sarah Lucy BrownAlison and Daisy Doughty. Picture: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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