Ah. The first day of a musical festival; when the Portaloos are relatively clean, your innards are still behaving and lush grass comforts your first steps onto the site. Thankfully, the weather also shone on Leeds Festival as The Walkmen opened the Main Stage with a fresh, gnarling set to stunning sunshine. For those already caught up with their tans, The Crookes provided salvation at The Festival Republic Stage with their retro 1950's take on guitarpop, complete with Brylcreem addled quiffs and short sleeved shirts.

The diversity of the premier day's line-up was revealing. From 3OH3!'s irksome pop to The Gaslight Anthem's Springsteen-esque repertoire, the mid-afternoon choices were stark. Yet it was Modest Mouse who provided the most challenging of sets to a crowd more concerned with the deteriorating weather than Isaac Brock and co's intricate sound.

One of the worst kept secrets of the entire weekend was undoubtedly Gallows', I mean, 'The Rats' set at The Lock Up Stage. The pseudonym was fooling no-one as a huge crowd bowed to Frank Carter's demand for a circle pit around the tent for one of the more impressive sights of festival tomfoolery. For the indie kids, The Main Stage was the place to be as local heroes The Cribs brought their ramshackle guitar racket. Hell, even Dizzee Rascal's set seemed apt as the East London rapper brought his posse of poodle rockers, soul singers and a Mick Hucknall lookalike to beef up his chart hits to spectacular effect.

After weeks of tabloid tittle tattle, rumours and counter-rumours, The Libertines not only actually turned up, but on time, to produce one of the most memorable reunions in recent festival history. So they weren't note perfect yet the sheer fact the gig brought the four of them together seemed enough for the largest crowd of the day. Almost too much for some as their set was halted only three songs in due to safety concerns down at the front. Tediously, they continued without any more controversy. No rants, no marching offstage, no fights and only the long awaited hits to treat their patient fans, as if they'd never been away.

By sunset, temperatures were beginning to plummet. Granted, summer nights can be nippy but this was the final weekend in August, not November and as Arcade Fire embarked on their headline set many had retreated to the back simply to grab a cuppa or anything to keep warm. Thankfully, Arcade Fire hail from Canada so being used to such conditions meant that nothing could stop their gospel-tinged take on uplifting baroque pop. Despite Leeds Festival being their first UK appearance in three years and their first UK festival as headliners, the band seemed attuned to topping the bill. Yet frontman Win Butler became annoyed at his perceived lack of crowd response as he queried "You guys saving up your energy? I know it's cold but come on!" The affront had the desired effect as many reasoned that getting involved may even keep them warm. What followed was more like a religious experience as the crowd united as one to salute and revel in the likes of 'No Cars Go' and 'Intervention'. Few bands command such a level of fellowship but then few bands can marry together a breathless array of melodies and instruments. Their high-octane repertoire served the crowd well, meaning many could revel in their warm glow to their now warm bodies. Onto Saturday then.