Girls Aloud will headline the festival's first night

Girls Aloud, X-Factor's Shane Ward and Jamelia were among the acts to take to the stage for the eighth "Bryn Fest".

Opera and West End stars followed their performances over the weekend and the festival will end on Monday with a Welsh pop night.

Festival-goers were treated to dry weather on Friday night and forecasters promised a mostly dry weekend.

Organisers hope the star-studded line-up will continue the success of the 2006 festival.

Despite heavy downpours, an audience of over 35,000 travelled to the Faenol Estate last year, while a record number of television viewers also enjoyed the performances.

I would rather hide backstage somewhere watching all the groups Bryn Terfel

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, Bryn Terfel remembered Shirley Bassey's performance as one of the high-points.

"Shirley Bassey's evening last year was amazing," he said.

"It just down poured. She came on in this beautiful yellow gown and the rain stopped."

However, this year's weather forecast promised to be an improvement on last year.

BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway predicted some sunshine, but added it would be cloudy at times.

The bass baritone was joined by the Spanish Verdi baritone Carlos Alvarez and tenor Fabio Armiliato from Italy on Saturday.

However, the opera star has said he would prefer to remain behind-the-scenes.

Despite downpours, 35,000 people attended last year's festival

"I would rather hide backstage somewhere watching all the groups," Terfel said.

On Sunday, the West End will take over the north Wales stage, which has views across Snowdonia.

The Sound of Music star Connie Fisher, from Pembrokeshire, will entertain crowds alongside her heroine Ruthie Henshal, and Michael Ball.

Terfel said their performances would make a "fire-cracker evening".

'Best performers'

The weekend will culminate in the T�n y Ddraig (Dragon's Fire) concert on Monday, featuring some of the best rock and pop artists from the Welsh music scene, including Bryn F�n and Steve Eaves.

The festival will be broadcast by BBC Wales.

Roger Jones, Chairman of Faenol Festival paid tribute to the team who had "pulled together some of the very best performers in the world".