T in Park fans praised for supporting festival

Apr 24 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

ORGANISERS behind this year’s T in the Park have praised loyal music fans for continuing to snap-up tickets despite the recession.

Perth and Kinross Council’s Licensing Committee poured over the plans for the 16th edition of the festival this week, set to take place on the former airfield site in Balado, Kinross-shire, on July 10, 11 and 12 this year, attracting 80,000 spectators each day.

As the formalities of the necessary public entertainment licence were waved through, DF Concerts chief executive Geoff Ellis told the meeting that his company were determined to ensure the 16th edition of festival lives up to previous years.

Assurances were offered in the wake of the Hydro Connect festival – which last year attracted 15,000 revellers to Inverary Castle in Argyll – being cancelled, as well as Live at Loch Lomond and the Isle of Skye festival due to cash problems.

Mr Ellis said: “Tickets for this year sold out within 24 hours, although it took the best part of a day rather than the two hours it took in 2008.

“From what we can see, the demand is not as high as it has been previously.

“That is not surprising given current economic circumstances and it shows we cannot afford to be complacent – but we are still the UK’s fastest-selling festival.’’

Big-name acts such as Blur, Snow Patrol and Kings of Leon are all set to appear at Balado.