T in the Park has been cancelled for 2017 to let organisers ‘address problems’ – it has been announced.
DF Concerts said they would use the time out to focus on issues that have plagued the event since it moved to its Strathallan Castle location two years ago.
The relocation proved controversial and the 2015 event became the most complained about in the festival’s history after fans were left walking for hours in the dark to reach pick up points.
This year, bosses attempted to bring in a brand new management plan but any success in tackling the event’s traffic woes was overshadowed by the drug-related deaths of three festival goers.
DF Concerts said the decision to axe next year’s event was not – as recently speculated – to concentrate on a new festival in Glasgow Green.
In an emotional message to revellers, organisers wrote: “To the best audience in the world… For over 23 years, T in the Park has been at the heart of Scotland’s music scene – with you, by our side. But for now, sadly, we need to take a break.
“We launched T in the Park with one aim: to give Scottish music fans an unforgettable weekend with their friends enjoying the best acts from around the globe.
“And to say we achieved this together is an understatement. T in the Park has become one of the best known, biggest and most loved festivals in the world.
“When we launched back in 1994 there were only two music festivals in the UK – now there are many and T in the Park paved the way for all that have come and gone in Scotland since. We created more than just a festival; we created a family and decades of wonderful memories.
“However, the last couple of years have had their challenges. Against our will, and despite a prolonged fight, we were forced to move from Balado, Kinross in 2015.
“This move was a mammoth task for the event and one that was compounded by a series of onerous site restrictions placed upon us as preparations for the event in 2015 took place.”
“We tried our best to work with the pressures placed upon the site by bringing in an additional team and fixing the first year traffic issues, but ultimately we’re not in control of the overall site layout and the continued restrictions means that the negative impact on our fans and the limitations placed on their experience is too great.
“We now need to take stock and take a year out to try to resolve the issues so that we can once again deliver the kind of camping festival you are used to and deserve.”