T in the Park review: The Streets

"WELCOME to the matinee performance," hollered Streets rapper Mike Skinner's singing wingman Kevin Mark Trail as the group took to the stage.

It seemed strange that such a high-profile band should relegate themselves to a late afternoon set in T in the Park's underground dance ghetto the Slam Tent – or rather, it did before that set was actually under way.

Skinner and his band are infinitely better suited to the darkened clubland atmosphere of this incredible festival-within-a-festival than the main stage in the sunshine, and his loved-up capacity crowd ensured this was one of Saturday's most unexpected highlights.

From the frantic bounce of Don't Mug Yourself and the still-energising declaration of intent Let's Push Things Forward to the slow, strident, breath-back balladry of The Escapist and The Music's Rob Harvey lending noisy vocals to OMG, this was a show which won the crowd over with spectacular ease.

Skinner, his top off after the first song, could clearly sense something special happening. "We are off it, to say the least," he declared.

"You never disappoint. T in the Park never disappoints!"

In solidarity with the crowd, he was wearing a yellow T poncho thrown from the crowd.

"This is really quite sexual," he pondered.

Sadly this gig was also the biggest and most enjoyable wake Scotland has hosted in many years.

"We're never going to play these songs in Scotland again," announced Skinner, who has already released the final Streets album, "so let's make it count."

From that point band and crowd managed to find one more gear for his recent standout track Soldiers, the tent-shaking bass of Blinded By The Light and near enough every single person in this canvas arena giving Dry Your Eyes an emotional singalong.

"You really are the best crowd in the world and I'll miss you a lot," he said with heartfelt affection after a wild Fit But You Know It and the closing Going Through Hell. "Now we're off to see Beyonce."

At least that explains the early show.

For full T in the Park coverage, visit scotsman.com/titp2011