Billy Ocean won a Grammy Award for his worldwide hit, Caribbean Queen
About 30,000 people have started arriving at a Kent music festival, with delays expected on surrounding roads.
The first bands took to the stage at 12:00 BST on Friday at the Hop Farm Festival near Paddock Wood which runs until Sunday evening.
Billy Ocean, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel and Sir Bruce Forsyth are among the stars appearing at the festival.
High volumes of traffic are expected and motorists have been advised to avoid the area if possible.
Event organiser Vince Power said: "I'm very happy with the bill, we have some true legends including Patti Smith and Randy Crawford."
The Stranglers will be playing in the big tent on the opening night of the three-day music festival.
Southeastern have added extra trains to the timetable and a shuttle bus will be in operation throughout the weekend between the festival and Paddock Wood station.
As well as musicians, there will be a comedy stage where Russell Kane and Patrick Monahan will be among the performers, as well as a Buskers Boulevard with a range of acts from a banjo player to a bag piper.
Hop Farm is one of the newest festivals on the circuit and was first held in 2008. Prince played last year's event, making his first ever UK festival appearance.
- Published27 March 2012
- Published4 July 2011
