Snow Patrol will take a break from supporting U2 to fly home to Ireland to play the opening night of Oxegen tomorrow.

The band will travel from Italy to join the line-up for the first night of the island’s largest music festival.

Up to 100,000 festival-goers are expected to pack into Punchestown Racecourse over the weekend where an eclectic mix of dance, indie, rock and pop acts will take to the stage.

Snow Patrol, who opened for U2 in Barcelona last week, play the main stage just ahead of the recently reformed Blur, who closed this year’s Glastonbury.

Also on the bill for the night will be The Script, Lily Allen, Keane and Too Many DJs.

Northern Ireland is well represented with a number of local acts performing at the gig including Duke Special, Therapy?, The Answer, David Holmes, Japanese Popstars and Cashier No 9.

Saturday sees the return of Kings Of Leon to Ireland. The bill also features Bloc Party, Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, Pet Shop Boys and Elbow. Oxegen will be closed on Sunday by Las Vegas indie rockers The Killers, with support from Razorlight and The Specials.

Weather experts are predicting a sunny start — but there will be rain later on.

This year will also see the Red Bull Music Academy Stage which will feature acts such as David Holmes and Johnny Moy.

Music fans are being advised to leave cars behind and go by bus to avoid traffic jams and long delays entering and leaving the festival site.

Dublin Bus operates a return shuttle service from Parnell Square West. Tickets €20.