Sunday 19th July 2009 @ Weston-super-Mare
Featuring Performances From: Beth Ditto, JLS, Peter Andre, Will Young, Shontelle, Basement Jaxx, Diversity, Daniel Merriweather, The Saturdays, The Enemy, Dizzee Rascal

You would be hard pushed to find many people strolling along the beachfront in Weston “Super” Mare on a wet, blustery Sunday morning but the 45,000 people descending upon the seaside resort indicate this wasn’t any old Sunday; it was a T4 On The Beach Sunday!

It wouldn’t be a British festival if the adverse weather conditions didn’t play some part in the day’s proceedings and most revellers sensibly ignored the pre-warning notices of ‘don’t forget your sunscreen’ and instead opted for raincoats, wellies and brollies/cardboard boxes.

As crowds streamed towards the large stage erection on the beach, Beth Ditto kicked off the event with a larger-than-life performance of Standing In The Way Of Control. Current UK chart toppers JLS followed next on stage with their current number one hit Beat Again and sent thousands of frenzied teenage girls into hysteria. I was amazed how the crowd were in exceptionally high spirits despite the constant barrage of wind and the looming threat of rain; it’s amazing how throwing a beach ball and the odd bucket can lift the mood!

During the set change, a semi-clothed Keith Lemon was spotted running around in a very snug posing pouch closely pursued by two burly security guards. You’ll be happy to know the E4 jester just about managed to give them the slip before reappearing onstage to accompany Peter Andre for the Aussie’s unannounced show and rendition of 1995 hit-single Mysterious Girl. The rain soaked stage, which had been looking perilous for dancers throughout the day, then claimed its first casualty: As Pondre made his way down the steps mid-song, he lost his footing and slipped off the stage and into the front row safety barriers! Unlike the Australian cricket team though, he made a fantastic recovery and barely missed a note. Smooth!

Fashionista Gok Wan braved the elements and also the showering of girl propelled accessories (including a bikini top) as he introduced Will Young to the stage but this was when the heavens really opened and the rain persisted heavily throughout the performances of Shontelle, Basement Jaxx and, the impressive Britain’s Got Talent winners, Diversity. It wasn’t until the aptly named Daniel Merriweather appeared that the sun finally broke through and smiled down upon the sodden fans – merry weather indeed.

Towards the end of the day it was serious decision-making time for some people: The 4 Music stage had hosted performances throughout the day from Fightstar, The Maccabees, Hockey, Paloma Faith, Tommy Reilly and Little Boots but the biggest clash saw The Enemy performing at the same time as Dizzie Rascal. The split in the crowd was distinct. The floppy haired indie kids skipped half of The Saturdays to watch The Enemy, whist the plastic fluorescent sunglasses and bling-wearing Westonites chose to stay and go Bonkers.

The T4 exodus was relatively easy with the vast majority of the crowd seemingly flock towards the four fish and chip shops on the seafront whilst the rest joined the incredibly long queue to board the train home.

www.channel4.com/t4onthebeach

David Higgs
Photos by David Higgs