As Saturday passed into Sunday so changed the weather. The thunder and lighting had moved on leaving a grey, wet, damp afternoon in its place. Muddy wellies, bright ponchos and more umbrellas than fold-out chairs, the party was still on. Like hot chocolate pouring from a saucepan the mud rivers were soon filling the fields but with not a dampened spirit to be found the Palace punters danced under the rain drops with smiles on their faces. Getting around was not going to be an easy job, but music was why we were here and with a Sunday line up featuring Tom Mcguire and the Brassholes, Yoko Pwono, Fat Cops, The Shackles and Craig Charles DJ, it was a no-brainer to be there. As it poured non stop, the water and the earth thickened around your feet like a hot fudge pudding, we were given that unique feeling that is only found at Scottish Festivals. If you can’t change it, just be part of it !!

With early evening fast approaching as were the long awaited arrival of Huey Morgan and his Fun Lovin Criminals. This New York outfit with their rock, blues, jazz, R&B funky sound were a certain crowd puller at Party at the Palace this year. With that destinctive sound and cheeky character of front man Huey Morgan and Frank Benbini and Brian Leiser glazing us with their drums and keys it was not long before King of New York, Scooby Snacks and Barry White were released for our enjoyment. Huey praised the drenched Scottish crowd and proclaimed were are the best crazy people to have walked this earth and is always a joy to play in Scotland. The very ironically named Wet Wet Wet were next to paddle onto the stage and as mentioned between songs this was the first time in 35 years that it had rained at a Wet Wet Wet concert. Well, there had to be a first time, so why not today!!  Banging out hit after hit like Love is All Around, Sweet Little Mystery and Good Night Girl, the newly shaped and looking band did us proud, and looking around at all the wee happy faces, memories were reborn. As time passed so did the clouds. Deacon Blue took to the stage to a thunderess roar making for a good finale to the 2019 Party at the Palace.  Despite the delays, the lightning, the rain, the mud and the grey skies, Deacon Blue were here to please. Chocolate Girl, Real Gone Kid, Dignity and a catalogue of hits were soon filling the arena. This is why PITP works… its a throw back to times passed and brings forth those warm memories that linger in our past and just need to be rekindled every now and then, through music.