T In The Park 2014 lineup plays it safe

Scottish star Calvin Harris. Picture: Jane Barlow

So, as Scotland’s biggest festival comes of age, organisers are taking no chances with this year’s line-up. And that’s a pity, however understandable.

Unlike Glastonbury, which likes to push the envelope with the occasional untested or curveball headliner, T has chosen a couple of homecoming heroes and the most popular band in the country to top the bill.

Fortunately for everyone in attendance, that most popular band are the previously announced Arctic Monkeys, sure to sweep all before them come the closing night.

However, Biffy Clyro’s headline slot on Friday night will be the emotional one. Biffy have plenty of past form at the festival, having worked their way up from the T Break Stage over nine previous appearances – more than any other act - to this first shot at the top.

Calvin Harris demonstrated on his recent arena tour that he can supply the bells and whistles to go along with the party tunes.

Those who want to keep their hands in the air for the whole weekend can also rave on with Disclosure, Rudimental, Example, Steve Angello of the recently retired Swedish House Mafia and their DJ buddy Alesso or enter the hermetic world of The Slam Tent, with veterans Sven Vath, Dave Clarke and Carl Craig anchoring this year’s line-up.

Pop kids are served by the obvious but uninspiring likes of Bastille, The 1975, Ellie Goulding and Sam Smith, while older festival-goers who have grown up with T can get their nostalgia fix watching James, Pixies, Inspiral Carpets and Manic Street Preachers, who played the first ever T at Strathclyde Park.

The bill contains no great surprises so far – unless you count veteran punks The Stranglers, celebrating their ruby anniversary in front of the grandkids.

But it would be worth reserving a place down the front for sets by Pharrell Williams and Paolo Nutini, both set to knock socks off with tracks from their new albums.

• Fiona Shepherd is The Scotsman’s pop and rock critic.