Thousands of music fans have flocked to the ninth annual V Festival, with Dido and Pink among just some of the acts performing.

The weekend event takes place simultaneously in Chelmsford and Staffordshire, and features live performances from over 50 bands.

Embrace have been added to the list which also includes Badly Drawn Boy, Massive Attack, The Thrills and Snow Patrol.

Jet were forced to pull out because of a bereavement in the family of brothers Nic and Chris Cester.

Around 130,000 people are expected at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire for two days of top tunes over August 21 and 22.

However, there is still some uncertainty as to whether an injury sustained by Muse's bass player Chris Wolstenholme could result in the group pulling out of their headlining slot.

The band's website said: "We will of course keep you informed on this matter as soon as we have any news. Thanks so much for your patience and understanding at this time."

But, New York natives The Strokes are guaranteed to thrill crowds with songs from their brilliant second album Room on Fire.

And Keane, dubbed "the next big thing", who are currently at No 3 in the charts with their Hopes and Fears album, will be wowing fans.

One of the most influential bands of the late Eighties, the notoriously quarrelsome quartet The Pixies, who have buried the hatchet and reformed, will be bringing their distinctive sound to the festival.

The band, beloved by rock gods such as David Bowie and U2's Bono, had hits such as Monkey Gone to Heaven, Here Comes Your Man and Debaser.

V is the only British event to be staged at two sites over the same weekend where the line up swaps venues overnight.

Previous headliners have included Coldplay and Red Hot Chilli Peppers in 2003, Manic Street Preachers and Suede in 1999, and Prodigy and Blur in 1997.