The late May Bank Holiday ushered in the official start of the festival season. With live music events taking place up and down the country across the weekend.

For those in West Yorkshire, two music-filled days at Temple Newsam were on the cards. The first of which was Live at Leeds in the Park.

For music lovers, the Manchester derby via Saturday’s FA Cup Final was no competition, as thousands of fans descended upon the West Yorkshire estate.

The challenge with outdoor events is always the weather. But would Mother Nature behave on Saturday was the question on the crowd's lips. On arrival at the festival site, the sun was in the sky, and our shades were out. As the day progressed, a light cloud covering paved the way for a pleasant afternoon in Temple Newsam Park.

The beauty of an event like Live at Leeds in the Park is the variety of artists on the bill. With five stages to choose from across the festival site, there really was something for everyone.

The festival punters undertook a musical journey in an attempt to discover the next big thing. Stages curated by the likes of Clash, DIY and Dork magazines highlighted some of the best-emerging talents on the circuit right now.

Bands like Lucia and the Best Boys, Overpass, and Seb Lowe were some of the highlights on the Dork Hype Stage and packed out the tent all afternoon long. At some points it was so busy, that fans watched on from outside of the marquee. Whilst, Radio Free Alice from Melbourne, Australia had perhaps travelled the furthest to be in attendance on Saturday afternoon – and certainly made an impact in the process.

Over on the Clash Big Top stage, Antony Szmierek and Dublin-based outfit Sprints were early highlights of the day. The latter once again shows just how strong the Irish music scene is right now. Whilst Billy Nomates' energetic performance lit up the stage on Saturday afternoon. Bedecked in a tasselled jacket emblazoned with the artist's moniker, Billy's dynamic dance moves and beautiful voice were the perfect soundtrack to a Saturday afternoon in the park.

Of course, there was plenty of local talent on display across the festival site including the likes of Andrew Cushin, Tom A Smith, Beth McCarthy, Wakefield’s own Big Top headliners The Cribs and Imogen and the Knife. The latter of which was a last-minute addition to the bill following Somebody’s Child’s withdrawal from the line-up on Friday evening. Performing solo on this occasion, Imogen’s spellbinding voice captivated the festival audience.

Leeds own Corrine Bailey Rae brought something a bit different to the equation via her Black Rainbows Project. And despite some technical setbacks, there was a strong crowd in attendance to watch the songstress with her latest venture.

Established acts like Sea Girls, US-based outfit Future Islands and an incredible set from White Lies were some of the high points of the line-up across the event’s larger stages.  Whilst Baxter Drury, son of the late great Ian Drury, showed that talent doesn’t fall far from the tree. Perhaps, you can say he is a chip off the old block, if you will excuse the pun.

There was always going to be a lot of interest in an appearance from The Spice Girls Melanie C. Bedecked in a red and black getup, Sporty’s effervescent hit-laden set list thoroughly entertained the festival crowd. Perhaps, just like a song in Mel’c set, the audience will Never Be The Same Again.

By and large, the weather behaved up until around the time headliners The Kooks took to the stage. The indie outfit were the perfect way to close out the event, and classics like Ooh La and She Moves In Her Way had the Live at Leeds crowd singing and dancing in the rain. And The Kooks led the charge – for them, it was a walk in the park, Temple Newsam Park that is.

On Saturday, the festival crowd left with a whole raft of memories, and a long list of new favourite bands to share with their friends. We can’t wait for next year’s event already.

Live music continues in Temple Newsam Park today (Sunday 26) with the return of Slam Dunk North festival and the final UK festival appearance from rockers You Me At Six.