T in the Park 2003

United Kingdom | by Phil Cambers | 12 July 2003

T in the Park is now Ten years old. It is now official because VF was there to witness what turned out to be one of the finest festivals on this season's calendar.The now familiar site, situated at Balado near Kinross, welcomed over 100, 000 people through its gates over the 12th and 13th of July as well as 35,000 campers, over a weekend that saw Scotland basking in truly Med like weather.

Still with no ugly presence of rain on Saturday morning, Friday night hangovers were quickly shaken off as the campsite occupants and visiting punters made their way to the main arena to listen to a line a up which included some of the finest bands form around the World - as well as a couple of well known local acts. Any band willing to show a large amount of enthusiasm here can be assured a breath-taking amount of reception from the audience, providing the whole site with a truly electric atmosphere.

The other thing about T in the Park, apart from the relentless passion (and beer drinking) of the Scottish people, is the breath taking location of the current venue. Nestled by high-sided mountains the former R.A.F base shares a unique balance between natural beauty and stonking festival music coming from a total of five stages. When the sun shines here my friend, you can't but help to turn on, tune in and ROCK OUT!

The birthday celebrations on Saturday started on the main stage with Skin giving a good all round performance of thumping base lines, kinky riffs and all-important enthusiasm. The sun was shining so hot by this point that the beer was already flowing well and everyone was entering in the 10th anniversary celebrations with great party spirit. Skin also gave her listeners a sound piece of advice when she announced; "Never fall in love - it's shit" - thanks for the words of wisdom, however a good enough set nonetheless in which Skin gave her usual 110%.

Staying with the main stage, due in part to the fact that walking anywhere in the sun was very hard work, we watched a good set by Biffy Clyro pumping out truly excellent tracks like 57, followed by local boys the Proclaimers. As ever the popular bespectacled brothers jangled out their quite masterful numbers to an adoring crowd, with hits like Letter from America and 500 Miles. The boys also reminded us that it was the tenth anniversary of the Big Issue in Scotland before finishing their set, creating a truly wonderful atmosphere in the main arena. T in the Park Boss Geoff Ellis commented; " The first highlight of the festival for me was the Proclaimers on the main stage, who pulled in a crowd as big as any headliner. We knew they would go down brilliantly, but when the opening bars of "500 Miles" sounded out, I've never seen a T in the Park crowd so excited".

On the way over to the NME stage to watch the Saw Doctors I was asked by a very considerate lady if I needed any "Sun Screen or Condoms" - she was giving them out free. I thought about stretching a condom over my burning head to prevent sunburn but instead opted for more traditional sunscreen as the festival marched on into the late afternoon. The Saw Doctors are a great festival act and gave listeners a chance to join in with them interactively during songs like Tommy K.