With controversy growing year on year over the lack of women in the higher echelons of festival lineups, if the opening day at Longitude is anything go by it won't be long before festival bookers will be unable to ignore the amount of incredible female artists out there.

Recent Hot Press cover star Jess Kavanagh and BARQ (pictured here at the recent Hot Press covers exhibition launch party) showed exactly why they deserved to open Longitude's gargantuan main stage with a killer set of their self-described aggro-soul. The charismatic Kavanagh's stunning voice drew quite the crowd despite the early time, kicking off singalong before the clock hit three.

RAYE broke out this year with song of the summer contender 'You Don't Know Me’ with Jax Jones - but the conceit of that number was made a mockery of by her Irish fans who showed up in numbers her early 3:30 slot on the Heineken stage, climbing on shoulders and having their first great bop of the day.

First known over here by her Daithi collaboration 'Chameleon Life’ that sadly didn't make today's set, RAYE was clearly taken aback by the rapturous reception Jonas Blue collaboration 'Turn Around’ received.

“Motherfucker, you lot are so excited!” the Londoner beamed. “I have to stop and have a water break!” She later promised to come back before sending the crowd into a frenzy with closer 'You Don't Know Me’ - that won't apply to anyone if she keeps putting hip hop & r&b with such smart hooks.