When your wife books a family holiday abroad that clashes with the T in the Park weekend it is a sore one to take but when The Stone Roses are announced as the Friday headliner the pain level intensifies and starts to feels like a swift kick between the legs that catches the jewels. Fortunately not all is lost and despite arriving back in Scotland in the wee hours of Sunday morning the opportunity of catching the Sunday line-up proves in the end irresistible.

Arriving at the site, I am instantly impressed with organisation of the car parks and the “new” lay-out of the Strathallan site that appears much more spacious and free-flowing from the previous year. With lots of bands on my hit-list and interview wish list there were always going to some I did not manage but for someone who only caught a few hours kip the night before I gave it my best shot to catch as many as possible.

Blossoms – Having briefly caught the band supporting Manchester (Oldham) favourites Inspiral Carpets couple of years back, the praise they have been receiving has not surprised. Featuring early on the Radio 1 Stage, the rise of Blossoms looks set to continue to gather momentum with their infectious blend of indie rock.

The Sherlocks – Had a quick chat with the Sheffield four-piece consisting of two sets of brothers. (Video Interview soon)

Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5 – Owned the T Break Stage with a lively performance to remember featuring a mock cash machine, an inflatable unicorn and a tent full of people crossing from one side of the tent to the other as the band blasted out their song about road safety called ‘Cross The Road’. The perfect performance for any festival.

James Bay – The popular singer/songwriter still needs a haircut but pulled a sizeable crowd to the Main Stage.

Jake Bugg – With three albums now under his belt, the young man from Nottingham now has a locker full of songs and unleashed a set comprising of tracks from each of his albums. To the delight of fans, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith took to the Radio 1 Stage with Jake for the terrific ‘Slumville Sunrise”.

Faithless – Maxi Jazz and his band brought ‘Insomnia’ to the Main stage blowing away any Sunday hangovers with their dance anthems.

Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls – An energetic Frank and his band raised the roof in King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut Tent and reminded everyone of the power of real live music (minus playbacks).

Red Hot Chili Peppers – The colourful Chili Peppers closed the Main Stage and festival with a set dominated by tracks from their latest album The Getaway. An extended jam version of ‘Can’t Stop’ opened a set that was peppered full of Chili’s classics including ‘Nobody Weird Like Me’ from Mothers Milkand Blood Sugar Sex Magic anthems ‘Under The Bridge’ and ‘Give It Away’.

 PH: Bazza Mills 

TXT: Bazza Mills