I had a rare feeling of optimism before the start of the season today in the Ramsden Cup against Stenhousemuir. It’s not so much that Thistle have strengthened our team but that other teams in our league seem to have lost a lot of players while we’ve only lost a couple. Beating Celtic last weekend only helped to increase the good feeling.
So a home game against Stenny seemed like a good chance to get off to a winning start, which we did. It wasn’t the most glamorous of victories but it was a victory nonetheless and that’s what matters.
It’s always nice to see David Rowson get a goal even if his opening goal today was somewhat of a fluke, taking a huge deflection off off a Stenny defender. There was nothing flukey about Tommy Stewart’s goal though, with the striker taking the ball well from a Kris Doolan pass and slotting a cool finish into the far corner whilst running away from goal.
Thistle looked pretty tight at the back all game despite the absence of club captain Alan Archibald, with David Rowson taking over the captain’s armband. Centre back pairing Conrad Balatoni and Willie Kinniburgh strolled through most of the game with full backs Aaron Sinclair and Paul Paton both strong on the attack and in defence. Stenny’s goal was a strange one, a looped ball to the back of the defence where Stewart Kean knocked the ball down into the ground before it bounced over ‘keeper Scott Fox and into the net.
It’s good to get the first match out of the way with a victory and Thistle now move onto the next round of the Ramsden Cup and look ahead to playing Berwick at Firhill next week in the League Cup.
David Rowson
Thistle line up:
1. Scott Fox
2. Paul Paton
3. Aaron Sinclair
4. Stuart Bannigan
5.Willie Kinniburgh
6. Conrad Balatoni
7. Iain Flannigan
8. David Rowson
9. Kris Doolan
10. Tommy Stewart
11. Chris Erskine
Whilst i won’t put the Stenny line up here, I’ll mention they had six ex-Thistle players, pretty unbelievable! (Stevie Murray, Kev McKinlay, Eric Paton, Martyn Corrigan and Brown “what a wierd name” Ferguson and Chris McCluskey). Murray in particular looked threatening throughout the match and it was lucky for the Jags that his team mates didn’t match his standard, although their big #5 certainly did.
So, where am I going to go with this? A touching tribute or a scathing torrent of abuse? Neither, as it happens. I’m just gonna hit it from the angle a lot of people are talking about it. This isn’t a sudden or shocking event like the deaths in Norway, let’s be honest everyone knew this was on its way.
I personally hated her music but she was a hugely popular artist with a massive fanbase so it’s obviously tragic for her friends, family and fans. But anyone who’s seen footage of her on her recent performances could see there was something seriously wrong with the person on stage.
It wasn’t a singer, it was a brain addled drug addict who was incapable of singing and didn’t even seem able to stand still on the stage. It’s quite brutal watching someone who could have had it all but ended up like this.
Having said all of this I still didn’t believe it at first when people started saying that she had died, so there was still some element of shock. I wonder (Cynic) if her untimely death at 27 will mean people remember her for her work in music rather than her descent into madness.
My worry is that one of the true talents of our generation, Pete Doherty, could meet the same end. Although in recent years he’s picked up a bit he’s still in a terrible way but I wonder if the death of his friend will have shocked a bit of sense into him. Or maybe he’ll be too high to even understand it.
There’s been a lot of chatter online over the last few days about the Mercury Music Prize with the nominations for 2011 having just been published. And they were fittingly dreadful, only two good bands among them. And at that Everything Everything’s album is good not great and whilst very good Elbow’s ‘Build A Rocket Boys!” isn’t album of the year quality. The latter deserves to be on the list certainly, but currently it’s the best album on the list.
The Mercury’s tend to vary wildly between utterly obscure and widely popular and this year could well follow that trend. The likes of Adele and Tinie Tempah appear on the list, as do/does Gwilym Simcock… Yeah, me neither.
Now, as a huge fan of small, new indie music I would never dismiss an album’s quality based on its size. But for a prize looking to represent Britain it should surely be something that a music obsessive like me should have heard of even if I haven’t heard it.
2008's winners Elbow
2009’s Speech Debelle proved how ridiculous some of the winners have been, that one must have been a joke. Not only had no one ever heard of her, she was awful.
However, flash back to 2008 and Elbow’s ‘Seldom Seen Kid’ rewarded a great album with some real recognition and helped catapult a lovely band higher than ever before, so it’s not all bad.
So I’ve decided to make my own alternative list for the Mercury Music Prize, the best 12 British albums of 2011 so far. This is even without including half of 2010 as the Prize actually does, because there’s just been so many good albums this year in the UK that they’ve missed. In alphabetical order, rather than by quality:
Arctic Monkeys – Suck It And See
Where was this?
Art Brut – Brilliant! Tragic!
Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding
Carl Barat – Carl Barat
Chapel Club – Palace
Elbow – Build A Rocket Boys!
Frank Turner – England Keep My Bones
Frankie & The Heartstrings – Hunger
Tiny Birds – Hymns For The Careless
The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
The View – Bread And Circuses
The Wombats – The Wombats Proudly Present…This Modern Glitch
And yes, I realise by including e.g. Tiny Birds (who are indeed tiny) I’ve rather made a mockery of my point about size earlier. But my real point is about quality not size.
So these 12 albums should have been nominated instead (I’ll also throw in Glasvegas and White Lies as outsiders) not the crock of crap they’ve thrown up!
Our final day of this year’s festival. Sorry about the quality of some of these video’s.
Cast – Main Stage
The TBA on the line up poster had everyone wondering who we’d be seeing first thing on the Main Stage. I had hope but no real belief that it would be Noel Gallagher, but it was never going to be. My more realistic dream was Pete Doherty. And when a Babyshambles amp was rolled out on stage I was delighted! However, it appeared T had simply decided not to book anyone at all… The amp was onstage for Cast, God knows why. Anyway, feeling somewhat disappointed I still enjoyed Cast with their typical britpop style. They were good fun and I could happily listen to them more but I couldn’t help but wish I was watching Pete Doherty instead.
Highlight: Finetime
All Time Low – Main Stage
Until the moment All Time Low actually walked onstage I still had a slight hope in my heart that it would be Pete walking on next, meaning that again I felt a feeling of disappointment during their set unrelated to their performance. The band were good though, I didn’t really know them but liked their style. Nice change to see both the singer and the guitarist of a band come into the crowd. Rivers Cuomo from Weezer strolling on to sing a song was a highlight though, good surprise!
Highlight: Weightless
Blondie – Main Stage
Things took a major turn for the worse after All Time Low. Some of the heaviest rain I’ve ever seen/felt came on and we were all truly drenched. Two dancers came on stage to get the crowd moving but this was an unmitigated disaster. So when Blondie walked on with Debbie Harry wearing a raincoat we were all feeling a bit down. Luckily Blondie put on a good show with huge singalongs to their big hits, the only songs I knew I must say. This helped cheer us all up but it didn’t totally undo the damage done by the rain.
Highlight: Call Me
Weezer – Main Stage
We needed this one! The rain had begun to ease off by the time Weezer came on but was still strong enough for Rivers Cuomo to entertain us all with a funny routine trying to put on a T In The Park poncho. He’s one of the most unique frontmen I’ve seen which led for an interesting show including him walking out of the Main Stage arena. But like any show, it’s about the music and Weezer have the songs to back their antics. I glad to finally see Weezer and really enjoyed them. Even their covers were good, ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ by Wheatus (one to confuse people) and ‘Paranoid Android’ (all six and a half minutes worth) by Radiohead, before ending in style with ‘Buddy Holly’.
Highlight: Hash Pipe
My Chemical Romance – Main Stage
My spirits had been raised substantially by Weezer and MCR continued only to raise them further with a fantastic set, surprisingly one of the best of the weekend. I’ve liked them for years and been to see them before but they took me aback with how good they were this time. I’ve never quite been able to get into their last album so I was shocked by how good things like ‘Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)’ and ‘Planetary (GO!)’ were live. Their old songs were terrific too with some of my favourites like ‘Helena’ and ‘Famous Last Words’ being rolled out all of which led to them being one of the highlights of the weekend. Roll on their Leeds headline slot!
Highlight: Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
Stornoway – Red Bull Bedroom Jam Transmissions Stage
Quite a change from My Chemical Romance then, I thought as I strolled over to the Red Bull tent through an unbelievable mudfest. The earlier rain had taken its toll but Stornoway thoroughly justified my journey. I’d worried that their style of folk might be too soft and melodic for a festival but the band were clever. They added bigger beats into the sound and generally buffed up the songs, leading to a set full of singalongs and, believe it or not, the crowd jumping. They’re one of the best bands to come out of Britain for years and they were delightful live, one of the bands of the weekend. Just leaving me wanting to see more.
Highlight: Zorbing
Beady Eye – NME Stage
I really battled the mud for this one, I just didn’t want to miss Liam. And I’m very glad I did, Beady Eye were better than expected. Liam’s voice was on top form (or at least it sounded it when I was there) luckily and the rest of the band just did what they do. Their singles like ‘The Roller’ and ‘Bring The Light’ brought massive singalongs but their slower ballads were every bit as good if not better. Beady Eye are really beginning to prove they’re more than just “Oasis without Noel”, they have a good bunch of tunes and theyr’e on the up.
Highlight: The Roller
Foo Fighters – Main Stage
It’s hard to believe Foo Fighters played the slot that Kasabian played last year, there’s such a gap in both size and quality. Whilst I found Kasabian disappointing this year there was no fear of that this year, Foo Fighters are masters of huge outdoor gigs these days. They stormed onstage with a brilliant rendition of ‘Bridge Burning’, with the opening line of the song arguably the best moment of the show (and the album). The Foo’s have so many hits now that they can simply roll them out in whatever order they choose. But Eels were playing in the Red Bull tent so I simply had to go to that, meaning I left halfway through Foo Fighters, after a brilliant ‘Stacked Actors’. A great set from what I saw, except ‘White Limo’ which was awful.
Highlight: Bridge Burning
EELS –Red Bull Bedroom Jam Transmissions Stage
What would be my dream end to a festival? Seeing Eels, duh. So what a treat that that’s how it genuinely ended this year. The best band of the festival by miles. They’re (He’s) simply in a league of their own. E’s back catalogue of songs is phenomenal, the best of any songwriter in the world and the band he hired for the tour are a wonderful set of musicians. So thank you E, The Chet, Tiny Al, P-Boo, Knuckles and the Supernatural Smash Brothers for the best show of the T In The Park 2011.
Highlight:Novocaine For The Soul
I also glimpsed: Tinie Tempah but luckily not for long, just while I got my pizza from Posh Pizza. I also saw Jarvis Cocker and Noah And The Whale watching My Chemical Romance and Eels respectively but didn’t see either perform.
I sadly missed: Brandon Flowers, Frankie & The Heartstrings, The Vaccines, KT Tunstall, Pulp because there simply were too many good bands booked for the Sunday!
Band of the Day: Eels
Song of the Day: Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na) – My Chemical Romance
My first visit to King Tut’s tent at T this year. I love the Hut in Glasgow so I’ve always liked there being a KT’s tent at T. I first got into Grouplove when I heard their tremendous song ‘Colours’, one of the best songs of 2010. I’d checked out a few more of their songs before T and was rewarded with a great show. New single ‘Itchin’ On A Photograph’ sounds to have the same sort of quality, leaving me hungry for their debut album due in September. Closing with ‘Colours’, Grouplove proved themselves to be one of the best new bands around and a great live act.
Highlight: Colours
Neon Trees –King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent
I didn’t know Neon Trees before they were announced for T, but I wanted to see the bands on before and after them in KT’s so I checked them out. Upon my first listen of their hit ‘Animal’ I decided it sounded like The Strokes and I would therefore go and see them. Whilst not able to live up to Grouplove I enjoyed Neon Trees, with their singer giving a particularly good performance. They finished with a massive singalong to ‘Animal’ which bumped their score up.
Highlight: Animal
Everything Everything – King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent
I saw Everything Everything at T last year and enjoyed them but they’re not for everyone. But despite enjoying them last year I noticed a big improvement this year. Their songs and performance simply sounded bigger with their hits going down a storm. Their matching boiling suit look was pretty cool too. A surprisingly impressive show from a band who’s singer’s voice I can only stand for short periods normally.
Highlight: Photoshop Handsome
Wolf Gang – Red Bull Bedroom Jam Transmissions Stage
Wolf Gang was admittedly a stop gap in my schedule. There was no one I really knew at this point in the day and I’d heard one of their songs before. Nonetheless, they played an enjoyable set and I might well check out some of their stuff. They were never going to be one the highlights for me but they were a good stop gap.
Highlight: Lions In Cages
Manic Street Preachers – Main Stage
This one was sure to be good, wasn’t it? Yes. The Manics are one of the best live bands in the world and they’ve been fantastic ever time I’ve seen them. This was no exception. As far as ‘bands’ go (A group with permanent members throughout their career aka. not Eels or Morrissey ) they’re the best band in the world. Their booking slot wasn’t exactly ideal, on after N-Dubz and Ke$ha but I still managed to find some all-singing, all-jumping hardcore Manics fans for one of the sets of the weekend, packed with hits.
Highlight: Motorcycle Emptiness
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy – Main Stage
I’ve never been much of a Guns ‘N’ Roses fan but a lot of that is because I think Axl Rose is a tool. I like Slash though so this seemed a great chance to see one of the greatest guitarists of all time. I didn’t know the majority of his set but (like a lot of people I’m sure) I loved the hits. Guns ‘N’ Roses’ songs ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ and ‘Paradise City’ drew massive singalongs from the crowd, with Slash showing some some lovely tricks on the guitar. And that bit where he spins on the spot which I’ve always liked. However, when he rolled out Velvet Revolver’s ‘Slither’ that just made it for me. A great performance from a guitar legend and Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge who’s definitely a better singer than Axl Rose.
It was a treat to get right down the front of the crowd to see Jon Fratelli in my first ever visit to the T Break Stage. I’ve argued before that Jon is Scotland’s finest young songwriter and this show only helped to prove this. A lovely mix of his new material and Fratellis classic, he packed out the T Break tent. His new stuff sounds great but a wild ‘Chelsea Dagger’ was one of the highlights of the weekend. He is so much more than just ‘the singer from the Fratellis’.
Highlight: Chelsea Dagger
Jimmy Eat World – NME Stage
I can’t claim to have seen much of Jimmy Eat World’s set but what I say I did enjoy. In all honesty I mainly headed to the NME Stage for The Strokes. But I got to see them do my favourite song by them which was nice and the few songs I saw them do gave me enough evidence that they’d be worth seeing at Leeds in August.
Highlight: The Middle
The Strokes – NME Stage
This one was wild, I’d be looking forward to my first time seeing The Strokes for ages and as soon as they came on I knew it was gonna be good. Kicking off with ‘New York City Cops’ I just had to launch myself into the throng and came up down the front of the crowd and just had a party for the next hour. A fantastic gig, I’ll definitely be seeing The Strokes at Leeds and if anything I’m looking forward to it even more now!
Highlight: New York City Cops
Coldplay – Main Stage
So onto the biggest band of the weekend. Coldplay did a very strange set for a headliner, packing in five new songs and a couple of obscure album tracks. Being a big Coldplay fan I knew every song they played and loved it but I could imagine it being a bit of a letdown for casual fans. They know how to put on a show though and all their fantastic hits were greeted with a huge reaction, particular ‘Viva La Vida’ which people were singing all the way back to the campsite. A great end to another great day but next time boys, pick your setlist a bit better.
Highlight: Clocks
I also heard: Ocean Colour Scene but couldn’t see them because the tent was so fool, they sounded good though! And Ke$ha who was awful, purely because I was waiting to get into the Golden Circle for the Manics. And some N-Dubz, spare me.
I sadly missed: The Saw Doctors, I reckon they would have been fun but not a major loss. Worked out well clash wise.
As anyone with an eye or ear on the news will know the Beckhams have named their new child Harper Seven, prompting many people to ask whether its the worst name ever. I must admit that when I was first told the name I did use the phrase “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard” but I do like to make big statements.
But in this case I feel I might be justified. The Beckhams past baby names haven’t exactly been great but giving your child a name with a number in it is just plain cruel.
If someone came up to you and said “Hi, my name’s Harper Seven Beckham” there’s not a chance in hell you can take them seriously.
Matt Bellamy and his wife’s son’s name Bingham Hawn Bellamy seems much better in comparison. I did think it seemed a bit silly at first when I simply heard Bing Bellamy but Bingham, whilst being quite a rare name, is at least a name.
Thanks to his Manchester United past I’ll always like David Beckham, a fantastic footballer, but there’s no doubt he and Victoria are somewhat crazy.
Obviously this review will only cover bands I’ve seen. Would be stupid to talk about anyone I haven’t seen. And by that I mean in person, you can’t know how it was to be in the crowd for a band if you watched it on TV. So I’ll kick off and give a walkthrough of my day. (I could only find video’s of some bands and often not of my favourite songs)
Big Country – Main Stage
Starting my weekend at Main Stage set a trend for the weekend with the festival having a very strong Main Stage after last year’s disappointment. I only knew a handful of Big Country songs but luckily they did several of these. I enjoyed the band but they had a strange crowd. A mix of people just being at Main Stage because it’s Main Stage, The View hardcore waiting on their band, older fans thinking Big Country without Stuart Adamson was wrong and then fans enjoying it. Very poor of the View fans to chant for The View while Big Country were playing. This took away from the atmosphere but the band’s performance was good.
Highlight: Fields Of Fire (400 Miles)
The View – Main Stage
No doubts about the crowd at this one. The View got a fantastic reception as ever and repaid it with a brilliant set mixing hits from their three albums. They’re a guaranteed success at T In The Park but they don’t take this for granted. The best performance I’ve seen them give them and I’ll definitely be going to see them at Leeds in August. After their set I claimed them to be the best Scottish band formed since my birth, and it didn’t feel like an exaggeration.
After two sets at the biggest stage I made my way over to the biggest named stage, a name I continued to mock all weekend for its length. As it happened though, the tent itself was excellent with a great soundsystem and packed with lots of great young bands. Anyway, to Mona. I expected Mona to be good, their album’s really good. But I didn’t expect them to be so good that it felt like I was watching a young U2. Their performance was exceptional as they packed their short set with the hits from their album. I definitely want to see them again after that show and plan to at Leeds.
Highlight: Pavement
White Lies – NME Stage
Upon returning to the NME Stage for the first time in 2011 I was pleased to find the sound had been greatly improved. All of the bands I heard at it over the weekend had perfectly clear sound, a nice change to last year. White Lies played about an even amount of songs from their two albums. Their new album ‘Ritual’ came more to life live, it’ll never match their first but I like it more now than before. Songs like ‘Death’ and ‘Unfinished Business’ brought huge singalongs as did closer ‘Bigger Than Us’. I’ve seen White Lies about 5 times now, despite only having gone to 1 of their gigs, and they were great again.
Highlight: Death
Arctic Monkeys – Main Stage
It had been over five years since I had seen Arctic Monkeys, the day their first album came out, so I was looking forward to this one a lot. And they didn’t let me down. A brilliant headline set, with singles from all of their four albums and some great album tracks. The material from ‘Suck It And See’ sounded as good live as it does on the record whilst ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ and ‘Humbug’s songs sounded better live. I had already thoroughly enjoyed the performance when the band went off their encore having just played ‘When The Sun Goes Down’. However, they walked back on stage on his own and launched into… Mardy Bum! My favourite song by them and one I simply didn’t expect them to play, made my night.
Highlight: Mardy Bum
I also glimpsed: Tom Jones but only for one song, which sadly wasn’t Delilah. The song he did did nothing for me but I can’t comment on his actual set.
I sadly missed: Miles Kane but I got to see him do one song with Arctic Monkeys and I’ll get to see him at Leeds!
The best (and beardiest) band in the world. Simple.
Foo Fighters
One of the biggest rock bands in the world will be bringing their great new album ‘Wasting Light’ and a bunch of their best older songs to T this year. Should be an unmissable end to the weekend. Which is why their clash with Eels makes me very sad…
My Chemical Romance
A lot of people hate MCR but a lot of people love them. Personally I’m with them, not against them. Their last album was a letdown but the two before that should provide them with enough quality to do a great set on the Main Stage. A good warm up for seeing them at Leeds in August!
Weezer
Having looked at Weezer’s festival setlist they pack their set full of hits. So without actually knowing many of their albums I’d expect to know most of their set. And for it all to be good. Expect a fun, funny performance!
Beady Eye
As with MCR, Beady Eye have a lot of ‘haters’. But I’ve always been a fan of Liam and they’ve got a few great songs. Fair enough they have some pretty average ones too but it’s the closest you’re gonna get to seeing Oasis any time soon! And it’ll be worth it for the singalong for ‘The Roller’.
Stornoway
My favourite new band of last year. A smashing wee folk band with some lovely tunes. Hoping to catch their night time set in the Red Bull tent. For anyone who hasn’t heard of them (A lot of people), they’re excellent! And one listen of Zorbing should have you hooked…
Brandon Flowers
I love The Killers so I was always gonna be biased for Brandon but his album is pretty good, with a couple of standout tracks. Throw in his performance level, a few Killers tracks and you’ve got a good show going! Never seen him live but seen The Killers a couple of times and they’ve never disappoined.
The Vaccines
One of the year’s biggest buzz bands, and they deserve it! Since I saw/interviewed them last year when no one had heard of them they’ve got bigger and bigger. Their album is a contender for the best of 2011 and their live show will hopefully keep up the quality.
Frankie & The Heartstrings
One of the best new bands of this year, and one of the nicest. They just whack out some fun, catchy pop rocks songs and it works a charm. You might have heard their songs as background music on TV but they deserve a lot more attention than that. Great live and they deserve to get bigger, check them out in the T Break.
KT Tunstall
She’s been about for years and I’ve never quite managed to see her so hopefully I’ll get a chance this year. One of my favourite female singer-songwriters and I’m sure with her being Scottish she’ll create a great atmosphere for her T set!
Another majestic headliner, Coldplay will be certain to put on a great show. Having seen them on TV at Glastonbury we know what we’re in store for and it’s certainly something to look forward to! They don’t come any bigger than Coldplay, T has outdone itself this year.
Manic Street Preachers
The best band on the Saturday and one of the best live acts about. The best band in the history of Wales will put on a great show on the Main Stage, blasting out their big hits with hopefully some of their newer songs. This one has potential to be the festival highlight.
The Strokes
I’ve never seen The Strokes so I’m really looking forward to this one. They’ve got a bunch of big hits so I’d say all the signs are promising for them to put on a cracking at night time on the NME Stage.
Jon Fratelli
Having spent a year playing with Codeine Velvet Club and making a terrific album with them, The Fratellis frontman is going for it solo bigstyle. His debut album ‘Psycho Jukebox’ is due out this month and having seen him play the songs live I can safely say it should be good. He’s always
Grouplove
I’ve been hooked on Grouplove since I heard their single ‘Colours’ which really is fantastic. Their album’s out later this year so I don’t know many of their songs but what I’ve heard sounds very promising. Their new single ‘Itchin’ On A Photograph’ is built is the same form as ‘Colours’. Should be a great start to the Saturday opening the King Tut’s stage.
Slash
One of the best guitarists in the world and with a singer who doesn’t seem like a total tool. As it happens I prefer his voice to Axl Rose’s too. Should be exciting seeing Slash play the guitar anthems he’s written.
Everything Everything
If you can stand their singer’s voice Everything Everything have a few great singles. Having seen them at T In The Park last year I was able to enjoy them but was glad not to have to listen to the high pitched vocals too much longer. They’re on early though so they’re worth checking out playing a short set.
Ocean Colour Scene
Paul Weller’s mates are bringing a long and full back catalogue to T and are sure to be a crowd pleaser with their fans. I’m not as familiar with them as I am with some of their contemporaries like Oasis but their songs definitely sound good.
The Saw Doctors
Yes, I have gone for a 1980’s Irish band who sound a bit like the Pogues. I only started listening to them after they got announced for T but they sound like a fun band to have a dance to at a festival. I do like a bitta Irish folk sometimes!
Jimmy Eat World
For some reason I never properly checked out Jimmy Eat World before this year, which is strange as they sound like a bunch of other bands I like. So I checked them out and it turns out I like them too. No idea of what they’re like live but I plan to see them at one of the festivals I’m at this summer.
No shying away from the big bands at T this year for me, Friday’s headliners seem as good a bet as anyone to be the highlight of the night having bounced back with the great ‘Suck It And See’ album this year, my favourite since their first.
The View
Possibly Scotland’s best young band. Always exciting live and their new album ‘Bread And Circuses’ is possibly the most consistent they’ve done. Well worth their Main Stage slot.
Mona
Like the love-child of U2 and Kings Of Leon, Nashville’s Mona could have turned out dull stadium rock. But luckily they’ve taken the good bits of KOL’s style and deliver it with the quality of Bono and co. Never seem them live but their album is great so should be fun. (That slagging was meant for KOL’s recent stuff, not their old stuff or any of U2’s stuff)
White Lies
Despite their second album ‘Ritual’ not coming close to matching their first White Lies are still likely to put on a good show. With a sound as big as theirs their songs are clearly designed to play live.
Big Country
Scottish legends return without dead iconic frontman Stuart Adamson. Hardcore Big Country fans have said it’s not right which I can understand. But to me coming to them without knowing the band they still sound really good with Mike Peters from The Alarm singing. Should be a good start to the weekend.
Miles Kane
Best known for his work with The Last Shadow Puppets with Alex Turner, Miles has put out a few good solo tunes this year. I’ve not heard his album but I reckon he’d be worth checking out live. It’s possible he’ll pop up during Arctic Monkeys set too.
Tom Jones
I don’t listen to Tom Jones but ‘Delilah’ at a festival’s bound to brilliant isn’t it! Throw in his other hits like ‘It’s Not Unusual’ etc. and he could well be worth a watch.
Kassidy
I didn’t know much of Kassidy until I happened to watch past them playing outside Buchanan Galleries for free. I stood and watched them, they played some nice acoustic songs with sweet harmonies. Should be interesting playing a proper show at T. (I’m in the crowd in that video)
British Sea Power
I’ve not heard much of BSP in recent years but I remember a couple of their hits from back in the day, and they’re pretty good. They’ve been subject to much critical acclaim since then so they must be doing something right!
Twin Atlantic
Having support about a thousand big bands in recent years Twin Atlantic have fairly put their name about. I’ve never been totally sure on them, could I stand half an hour of that voice? But they could be fun to drop on.
But in this case I feel I might be justified. The Beckhams past baby names haven’t exactly been great but giving your child a name with a number in it is just plain cruel.
Mumblings And Ramblings 