His ensuing disbelieving laughter can be forgiven. But a quick look at the Belsonic website, Belfast's newest musical creation, quells any doubts. It is indeed true - a double whammy of good news in fact.

ViTal complained that it couldn't entice any of the 'big' acts to their Botanic home but if you never had a 'big' headline act then how can you go wrong with yet more indie/pop fodder a la Kaiser Chiefs or Razorlight?

Aren't The Flaming Lips a 'big' act? Well according to the 5,000 odd people packed into Custom House Square on night one of the city's newest festival, they're the biggest and most exciting band never to have played Northern Ireland.

Mogwai, Jape and Oppenheimer warm up the crowd respectively beforehand and then it's the turn of Wayne and co to turn on the style as they add a much needed dose of colour to proceedings.

The ultimate non-prima donnas, out they come for an equipment set-up, sound check and general crowd boost. Wayne rallies his cohorts for the charge while a stagehand gets them excited with some snap photography.

It's as surreal as you're ever likely to see from a band so revered across the world but also as refreshing. No egos here, a point reiterated by Coyne's ambition to touch eyeryone in the crowd via a huge inflatable ball - a trademark move that sees Belfast included in the honour.

From there it's a flurry of streamers, balloons and good times as the experimental wizards rally through a catalogue so full of hits, there isn't time to give them all an airing.

The first biggest crowd reaction and sing-along moment comes in the form of slowed down, crowd friendly Yoshimi to which the 5,000 strong give it their all. That said however, there seems to be quite a lull in the overall feel of proceedings, giving Coyne reason to force the punters into a hysteria of sorts.

It works to a degree and the hits keep on coming. Vein Of Stars is welcomed with yet more crowd involvement and gig highlight She Don't Use Jelly is embraced with open arms as the set gathers momentum.

Unfortunately from there the boys wind down with only the extended encore honour of Do You Realise raising the sky one last time before it ends, almost prematurely to these ears at least.

They say all they need is an invitation and they'll be back but I'm not sure if they heard my screams from the back.

On it's very first outing, Belsonic stuck two fingers up to the rest and laid down the gauntlet for future proceedings. Even the rain stayed away long enough to get back to the car. But then, the best festivals are always rewarded with the best weather.

* Belsonic continues this Thursday and Friday with The Enemy and The Zutons headlining respectively. Localers General Fiasco and Fighting With Wire make up Thursday's support bill and should guarantee early crowds.