Donald MacLeod: Rise of the ned to blame for bringing T-time to a sad halt

THE summer pilgrimage to T in the Park has become a rite of passage for thousands of music fans.

Now, sadly, it’s taking a T break.

And, whether it returns to Strathallan or relocates to Glasgow Green, there’s no denying that the future of Scotland’s much-loved music festival is hanging on a shoogly peg after 22 years.

For a whole host of reasons, next year’s event has been canned by embattled organisers, DF Concerts, leaving music fans with a weekend to spare and no pitch for a tent.

One thing is for sure – Scotland will be a whole lot worse off without it.

Socially, culturally and economically.

A modern and popular national money-spinner has been neutered by Nimbys, bludgeoned by bureaucracy, plagued by point-scoring politics and marred by media mudslinging.

No one could have done more to keep this event alive and kicking than festival director Geoff Ellis and his highly experienced team.

T in the Park only thrived for as long as it did due to their unstinting efforts.

Sadly, the event has become a magnet for groups of troublemaking neds.

These music-illiterate cretins are intent on causing trouble and getting mashed out their minds.

Sadly, this destructive minority sees T in the Park as a circus of chaos, not a carnival of fun.

What a sad, sorry state of affairs.

Music fans’ safety always comes first – and three deaths cast a huge shadow over this year’s event.

And there are numerous factors which have threatened the viability of the festival, including the need to provide extra security, more police, First Aid, signage, noise abatement measures and wildlife protection plus, of course, a comprehensive transport plan that Scotrail could do with taking a peek at.

But I’m convinced that if it weren’t for the neds, whose presence and antics scared away thousands of potential ticket-buyers, T in the Park would still be going ahead next year.

That money would have been made by the promoters, instead of being lost.

Employment guaranteed, rather than being threatened.

Scotland’s premier live music event should be something the whole nation can be proud of and celebrate.

Instead we’re picking over the pieces of its downfall.

And T in the Park as we know it, barring a miracle, is heading the same doomed way as our other great music festivals such as Rock Ness, Connect and Wickerman.

The blame for its financial unviability, its demise, lies en masse with the ned.

And that’s something which isn’t the promoters’ fault.

Everyone in Scotland who cares about our culture and live music heritage should be taking stock. Think about this. Scotland is now the only country in Europe, and indeed the civilised western world, which doesn’t have a large, contemporary, live music festival to call its own.

A multi-stage, outdoor showpiece event attracting the very biggest names from the world of music.

A cultural hub and developing ground for the best up-and-coming acts.

Our national ned culture now means we’re close to becoming a cultural backwater.

And that is an absolute travesty!