T In The Park

Where and when? Balado, Scotland - 10th-12th July.

Why should I go? It has a special brew of bands and a party atmosphere to rival even Glasto.

Any interesting titbits of information? In 2005, festivalgoers invaded the festival grounds… by marching on it in a huge line, singing songs in a well-mannered fashion.

Although it’s only been up and running for fifteen years, T In The Park has become Scotland’s favourite weekend out. Since starting out in Strathclyde National Park in 1994, the festival has grown from a two to a three-day party, moved location to a disused airfield in Balado and played host to international show-stopping acts such as REM, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Franz Ferdinand. Its recent capture of the 2005 and 2006 awards for Best Major Festival has put T In The Park right up there with the big international events. With nine stages and over 120 bands including Kings of Leon and The Specials, 2009’s event looks set to be another banger. The bacchanalian atmosphere generated by the enthusiastic Scottish crowd is something you have to experience: from the headliners to the traditional bands in the Ceilidh Tent, everything gets a roaring reception. As you’d expect, T in the Park is ticking its green boxes. It’s carbon-neutral, has a new healthy eating zone and encourages recycling by taking deposits for your pint glasses, refundable when you return them. Sure, it makes chucking pots of piss at Razorlight more expensive, but think of the planet!

Ticket price: Day tickets for Friday, Saturday or Sunday are £72.50. A Saturday and Sunday combined ticket is £145. Weekend camping (Friday to Sunday) is £170. Thursday camping (Thursday to Sunday) is £180.

Accommodation: Camping is free with specific tickets, campervans with a £100 extra charge.

Site opening: Thursday, 9th July.

Capacity: 85,000

Stages: Main Stage, Radio 1/NME Stage, King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent, Slam Tent, Futures Stage, BBC Introducing Stage, T Break Stage, The Ceilidh Tent, Bacardi Arena.
Travel: Onsite car parking costs £17.50. Coach routes run to the festival from across the UK, mostly connecting at Glasgow, Edinburgh or Perth. Planes and trains require a coach connection at Glasgow, Edinburgh or Perth.