By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 4:16 PM on 15th May 2011

British pop sensation Jessie J has brought her unique brand of Essex-bred talent to the first day of this year's Radio 1 Big Weekend.

The 23-year-old singer, who followed up her success as winner of BBC Sound of 2011 by receiving Critics Choice at the BRIT awards, took to the main stage in Carlisle after an unbilled special guest appearance from the Arctic Monkeys.

Despite wet weather, thousands have turned out to see performances from Ellie Goulding, Plan B and the Black Eyed Peas with headline act American rockers the Foo Fighters to appear later tonight.

Pop newcomer Jessie J made her debut appearance at Radio 1's Big Weekend

Hawaiian-born singer Nicole Scherzinger, who topped the charts with Don't Hold Your Breath, also played a set

Speaking to BBC's Newsbeat as she came off stage earlier Jessie J said her Big Weekend debut had been 'amazing'.

She said: 'I was so nervous.

'I haven't played with my band for a while because I've been away in the US. I didn't know if people were going to like the new long hair.

'I was so scared it was my first festival and I didn't know what the sound was going to be like and the reception.

'I stepped on stage and it was probably one of the best gigs I've done for a while.'

Slimmed-down two piece Panic! At The Disco returned to UK shores to perform songs from new album Vices & Virtues

Ellie Goulding played a set including a cover of Elton John's Your Song and Starry-Eyed.

She told Newsbeat: 'It's the first festival we've done this year in this country so it's pretty cool.

'Compared to last year it was way more chilled out so we're happy about that.'

Tomorrow will see bands including The Strokes, Noah & The Whale, My Chemical Romance before the weekend is brought to a stomping finale by the biggest artist in pop Lady Gaga.

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

What about the real musicians of the event such as the Foo Fighters who headlined and brought the house down - but don't get a mention? I am sure DM readers would like a full and balanced view of the event, not just a couple of girls in skimpy dresses.

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A story involving the BBC without any criticism about wasted licence fees. Well done. The tablets must be working.

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Jessie J the latest in a line of complete non talents,when are we going to hear some real singers again?

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Why must everyone wear tight clothing all the time now. There's nothing very wrong with it and these women look fine but whatever happened to leaving something to the imagination?

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Sorry but Nicole S looked like a drag queen...

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What the hell is Nicole wearing? Make-up , outfit, and hairdo are ridiculous, she managed to make herself look ugly!!That's a real achievment granted what she looks like underneath all this.

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