It’s about time that Paolo Nutini returns to the music scene, and he’s doing it in a big way this year with a new album and 2nd billing on the main stage at T. Sunny Side Up was one of the best albums of 2009 with a slew of cheery songs that added to his slower, darker songs of his previous album. What he sounds like now after five years out of the game, I don’t know – but I do know that when thousands of people are singing “Last Request” late on a summer’s Saturday night it will be something to remember. Likely to see? More than likely.
Scotland’s pre-eminent DJ, Calvin Harris, is an act that has had success after success. Each album he puts out does even better than the last, with 2012’s 18 Months producing more top 10 hits than any other album in history. Almost every song he’s put out as been a happy, colourful gem that appeals to everyone. He’s played T in the Park before, headlining King Tut’s in 2012, but the main stage will be another beast entirely – but one that he’ll be more than able to handle. Likely to see? Definitely.
Sunday
I dare say the best festival gig I’ve borne witness to was Newton Faulkner’s set at Belladrum 2012. I knew some of his songs, but wasn’t overly familiar, but went along any way with the promise of a good show. It was the most entertaining part of the entire weekend. With a gentle charisma, amazing guitar skills and a voice that sounded brilliant at a festival – he captured the attention of the crowd like no other. He closed by leading everyone in a cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody” (something he did at T in 2010). A crowd-pleaser if nothing else, I’ll try to make the trip to see Newton Faulkner if I can – at least in respect for his previous gig. Likely to see? Maybe.
By now I probably should have seen Franz Ferdinand. I’ve been a big fan of theirs for 10 years, and being a Scottish band they’d have toured relatively close by – but I’ve never seen them play live. Luckily I’ll be able to remedy that this year at T. Hopefully with an emphasis towards their older albums, being their 10 year anniversary and all, their set will be good – hopefully Kapranos and the boys can bring their A-game. Likely to see? Almost definitely.
Alternative Rock’s newest A-lister Imagine Dragons will make their debut at T in the Park this year. There are so many good songs on their 2012 album Night Visions that they’re still managing to eke out hits now in 2014, with “Demons” currently doing its turn near the top of the charts. Part of the appeal of seeing Imagine Dragons will be that it’ll be the first time I’ve seen a band live that I’ve been introduced to through a FIFA game soundtrack – even though that includes some of my favourite bands like Muse and The Hoosiers. How they’ll perform on the big stage I don’t know, but I’d like to see. Likely to see? More than likely.
Disclosure’s star has shone brightly over the last two years, with the brotherly duo taking dance music and the charts by storm. Settle was arguably the best album of last year, packed with hits and amazing deep house tracks. Almost everyone can move to Disclosure songs, whether it is the slower rhythms of “Latch” or the poppy delight of “White Noise”. They’ll bring the house down with a mad Scottish audience, and it will be a standout of the festival. Likely to see? Almost definitely.
Closing out T in the Park will be the Arctic Monkeys, a band that has been the foremost indie rock band in the country for almost a decade. Their hits are ingrained in the culture of my generation – everyone knows their biggest hits – making them an ideal choice to bring the masses to the main stage. I’m not overly wild about the band personally, but have grown to appreciate them a lot more than I used to over the last few years. Without a doubt they will put on a spectacular set, and as I’ve said before, you have to see the headliners. Likely to see? Definitely.
Of course, there will be other acts still to be announced that I’ll want to see, as well as ones listed here that I’ll miss out on – but that’s the beauty of a festival. With the Sunday also being the day of the World Cup final, I’ll have to find a big screen to stand myself in front of so I don’t miss the biggest game of football for 4 years. No matter what happens; spending a weekend with your mates, some drinks and some amazing music is always going to be good. Let’s just hope the weather can be as kind to us revellers as the line-up was.
All pictures courtesy of Wikimedia Commons