Crowds enjoy the sun at Big Day Out

3.30 pm - By MEGAN BEDFORD

Temperatures continue to rise as a crowd of about 30,000 music fans enjoy a day of diverse musical talent from NZ and around the world at Ericsson Stadium in Penrose, Auckland.

With many opting for the smallest pieces of clothing, little shade and with the sun beating down, it seems pharmacies will be selling a good amount of sunburn cream tomorrow.

A tunnel with water spray jets, run by a bottled water company offered a cooler option for those trying to escape the heat.

A good sized crowd were enjoying the sun in front of the Green stage during the set of Auckland pop band Elemeno P.

Many had blankets stretched out on the grass, and the stall selling fresh watermelon and pineapple slices had a big queue.

Among those watching the set were Wellingtonians Jessica Morten, 16, Hayley Merret 16, and Lesley England, 17.

In Auckland for a holiday, the teens were thankful to finally be inside the gates after a long wait, and were enjoying watching the colourful crowd, including two young men dressed as sperm and many with spiky colourful hair.

Jessica said she was mainly here to see the Foo Fighters, but was also looking forward to seeing pop punk band Sommerset and drum'n'bass act Concord Dawn.

Foo Fighters proved to be high on many attendees list as the band to watch of the day.

Stall attendant Stuart Purvis, 23 from Auckland, said he was keen to see the American rock band and would be sticking around after ending his shift at 4pm, selling disposable cameras and film from the Photo Warehouse stall.

Stephanie Pyne 23, and Dean Cameron 31, from Auckland Central were glad to avoid earlier traffic problems on the way to the show, by taking the train to Penrose.

Dean was looking forward to catching Texas hardcore emotional rock band Sparta.

PJ Harvey and Queens of the Stone Age were Stephanie's picks.

Near the hip-hop stage, 18-year-old Marule from Manurewa was updating his hairstyle as well as enjoying the eclectic beats from Rhombus.

Hairstylists from the Cut Above salon were charging $3-$5 to colour patrons hair with paints and coloured hairspray.

Marule was having electric blue paint applied and said he had come to the Big Day Out to see Xzibit and Che Fu.

By 3pm police had not made any arrests and a spokesman said they were pleased by the crowd's calm nature.

St John had treated appoximately 80-100 people, mainly for blisters and headaches, and said there were no significant injuries.

Herald feature: