Was Cheryl Cole the highlight of day one?

Cheryl Cole kicked off her solo festival career with a 25 minute set

Beforehand all the talk might have been about Cheryl Cole's first solo appearance at a festival, but day one of Big Weekend had plenty of other highlights.

The 20,000 ticket-holders running through the gates at midday were first treated to a thumping DJ set by Tim 'Big Dog' Westwood featuring ex-Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland.

Christening the main stage, Scouting For Girls did a sterling job of hyping up the already-sweltering crowd by careering through their back catalogue - including a cover of Journey's Don't Stop Believin'.

"That went down a storm," said lead singer Roy, panting as he came off stage. "It always does. It was an amazing show.

"Those are always the best gigs - the ones where you go on stage and it feels like you come off stage five minutes later."

Booing fears

Next up, 30 Seconds To Mars - led by Hollywood-A-lister-turned-rock-god Jared Leto - turned in a chunky 20 minute performance.

Leto was sporting a striking blonde and pink Mohawk and trench coat.

Afterwards he was quick to defend Justin Bieber who was booed by the crowd when his name was announced.

Scouting for Girls performed a cover of Glee hit Don't Stop Believin'

"He's a young kid," Leto said. "He'll be able to charm the crowd."

On the opposite side of the site, Leeds-based hellraisers Hadouken attempted to ramp up the atmosphere on the In New Music We Trust stage, rekindling the sweat-soaked spirit of The Prodigy's 2009 headline set in Swindon with their dance-rock hybrid.

In stark contrast Chipmunk was a picture of cool, charming a big top full of starry-eyed admirers.

Any fears that Justin Bieber might get booed were firmly scorched when he played a short mid afternoon three-song, ten minute set on the main stage.

Unsurprisingly, anybody not pleased to see the 16-year-old Canadian were firmly drowned out by the screaming mass of teenage girls running at the stage with banners sporting offers of marriage.

'Well-received set'

Arriving backstage on a motorised buggy, Cheryl Cole's entourage was at least three times the size of Prince William's (more on that in a moment).

But on stage she was joined by a troop of dancers to rattle through a 25 minute set which included opener Fight For This Love, 3 Words and a cover of Owl City's Fireflies. Sadly, there was no sign of a rumoured collaboration with Black Eyed Peas' Will.i.am.

Coming off stage she won't let anyone film her until she has towelled down and reapplied her make-up but appears to be in playful mood after a broadly well-received set.

Now, when you come off stage most artists expect a hairy roadie to toss them a towel and a bottle of water.

Bit of a surprise then for Hereford-born star Ellie Goulding to be greeted by Prince William and his girlfriend Kate Middleton over on the In New Music We Trust stage.

"I'm still not over it," Goulding blurted, catching her breath afterwards. "Prince William came up to me and said that it was brilliant. I'm overwhelmed."

William had been chatting to Pass Out singer Tinie Tempah before going on to catch sets by Faithless and Florence and the Machine.

Back on the main stage and after Lostprophets' victorious homecoming set there was a brief hold-up because Alicia Keys' piano wasn't tuned correctly.

Big Weekend veterans

Once that was all sorted she entertained the main stage crowd with a powerful set, including Empire State Of Mind.

Back over on the second stage MGMT and Faithless brought the stage to a close.

Florence & the Machine closes day one in a long floating gown

MGMT finished with previous single Kids and ran off into the festival site.

Backstage ten minutes later, lead singer Andrew Wyngarden said: "We did it early on in our career and we fancied doing it today for no particular reason."

In the background dance-veterans Faithless were greeted with a sea of arms for tracks like God Is A DJ and Insomnia.

Bringing day one to a dramatic close, both Dizzee Rascal and Florence and the Machine know Radio 1's Big Weekend inside out.

Dizzee set Swindon alight last year as Bonkers established itself as the anthem of the summer. Florence meanwhile played the BBC Introducing stage in Maidstone, INMWT stage in Swindon and returns as headliner this year.

Dizzee, bare-chested for all of his set, set the scene for Florence with bass-heavy versions of Sirens, Holiday and Dirtee Disco - where he let giant inflatable balls into the crowd.

Florence had a job on her hands following it but was supplied with the special weapon of a full 30-strong choir. Not that she needed them - as she was on her most bewitching form, dressed in a floaty white dress.

Dizzee rejoined her on You Got The Dirtee Love to turn the main stage tent into a mass of dancing bodies - the way it stayed for most of day one.