Perthshire’s policing chief has praised Rewind Festival fans for proving it is ”possible to drink responsibly”.
More than 25,000 packed out the grounds of Scone Palace over the weekend for the open-air 1980s extravaganza but Divisional Superintendent Jim Leslie revealed there had only been a handful of arrests for minor theft.
Unlike T in the Park at the start of the month, no one was apprehended for drug possession and there were no reports of violence.
The sentiment was echoed by organiser David Heartfield, who confirmed his commitment to ensuring Rewind becomes a permanent fixture on Scotland’s summer festival calendar.
Members of the Stormont family who own the estate donned their wellies to enjoy the music, with Lady Stormont saying: ”It has been an amazing few days.”
Pop royalty ”Prince Charming” Adam Ant was just one of the big names at the former coronation site of Scottish kings.
Local heroes Average White Band, Village People, Big Country, Holly Johnson of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Clare Grogan of Altered Images and Fine Young Cannibals lead singer Roland Gift also took to the stage, to name a few.
”It has been a brilliant event and I want to thank everyone who attended for behaving so well,” Mr Leslie told The Courier. ”The atmosphere has been one of family fun it was like a big street party.
”Yes people have been consuming a fair bit of alcohol but this hasn’t led to trouble. They have proved it is possible to drink responsibly.See Monday’s Courier for a four-page picture pullout”To have so few arrests with crowds of more than 15,000 each day is very encouraging.”
As last year’s Rewind was also remarkably trouble-free, only a small number of officers were drafted in to cover the festival.
Mr Leslie noted that a few people had been ejected from the campsite by security staff on Saturday night after reports of anti-social behaviour but the police were not required to intervene.
There were no reports of problems with traffic flow in and out of the site.
Mr Heartfield said: “It has been a brilliant weekend and we can’t wait to come back next year. After all the concerns about the weather the sun shone down on us, which made it even better.”A poignant tribute amid the dayglo costumesIt was perhaps the most unlikely setting, with 25,000 grandparents, parents and kids clad in the most ridiculous dayglo costumes and wigs, for a poignant tribute to a Dundee singing legend, writes Alan Wilson, Rocktalk writer.
But Average White Band’s Alan Gorrie provided just that, telling the massive crowd at 80s festival Rewind how Dougie Martin, who died 10 days ago, had been the man responsible for him and others becoming musicians.
Alan then dedicated two of Dougie’s favourite songs, People Get Ready and Love Train to him as they set about getting the crowds dancing on a sun-kissed Saturday afternoon.
It was part of a brilliant short set from homecoming legends AWB, which also included Let’s Go Round again, Pick Up The Pieces and Cut the Cake.
That was the pick of the day, along with the excellent Jimmy Somerville who can, fantastically, still hit those mile-high notes.
Sunday’s highlights came from Ian Broudie’s Lightning Seeds who provided an excellent set of non-cheesy hits, while Adam Ant really whipped up the crowds with top hits Stand and Deliver and Prince Charming.