Muse unleash a Supermassive Black Hole on first night of T

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T in the Park 2010

Friday 9th to Sunday 11th July 2010
Balado, nr Kinross. Scotland, KY13 0NJ, Scotland MAP
£180 for weekend with camping - SOLD OUT

Daily capacity: 80,000

Heading to T in the Park on Friday is always an exciting experience - the chance to see some of the biggest acts in little Balado builds a huge amount of anticipation from all around Scotland, and indeed the UK. And my trip up to Balado in the coach is no different - the packed bus full of wellie and sunglasses-wearing group are all as excited as they can be, rain or shine. And shine is unlikely, with rain being forecast for the whole weekend.

Walking into the arena on Friday evening, I'm surprised to see the sun breaking through the clouds, and campers from Thursday night, as well as those arriving on Friday, are all getting well and truly into the festival spirit - which means, of course for T in the Park, copious amounts of Tennents (or your booze of choice), fancy dress or comedy hat and the chance to belt out some decent tunes. It's the third year for Fancy Dress Friday, with a mad hatter theme this year and around me are Postman Pat's, Teletubbies and Buzz Lightyear - all blending in with the fresh faces that can only be found on the opening night of a festival.

As I make my way the main stage for the for the first time, I'm struck by Paloma Faith's 'New York' played on an elaborate monochrome stage while she's exuberantly dressed in a flowing cocktail dress with a typically startling headpiece. The sun has just crept out from the clouds, and the feeling of the festival starts to kick in with the crowd getting into the spirit of the song.

The Editors are next up on the main stage and the festival favourites prove popular with hit 'An End Has A Start', and they keep their energy high despite their tendency to sound morose - every time I hear them they sound more like Joy Division. They play their fan favourites and 'Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors' is a highlight as the crowd go crazy for the modern anthem.

Sticking around the main stage for Faithless, I can feel the buzz of excitement as the crowd prepare for some summer anthems from the eight piece live electronic band, with Maxi Jazz and Sister Bliss bringing up the front, while the weather holds out for a cool yet bright night. The familiarity of 'We Come One' and 'Insomnia' rouse the audience, and Maxi looks fetching in his kilt and shirt combo yet with sunshine still breaking through late into the evening, and no light show to enhance their performance, it can't be helped but to think that a tent would have been a more appropriate setting to make the most of all that Faithless have to give. They're definitely big enough names to warrant a main stage setting, but something is lost in the dance acts when they're placed in the open air setting; a tent will always remain the best place to bounce around to a heavy bass line, untainted by the elements.

Taking a wander down to the NME stage, and the immediately recognisable haunting wail of Florence And The Machine is matched by the screams of a jubilant crowd - Florence Welch belts out favourites like 'Drumming Song' and 'Kiss With A Fist' while conducting the cheers of the audience with a lone drumstick.

It's a fight to get back to the main stage and once there, it's unsurprising to see that Muse have a huge awaiting audience - their live shows are the stuff of legend, and the crowd are buzzing with anticipation to see how they incorporate songs from their new album 'The Resistance'. And the result is no let down - I'm always impressed as to how 3 men can create such a staggering commotion with slick results - and songs like 'Supermassive Black Hole' following on with a balanced mix of the best of the new and the classics to keep the fans happy like 'Feeling Good' and 'Time Is Running Out'. They are entertaining not only with the music but with an enthusiastic laser show, just in time for the sun to hide away for the night and to make the best of the effects on the stage. And then, with a last yell of "Scotland!" from Bellamy, the first full night of T in the Park is over, save for the reverse bungee and the dodgems to entertain the minority of dawdling campers who have sensibly taken it a bit easier on the first night of the weekend. The slow and steady procession back to car parks, tents and coaches follow to the background of sporadic chanting.