AS everyone recovers from the previous night, the more pressing matter of catching some of the world’s finest bands takes precedence once again.
Bursting with a great deal of outstanding acts, Saturday at 2015’s T in the Park always promised to be utterly sublime.
Kicking off the day with a stopover at the Tennent’s Lager T Break Stage, TTV favourites Catholic Action provided a tremendous set which reaffirmed why they’re so hotly touted.
Setting out with the absolutely infectious ‘LUV’, its swaggering glam stomp riff exudes a real knowledge of their ability to captivate a crowd. As Chris McCrory thrasheD at his battered guitar in a zealous manner, the incredibly dexterous rhythm section of Ryan Clark and Jamie Dubber enabled each of the track’s segues to fit in seamlessly.
Continuing in a determined fashion with latest single ‘The Real World’, it’s Bowie-esque moments are fleshed out by an aesthetic that has a faint semblance to Ian Hunter’s Mott The Hoople in their prime.
Renowned as an absolute fan favourite despite the fact that it is yet to be officially released, ‘Rita Ora’s rambunctious riffs and unhinged nature delighted as always before McCrory humorously inquired as to whether the pop starlet was in attendance.
One of the indisputable highlights of their set came in the form of ‘The Shallows’ which; whilst being a great deal more sedate than some of their material, transfixed those who undertook the trek to the T Break Stage.
What was evident from their performance is that they will surpass smaller stages and ascend the ranks in what could be an unprecedented time. Get involved as soon as humanly possible.
Bounding onto the stage with the air of a band that had already conquered the world, Tijuana Bibles delivered an electrifying set which beamed with supreme confidence.
As the opening chords of ‘Toledo’ bellowed from the speakers, it was apparent that those present were witnessing a band who were unmistakably in their element.
Unleashing a set which was utterly laden with authentic rock ‘n’ roll, their fusion of sludgy, Kyuss-esque riffery and the more blues oriented style of Gary Clark Jr went over a treat in front of a near capacity T Break crowd.
Doling out material such as the psych tinged ‘Sunchaser’ and the all consuming ‘Wild River’ as though they’d done it on the main stage thousands of times, they looked to be entirely in their element.
Tijuana Bibles emerged from the T Break Stage as a band who’d just been anointed as one of Scotland’s finest acts by all of those in attendance; quite a feat for 2 o’clock in the afternoon but one they managed with finesse.
Traversing over to the King Tuts Wah Wah Tent, the enigmatic Jungle provided their audience with a mind blowing set laced with gripping funk and intricate electronic overtones. Delivering mostly faithful renditions of many of their biggest tracks such as ‘Julia’, ‘The Heat’ and ‘Busy Earnin”: their propensity for delivering catchy yet completely original tracks is not to be underestimated in any way. Ending with the phenomenal ‘Time’, Jungle are sure to leave T in the Park with countless new supporters.
One of Scotland’s most prominent new bands, Caithness based Neon Waltz have taken the music industry by storm in recent months. Signing to Atlantic in March after a lengthy period of deliberation, this year’s T in the Park saw them headlining the BBC introducing stage in front of a substantial crowd.
Capturing their intense but endearing sound in an accurately, tracks from recent EP First Light garnered a great response from the crowd. A particularly pivotal moment in the set was certainly ‘Perfect Frame’, a track which has been steeped in a vague sense of anthemic fervour since its earliest recordings but finally realised its potential within their performance.
Re-energised and in good spirits, The Libertines made their return to T in the Park in a cathartic manner. Undeterred by the trails and tribulations of the past and refusing to let their legacy be desecrated by personal issues, they’ve returned to Scotland’s biggest festival as a band reborn.
Ripping through a set which encompassed everything from greatest hits to rarities and new material, The Libertines delivered an earth shattering set for those who bore the brunt of the weekend’s tumultuous weather.
One of the most note worthy incidents within the set was most definitely the outing of new single ‘Gunga Din’ and the previously unaired ‘Fame and Fortune’, with the ‘likely lads’ gazing out upon a crowd that had taken to their new sound with enthusiasm and relief that they’d retained their intangible chemistry. Moments such as ‘What Katie Did’ and ‘Music When The Lights Go Out’ provided the poignancy whilst ‘Death On The Stairs’ and ‘Time For Heroes’ left all of those who’d once subscribed to their Arcadian dream feeling absolutely elated.
