Blur nearly miss headline gig at T

By Sinead Garvan
Newsbeat entertainment reporter at T in the Park

Graham Coxon battled illness so Blur could close this year's T in the Park.

The guitarist was in hospital all day on Sunday apparently suffering from food poisoning. There were rumours they might not show up at all.

It was co-headliners Snow Patrol who bore the brunt of the crowd's anger.

They went on late to buy Blur a bit of time and were prepared to do a double set if the Brit-poppers didn't show.

However, the crowd booed Gary Lightbody and the rest of the band when they came on.

The good news was Blur did arrive, even if it was an hour and a half late, continuing their hugely successful comeback.

'Last gig'

Damon Albarn strolled on smiling and said: 'Hi' when they finally took to the main stage.

It was mental. We had to wait an a hour and a half at the barriers but it was worth it Rosie Macdonald

After the first track he grinned: "We nearly didn't make it. Graham literally walked out of a hospital to come here. He's alright. This is our last gig."

Whether he meant forever or just because this is the last of their scheduled dates we don't know.

The crowds were forgiving though.

Twenty-two-year old Hazel Blackstock from Dundee said it was great: "I sort of didn't like that they were late but it was ok. It was worth it, they were so good."

Steve Ritchie is 16 and from Perth: "It was brilliant, amazing, absolutely awesome. I've lost my voice, It was worth waiting, didn't mind at all."

And an out of breath Rosie Macdonald told Newsbeat: "It was mental. We had to wait an a hour and a half at the barriers but it was worth it. It was brilliant."

Despite the delay and drama, Blur rounded off another brilliant T in the Park with some people saying it had the best ever line up and, of course, hardly any rain.

Festival-goers on T highlights