T in the Park 2009 - Friday: Part I
The sounds of Maximo Park are blaring through from the main stage as I sip on a compliment Irn Bru and contemplate the day so far. And beginning with bright sunshine and a hassle-free coach ride (go Green folks) it's been another fine day in T in the Park history.
It's a festival now used to its three days, and, though things didn't kick off on-stage until 6pm, the now famous fancy dress Friday was entertainment enough for the punters on a hot, lazy afternoon. Embracing that rare sun, drinking and cross-dressing – it's what Scotland is about.
When the music did start though, it was with a certain amount of terrifying aplomb. And though some may have thought that Cedric Bixler-Zavala may have been joining in the dressing up fun with his outstanding afro, the power and fury in Mars Volta's opening set in the Radio 1/NME stage sent shockwaves through the entire crowd, and must surely have disturbed those unlucky enough to be seeing James Morrison's congruent set on the main stage.
Though theatrical, the fear that their prog styles may have succumbed to pretentious noodling and indulgence amounted to nought, and this was a racing, if unusual, start to the day.
Afterwards, following a trek across T's now massive arena (still free from broken Buckie bottles at this early stage), we were in more homely territory as former Orange Juice frontman, and legend of the Scottish indie scene, Edwyn Collins, performed a set of controlled classics, and pleasantly satisfying new material.
Sitting down throughout, and with a voice still building back up to its best after his stroke, his enthusiasm was as strong as ever, and a similarly ecstatic crowd let there sentiments be heard after classic hits like 'Rip It Up' and set closer, 'A Girl Like You'.
Afterwards, some risky chips and cheese were enjoyed as the weather cooled, and the crowd grew. Then afterwards, some traditional, if always risky, chips and cheese, with Idlewild in the background. With Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs and Nick Cave still to come!