T in the Park 2011
Friday 8th to Sunday 10th July 2011Balado, nr Kinross. Scotland, KY13 0NJ, Scotland MAP
£195 full weekend with Thursday camping - sold out
Daily capacity: 80,000
Heading into the first full day of the festival, the excitement builds again. Those who missed the first day all looked bright and perky, ready for what Saturday had in store for them while those who had enjoyed the festivities from the day before some a bit too much - were re-energised by the bright weather and a chance to lie in the sun. After the pessimistic and almost apocalyptic forecast of shower storms and possible flooding, there was a feeling of disbelief through the crowd as ponchos were abandoned, and sun cream was hastily purchased to soothe the rapidly pinkening masses.
Fun Lovin' Criminals opened the main stage on Saturday, dripping with New York cool, and propelled the festival into the start of the day with ease through hits such as the instantly recognisable 'Scooby Snacks', allowing the building crowd to take full advantage of the mild weather throughout their set. But the weathermen werent wrong for long, as the skies opened overhead sending everyone running for cover under any available tent, or even signpost.
Thankfully the rain didn't last long, and the ground stayed firm underfoot while the crowds came out of hiding, chasing the blue skies over the Balado site. A pick-me-up was needed to dry off the damp patches of the day, and Ke$ha was just what was the T doctor ordered over at the main stage. As zany as ever, drowned in glitter and matching her blue lipstick to that of her dancers and band she crawled, danced and jumped all over the stage. She knew what we wanted and she gave it to us in spades; 'Tik Tok' unsurprisingly stealing the show along with 'Blah Blah Blah' while asking the excited crowd "Do I have enough glitter on my titties?" and the answer for Ke$ha would be that no glitter is ever enough, as she is doused in more while cannons blow confetti over the masses.
Skipping over to the T Break stage, Jon Fratelli having a taken a musical move away from The Fratelli's played to a healthily busy tent with his alternative rock sound. A sound not too dissimilar to his previous band; just as catchy and will prove undoubtedly just as popular.
But from there it was a quick jog back to the main stage; there seemed to be a buzz in the air as everyone prepared for the arrival of the heavily hyped Beyonce a roar of excitement ripping through the air as she appeared on the stage through a rising platform, all big hair and perfect shimmering skin. This was no normal festival performance; after her huge appearance at Glastonbury, she pulled out all the stops just as equally for the Kinross festival. Playing a mix of newer solo hits such as 'Telephone' and 'Irreplaceable', and a brilliantly received 'Single Ladies' before segueing into a Destiny's Child medley with 'Survivor' and 'Bootylicious' to rapturous reception. As her set ended to the chants of "one more tune" it was clear that she left T 2011 wanting more.
The main stage was closed off by Coldplay this year indeed a huge band and well deserving of a main stage slot but after the energy of Beyonce, it was hard to see how they could keep up everyone's spirits. Unsurprisingly they pulled in a mammoth crowd, but even the rockier beats like 'Shiver' had the tell-tale Coldplay lull to them. 'Violet Hill' picked up the pace and their bigger hits didn't fail to get the crowd chanting along with Chris Martin proving his worth as front man. It seems that although they're an unusual choice to headline a main stage, the audience loved every second of it.
Taking a wander along to the Radio 1/NME stage, Swedish House Mafia played a storming set on the other side of the T site full of strobes and lasers taking full advantage of the darkening Kinross sky, while the crowd went crazy for melodic 'Save the World'. The powerhouse three (Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso) set their act apart from the rest with an extravagant ending of fireworks and confetti cannons while the crowd soaked up the party atmosphere to end the first full day of T.
review by: Clare Sinclair
photos by: Clare Sinclair
Latest Updates
T in the Park
festival home page
festival home page
last updated: Wed 20th Apr 2022
Radiohead to headline the new three-day Glasgow festival?
happening in gap left by T in the Park
happening in gap left by T in the Park
last updated: Mon 28th Nov 2016
T in the Park announces it is to take a break
citing conditions put upon them by Scottish Government Ministers & ospreys
citing conditions put upon them by Scottish Government Ministers & ospreys
last updated: Thu 24th Nov 2016
T in the Park organisers consider hosting a new festival in Glasgow in July
but it won't be a T in the Park replacement
but it won't be a T in the Park replacement
last updated: Mon 21st Nov 2016
why raising the festival attendance age to 21 is not the answer
and will probably just make deaths from drugs worse
and will probably just make deaths from drugs worse
last updated: Thu 11th Aug 2016