Roskilde remembers

Memorial stones can be found by the Orange Stage

By Liquid News Reporter Stephanie West

After a tragedy that left nine young men dead after a crowd crush at Roskilde last year, this year's festival got of to an emotional but optimistic start.

The Danish event, second only in size to Glastonbury, has been going for 30 years and is renowned for its good nature.

As the festival kicked off the 60,000 strong crowd were asked to remember the nine men who died last year when Pearl Jam were on stage.

The tragedy was the first accident at Roskilde since it began in 1971

A memorial circle of nine stones and nine single trees has been established just yards from the Orange Stage - the site of last year's accident.

But after they had remembered the dead, and spent time reflecting on last year's tragedy, thoughts soon turned back to this year's festival.

The crowd soon got into the mood which makes Roskilde so famous.

It is not just about the music, teams of 'cosmic huggers' swan around in groups dressed in orange and pink flowing robes hugging all and sundry just to make them feel better.

Silence

If it all gets too much festival goers can go and lie in the Cathedral of Silence - a white silk tent full of scarlet cushions.

They have cathedral staff washing everyone's feet on the way in.

And on stage Wyclef Jean is the first big name to perform.

Over the weekend The Cure, Robbie Williams and Beck are the main attractions.

Neil Young and Patti Smith will also play at what is northern Europe's largest rock festival.