WITH this year’s T in the Park all but upon the music lovers of Scotland and the wider community of festival goers, the excitement has reached an absolute fever pitch.
As speculation abounds as to how this year’s event will shape up in its new, ornate home of Strathallan Castle; the focus still remains on firmly on the music and the acts who are primed to grace its stages.
From the heady heights of the main stage to King Tuts tent, T Break and beyond; here are the sets that it’d be advisable not to miss this weekend at Strathallan.
JAMIE T
Recently leaving a sizable audience gasping for more at this year’s Glastonbury, the triumphant return of Wimbledon based singer/songwriter Jamie T has been nothing short of a joy to bear witness to.
His brash songs filled with tales of modern day Britannia and the lives of those who dwell within it have always translated well to the live arena, and T in the Park’s heralded main stage is likely to be no different.
Returning to the studio in recent times to follow up last year’s acclaimed LP Carry On The Grudge with a new EP, he’s sure to conjugate a thrilling performance from the opening strains all the way to a hit filled climax.
THE WAR ON DRUGS
One of modern rock ‘n’ roll’s absolute titans; The War On Drugs possess an unprecedented ability to craft beautiful and poignant tracks that appeal to every aspect of the human spirit. Whether they’re tackling soul crushing heartbreak, anxiety or unabashed exaltation; Adam Granduciel and co never come across as anything short of captivating. In line with great American songwriters such as Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen more than any of their contemporaries, they turned in one of the finest albums of last year with 2014’s amazing Lost In The Dream. Simply put, It’d be an absolute disservice to any true rock ‘n’ roll fan worth their salt not to catch them in all their splendor.
NEON WALTZ
A band with inarguable ability to put together astute slices of forward thinking alternative rock, Caithness’s own Neon Waltz have saw themselves ascend to higher heights than ever before in 2015. Having garnered a reputation as a band with high minded ambitions and a sound to match, this year saw them ink a deal with the legendary Atlantic Records; whose stamp of approval speaks volumes about the talent which they possess at their fingertips.
Lavished with praise by TTV after the release of 2015’s compilation EP First Light, expect to hear a string of outstanding and at times uplifting material from the six piece as they perform on the BBC Introducing Stage.
WOLF ALICE
Undoubtedly a year that the band will remember for the rest of their days, 2015 has been kind to those at the helm of Wolf Alice. Netting a 9/10 from us at TTV for their stupendous debut record My Love Is Cool, their altogether unique sound has saw them touted from all angles as festival headliners of the future. anthemic, emotive, rousing and at times purporting sheer intangible magic, Catch Wolf Alice play the Radio 1 stage alongside the throngs of others who’ve fell for their charms.
FATBOY SLIM
One of the undisputed heavyweights of dance music with influence spanning around the world, There’s very few artists whose ethos and music fits as seamlessly with festivals as Fatboy Slim.
Bringing his renowned, hit-filled set to the King Tuts Wah Wah Tent, expect the (sure to be) capacity crowd to be in raptures by the time he drops classics such as ‘Praise You’, ‘Weapon Of Choice’ and ‘The Rockefeller Skank.’
CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN
Asserting themselves as bonafide stars within the UK’s brimming rock ‘n’ roll scene, Van McCann and his band have accrued a rabid fanbase that hangs on their every soundbite. Experiencing a massively successful year after the release of debut record The Balcony in September of 2014, they’ll no doubt draw a gargantuan crowd of both casual and more fervent fans.
CATHOLIC ACTION
Regularly tipped as a band to watch by TTV at the outset of their career, Catholic Action continue to impress with every foray into the studio as well being tried and tested live performers. Led by Chris McCrory, the band have developed an awe-inspiring sound that traverses everything from glam rock to slacker pop and beyond. It’s likely that this will be the only chance to see them perform on a stage such as T Break; as they certainly possess the required traits that could see them bound up the bill in years to come.
SLAVES
The defining tropes that are intrinsic to both the output and image of Slaves are a bizarre mix righteous fury overlayed with an inherent sense of fun.
Having blown everyone away with the sheer ferocity of debut album Are You Satisfied?, it almost seems like a foregone conclusion that the raucous two piece shall provide a spellbinding set of unrepentant punk rock.
HECTOR BIZERK
Becoming less and less of a band and more of a cultural force to be reckoned with, the seamless blend of high end percussion and the seething lyricism of frontman Louie make Hector Bizerk one of the most essential Scottish acts of the modern era. With swagger and style in abundance, the band have long been regarded as one of the finest live acts in the country; with the ability to hold the audiences attention from Louie’s mic check all the way through to Audrey’s final masterful strike of the drum kit. It’d be misguided not to check them out when they headline the Transmissions Stage on Friday.
CIRCA WAVES
Creating music that brims with character and unbridled joy, Circa Waves are an unwaveringly endearing group. Ahead of the pack of modern indie bands, this year’s debut album served as a revitalization of the genre as opposed to an uninspiring homage to what preceded them. If that’s not enough to deem their set on the Radio 1 stage as essential viewing, there’s few songs that are as purpose built to thrill a festival audience as ‘T Shirt Weather.’
PINACT
Distilling the spirit of many of 90’s alternative rock’s greatest acts and injecting a spark of ingenuity that is their very much their own, Pinact are gradually metamorphosing into a force to be reckoned with in the UK music industry. Gaining plaudits from all corners (including TTV) for their superb debut full length Stand Still And Rot, this invigorating two piece will bring their engrossing sound to the BBC Introducing stage on Saturday afternoon.
ALABAMA SHAKES
Anyone that crammed into The King Tuts tent in 2012 to witness Alabama Shakes at full pelt will inform you that it was certainly a sight to behold. Eschewing the bluesy and minimal sound of their initial recordings in favour of something altogether more expansive, their sophomore effort Sound And Colour sees them come across as a band with supreme confidence in their output. Witness this progression for yourself at the main stage on Sunday.
PRIDES
Amassing a large fanbase after a slew of high profile performances, Prides have impressed with every utterance and each precisely planned move. Fusing pop sensibilities with dexterous synth pop, they’ve found themselves in a very advantageous position despite it being relatively early in their career. With a knack for an absolutely captivating chorus, they’re sure to impress as they open the main stage on Friday.
JUNGLE
Initially viewed as something of a mystery, Jungle maintained a carefully orchestrated mystique around themselves during the formative stages of their career. One thing, however, that was evident right from the start was that their output was both outstanding and dynamic; exuding elements of funk and disco alongside aspects of pop. Known as a group who can incite a great deal of movement from a crowd, it’s sure to be a joyful time when they stride into the King Tuts Tent on Saturday evening.
CRASH CLUB
Delivering a wholly arresting combination of dance music and a more rock oriented sound, Crash Club are impressive both on record and within the confines of the live environment. With a strong core of musicians that is buoyed by the sporadic use of guest vocalists (including Tony Costello of fellow T Break band Tijuana Bibles), their material is both danceable and defiant in equal measure. Descending upon the T Break stage on Sunday, expect to be engulfed by what is now a much adored live set.
