Once upon a time: Diana Vickers at T in the Park 2010 Pic: © Drew Farrell
After watching Chipmunk on the Main Stage, what better to follow that than the angelic majesty of perky pop starlet Diana Vickers? By the end of the day you’ll probably catch me watching Scooch and Same Difference co-headline T in the Park’s Pop Till You Can't Stop Stage. (Most aren’t aware of its location or even existence: you only get access if you own more than five Stock, Aitken and Waterman records.)
“How are you? You guys are fire!” purrs Vickers of the elemental onlookers, while taking centre stage in some sort of red... flared... bodysuit... thing? Hmm, should really have bought an issue of Tatler before I attempted the fashion commentary for this review. Anybody know if corduroys are back in fashion? It's about time, I tell you.
Anyway, the bouncy singer gives the whole King Tuts Wah Wah Hut Tent shebang her best effort. As a relatively new solo artist Vickers may be inexperienced with festival crowds but she engages the receptive audience to good effect, going on to tackle a cover of Snow Patrol’s Just Say Yes, the grungy mob of musicians who provide the backing providing some steel to proceedings.
The mood of the hour is very much disposable, bubblegum pop, Vickers even parping away on her very own trumpet for the perky My Hip. Why, that must take some brass! (I’m so, so sorry.)
PHOTO GALLERY
Goodness, how on earth could anybody be depressed during a set this relentlessly upbeat? After initially being the subject of tawdry tabloid coverage - when she was only a young girl suddenly thrust into the media spotlight - it's gratifying to see the former X Factor contestant win over the attendant punters in such gleeful style. (At one point I swear both corners of my mouth were even upturned, though unfortunately I couldn’t subsequently find any witnesses in the immediate vicinity to testify to that.).
“You guys are actually blowing my pants off right now!” squeals Vickers before closing with this year’s number one single Once, leaving most males (and probably quite a few females) with an image that they'll treasure forever. In terms of ability to endure in the fickle world of pop, it’s difficult to judge yet whether she’s the new Kylie or the new Dannii, but for this weekend at least she’s a welcome breath of fresh air.
