Kate Nash opens Glastonbury 2008

By Kev Geoghegan
Radio 1 music reporter

Large crowds flocked to the Pyramid stage to watch Kate Nash open Glastonbury 2008.

The Foundations singer said she was "honoured" to get the show on the road but she had hardly slept due to nerves.

"I was so nervous," she said. "It felt like such an honour. I did feel like I was opening the whole festival season."

The number of music lovers gathering under the dark clouds at the Worthy Farm site in Somerset is set to swell to around 180,000.

Thousands arrived yesterday to set up camp and their keenness was rewarded with music from bands such as One Night Only, Glasvegas and Santogold.

The rain failed to dampen their spirits and in true festival spirit, more showers are predicted over the weekend.

First timer

Australian Ben Bussell is at Glastonbury for the first time.

"I got over here two days ago, first Glastonbury, first time overseas," he said.

"It's massive. They said it was big but we got here last night and came over the hill and saw all the lights.

"I'm just looking forward to some good music."

Exploring Glastonbury with One Night Only

One of the highlights from yesterday's early line-up was north Yorkshire band, One Night Only, who played to a packed tent.

Charley, 20, from Bristol said: "Who cares about the mud, man?

"It's all about the vibes."

Her friend, 25-year-old Holly from Cheltenham, agreed: "Can you feel the love?

"We're sorry for all those other guys who aren't here. The love is strong."

Hangover hell

Franz Ferdinand have been announced as secret guests on Friday night. They will play the Park stage, one of the festival's newest attractions.

They are joined on the bill by fellow Scots, The Fratellis.

Singer Jon Fratelli told Newsbeat it feels a bit like returning to the scene of a crime after he enjoyed a few too many complimentary drinks before their set at last year's festival.

Have you say: Who are you looking forward to at Glastonbury?

He said: "I was so hungover that day. It was so stupid and I was sick.

"It was rubbish but we'll put on a better show than we did.

"There's nothing like your guitar falling off and being left with it in your hand in front of all those people and not really knowing what to do."

Festival goers enjoyed some sunshine on Thursday

There is still a question mark over whether Amy Winehouse will show up for her slot on the Pyramid stage on Saturday.

It is understood she has been rehearsing since leaving hospital earlier in the week after medical exams found traces of emphysema, scarring on her lungs.

Rap controversy

Winehouse is due to open for headliner Jay-Z, the most controversial artist to top the bill at Glastonbury in 38 years.

It has raised the issue of the role of rap music at the festival, despite other hip-hop artists like Lupe Fiasco and Dizzee Rascal also on the bill.

Organisers have blamed the bad weather for the event failing to sell out for the first time in a decade but critics have blamed the choice of headline acts.

Eighteen-year-old twin sisters Ruth and Bridget from Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, disagree.

Bridget said: "If that's the reason that fewer tickets have sold then people are really narrow minded and stupid."