The skies may have been overcast with rain in the air but nothing was going to dampen spirits at the 34th Ipswich Music Day.

Band members, fans and families said they were "buzzing", "elated" and "excited" to be at the UK's largest free music festival in Christchurch Park, Ipswich, at the weekend.

Ipswich Music Day kicked into gear at Christchurch Park in Ipswich on Sunday, July 7, showcasing a range of musical talent from across East Anglia and the UK.

The festival boasted six stages, all playing vastly different music from Indian Mela and thrash metal to new-age rock, rap and alt-pop.

The pond stage at Ipswich Music DayThe Pond Stage at Ipswich Music Day (Image: Tom Cann)

Jimmy Jarvie and Drew Wilson, frontmen for the electronic music group DREGS, say they have been coming to the festival for years and commended it for its strong character, openness and diversity.

The Ipswich boys, who named their recent album Bourne Again after the local park, said: "We are buzzing about playing this year as we have been coming for years. The festival really does bring people in Ipswich together.

Jimmy Jarvis and Drew WilsonJimmy Jarvis and Drew Wilson of the electric music group DREGS (Image: Will King)
Mr Wilson added: "I mean look at all the different music: you walk in and you've got thrash metal in your face, then you've got some chilled acoustic stuff and a just bit of everything!

"Plus, it's great for family as well. I've got my my two kids, my dad is here, and everyone loves it!"

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Ipswich Music Day offers a fairground area with a range of family friendly activities.Ipswich Music Day offers a fairground area with a range of family friendly activities. (Image: Will King)
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There was a range of delicious food and drink options at the festivalThe festival offers a range of food and drink options (Image: Will King)
Norwich band Chest also graced Pond Stage, bringing their self-proclaimed "grunge-punk style" to a crowd of delighted fans.

Chest's 24-year-old bass player Will said: "This is our first time at Ipswich Music Day and we are really excited about this performance. Ipswich is a place we've been wanting to play for a while.

"We were actually here a few weeks ago for Brighten the Corners, and now coming here we really feel Ipswich is a great music scene."

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Chest, the indie grunge band from Norwich Chest, the indie grunge band from Norwich (Image: Will King)
Meanwhile, an upcoming alternative-rock band, called Permanent Daylight, also took to the stage after gaining a spot by winning the Battle of the Bands competition run by their college, Suffolk One.

Alt Rock band Permanent Daylight and their music teacher, GarethAlt Rock band Permanent Daylight and their music teacher, Michael (Image: Will King)
Music teacher Michael Benyon said: "We are elated about this performance and so proud of these guys. They're no longer our students but we are still very proud of them."

People enjoying the music and soaking in the weekendPeople enjoying the music and soaking in the weekend (Image: Will King)
In its 34th year, Ipswich Music Day has a long tradition of seeing past performers go on to great success, with Framlingham's very own Ed Sheeran among the stars to have played at the event. 

Big-name performances this year were from AfterDrive, Piers James, Pixelh8 and the Downsetters.