“Best of all, this stage runs over two days –  in previous years it’s just been one  day or the other. Now we can get  twice the number of original bands  on.

“The crowds demonstrate that  there’s definitely an appetite for it.”

Amsterdam’s singer Ian Prowse  added: “Some people say Mathew  Street is all about the tribute acts,  but having a stage like this which  showcases original music from the city shows  that there’s far more to it than that.

“This is the biggest street party we have all  year and it’s been great to see everyone out  enjoying themselves, and listening to so much  new music, and all for free.”

New for this year was the new world stage,  with tributes to artists from  Canada, Australia  and New Zealand.

Acts included AC/DC UK , Crowded Scouse  and the Bryan Adams Experience.

At the Tunnel Stage, fans danced to Elevation (U2), Roxy Magic (Roxy Music & Bryan  Ferry, Space Oddity (David Bowie and Dios  Salve a la Reina (Queen).

The Water Street stage featured tributes to  acts from America, with sets from The Sounds  of Simon (A Tribute to Simon & Garfunkel),  Positive Impact Classic Motown, The Beached  Boys, Glory Days (Bruce Springsteen) and  Black Eyed Peas.

Last year’s festival generated an additional  £20m for city businesses – £5m more than the  year before.

Monday’s line-up will see the introduction of  the 53 Number Ones stage at Derby Square,  showcasing all of the chart-topping hit singles  to have come from the city.

It will start with  Lita Roza’s How Much is That Doggie in the  Window, and go right through to Atomic Kitten’s number ones from the first few years of  the 21st century.