T In The Park 2004

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With the waft of burger van food, the feint sound of a band you recognise but can't identify, some tents, stalls, and a litter-covered field, entering Balado Airfield is just like stumbling across any other festival in the world. But chuck in a sea of Tennents lager, about 8 million Scottish flags, and a few legendary bands into the mixer, and you can only be at T In The Park.

A weekend of the weird and the wonderful is clearly in store for us as we take our first steps into the usually serene green fields annually invaded by drunks, groupies, music lovers and raving reviewers like ourselves. Where else could you find the Scissor Sisters on the same stage as punk-pop gurus the Pixies? Where else could you replace David Bowie's headlining slot with The Darkness of all people without having a full blown riot? And where else could you be covered by a barrage of dark clouds all weekend and still get sunburn? Nowhere.

SATURDAY

After a bling battering of diamond and jeweled horror from Big Brovaz, the Beta Band bring some sense to Balado, Steve Mason dryly describing this outing as: "Strictly a greatest hits set - all our number ones and all the hits." Whatever, it does the trick, proved by the crowd's reaction to songs such as 'Out-Side', 'She's The One' and 'Dry The Rain'. 

Greatest hits is about all the Black Eyed Peas can muster too. They make a slow start to their Scottish festival debut. But a few twists and shakes later from the stunning Fergie and suddenly half the crowd don't seem to care what the four piece is singing. Once they get into their stride, with the infectious 'Smells Like Funk' and Latin flavoured 'Hey Mama', they begin to gel with the Main Stage crowd and it's not long before we're hailed as 'the best audience in the world'... Yes, we know. Over-the-top compliments and Fergie's toned bare mid-riff aside, The Black Eyed Peas also have the dance moves and stage presence to keep the masses from wandering. 'Shut Up' and the chart hugger 'Where Is The Love' close a blinding set.

It's not often that pop bands, especially arena fillers like The Black Eyed Peas and Pink, are prepared to play as little more than openers at festivals, so it's refreshing to see both acts making the most of their slots and enjoying the unique atmosphere. Pink promises she will keep her clothes on and let the music do the talking. And with hits like 'Just Like A Pill', 'Family Portrait' and 'Last To Know', even the most sex-starved of us can't complain about the lack of flesh. 'Let's Get The Party Started' may sound like an odd choice to close a set, especially as the party started the previous evening, but the bounceathon continues to the last note.