Music Festival Evacuated As Lightning Hits

A music festival with Sir Paul McCartney among the headliners had to be evacuated after it was hit by a lightning storm.

Crowds at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware, were told to pack up their tents and shelter in cars on Saturday night.

Rapper Kid Cudi was five songs into his set when severe storms rolled through the area.

Minutes later, an official took the microphone and urged festival-goers to evacuate the forested grounds, saying: "It's in your best interests to leave."

Despite the early exit, fans were in good spirits, cheering each lightning bolt and singing Queen's rock anthem Bohemian Rhapsody as they left.

"Severe weather is heading our way. If at The Woodlands, clear the festival grounds, head towards the exit & seek shelter in your vehicles," concert officials tweeted.

"Campers, please take down all pop-up tents, poles, and canopies at your campsite."

Organisers are hoping the four-day festival, which began on Thursday and sold 90,000 tickets, will re-open on Sunday.

"We're working with each individual artist from tonight to see what we can do for rescheduling. It's case by case, we'll keep you posted," they said.

On Friday night, McCartney, 73, dedicated a Beatles ballad to the victims of the Charleston church massacre .

The former Beatle enjoyed a rapturous applause as he played The Long and Winding Road in tribute to the nine people killed.

He told the hushed audience to "take a moment to pray for peace and harmony among the people of different colours."

Firefly started in 2012 with the aim of giving the US East Coast a major music festival in the league of California's Coachella.