No mud, little rain and over 80,000 revellers more boisterous than ever made up the Oxegen festival this weekend as the biggest bands in the world took up a three-day residency in Punchestown, Co Kildare.

The audience had a multinational look as well, the high quality of this year's line-up attracting fans from all over the world. A large English contingent was evident on site. Jessica, Leanna, Laura and Lorna from Liverpool travelled on the ferry and arrived on Friday morning.

"It's much nicer," Jessica said, comparing the surroundings to English festivals. The group was staying in the new Green campsite, with solar-powered kennel-like accommodation, teepees and the most important luxury – real toilets and hot showers. Their only complaint was the early closing time of 1am, forcing them to return to the campsites for entertainment.

Jay and Jess from Northampton also travelled from England. "The line-up is amazing, way better than any festival in England. We were going to go to Glastonbury, but we decided to come here instead."

A straw poll in the Blue campsite yesterday morning revealed that the act people were most looking forward to last night was French act Justice, who headlined the Dance arena, a giant warehouse structure which was a hit all weekend, successfully recreating a rave atmosphere complete with massive laser show and giant inflatable insects.

Efforts to change Oxegen's image as a festival for boozed-up youths had mixed results. The range of food had improved, although traditional chip vans were the most queued-for stands.

Many did party too hard, however. During Friday's set by math-rockers Battles, a scrap broke out among male teenagers who were clutching bottles of vodka and had 'penis' and 'fanny' written across their faces.

On Friday night, the sight of young people passed out on the grass or being stretchered into medical tents became common.

The news that gardaí were investigating two alleged sexual assaults didn't seem to be worrying many people yesterday, with everyone determined to have a good time at what is now almost a rite of passage for Irish teenagers.