T in the Park 2009 - Friday: Part II

Unfortunately missing out on the sweet and playful Pearl and the Puppets, and forgoing the massive throngs worshipping at the indie altar of Franz Ferdinand on the main stage, it was to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs I travelled, with New York's coolest trio boasting as packed and expectant a crowd as their art rock peers.

And from the evidence of this display, the main reason for such a draw was front-woman, Karen O, looking stunning in a coloured cloak Joseph would have been proud of, and showing off her feathered boots at every opportunity.

The performance matched the aesthetic, and though she lost the cloak several songs in, her voice and her charisma never faltered.

It was the newer songs that played up most to this fun, sexy style that oozed from each of the three, and 'Zero' showed itself as the perfect festival anthem.

There was a magic moment too when, as the soft riff of 'Maps' played out on acoustic guitar, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs virgin behind me proclaimed to his friend in amazement about how he had never heard this song before, but as soon as he got back to civilisation and wifi, he was going to download everything they had ever created. Good show Karen. So good in fact even a vodka jelly (not mine) accidentally falling on my shirt couldn't spoil it. Nor indeed the now necessary pipe band for the big American act.

A quick run to catch the last 10 minutes of The Courteeners in King Tut's ended in a solid mass of fans chanting along to 'Not Nineteen Forever' as the tent filled to capacity. It still sounded pretty special from outside anyway. Especially with a cup of tea in hand.

Then it was back to face the throngs as darkness began to fall, and the worrying lick of rain threatened a deluge.

It never happened thankfully, and it ended the perfect clear night - complete with bright, shining full moon – to see Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds rock us all to sleep.

I say 'us all' I mean those of us not at Kings of Leon or The View who seemed to have pulled in most of the punters for the headline performance and left Nick Cave to his die-hards.

Any worries that somewhat lacking audience would have an ill effect on the great man's performance were dispelled in seconds, with Cave coming out as he would go on – loud, furious and awesomely cool.

'Dig Lazarus Dig' was a particularly satisfying joint of a meaty set, with the Bad Seeds belying their ages and playing with a passion to put their younger contemporaries to shame.

Of course, Cave is was the natural showman too, strutting every corner of the stage, caught up in his murder ballads and the weeping songs.

Good music, good weather and questionable food – it's the start of another great T.