Verdict on T in Park’s new home? It rocks
Festival-goers settle in for a weekend of big name bands
THOUSANDS of revellers made the pilgrimage through the winding roads of rural Perthshire yesterday to the new home of Scotland’s largest music festival.
T in the Park officially got under way at Strathallan Country estate for the first time this year having moved from its Balado home, 20 miles away, where it has been based for the past 18 years.
Organisers DF Concerts struck a deal to move the 2015 festival following health and safety concerns about an underground oil pipeline.
The mood among festivalgoers was buoyant with many looking forward to exploring the new site and watching a host of musical talent playing over the weekend.
Kasabian, David Guetta, Sam Smith and Mark Ronson headlined the festival yesterday.
Lucy Rose’s cover of Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood attracted rapturous applause from the T in the Park crowd on Thursday with the English-born singer gaining the same reaction when she performed the number again on Friday.
A Facebook video of thousands of fans rushing the opening of the techno-themed Slam Tent has so far been watched by more than half a million people.
Saturday sees Avicci, The Libertines and Twin Atlantic perform while Sunday sees Noel Gallagher and The Script grace the main stage.
Couple Russell Fraser and Rachel Macfarlane from Glasgow said they had been coming to the festival for nine years. “The new venue takes a while to get used to and find your way about. It’s nice though and there’s a lovely view of the castle. We enjoy going to T in the Park even more than going on holiday. We’re only here for a day but have a feeling we’ll have wished we’d stayed for longer,” they said.
Jasper Smith of Carlisle brought his wife and two children to the festival.
He said: “It’s still early days for the new place but the early signs look good. The BBC Radio One Stage has a sloping hill towards it which makes it a bit like an amphitheatre. The kids enjoy it and there’s plenty of rides and the like to keep them entertained.”
The Strathallan estate dates from the 13th century and is owned by the Roberts family who say staging the event will allow improvements to be made to the area.
Councillors approved the plan in May to move the event despite opposition from some residents and environmental groups who expressed concern for ospreys at Strathallan. Concerns were also raised about traffic arrangements for the event and the potential for antisocial behaviour.
Festival director Geoff Ellis said: “We’re starting a new chapter for the festival at Strathallan and creating brand new memories for thousands of music fans.
“My message to fans when they get here is to respect the site, look after yourself, your friends and your camping neighbours – and most of all, have a fantastic time.’
The weather today is expected to start dry with some sunny patches with light showers in the early afternoon and temperatures peaking at around 16C.
Police said the festival has started positively with the number of arrests in single figures, mostly for drugs offences.