Tens of thousands of music fans enjoyed their first full day of music at the new T in the Park site yesterday, Friday 10th July.
The festival’s new home, in the heart of the Perthshire countryside at Strathallan Castle, has gone down a storm with estate co-owners, Jamie and Debs Roberts, who revealed they cannot stop smiling:
“It has been absolutely amazing – everywhere we go people are telling us how much they love the site and how beautiful the estate is” says Debs. Jamie continued: “We literally cannot stop smiling. Everyone is in such good spirits, having a great time and enjoying some of the best acts in the world – and this is all happening here at Strathallan– it couldn’t get any better.”
Scottish act Prides opened the main stage and Kasabian brought the first night of the festival to a close with a phenomenal set which included hits Underdog, Fire and L.S.F. Other highlights included Hozier and Sam Smith on the main stage, The War on Drugs and David Guetta on the Radio 1 stage and Jessie Ware and Mark Ronson in the King Tut’s tent.
Says Festival Director Geoff Ellis, “I couldn’t be happier with our new home, I spent a lot of time walking the site, talking to people and taking it in – the feedback has been so positive. Yesterday was one of the strongest Friday line-ups we have ever had and the crowd has continued T in the Park’s reputation as the best in the world. Today will also go down in the T history books, as The Libertines and Avicii make their debut at the festival by closing the main stage.”
Organisers have apologised after delays at pick-up points on Friday night. Additional measures have been in place for the end of tonight’s show, including additional stewarding and extra signage.
Says Event Manager Colin Rodger, “Our goal is always for T in the Park fans to have a fantastic time, from start to finish, and we’re really disappointed that this wasn’t the case for some people last night. We did clear the queue as quickly as we could and the majority of customers were on their way home by 2am.
“We’ve reviewed the situation this morning with our planning team to ensure their experience is improved this evening.
“Access for vehicles into the pick-up points was restricted due to a knock on effect of approximately 500 people attempting to walk 3 miles back to an unofficial campsite, in an unsuitable location for the event, who had not provided them with any other option.
“We had already stressed to this campsite that they had a responsibility and duty of care to provide transport for those fans choosing to stay there. Unfortunately they ignored our advice. We have now hired buses at our own expense to ensure the safe journey to and from the event for those campers.
“Once again, we apologise to everyone affected. For those arriving today, we advise you to plan ahead and check which pick up point you should be meeting at – www.tinthepark.com/travel – in no circumstances should you try leave the site on foot – there are no walkways.”
Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service have reiterated general advice to festival goers, including the need for fans to look after themselves, their friends and their belongings and to plan for changeable weather.
Police Scotland has made 25 arrests – which mirrors 2014.
Superintendent Colin Brown said: “We have been supporting the event organisers with the traffic management around the site and we would like to thank the public and community for their patience whilst experiencing heavy traffic volumes.
This is a major event and we ask people travelling to the event allow plenty of time and that there are likely to be delays.”
Says Nick Moore, Scottish Ambulance Service: “We’ve had just over 240 people present to the hospital tent and the vast majority of those cases have been minor ailments. As always, though, we’d like fans to come to first aid straight away if they feel unwell or are concerned about a friend.
“The weather is likely to be more changeable today so we’re advising people not only to keep wearing sunscreen but also to bring rain proof clothes and keep warm.”
