August 7, 2007

STUNNING blue skies, rising temperatures – until the heavens opened.

The Scottish weather seemed to have pulled out all the stops for the first ever Live at Loch Lomond.

But by Saturday night the ground had become boggy and on Sunday the site was “a swamp”.

As the gates opened on Saturday afternoon, queues snaked from the park into the centre of the village.

Security hold-ups meant the party was late in starting, but the problem seemed to have been ironed out the following day.

Saturday’s delay meant bands on the bottom of the bill played to an empty arena, but it didn’t dampen the festival spirit.

Hordes of music lovers spilled into the compact arena, and Vale rockers The Shakes turned in a blistering performance later that day.

Singer Ian Gilles was amazed by the crowd’s response: “We got a great reception. We’ve played in front of more people, but not at home. We felt so welcome up there. Everyone that writes and performs their own songs deserves to be heard, I’m not going to say we deserve to be up there more than anyone else. But we do deserve a chance.”

Meanwhile, names like Big Brother winner Kate Lawler, Ibiza favourite David Guetta and household name Pete Tong lead the charge.