By Michael MacLennan
With the dust now settled, the time’s now appropriate to try and decipher who the best acts of T in the Park 2009 were. Well, if it's even possible given the huge selection from which to try and make some sort of decision.
For me the place to be on Friday was the Radio 1 NME Stage. The Mars Volta kicked off events in fine style and are still perhaps the one of the most memorable acts - I’m listening to splendid new album Octahedron as we speak - flailing away with a paradoxical preciseness that was a huge amount of fun to behold. (As with Nine Inch Nails, I also think I could have spent the entire gig just gaping open-mouthed at their monumental drummer.)
From there on in Idlewild seemed reenergised ahead of the release of their latest effort, Yeah Yeah Yeahs always provide an enticing spectacle and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were superb entertainment.
It was hard to drag myself away from commanding Main Stage headliners Kings of Leon for the Antipodean crooner, but I think I can say it was worth it... Hmm, I would have loved to catch Crystal Castles too, don’t suppose anyone got a chance?
On Saturday the Noisettes made quite the impression, not least given the fate that almost befell singer Shingai during her animated performance. And as for Lady Gaga, well, goodness gracious...
Beardyman was, as anticipated, the most audaciously talented performer of the day, his beat-boxing skills having the citizens of the Slam Tent bouncing away. And when he went into that dubstep beat, or a techno take on Seven Nation Army, or Blue Monday... Either ways, if you get the chance round all your most cherished loved ones up to go and see him - the phrase must-see is overused but in this case entirely appropriate - though I guess until then YouTube will have to do.
Jane’s Addiction were in scintillating form, even if they had had no sleep, and Nine Inch Nails provided a fitting farewell though a longer set would have been desirable.
And what about The Killers headlining the Main Stage? It was a set that seemed to divide opinion on site, but from where I was people looked far from thrilled with the sluggish pace of the set... Given that Manic Street Preachers and Florence and the Machine were also playing at the same time as well as NIN, I do wonder how many people ended up wandering off from Brandon and co.
Then Sunday, where Regina Spektor effortless charmed the King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent, her star deservedly on the rise judging by the amount of festival goers who had crammed inside for her show. Samson in particular went over a storm, with wild cheers even before the song had ended.
The Futures Stage had a great line-up that day with Passion Pit, Little Boots and Patrick Wolf among those who would have been great to see, though it was a shame Ladyhawke had to pull out. Next year, hopefully?
Simian Mobile Disco seemed on sterling form when I caught them in the Slam Tent, I Believe, It’s The Beat and Hustler slaying the crowd, and all bodes well for their new album. Pendulum had an expectedly fantastic reception after a lacklustre Lily Allen, at one point going all heavy metal as they covered Metallica’s Master of Puppets, only for the electro-rockers to seamlessly slink into rapturously received drum ‘n’ bass anthem Slam.
Then there was Mogwai in the King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent, I’m Jim Morrison, I’m Dead as spine-tingling as ever. Perhaps a shame that there wasn’t more around to witness a reliably breath-taking show, but you can be assured that they’ll have won a considerable few new converts in the process, and those devotees in attendance would have had a superb end to the weekend.
And, phew, Blur showed up! Goodness knows what would have happened if they hadn’t, though credit for Snow Patrol for delaying their set to accommodate for circumstances and copping some undeserved flak from confused punters in the process. But all’s well that ends well... And Damon singing “It really, really, really could happen” at the end of set-closer The Universal seemed entirely appropriate.
But enough of my rambling: what was your highlight? Indeed, what was your favourite stage? Was it a classic year? Which headliners would you like to see next year? And will I ever stop asking questions? Any answers appreciated...
