There can hardly have been a better start to a T in the Park.
Glorious sunshine, big crowds and the Proclaimers opening the 2013 party with a sparkling greatest hits set.
With temperatures soaring past the 26C mark in the shade, it was Sunshine on Kinross-shire on Friday, with suncream and cold drinks all round as thousands of fans partied at the 20th anniversary of Scotland’s biggest festival.
Not as many thousands as in previous years, though, with rough estimates putting the crowd at 50-60,000, around 25,000 down on capacity. But the usual T in the Park atmosphere was still evident and the sunshine was just what festival director Geoff Ellis was hoping for.
He was in good spirits, describing the opening day as “fantastic”.Photo gallery: Crowds bask in T in the Park sunshineRising star Jake Bugg enjoyed his second appearance at T in the Park, being elevated to the Radio One stage, but started off with a severe faux pas, shouting to the audience: “Hello Glasgow!”
Nobody minded, though, and the teenage sensation was given the benefit of the doubt by his adoring fans.
Minutes before his set, the 19-year-old told The Courier: “This is brilliant. The weather makes such a difference and I can’t think of a better place to be playing or abetter crowd to be playing to.”
Bo Bruce, who shunned the showbiz side of music after coming second in the Voice last year, showed her determination to work her way up from the bottom by appearing on the T Break stage.
Her debut album went to number 10 in the album chart in January and she was loving the chance to showcase her own songs to the T audience.
“It was really important to me to take time out and write the album after all the madness of the Voice,” she said.
“It’s great to get out and play festivals like T in the Park. I’ve been helped a lot by Snow Patrol, who started out playing the T Break Stage, and Coldplay. It’s pretty amazing to be the little one doing all the stuff they did years ago.”
American dreamy popsters Milo Greene were also loving their first trip to T in the Park, even likening Balado to their home state of California.
“It feels like the festivals back home,” vocalist Marlana Sheetz said.
Among the highlights of the first day of T20 were Haim, Phoenix, the Courteeners, Emeli Sande and the legendary electronic pioneers Kraftwerk.
Geoff Ellis said: “It’s great to see that the sun has come out to help us celebrate. This will be a weekend not to be missed.”
Event commander Superintendent Rick Dunkerley said he was “delighted” with the low crime level and the overall behaviour of the audience, with only 51 crimes reported since the campsite opened on Thursday.
The onsite medical team dealt with 183 people, mostly for minor ailments including hayfever, while only one person was taken to hospital.