The big one: T In The Park

United Kingdom | | 07 July 2008

What, when and where?

Arguably this small island's biggest festival in terms of fan loyalty, certainly Scotland's; 180 bands, 12 stages and 80,000 fans lucky enough to grab gold dust tickets during the 43.2 seconds they were on sale; T In The Park (winner of 'Best Major Festival' award in 2005 and 2006) will take place from Friday, July 11 to Sunday July 13, at Balado Airfield, Kinross.

Five to watch

Rage Against The Machine - Main Stage, Saturday - The one they all wanted! Their first show in the UK in eight years. Prepare for some politically driven metal and a ground tremor strong enough to knock Wales off the map.

Amy Winehouse -  Main Stage, Sunday - The poor girl was too tired to bother showing up last year, so devotees of the bee-hive sporting R&B soulstress will be hoping she gets a good night's kip before treating the masses to her jazz flavoured classics this summer.

The Verve - Main Stage, Friday - Another big reunion scoop for the organisers, but this display of indie classics from the 90's chart toppers will be restricted to those with camping tickets only. The drugs don't work? You're obviously not getting them from Glasgow, Richard! If they play like they did at Glastonbury, T's in for a treat.

The Prodigy - NME Stage, Sunday - Ok, it's not exactly a rare performance, but do you really want to be the one who watched REM while all your mates went absolutely bonkers to one of the UK's finest live acts?

The Pogues - King Tut's Wah Wah Tent, Saturday - Join the old-school Irish folk rockers for a Celtic knees-up which is sure to lead straight to the ceilidh tent afterwards

One to miss

Goo Goo Dolls - NME Stage, Sunday - After sending Balado to sleep from the Main Stage last year, the New York radio-friendly crooners are back to make sure we all get an evening nap this year.

Playing a rare UK festival date

Counting Crows - Main Stage, Sunday - The American country stars are the Marmite band of the Main Stage, but those who love a bit of Mr Jones influenced bum swaying should take full advantage of the group playing this side of the Atlantic.

Inside tip

Sons & Daughters - King Tut's Wah Wah Tent, Saturday - The Glaswegian indie noise-makers know how to get their groove on across Europe. On home turf - at the country's premier event - it'll be time to really let the hair down.

Be at T In The Park if you like...

Gloating about how you managed to get a ticket to Scotland's hottest show when your loved ones and best mates didn't. If it's sunny, T In The Park is the best place in the world to be; warm, friendly, great organisation, great music... If it's wet, the tents at T In The Park are the best place in the world to be.  

Avoid if you hate...

Christmas, your toast landing the buttered side up, sex, your car passing its MOT first time and free CDs on the front of magazines.

Festival tactics

With the layout of the festival and the fact tickets sell-out before anyone has had much time to look at the line-up, access to all the main stages is good, however, do not leave it until the last minute to head towards the tents to see the likes of Ian Brown, Primal Scream or The Charlatans or the closest you'll get to a performance is a muffled bass line through the thick canvas. The distance to the camping area is also like a warm up for a 10k race, so pack well each morning and avoid any return trips.

The only festival that...

Makes 80,000 Scots forget about Celtic and Rangers long enough to have one big group hug and bounce around in unison to The Fratellis

Fashionista or folky?

Bit of both, the girls who still don't get that high heels and Scottish farmland will never be bedmates pass merry couples on their way for a jig to the Dashing White Sergeant in the ceilidh tent.

Alcohol of choice

Tennents. There's a bar every five feet... We're not kidding!

Take your mum score

6/10. Will Young, KT Tunstall, Amy MacDonald, even if your old dear's idea of a record collection is tuning in Radio 1, there will be plenty for her to enjoy. Just keep her away from the chaotic camping area and the free Buckfast that's being passed around.

Can I still get tickets?

LOL. Oh sorry, we meant no.