Blur play T in the Park!

Graham Coxon battles illness to make the show

12 July 2009

Initial reports suggest that guitarist Graham Coxon was taken ill and rushed to hopspital earlier today, throwing the band's appearance - their first at the Balado site in ten years - into jeopardy.

Festival director Geoff Ellis made a dramatic announcement from the Main Stage earlier in the afternoon warning fans that the band may have to cancel due to Coxon being in hospital. Drummer Dave Rowntree has also been battling illness. Other rumours suggested the band may attempt to perform without the guitarist.

However, a statement released later this evening (after 9pm) announced that Coxon was in fact en route from hospital and would join the band to play their show with a later stage time than previously set.

Co-headliners Snow Patrol's Main Stage set had been put back from 7pm until 8pm to give the guitarist more time to reach the site.

Blur's stage backdrop was lowered just before 10pm, to frenzied applause from an enormous crowd, and the band eventually took the stage somewhat triumphantly shortly after, around an hour after their scheduled start time.

According to Virtual Festivals' Editor Dan Fahey, on-site at the festival, Graham looked unwell, as if he had been "plonked in-front of the mic and told to play".

Stay posted for a full report of the dramatic scenes and the ensuing performance.

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