T In The Park 2009: Radio 1/NME Stage

The best bits from the festival's second stage

Joe O'Brien, Daniel Fahey - 14 July 2009

Nine Inch Nails - 9/10
Nine Inch Nails played what looks set to be their last ever Scottish show, and it was a belter – ‘Piggy', 'Wish’, ‘Head Like A Hole’ and a stunning closer in ‘Hurt’ wrapped up a jaw-dropping display from Trent Reznor and Co. GM

Pendulum – 8/10
Pendulum gave a relentlessly high-tempo set from start to finish with glow sticks and riffs galore as the boys delivered a banging show filled with anthem after anthem. ‘Slam’ was amazingly well received from the large crowd, but the ultimate favourite is a cover of The Prodigy’s ‘Voodoo People’, which left fans in a sweat-filled mess. A pick-and-mix of drum n bass goodies spiced up with a selection of dance floor classics that made for a terrific set – if you haven’t heard of them already, they’ll be unavoidable in 12 months time. JO

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – 8/10
Bringing on a piping band to beef up the solo on ‘Skeleton’ was always going to win over the crowd, but Yeah Yeah Yeahs offered much more than that during their Friday evening set. With their eyes on the task in hand (two inflatable eye balls that is, bouncing across the crowd) Karen O and Co mixed their synth-y new material with some old favourites, but it was ‘Maps’ and ‘Heads Will Roll’ running back-to-back that sealed the deal. Class. DF

Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds – 8/10
Suited and booted, Nick Cave must've been expecting he’d have a slightly bigger crowd to impress. As it was, the former-Birthday Party man was left with the rather arduous task to performing to a crowd smaller than he’s used to, not that this seemed to effect his performance. ‘Called Upon The Author To Explain’ is a resounding success, while the title track from his latest offering ‘Dig Lazarus Dig’ is as frenetic as it is popular. The ever-reliable ‘Red Right Hand’ stands out though, with the few gathered around saluting their right paws into the air. DF

Doves – 7/10
Opening with ‘Jetstream’ from new album ‘Kingdom of Rust’ Doves seemed be in the mood for a Sunday midday rock fest. Frontman Jimi Goodwin eased into ‘Winter Hill’ before letting rip with the now anthemic ‘Pounding’. “Let’s pound it up,” shouts Jimi but ‘The Last Broadcast’s’ tingly-tangly ‘Words’ sounded a little off key. However ‘Black And White Town’ from their self-titled LP and ‘There Goes The Fear’ bring the crowd back up to speed. “Thanks for spending the last hour with us,” Jimi concluded before ending their well received set with a go on the drums. JO

The Gaslight Anthem – 7/10
With The Game pulling out, The Gaslight Anthem were bunked up the programme to give a reliable showing, good enough to allow the crowds to forget that the rapper was even meant to show. Frontman Brian Fallon couldn’t disguise his smile throughout the performance, admitting, “I love playing here,” as the American group tore through ‘Old White Lincoln’ with all the thrashing presence of Airborne Toxic Event. ‘The 59 Sound’ is the big number though, which was made even more special as the clouds finally parted and the sun came back out. DF

Idlewild – 7/10
Being local, Idlewild’s task wasn’t perhaps as difficult as it was for some other acts over the weekend asthey drew a reasonable crowd on the opening afternoon. ‘You Held The World In your Arms’ regained the punch it had way back when, with newer numbers like ‘City Hall’ and ‘Little Discourage’ both taken swiftly on the chin by the audience. It’s a crafted ‘American English’ that gets the crowds singing-along though and although this make not have been their finest hour it proved strong enough to have several thousands ignore Maximo Park for the pleasure. DF

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