Fans and organizers head for Roskilde music festival

Jul 5, 2007, 17:29 GMT

Copenhagen - Several days of rain appeared not to have dampened spirits as thousands of people prepared for the official opening of the annual four-day Roskilde festival Thursday.

Organizers said they had sold 75,000 tickets to the festival held in Roskilde, west of the Danish capital. In addition, there are thousands of volunteers.

Wood chips, hay, plastic sheeting and pumps have been deployed to try to reduce the effects of the downpour that has turned large sections of the camping site and parking areas into a sea of mud.

Organizers urged visitors to use public transport as many cars were stuck in the soft ground on newly made parking areas.

In its forecasts, the Danish Meteorological Institute has also predicted 'a very wet' Thursday and more rain on Friday but suggested slightly drier weather over the weekend.

According to the weather service's records, 26 of the past 36 Roskilde festivals have been wet, the newspaper Politiken reported.

Icelandic singer Bjork was due to perform Thursday evening, one of some 150 acts slated to perform during the festival that has a lineup including veterans The Who, Arctic Monkeys, US indie rock band Flaming Lips and Beastie Boys.

Some fans started their party a few days ago when they camped out at the gates.

The first Roskilde festival was held in 1971, inspired by similar events at Woodstock and the Isle of Wight.

This year's theme for fund-raising in connection with the festival is focused on fair trade issues and would support small-scale farmers in Malawi. Funds are generated mainly through through bottle deposits.

More details on www.roskilde-festival.dk