THOUSANDS of music lovers descended on Bingley’s Myrtle Park tonight for the first of three days of the district’s biggest music event.

Bingley Music Live attracted people of all ages on its first night, which was headlined by indie legends James.

With the gates opening at 3pm rather than the morning openings of the Saturday and Sunday, the Fridays of the festival always feature fewer acts, but few people will feel short changed by today’s performances.

Although not held under the glorious sunshine seen in previous years, the weather was kind to the thousands of people who flocked to the park to see bands like James, Cast, and The Beat, including many families and teens who wouldn’t have been alive when many of these bands started their careers.

Any of the other acts to play Bingley in the next two days will do well if they manage to pull off more crowd pleasing sets than Friday headliners James featuring Bradford-born lead singer Tim Booth.

Their energetic set spanned their lengthy career, with songs from last year with classics from the early 90s.

And when they played Sit Down they elicited the response from the massive crowd that every festival organiser dreams of. Repeat headliners at Bingley, James certainly justified the return invitation.

SEE ALL THE PICTURES FROM BINGLEY MUSIC LIVE 2015

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Up and coming bands Apollo Junction, Holy Esque and Gallery Circus started the festival, making the most of their main stage billing and winning over plenty of new fans.

Two tone ska heroes The Beat further boosted the party feel by getting Bingley dancing with their back catalogue that got people of all ages skanking. In tribute to late singer of The Clash, Joe Strummer, they played a ska cover of Rock the Kasbah, which went down particularly well with the crowd.

Scouse legends Cast really got the crowd going with a set that included hits even non-fans would instantly recognise. They started the first sing-a-long of the festival with Walk Away, got the crowd really going with Guiding Star and brought the house down with Alright.

Although lead singer John Power may have a few more grey hairs than when they were a fresh faced band that won the indie scene’s hearts in the 90s, they still proved they could provide a feel good, singalong set to a massive crowd.

Meanwhile, the Discovery Stage showcased young talent, with incendiary sets from The Weirds, as well as performances from hotly tipped acts like Fickle Friends and Rae Morris.