Phat 10 festival underway

Pendulum performing at Big Day Out 2009. Photo / Richard Robinson

Popular music festival Phat 10 got underway last night in the West Coast town of Inangahua, 47km east of Westport.

Organiser Dave White said about 4500 people had bought tickets, which was on par with last year.

"The mood is very excited, with the best international line-up to date and the biggest acts we've ever produced."

Mr White named Australian band Pendulum as one of the main drawcards.

The festival also featured a strong New Zealand lineup including the Black Seeds, Kora, Salmonella Dub, Tiki and Concord Dawn.

The weather had been very hot so far.

"The forecast for Inangahua is very good, overcast most days with a few showers on the second of January."

Phat 10 runs until January 2, with 100 acts expected to play.

- NZPA