As the sun went down, Hull came out to play at this year's Freedom Festival. Crowds embraced unusual street performers and live music down Humber Street and the Fruit Market on Saturday night.
Mobo award winner Akala drew a huge crowd at Hull Jazz Festival's Yellow Bus in Wellington Street as visitors sipped pints and munched hot dogs. One couple from Canada, who have been in the city for three months, were stunned by the turnout as they shuffled into a spot near the side of the stage.
Lindsey Allen, 24, and partner George Stevenson, 29, said they had plans to party and were surprised by everything they stumbled across during the evening.
George said: "We didn't think Hull would have an event like this. A lot of places try and make festivals work but they don't take off. There are good pubs and restaurants in most cities but this gives people a real reason to visit Hull."
There was a lot of excitement ahead of singer-songwriter Dan Croll's performance and he said the view was "splendid" as gig-goers marvelled at a spectacular sunset.
Beverley artist Sam Connolly, 18, who played on Sunday, was standing watching the set. He said he was pleased to see more than just "pop acts" on the bill.
"I'm glad they've given artists like Dan Croll a chance. He's brilliant," said Sam. "It's really exciting and I saw The 1975 play at Leeds Festival. They are a great headline act for Freedom.
"I like the fact that the festival is also celebrating Hull talent and this is the first time I've been involved. If we keep organising events like this, we will definitely get City of Culture status."
Hundreds of people gathered to see the much-anticipated Transe Express make their way down Humber Street towards the Humber Quays area. The French performing arts company lit up the waterside with Tambours de la Muerte (Drums of Death). Three-metre-high puppets lurched over families as the masked marchers gathered around a fire-breathing Viking longboat.
"It was a bit scary but it was better than Dynamo," Thomas Smith, nine, said, after almost being trampled by giant skeletons. He went along to the festival with mum Jayne Smith, 43, dad Dave, 43, and older brother Matthew, 13.
"This is something really different for the people of Hull and Thomas's little legs were trembling but he loved it," said Jayne, of Willerby. "There's so much going on right now. It's just nice if the city can come out and support these events."
Mexican drummers circled members of the crowd as the cast recreated the country's Traditional Day of the Dead. A man was plucked out of the crowd and encouraged to climb up a huge Chinese pole as the audience whistled and looked on open-mouthed.
He was helped by some of the acrobats who shuffled him to the top before swinging him around in mid-air. The company really excelled itself and the performance was described by onlookers as "surreal" and "exciting."
A total of 8,000 people turned up to see the show which ended with fireworks exploding across the night sky. Hull comedian Lucy Beaumont also performed stand-up in the Big Top and 2Faced Dance Company stunned the audience with their moves. Ska band Counting Coins played outside Fruit Trade Music in Humber Street, with the likes of We Are Carnivores, Rebel Sell and Felony.
As the audience swelled at the Pier Stage, it was soon time for the main acts, including London trio Theme Park. Twins Marcus and Miles Haughton were joined by guitarist Oscar Manthorpe and they stormed through hits from their debut album, including the infectious Jamaica.
• Pictures of The 1975 and Akala at Freedom Festival 2013
• Picture gallery: Freedom Festival Friday highlights
• Picture gallery: Freedom Festival Saturday highlights
• Picture gallery: Freedom Festival Sunday highlights
The Pier Stage was at full capacity, with 5,000 fans waiting to see The 1975. Kerry Brett, 35, of east Hull, said she was glad to be among the crowd to see the band tipped for a number one album.
"I hadn't heard of them before but my friend told me they are brilliant," she said. "I missed out on Freedom last year because I was on holiday. There's something for everyone – kids and adults. It's fantastic for Hull."
It was a battle to get The 1975 to the gig after their tour bus broke down on the way to Hull from Bestival on the Isle of Wight. Fans went crazy as frontman Matt Healy and the lads finally picked up their instruments and launched into their first festival headline slot.
Matt shook his messy outgrown mohawk and shouted "What's happening, Hull?" After being swallowed up by darkness for a few minutes, the lights came back on but the band handled it well. Chocolate had everyone dancing, along with the instantly singable track Sex, and the atmosphere was electric.
Lewis Nelson, 25, of Anlaby, said The 1975's set was "incredible". He said: "I was so excited for the album coming out and I've played it non-stop. They have so many great songs and I love their track Girls."
Friends Jennifer Hutchinson, and Charlotte Green, both 18, said they were surprised by the size of the audience.
Jennifer, of the Avenues, said: "People our age can't often afford to go to festivals, so the amount of free events at Freedom has been brilliant. It gives people a chance to see live music on their doorstep, including plenty of great local bands like The Holy Orders."As the lights went down on the main stage and food stalls were packed away, there were still those who weren't ready to call it a night. Fruit in Humber Street threw open its doors for the first Dockside Social, with DJs playing in two rooms, including one with a quirky caravan.
People spilled out on to the street as they partied into the small hours but they were determined to get back to the festival yesterday – ready to do it all over again.
• 80,000 at Freedom Festival as Hull now poised to win 2017 City of Culture title
