@ T in the Park – Part Two

So day two of T was fairly incredible.

The sun came out. The grass was dry. Boots off, shirts off, and Fun Lovin’ Criminals providing the soundtrack to a perfect start to the day.

I should at this point perhaps mention the “Be Chilled” service that T in the Park offers you to pre-order beer and cider so you can collect it from their special beer tent, cold. I had purchased a decent slab of beers for the various days we’d be there, expecting them to be room temperature and rather rough. But… no! The Be Chilled service actually works really well.

Beer for breakfast? Hell yes. Especially when it’s cold beer.

From the U.S. to Patrick Wolf – quite a contrast, but Mr Wolf performed very well. I was a Patrick Wolf virgin, and his sound isn’t one I’ll often go to, but absolutely no complaints about his live show. Perhaps it was the Kraken Rum Cocktails we’d just hoovered down… Particularly grabbed by this one, heavy emotions and all:

While wandering around we caught two things: a rather impressive set of face paintings (it had to be done – see S__ at the top of this page!) and a small slice of Her Majesty and the Wolves. We were too far away to really hear the music (and while finding a video for this post and actually listening to it properly, I think I can probably be thankful for that), but I think it should be clear to anyone that Kimberly Wyatt is easy on the eyes.

The very light flutter of rain passed, just in time for the superlative Friendly Fires to take to the stage. If you’ve heard the album, the live show is in fact all that. If you missed them and like guitars, what are you waiting for? Go buy the album already.

Beyoncé. What to say that hasn’t been said?! The woman was nothing but class and gave the audience what they want, all 110% of it. I’d have been willing to bet almost any money that I would never see so many beefy Scottish lads with their shirts off, screaming out the lyrics to Single Ladies, but there you go.

I think the whole experience was summed up by her dancing: you look at the video for Single Ladies and think: “Yeah, she can dance, but it’s video. How many takes did they make of that?” Then you realise the Single Ladies video has hardly any cuts in it, and then you have the experience of seeing her actually dance it in person, and you realise:

Yes, she is that good.

In case you forgot just how well Beyoncé shakes it, here is that video again:

Then it was time for a little Chase and Status. I’m not really one for dubstep, and Chase and Status didn’t change my mind that night. I saw what they did: they do it well, especially live, but it’s just not my cup of tea. So a few minutes of crazy moshing and then out.

We finished with Swedish House Mafia. Their set was predictable as all hell, and they look like a trio of long-haired, slightly chunky stubbled European men who can’t quite believe they get to keep on playing at being boys with their synchronised bobbing behind the decks, but… but… like a guilty pleasure, the music just banged away with happy, big chords and catchy hooks that everyone – everyone – knew and jumped and screamed and sang along to. That must feel so good.

By this time I was feeling no pain, and just so very happy to be with my dear friends, rocking out in a field… ending with their one more track that was a beautiful summation of a beautiful day. Thank you, my friends, for all you give me.