T in the Park: Eddy Grant review

Published on Saturday 5 July 2008 22:13

"GOOD morning," Eddy Grant says at fifteen minutes past midday, "it seems like you've been asleep up here. We're gonna wake you up". And so the reggae legend, who made his Scottish festival debut yesterday as the first act on the main stage, kicked off T in the Park 2008.

After saluting the crowd he launched in to 'War Party'. He may be 60, but Grant displayed bucket loads of youthful energy, and a talent for hip gyration that was only matched by the fantastic trio of backing dancers who bumped and grinded their way through the set.

The somewhat ironically-titled 'I Don't Wanna Dance' got the growing crowd dancing. It was quickly followed by 'Electric Avenue' and the calypso-lstyle 'Gimme Hope Jo'anna'.

Grant, dressed in black with a white electric guitar strapped round his shoulders and his trademark black capped beanie, was on top form throughout, and had a man on hand to free him of his guitar so that he could dance when the music dictated. Full use of this was made during 'Living on the Front Line', when Grant took the opportunity to show the crowd just how many bodyparts he can play the guitar with: lips (and tongue? it was a close call), bum, foot and, most sensationally, groin.

Closing with his number 1 hit with The Equals, 'Baby Come Back', Grant took the opportunity to thank everyone who has ever bought an Eddy Grant record. After a comeback like today, he'll have a lot more fans to thank.