With just one week to go until T in the Park 2014 opens its gates, organisers DF Concerts, founding partner Tennent’s Lager and a daily crowd of 85,000 festival-goers are gearing up to say #byebyeBalado to the festival’s much-loved home of 18 years. Final preparations for the big farewell party are underway, with organisers and fans getting ready to give T in the Park’s iconic Kinross-shire home an incredible send-off, ahead of its move to a brand new site from 2015 within the beautiful grounds of Strathallan Castle.
Whether fans are heading to T in the Park for the first time this year, or have fond memories of Balado from years gone by, next weekend is the last chance to fulfil the ultimate Balado Bucket List before the festival moves to pastures new.
THE BALADO BUCKET LIST
The legendary Balado pilgrimage
Everyone knows that T in the Park begins the moment you meet up with your mates to begin your journey to Balado. Excitement builds the closer you get, and nothing beats that first glimpse of the peaks of the King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent and the ferris wheel rising out of the glorious Perthshire countryside, and you know the weekend of the year has arrived.
Pitch your tent and get to know the next-tent neighbours The final night in the legendary Balado campsite is going to be unforgettable. Famed for its party atmosphere, community spirit and brilliant banter, you’re guaranteed to make some new mates in the campsite. The sound of 70,000 campers uniting for one extra special campsite farewell roar will surely bring a tear to the eye.
Thursday is the new Friday
Make the most of the weekend and get the party started on the Thursday night. A top line-up of DJ and comedy talent will be getting things going including The Midnight Beast Presents a Dirty Weekend featuring Oliver Heldens, Dapper Laughs and more, Sub Club residents Harri and Domenic, DJ and High Sheen co-founder Ben Martin and Wardy of La Cheetah Club, house, techno and hip hop production duo Mia Dora, Drums of Death plus tunes from Glasgow imprint Dixon Avenue Basement Jams.
Lights, Camera…Action!
Fancy Dress Friday is a longstanding T in the Park tradition. Over the years Balado has welcomed everything from superheroes and oompa loompas to cowboys on Fancy Dress Friday, not to mention fans dressed as cans of Tennent’s Lager in homage to the festival’s founding partner. This year’s theme is Lights, Camera, Action, so say goodbye to Balado in style as a star of the silver screen.
Party in Sunset Strip
After the sun sets on the Kinross countryside and the Main Arena has closed, head to Sunset Strip, the ultimate party destination for both campers and day trippers. The Palm Stage is a new addition to Sunset Strip this year – this outdoor dance arena will host top club DJs including legendary house music DJ and producer Lil Louis. Keep the party going until the early hours - why sleep when you can dance?
Indulge in some shedonism
Also brand new for 2014 and not to be missed is the arrival of the Disco Shed, which will bring the feel good beats to Healthy T. Chill to the tunes and sample some quality cuisine made from the finest fresh ingredients in T in the Park’s global kitchen. There’s an emphasis on Scottish produce - sample culinary delights, prepared and served by the people who produce them, including wood-fired pizza, venison burgers, stovies, Loch Fyne oysters and fruit smoothies.
See the next big thing
Tennent’s Lager have supported Scotland’s grassroots music scene through T Break since 1996, and the T Break Stage is the place to catch Scotland’s most exciting unsigned talent at T in the Park. It’s where The View, Snow Patrol and this year’s headliners Biffy Clyro made their T in the Park debuts, so make sure you drop by to catch the country’s hottest up and coming acts.
Make Celebrity Mates
Meet a celeb in the Scottish Sun Signing Tent, where you’ll find some of the biggest names performing over the weekend.
Treat yourself to a pamper session
Head over to Refresh and indulge in a pamper session. With hairdressers and beauticians on hand for hair styling, nail polishing and filing, make-up artistry & brow shaping, make sure you’re looking mighty fine throughout the festival weekend! You never know who you might bump into afterall… You’ll also be able to access hair straighteners, hair-washing stations, hair dryers, showers and flushing toilets.
But First, Let Me Take a Selfie
It’s your last chance for a picture with the big red T before it leaves Balado for good. An essential photo opp for any T in the Parker.
Something to remember T by
As well as taking away amazing memories of a fun-filled weekend, check out the official merch stand for a special souvenir from the final year in Balado.
Live it up in The Residence
If you want to see out the last ever T in the Park at Balado in style, treat yourself to a stay in The Residence. A luxury range of stunning boutique glamping structures including lavish tipis, yurts and Hotel Bell Tents, with its own exclusive café, bar, complimentary beauty room and dedicated car park - check out www.theresidenceexperience.co.uk for more details.
Here we! Here we! Here we!
There’s nothing like the sound of tens of thousands of T in the Parkers cheering in unison before their favourite act takes to the stage. The T in the Park fans are praised year after year by acts across the world for their passion and enthusiasm, which makes for an unbeatable atmosphere. Make sure you’re in the heart of the crowd for the big Balado send-off.
Witness a rap battle
Bringing a flavour of Detroit (kind of) to the Balado countryside is The Stand Comedy Club, with Comedy Rap Battles, which will see comedy and hip-hop clash as some of the country's best comedians compete to see who exhibits the most swag when it comes to hip-hop wits. Within the same tent, you’ll also be able to see sets by top comedians over the course of the weekend, with sets from the likes of from Russell Kane, Lee Nelson, Andrew Maxwell, John Cooper Clarke, The Ginge, The Geordie and The Geek, Des Clarke and more.
Experience some Slammin’ beats in the big blue tent Bringing the bass, the beats and the big club vibe to Balado, the Slam Tent is legendary. This year’s phenomenal line-up, curated once again by dance powerhouse Slam, features world class DJs including Len Faki, Pan-Pot, Joris Voorn, Sven Vath, Pretty Lights, Dave Clarke, Carl Craig and Magda .
Catch one last, breathtaking view of the Balado countryside from the iconic ferris wheel Say farewell to beautiful Balado and take in the spectacular view in all its glory from the top of the iconic ferris wheel.
To Balado!
Raise a toast to Balado with a pint of Tennent’s Lager – cheers to Balado, and here’s to an exciting new chapter of T in the Park history at Strathallan Castle.
The epic finale
Now we’re getting emotional… for the last time watch the piper take to the stage for the final piping out of the festival at Balado. As a spectacular fireworks display lights up the skies, there won’t be a dry eye in Balado. Take it all in and enjoy being part of T in the Park history when the 85,000 strong crowd sing a moving rendition of Flower of Scotland for the final time. Bye bye Balado – thanks for the memories.
