Stars Bid Balado Goodbye!
As a Scottish bagpiper played the final notes of Flower of Scotland and an impressive firework display illuminated the sky for one last time, 85,000 music fans said an emotional goodbye to Balado, the Kinross site that has hosted T in the Park for the past 18 years.
Of course, it wasn’t just the fans that were sad to close the door on such an iconic venue. We caught up with some of the festival’s stars to find out what they’ll miss most about Balado and what their favourite memories of the site are…
“This festival could be held anywhere in Scotland it would still mean as much” – Sam McTrusty, Twin Atlantic
Sam McTrusty, vocalist of Twin Atlantic, practically grew up going to T in the Park so performing on the main stage was a very special moment for him. He said: “I feel very….emotional, man! From my unique perspective it’s one of the best festivals in the world. And it’s absolutely improved us as a band. ‘Cause every year it comes around we’re like, we need to take it to the next level.
“I think it will be different at Strathallan next year but it’s something to build on and it’s a good indication of the heart of the festival. The main thing about it is the music, and as long as the music is taken to the young people of Scotland, that’s serving its purpous. This festival could be anywhere in Scotland and I think it would still mean as much and be as poignant as anywhere it’s been held.”
“Scotland owns this festival this year!” – Ed Sheeran
2014 marked the first time Ed Sheeran took to the T in the Park stage as a solo artist (he performed alongside Snow Patrol in 2012) but the festival has already made an impression on The A Team singer. He said: “I don’t know what’s in the water but the Scottish crowds are the most mental crowds to ever play in front of. I just heard that this is the last T on this site but the new site sounds nice and my experience today was great. Scotland owns this festival this year.”
“It’s the people that make it better than the others” – Tim Burgess, The Charlatons
For Tim Burgess, frontman of The Charlatans, it’ll take more than a change of venue to make him fall out of love with the festival. He explains: “We played the first ever T in the Park and we’ve done it quite a few times since. It’s had a few good times at T! It’s just a major player, isn’t it? It’s the people that make it better than the others – whatever the weather, whatever time of day or night it is, they get down the front and support it.”
“It’s my favourite weekend of the year!” – Nina Nesbitt
Local girl done good Nina Nesbitt was sad to say goodbye to Balado but was adamant that the move wasn’t going to deter her from attending in the future – even if it did involve a slightly longer commute from her Edinburgh home. She said: “This is my third T in the Park. The first one was amazing; it’s still one of my favourite ever gigs. I played the BBC Introducing stage and I wasn’t even signed. When I was younger, writing songs in my room, it was always my dream to play T in the Park…I’m going to miss coming to Balado – it’s only half an hour from my house. Strathallan’s a little bit further but I’m still going to come!”
“I feel lucky that I got to play for the last time on this site” – Ella Eyre
Rising star Ella Eyre made her T in the Park debut this weekend and was honoured to have been asked to perform at the last year at Balado. She said: “This is my first T in the Park and I feel lucky that I got to play it for the last time on this site. I knew that Scottish crowds in general are quite mental and that’s what I thrive off!”
“It’s an amazing site – I’d happily come back here for the next decade!” – Example
For King Tut’s Tent headliner Example, saying goodbye to Balado was tough as he has grown to love the site. He explained: “Scottish fans are the best in the world. We all know that there are good festivals all over the world, really well-organised ones with great backstage areas – but this is one of the only ones where artists actually come out of their dressing rooms and hang, which is great. It’s an amazing site, the staff are lovely, the catering is always great – I’d happily come back here for the next decade.”
“My farewell message to Balado? It’s been great!” – Newton Faulkner
Acoustic crooner Newton Faulkner played T in the Park numerous times before his early afternoon slot on the Main Stage on Sunday. He said: “Scottish crowds are always livelier than anywhere else – there’s a certain energy they bring to the table. It’s very music-focused – there’s less distractions than at other festivals. My farewell message to Balado? It’s been great!”
“I played the very first T in the Park at Balado” – Paul Weller
Music legend Paul Weller and Balado go back 18 years. The former frontman of The Jam said:
“I played the very first T in the Park at Balado. The Scottish people are always mad for it – that’s what makes the difference otherwise it’s just a destival. The last time I was here it was pissing down, proper pouring, but everyone was still up for it.”
“It was the first time I’d played a festival and gone out there to see that many people waiting for me” – Jake Bugg
Musician of the moment Jake Bugg first realised how quickly his star was rising when he performed at T in the Park two years ago. The singer-songwriter, who performed on the Main Stage on Sunday evening, said: “Two years ago I played T in the Park and it was the first time I’d played a festival and gone out there to see that many people waiting for me. It was pretty special. To be here again, third year in a row, to be so far up the bill – what I can say, I’m honoured.”
“Our first T in the Park, we had a friend of ours managing us, and he couldn’t find the entrance!” – Nick McCarthy, Franz Ferdinand
Before they were Scottish music icons, Franz Ferdinand performed their first T in the Park show in a small tent. But things didn’t exactly start out as planned for the indie four-piece. Guitarist Nick McCarthy explains: “Our first T in the Park, we had a friend of ours managing us, and he couldn’t find the entrance. Then the next time we played, we were on the Main Stage! It’s great to be playing here, ten years on, the last one at Balado and the 21st one.”
What are your best memories of T in the Park at Balado? Tweet us @FleckingRecords using the hashtag #byebyeBalado