T in the Park: the blog o' death episode II

The first full day of T In The Park is underway and The Skinny - rested, fed and watered, has had a chance to reflect on the night that went before. After some initial schizophrenic indecision, Mother Nature finally decided to give the rain a night off. Our wellies are still stashed safely in our rucksacks... which, along with the solid ground underfoot, is a welcome novelty for a Saturday afternoon in Balado - and judging by the cross looking clouds edging in our direction, one that we should probably make the most of. An airfield littered with Hulk Hogans, Beetlejuices, umpteen hairy crossdressers and some guy doing a mean Eddie Jordan impression in honour of Fancy Dress Friday were treated / subjected to an indifferent lineup last night. As anticipated by Ally in our first T missive, top heavy roster culminating in The Verve and The Chemical Brothers was kickstarted by the high octane, organised chaos that is Los Campesinos! Quite why they weren't slightly higher in the bill is puzzling, given the quality of their performance and the somewhat greyness of the indie matter they gave way to. 

Music, we understand, is full of surprises. However, I never thought that applied to the band of the same name. The Music's set at King Tut's was one of the most baffling I've witnessed in a long time. What I had long considered a sub standard indie band with an average following drew one of the most fervent and largest crowds that will be seen in that tent this weekend. The set was mildly enjoyable but the masses lapped it up, leaving us wondering what we'd missed. Answers on a postcard please. 

Ironically, given the presence of the gaunt and ghostly Richard Ashcroft at the helm, The Verve were the first of the heavyweight acts to appear this weekend. Accordingly, Ashcroft (on his wedding anniversary) was the first of three ever vocal frontmen to occupy the pulpit on the Main Stage, with Zack de la Rocha and Michael Stipe to follow. The music of The Verve sounds as fresh as it did ten years ago. The Drugs Don't Work and Lucky Man brought many a lump to throats and on their comeback tour, The Verve were duly welcomed. As Ashcroft assumed his Messianic position, stage centre, before introducing Bittersweet Symphony however, Urban Hymns became Rural Sermon. "Has anyone here ever written a classic?" he asked the adoring masses. "Naw," was the overheard response from one unimpressed onlooker, "But a bet ye you cannae wire a fuckin' plug pal." Bittersweet indeed, Richard.  

The day ahead promises to be a fine one. We've just had the cobwebs from last night blown off by Georgian garage rockers The Whigs while Rage Against The Machine, MGMT, The Hold Steady and an embarrassment of other such sonic riches await. The Skinny will keep you updated with all the banter.

TBC...