Verve vs Guardian

Ashcroft slams 'haters' at T and Futureheads singer to wed

12 July 2008 - Fans can expect light showers and sunshine at the second day of T in the Park in Kinross according to the forecast.

Around 85,000 fans are expected on site and there will be sets from Rage Against the Machine, Kaiser Chiefs and the Fratellis.

Richard Ashcroft had a go at The Guardian during the Verve's headline set at T on the first night (11 July), saying one of the paper's music journalists could never understand their relationship with the greatest live audience in the world. 

The piece in the paper said Ashcroft was past his prime and had borrowed too obviously from Pink Floyd's Breathe on the new song Numbness.

"Thank you, greatest live audience in the world," said Ashcroft. "That's something Guardian writers don't understand."

"Thank you greatest live audience in the world."
Richard Ashcroft

He also referred to characters from Scarface and The Sopranos when he dedicated The Rolling People to "Tony Montana, Tony Soprano and all the haters".

Fans seemed to agree with Ashcroft's assertion about the show, which included The Drugs Don’t Work and Bittersweet Symphony as well as two new songs, ending with the single Love Is Noise.

The Futureheads headlined the King Tuts stage on the first night - and the band dedicated Hounds of Love to singer Barry Hyde who's getting married this weekend (12 July). So he was taking it easy after the show.

No alcohol," he said. "Everything's all ready to go with the wedding, so I've just got to get off the bus in the morning, go back to bed then wake up and get married."

Return of Rage

Festival director Geoff Ellis is pleased with how the festival is going.

He said: "It has been a really good start to the event with the traffic management plan working so well.

"I am personally really looking forward to seeing Rage Against the Machine. They played the first ever T in the Park in 1994, so it's a real coup to have them perform at our 15th anniversary."

Emergency services reported a trouble-free evening on the campsite.

Chief Superintendent Matt Hamilton, of Tayside Police, said: "There are four people being remanded in custody which is extremely low at this stage for an event of this size.

"We look forward to the continued good nature of the fans and once again we urge everyone to have a good time but to remain vigilant and keep all of their belongings with them at all times."

Medical staff reported 56 hospital visits, mainly for sprains and other minor reasons.

Andre Paine