Balado gig caps The View’s wonderful week

Dundee’s conquering heroes The View were celebrating a double today as they topped the album charts and announced they are to headline this summer’s T in the Park festival (writes Laurie Watson, Grapevine writer).

As the Dryburgh lads partied into the wee hours, they revealed organisers of the Balado festival had been in negotiations with the band to headline the July festival.

Bassist and songwriter Kieren Webster said, “Playing T in the Park will be the highlight of the year — a lot better than getting to No.1 in the charts.”

Last year, the band were late additions to the T-Break stage for unknowns. A mid–afternoon slot in the often empty tent saw chaotic scenes as hundreds clamoured to get a piece of The View.

The prospect of a return visit has only added to the feelgood factor surrounding The View at the moment.

Kieren said, “T in the Park last year was pure euphoria. Originally, we weren’t going to be playing, but when we did, it was electric; just mental.”

However, the boys have revealed that they’ll close the festival’s prestigious King Tut’s stage after saying no to the chance to play the main stage.

Frontman Kyle Falconer admitted the band had been offered the option of playing the main stage.

He said, “When we played T, we hadn’t had any press and the tent was packed. Bands like Coldplay could pull off a main stage gig but some just can’t fill that stage.

“So we’ve been offered the headline slot in the King Tut’s tent and we’d like that.”

Pete’s dad, also Pete, told the Tele today he was delighted the lads had passed up the opportunity to take on T in the Park’s main stage.

He said, “Pete had told us to watch out for an announcement, but we’re delighted to hear they’re playing the King Tut’s stage and not the main stage.

“It’s easy for bands to get lost in the midst of all those people, but it will be a great party and a really good atmosphere and the boys definitely deserve that after all their hard work.”

Evening Telegraph 29/1/07

Thanks to Gang Of Ginq