T in the Park 2009 - Saturday: Part II

After a couple of pros of the music business, in the shape of The Hours, it was time to see what the young ones were doing today. Katy Perry was an enticing project on the Radio One/NME stage, if just to see what outfit she would adorn and if it could rival Lady Ga Ga's, but I blew cold on this one (get it?) instead choosing a band many see as the pinnacle of cool. Step forward Friendly Fires at King Tut's, and their sub-Battles take on pounding electro-clash.

Make of their music what you will, it's hard to deny the excitement in their performance, and the relevance of each song to a tent full of obvious fans, high on a festival atmosphere that fitted the entire idea of the band.

Nevertheless, I personally was still more taken by the 5 minutes of Manchester near-legends, James, I heard on the way to the BBC Introducing stage for the second time this day. 'Ring the Bell' and 'Born of Frustration' nearly tempted me away to the main stage, but my excitement to see Young Fathers could beat most competition.

And they didn't disappoint. Scottish hip-hop may never be a driving force in the British music industry, but these three guys make a proper claim to be the act that does such a thing.

With colours and an upbeat style similar to De La Soul, whatever negative ideas that may remain concerning the genre were shattered with a set of tight rhymes, infectious beats, genuine smiles and more dance routines than The Saturdays. Brilliant stuff, especially when the only other real hip-hop act this weekend was The Game.

Then it just got better. The Specials are up there with the best of the best – The Beatles, The Smiths, The Clash, Bowie. And they showed why here.

Only Blur could challenge them this weekend for matching classic hit after classic hit, though it'll be hard to see how they could beat this performance.

A pleasant amount of younger fans enjoyed the likes of 'Rat Race', 'Gangsters' and 'Nite Klub', with choruses resounding across the site. The skanking was left to the older gentlemen though, mainly those whose body mass was inversely proportional to the amount of hair left on their head.

They enjoyed it all the same, and, though lacking Dammers, the rest of the group were clearly in their element, all old dogs with no need to learn new tricks, but taking time to master the old ones.

And of course there was 'Ghost Town'.

What could possibly top that? Well, it was back to the humble BBC Introducing for a less than humble performance, with the extravagant Broken Records putting on a show fit for headlining the main stage.

With many fans up from their home town, Edinburgh, there was a generous crowd who loved the songs, loved the band and loved the show. And who could blame them?

The likes of 'Lies' and 'If the News Makes You Sad, Don't Watch It' sound their best played live with heart to an adoring audience, and this was it. 'Slow Parade' sent tingles to close, and the dance riot that was 'A Good Reason' showed why Broken Records won't need to be introduced for long.

For me that would have been enough, but the night's not over yet.