T In The Park 2007 - Friday Main Stage

United Kingdom | | 06 July 2007

Ironically opening a wet and muddy T In The Park with the words, "sun is in the sky oh why, oh why would I want to be anywhere else?", the often controversial Lily Allen makes sure she brightens up everyone's day with her catchy pop sound. With most of the campers battling to pitch their tents during the early evening monsoon, Lily helps lift the gloom thanks to a storming performance rounded off with fans' favourite 'Smile'. A strong opening to T-2007.
 
Next up are scousers The Coral who prove to be an excellent follow up act to help forget the gloomy weather. Tunes such as 'I Remember When' and 'In The Morning" are the highlights of a strong set and the now iconic 'Dreaming Of You' brings the house down.
 
Bloc Party provide the crowd with their first chance to form a mosh pit – but only because there’s no alternative to the main stage Friday night lineup and the festival addicts are in need of a fix. There’s no denying singer Kele Okereke is a sight for sore eyes, strumming effortlessly yet energetically like a kid with his first toy guitar, underpinning the band's unique sound. But with the exception of the fantastic riffs of 'Banquet' and 'Helicopter', they come over as damp as my feet and prove a disappointing choice for a second-to-headline slot.
 
Fortunately, the anticipation has been building at T In The Park all day for one band only. And when Sheffield's finest Arctic Monkeys take to the stage you can cut the atmosphere with a knife. They come out the blocks flying, bursting into their anthemic 'View From The Afternoon' and barely stopping to draw breath pound the Main Stage with recent chart hit 'Brianstorm'. There is some respite for fans' during 'You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights, But I Was Staring Straight At You' but that doesn't last long before 'Mardy Bum', 'Sun Goes Down' and their debut single 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' whip the crowd into a frenzy. The boys' encore is also pretty impressive, with '505' from their new album a stonecold T classic.