Kate Bush’s first Before the Dawn show – in tweets

Kate Bush at Hammersmith Apollo, 26 August. (Ken McKay/Rex)

London’s Hammersmith Apollo played host to the most anticipated live music event of the year on Tuesday night, kicking off a 22-show stint of gigs from Kate Bush.

It was a star-studded audience in attendance, and one which took to Twitter and Instagram with feverish excitement. There were rumours online that David Bowie and Madonna were there (rumours which have so far remained unconfirmed), but a host of other celebrities, including Lily Allen, Frank Skinner, The Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant and writer Caitlin Moran showed up for the opening night of the Before the Dawn shows.

Got tickets for the next shows? Kate Bush live comeback - the no spoiler Q&A!

Kate Bush made a plea last week for fans not to take photos or videos during the performance, and most fans appeared to stick to the rule, with one fan telling The Guardian that he didn’t see any camera phones.

The 56-year-old performer announced her return to the stage back in March, and put on extra shows due to popular demand. But despite selling over 80,000 tickets thousands of fans were still left disappointed.

If you are one of them, here is a selection of online posts from inside the venue:

I HAVE CRIED FIVE TIMES #KateBush

— Lauren Laverne (@laurenlaverne) August 26, 2014

Hammersmith, 15 minutes before Kate Bush comes on . Mood: Christmas like hysteria.

— Caitlin Moran (@caitlinmoran) August 26, 2014

Sitting in the second row, waiting for the @KateBushMusic concert to begin! #beforethedawn #KateBush #KateBushLive pic.twitter.com/JVTY49qlIg

— Stephanie Forster (@SOOTP) August 26, 2014

If Bowie is at #KateBush I will be more than surprised. He ignored my last birthday email! babooshka!

— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) August 26, 2014

At Kate Bush #beforethedawn. Magnificent, beautiful, vulnerable. And the love in the air here is just fantastic. What a night.

— Derren Brown (@DerrenBrown) August 26, 2014

Interval at #Katebush opening night. All I can say so far is OMG. :D pic.twitter.com/wdhDXDqdwY

— NessaInBath (@NessainBath) August 26, 2014

Jesus. I’ve cried throughout. Completely moving and intimate and affecting. #KateBush

— Sali Hughes (@salihughes) August 26, 2014

Mother son thing? Kate Bush a sublime howl of maternal joy and pain. Psychedelic Ridiculous. Briliiant. So glad to be here #beforethedawn

— Polly Samson (@PollySamson) August 26, 2014

My view of the stage for #Katebush #beforethedawn Hey! Move your head! Oh, you are a performer? Nevermind! pic.twitter.com/NOu98DcdG8

— Leslie Fisher (@lesliefisher) August 26, 2014