British Music Festival Review - T in the Park!

T in the Park (also known as T) is in it's 22nd year and this year it's moving to Strathallan Castle in Perthshire. It was on the 10th July - 12th July 2015. It also happened to be my first year at the festival! 

 

Preparation
 

I got an early bird ticket to T last July and I already knew I would be camping at my friends house who's birthday was on the Saturday. We plus one other friend were travelling by CityLink every day to and from the grounds. 
 

I also prepared 3 outfits which covered all weathers (it is Scotland after all) and checked the weather forecast religiously. I bought clothes from Primark as if they got muddy I wouldn't be too upset. I think all my clothes cost me £40 for the whole 3 days!! 
 

The line up this year also looked really good! Names such as Sam Smith, Avicii, Hozier, Kodaline, Ella Eyre, Jessie J, George Ezra, The Script, Charli XCX, The View, James Bay, Noel Gallaghers' High Flying Birds and Paloma Faith were all going to be there. 
 

Before going to T I felt really excited that I was part of the hype for the festival but also a bit apprehensive that it was going to live up to the expectations of recent years. Watching T20 and T21 on television was amazing but I hoped the atmosphere that was shown on TV would be the same if not better in person.
 

Friday 10th July
 

I watched:

- Main Stage -
 

Sam Smith, Rudimental, Hozier
 

- Radio 1 Stage -
 

David Guetta, Sigma, Fuse ODG
 

- King Tuts Wah Wah Tent -
 

Jessie Ware, Hannah Wants
 

The first set I watched at T was the last half of Jessie Ware's. I'd never heard of her before but she was an absolutely incredible performer! She was gorgeous too and had an amazing voice! Hannah Wants was after that and likewise was a stunning singer.
 

I then started to watch a bit of The Wombats but I didn't really enjoy their songs so we quickly moved to Fuse ODG which was great! I'm not usually a fan of that style of music but this weekend completely changed that and alongside Sigma really got my weekend started. When Sigma played "Higher" and "Nobody to Love" the crowd went crazy it was such a good atmosphere!
 

I then went to see Hozier. All I can say is Wow. His voice sounds better on stage than it does on CD. My favourite song was 'Someone New' it blew me away! When he played 'Take Me To Church' I was overwhelmed how amazing he sounded! I'll definitely be buying a few more tunes of his!
 

After that was Rudimental and although I didn't think I knew any of their stuff a few pieces came up that I knew and sung along to. They were great performers and knew how to keep the crowd going.
 

Sam Smith. I love him. He was the highlight of Day 1 and I absolutely loved every second of his set. An incredible voice and a great song choice. If you just read some of the verses from his songs they make perfect sense and have such deep meanings which he explained briefly to us. I am now waiting for him to tour back up to Scotland to see him again. A very good performance.
 

To close my first day at T I went to see David Guetta. I really enjoyed his set and was dancing around with everyone else. A lot of people turned out to see Guetta and it was a real party atmosphere that deserved the main stage rather than Radio 1 stage.

Saturday 11th July

I watched:

- Main Stage -
 

Avicii, The Script, George Ezra, Jessie J
 

- Radio 1 Stage -
 

Alt-J, Charli XCX
 

To start my second day off we went to see Charli XCX. We were really close up to the front as well which was amazing!! I don't like to comment on women's figures but she's obviously worked really hard for her body and deserves a massive compliment! She is absolutely stunning! Her set was really good too and set me up for the day.
 

Next was Jessie J and likewise had an amazing set. She held the stage so well and kept the crowd entertained with her dancing and her funny comments. Straight after was George Ezra and he was a breath-taking singer. I couldn't believe he'd written so many songs! Would definitely like to see both of them again soon.
 

I feel that The Script are honestly the most dedicated to their fans. I mean why else would they go into the audience and take photos with people mid song. I'd forgotten about most of the songs they had sung and it was great to relive them. A fantastic set for a fantastic band.
 

Avicii was last on for Saturday night. He was another party-starter. I loved his stage set too with all the LED boards and polytechnics in sync with the beat of the music. I great end to Day 2.
 

Sunday 12th July

I watched:

- Main Stage -
 

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Paloma Faith, James Bay
 

- King Tuts Wah Wah Tent -
 

Above & Beyond, Clean Bandit
 

For my final day we started with James Bay. He was really good and when he sang "Hold Back The River" the crowd singing blew me away. He had a really good set but I felt the atmosphere was somewhat lacking.

Next act of the day was Paloma Faith. WOW! Her personality really shone through and I really wish she had a longer set. She came across as a really likeable person and sung amazingly too. I'm definitely looking out for a tour ticket soon!

After Paloma's jaw-dropping show we headed to Clean Bandit! I loved Clean Bandit already because let's be honest who else can get orchestral instruments into the charts? They blew me away and I'm looking for a gig of theirs because they were another act who were so much better live than on iTunes.

Once Clean Bandit finished it was a quick food stop then back to Above and Beyond. They were the only band I disliked as there club music didn't really make me feel like dance. Nevertheless there were plenty of people enjoying themselves - each to their own I suppose

We made it back to see the end of Noel Gallagher's set and sung along to 'Don't Look Back in Anger'. A great song to end my first T!


For anyone wondering whether they should go or not I recommend you do. Not only do you see so many singers in one place over one weekend but you meet so many new people! Everyone at music festivals are super friendly and so chilled out it's refreshing to speak to them!

I hope you've enjoyed my review and I'll see you next time!

Reasons To Learn A Musical Instrument

I've been playing my viola for the past 10 years and I honestly can't remember what my life was like before music. Music is my favourite relaxation activity and I love nothing more than sitting down at my piano and learning new classical melodies.

I've played in an orchestra since I was 9 years old. My local council runs massive orchestras for any pupil receiving instrumental tuition and I have gone through the ranks to make it to the local Youth Orchestra. Orchestra is where I've made most of my friends as no one else quite understands that music comes before everything else.

My musical friends are the most understanding people I've ever met. Music has kept them grounded and sensible!! I only know very few musicians that fit the stereotypical 'snotty child prodigy' and even then they can be quite nice when it suits them!!

Through playing in the Orchestra I've also been on the annual residential. A week away learning new music to perform at a concert at the end of the week. A whole concert worth of music learnt in a week requires around 5-6 hours of music a day per band. Quite a lot of my friends are in 2 or 3 bands, resulting in 10-12 hours of music a day!!

By going away to a music residential from the age of 9 I am more independent as a result. I know that when I am at university I won't get homesick as I'm used to being away from my parents. I also don't panic when it comes to sharing a little personal space and bathrooms as I'm sure you can imagine 12 girls in a dorm room can be quite a squeeze.

Learning a musical instrument also gives you more self confidence. Although it's hard to get used to constant solos, duos, quartets and orchestra performances I can assure you that every time it gets easier. I love performing with my friends on stage and although I never see myself as Scotland's next Nicola Benedetti I can still go out and perform to enjoy it.

I hope if you are ever given the opportunity to learn music you grab it with both hands. It is the most worthwhile decision I've ever made and has led to some amazing memories.