Geoff prepares for the best-ever Balado festival

Jun 10 2008 by Andrew Welsh

BALADO boss Geoff Ellis reckons this year’s T in the Park will be the best ever - but he’s not expecting to have much time to enjoy it.

The DF Concerts promoter told Music Scene yesterday that the inclusion of hot new talents The Ting Tings, Vampire Weekend and Black Kids, coupled with eagerly anticipated sets from multiple-Grammy winner Amy Winehouse, Scots rock gods Biffy Clyro and superstar djs The Chemical Brothers, all adds up to an unprecedented Kinross-shire festival standard.

However, he insisted his responsibilities will prevent him from joining in the fun.

“I get to see a few bits and pieces, but it’s as much from a crowd-management view as anything else,” Geoff revealed.

“I go round the stages and see which stages are the most popular. I only usually hear about one song from each artist.

“The ones I see the most of are the headliners are on at the end of the night. Most of the work is done by the time they come on.”

Geoff reckons this year’s beefed-up Friday roster adds to the event’s credibility, but he insists an even earlier still musical start is not on the agenda, despite opening the doors for the first time on a Thursday this year in a bid to avoid 2007’s traffic chaos.

“For those camping the Friday has always been a big part anyway, this is giving them that bit more,” he said.

“We have no plans to make it a full day on a Friday but we are encouraging people to get there early.

“Last year there were extenuating circumstances that caused the problems. However, they could arise again so we have spent money on promoting new roads going into the car parks.

“We're also encouraging more people to travel by bus and the road policing is being really stepped up.

“Having 10,000 in on a Thursday is a big chunk of traffic off the road for the Friday.”

Changing tack, the T boss said he was disappointed that his oft repeated calls for action against ticket touts had not been taken up by Government.

“It is incredible that the powers-that-be have decided that it’s not a problem,” he fumed.

“They are just not listening to the public or the music industry.

“Big tout websites are lording it up now and it’s just incredibly frustrating.

“I do understand why they do it, it’s greed. But it’s a shame because the genuine fans end up paying more for their tickets.”

Geoff said the inclusion of a new, deluxe Residence quarter at T was a part of the festival’s own response to the touts’ actions.

But he admitted he’s praying - for everyone’s sake - that the sun shines.

“Ironically, we had glorious weather over the weekend itself last year, it was the build-up that was terrible and there was an above-record rainfall in Kinross,” he went on.

“The build-up was appalling but it has been much better already this year.

“We have made more improvements, including a new area for chilling out with great food and chefs.”

Meanwhile, festival sponsor George Kyle yesterday echoed Geoff’s views on the significance of this year’s bumper line-up.

“The line-up is a huge part of T in the Park's success and its ongoing development,” said the Tennants man.

“Having such a phenomenal array of talent once again is a way of showing the fans the care and attention that they need.

“It's difficult to pick anyone out as the depth of the programme is quite phenomenal.”