Why T still rains supreme

 

T delight ... Jay-Z was star of the show

Fine form ... Diana Vickers

T PROVED to me once again that it is the best festival in Britain - and that's nothing to do with my tartan-tinged specs.

Glastonbury is too big now, and too busy.
But at Balado you can get around without needing a sat-nav and you don't get trench foot or blisters.
Without any shadow of a doubt the crowds are better too, and the booking operation by Geoff Ellis and the promoters DF is perfect.
The line-up featuring JAY-Z, EMINEM, MUSE and KASABIAN is arguably better than Glasto's 40th anniversary efforts.

Smart choice ... Gordon, second left, with the boys from The Draymin

The weather might be rubbish, but the bands and the punters were as brilliant as ever.
MUMFORD & SONS were a highlight, as was the utterly brilliant LAURA MARLING. STEREOPHONICS and THE CORAL were superb. Chart-toppers PAOLO NUTINI and DIANA VICKERS were also in fine form.
Up-and-coming Scots act THE DRAYMIN are one for the future too.
T veterans PRODIGY shook my bones for the few tracks I caught.
They are always worthy of any festival headline slot.
If only it could stay dry...