Yes, the inaugural Sloss Fest this past weekend was hot as blazes, with the heat index soaring into triple digits on Saturday and Sunday. One food vendor posted a sign noting that if they had a nickel for every time someone mentioned the heat, “We’d be rich.”

But the music was just as hot. Birmingham’s own St. Paul and the Broken Bones performed a triumphant set Sunday evening as the sun sank behind the stage with the sky awash in orange, purple and blue. St. Paul himself, Paul Janeway, told the crowd the band had warmed up for the Rolling Stones recently, but that nothing is better than playing in Birmingham. “Damn, it’s good to be home,” he said.

On Saturday night, Cage the Elephant roared out of the chute, and lead singer Matt Shultz provided a YouTube-worthy moment when he stepped into the crowd and stood on fans’ hands before diving into the crowd to body surf. Sunday, Sturgill Simpson and his Estonian guitar wunderkind, Laur Joamets, offered enough pyrotechnics to raise the temperature even more for those sweltering in the Sunday afternoon sun.

Lord Huron. The Avett Brothers. Band of Horses. Modest Mouse. Paul Thorn. First Aid Kit. Manchester Orchestra. Primus. The list of great sets was as long as some of the food lines.

Check out our slideshow from NewsCenter staffers who braved the heat to attend the first of what Birmingham music lovers hope will be many Sloss Fests.