T you at midnight
Radiohead say yes to new festival and will be given late Friday curfew
Radiohead have been given the go-ahead to rock Glasgow Green until midnight to kick off Scotland’s new three-day festival.
The supergroup have said yes to headlining the music event from July 7-9 and will play on the opening Friday.
Brewing giants Tennent’s could also remain as the sponsor – but their iconic red T logo won’t be part of the event’s name.
Senior police officers have indicated they are happy to agree a late licence for the opening night.
A source close to the project said: told us: “Radiohead are the ultimate headliner for any festival. They’re one of the most exciting acts on the planet.”
The Sunday Mail revealed last week that T would take a break for a year and would be replaced by the new festival.
Our story was confirmed by organisers DF on Thursday. The news will cause a huge buzz among music fans.
Radiohead’s return to the site completes a hat-trick of performances there.
They played Gig on the Green in 2000, then a standalone show eight years later.
It’s understood there have also been talks with Coldplay – though these have not progressed as far yet.
Cold play rocked Hampden Park last summer while their 2005 Bellahouston Park show paved the way for today’s regular Summer Sessions in the park.
They play Croke Park, Dublin, on Saturday, July 8, while Radiohead have announced European and UK shows up to July 5 – with no Scots date. We asked their representatives to comment but they have not responded.
Promoters DF, headed by Geoff Ellis are staying tight-lipped over the festival, which doesn’t have a name confirmed as yet.
A number of options are under consideration at ion but we understand Tennent’s will be on board as sponsor andnd the event is likely to include the brand in its name.
Wire Media, Tennent’s PR representatives, declined to comment.
The event will differ radically from T in the Park, as we explained last week.
It is aimed at attracting an older crowd andnd avoiding the issues which come with on-site camping.
Our source told us: “The line-up fits with the idea of staging a more family-friendly festival. It’s obviously been inspired by the success of Radio 1’s Big Weekend – but won’t be as young a crowd as that, or have the pop or dance acts.
“It looks like the idea is maybe to pull on the heartstrings of the older T crowd, people who loved it at Balado and could be tempted back.
“That sort of crowd has no interest in camping out in a field – they want to get a taxi home or stay in a nice hotel. “That’s what this festival will bring and it looks like it should be a huge success.”
There will be no camping at the new festival. T bosses claim they
The line-up would fit with the idea of staging a more familyfriendly festival
intend to return in 2018 and offer a “camping festival” – but there is no suggestion that this may take place in Glasgow.
In their joint statement on T in the Park, DF Concerts and Tennent’s said: “For more than 23 years, T in the Park has been at the heart of Scotland’s music scene – with you, by our side.
“But for now, sadly, we need to take a break.
“We launched T in the Park with one aim: to give Scottish music fans an unforgettable weekend with their friends, enjoying the best acts from around the globe.
“When we launched back in 1994, there were only two music festivals in the UK – now there are many and T in the Park paved the way for all that have come and gone in Scotland since.
“However, the last couple of years have had their challenges.
“Against our will, and despite a prolonged fight, we were forced to move from Balado, Kinross, in 2015.
“This move was a mammoth task for the event and one that was compounded by a series of onerous site restrictions placed upon us.
“We now need to take stock and take a year out to try to resolve the issues so that we can once again deliver the kind of camping festival you are used to and deserve.”
The new event will bring a massive economic boost to Glasgow, expected to be in the region of £10million.
DF Concerts were asked to comment but declined.
The plan has been run past senior police who have indicated they’re happy with the show – but with a midnight curfew.
Meanwhile, Glasgow City Council have been in talks with residents’ groups near Glasgow Green.
Locals have warned they won’t tolerate a repeat of a Stone Roses concert in June 2013, when they claim fans urinated against their homes and took drugs and had sex in the street.
Local councillor Greg Hepburn said: “We used to have Gig on the Green which was OK and bands like Coldplay have played here.
“If it something akin to what we have have had before, then I would be more amenable to that.
“It is important that the locals are involved and told what is happening.””
Martin Dean, secretary of Friends of Glasgow Green, added: “We have been told by Glasgow City Council there’s a possibility of three concerts.
“This could mean large parts of the green being closed off for long periods of time. We would have concerns about how these concerts would fit in with other events and people’s legitimate right to use the park. It is important the park remains open at all times. “Events like T in the Park can take two weeks to set up then another two to dismantle.” A council source said: “We have worked hard to incorporate the views of residents.” Glasgow City Council said: “We are in discussions with DF Concerts about hosting a non-camping festival in the city next July. We will not be, and are not interested in, hosting T in the Park.”