HERE WE, HERE WE, HERE WE FUCKING GO.
...Got to love the Scottish.
A lot of the time, when I visit a place for the first time, it's for music. For example, I'd never been to Manchester or Sheffield before, but just had to see Green Day. I'd never visited Birmingham until Machine Head were touring, and most recently, I went to Scotland for the very first time for their biggest music festival, T in the Park. So we arrived in Balado, leaving the rare Geordie sunshine in exchange for rain. I know I shouldn't of been, but I hold Leeds Festival close to my heart, and was comparing every little thing about T to it. First off, why is the walk so far from the drop of point to the campsite entrance? And it was badly organised, while queueing after a two hour walk a barrier collapsed and hundreds pushed in, sort it out T.
Now rain's not exactly idealistic weather to pitch a tent in to start, but try adding the most horrific cold ever and a stomping headache. Lovely. A nap and a bite to eat put us all in the right frame of mind to see some bands, 2010's line-up consisted of some of the greatest and most jaw-dropping acts around today. It is easily one of the most impressive line-ups of the year. And while standing in the cold, after having a quick flick through the programme, I remembered why I was so excited to be there.
Friday 9th July 2010.
To start the weekend off, we ventured to see a man who shares a name with the festival - Mr Jamie T. Just a straight up rock show with no strings attached, he never disappoints. Having seen Florence and the Machine at Leeds last year, and completely enjoying her performance, I was keen to see it again. However, she was shocking. Yes Florence we all know you can sing, and we all like your songs, so there's no need to wail for an hour. Had it not been for the two Glaswegian people teaching my friend and I Scottish slang, I'd of gone back to the tent. "Ah dunnae ken."
The Friday night headliners, Muse, are known for their spectacular and futuristic live shows. They are massive, and I'd never fully understood why. I do like them, I originally thought it was only a few songs - yet after seeing them, I realised I had heard, knew all the words to, and enjoyed most of their back catalogue. But wow. I was fully impressed, and spellbound by their performance. Matt Bellamy is a dynamic and electrifying front man. Their music sounds fantastic and the lighting and effects just make it a spectacle.
Saturday 10th July 2010.
Fun, poppy and summery are Vampire Weekend. If only the weather could have been the same. A-Punk still got the biggest cheer, despite every word to new album Contra being screamed back to the boys from the Big Apple . Everyone was dancing in the gloomy rain and mud to one of the most feel-good bands on the line-up, proof that us festival goers don't care about the forecast. Next up is one of Scotland's best, Paolo Nutini. Loved by almost everyone (including my grandparents in their 70s,) he takes to the stage to an explosion of screams and cheers. Girls think he's hot, Grandma's think he's cute and wish he was their grandson. Aww how nice? And despite not understanding a word the scotsman is saying (Scottish is pretty much another language to me, and that's why I love it) his songs are beautiful. His smile is reflected in the audience's face.
Taking the half an hour to forty minute break between Paolo and next act the Stereophonics, we decided to have a good old look round T's arena. Conclusion: it's huge. There's nine stages, the ones with the main stream acts, the ones with the up and coming, and the one to host traditional Scottish music. Honestly. Even if it is pretty much just a field, for a first time visitor this is a cultural experience. After a wander around the site, sitting on beds, eating chocolate cake and drinking tea, time had flew by. Believing we were late for Eminem, we headed back to the main stage, but there was no Eminem to be seen. HE WAS LATE. Late, to his first festival appearance since 2001.
A while later and he takes to the stage with his band D12. Although I'd never class myself as an Eminem fan, there's no denying his stage presence, performance and his impressive back catalogue. There are die hard fans enjoying his show as much as those who had nothing better to do, and that just proves how brilliant Slim Shady is. He plays his well known classics, comedic mess-abouts and moving heart-felts with equal passion and precision.
Sunday 11th July 2010.
Frank Turner's music is magical. So his live performance is clearly going to be amazing. He just plays. One man, his guitar and band - no extravagant lighting or backdrops, his songs make the show what it is. When people say music is art, this is the man they are talking about. And everyone at the stage knows it.Having to stand through Skunk Anansie was the all time low point of T in the Park - beating rain, expensive food, warm cider and grotty toilets by miles. The reason for enduring this horrible band was to see The View, and it was worth it in the end. taking to the stage to a chant of "The View are on fire! these home-town heroes got straight into those songs we love. The View are better in Scotland than England... I put it down to patriotism. Also, I was on the BBC for The View! YES!
Time for a hero now, Peter Doherty and his band Babyshambles. With The Libertines reforming the following month for the Reading and Leeds festivals, Babyshambles have taken a back-seat somewhat, as Pete and Carl and John and Gary relight the fire. Non the less they were fantastic, giving the crowd an entertaining, and emotional set list.
Another Scottish band,Biffy Clyro are about to play the main stage. Like The View, this is something of a home gig and the scots are going mad for them. Their set is a timeline from the very firsts right up to tracks from latest album Only Revolutions.
It's not everyday that Leicester-natives Kasabian can say that jay-Z is supporting them, but today, this is true as the Jigga Man himself is playing next. He oozes cool, his swagger is like no other. Could anyone else in the world completely mess up a rap and get an overwhelming applause in return, then laugh about it? Probably not. His live show is electric. This is a BIG GIG, he is a BIG DEAL.
Kasbian are a fantastic live band, and a great way to end the weekend. The only downfall being I had to choose between them and Madness (who I heard were also fantastic.) The band have a vast back catalogue, yet the audience know the words inside and out - which is good as the sound isn't exactly brilliant. Kasabian can be summed up as a good live rock band. BUT! They're not the final act. No, no, no. It doesn't end here. There's a bagpipe player! Well I've never felt more English in my life, I don't know the words... In fact I didn't even know the song. But that's why I love the Scottish. Fireworks and bagpipes to end a great weekend.
Off home in the morning...
