Music event kicks off in city

Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips pictured at Belsonic on Monday evening

The Belsonic music festival kicked off in Belfast on Monday with a spectacular performance by the Flaming Lips.

Billed as Belfast's biggest music event this summer, some of the biggest bands of the moment are performing over the course of the three-day event at Custom House Square.

The unique sight of charismatic Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne tumbling over the crowd in a plastic ball set the tone for what was to follow.

Confetti guns, giant balloons, lasers and inflatable aliens contributed to the sense of sensory overload, while some lucky concert-goers also got to dance on stage in fancy dress.

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The band played a selection of their best-known songs from various stages of their long, bizarre career, with the final song Do You Realize leaving the crowd exhilarated and thoroughly entertained.

Also on the bill were Scottish instrumental act Mogwai, Belfast's own Oppenheimer and Dublin hopefuls Jape. On Thursday, the Enemy take centre stage, with the Zutons bringing things to a close on Friday.

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Each day has a full supporting line-up with gates opening at 1745 BST and the first acts on stage shortly after.

All the action is being recorded to be televised by ATL TV on BBC Northern Ireland. Additional recordings will be broadcast on Across the Line on BBC Radio Ulster.