Radar’s T in the Park review: Saturday
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
It’s hard not to resort to the tried and tested cliches when describing Scottish weather, but the monsoon rain and ridiculously viscous mud was frankly typical of a summer afternoon up in Balado. The T Break stage, which hosts the best in fresh, unsigned talent, may not boast the kind of crowds which throng to the main stage, but it certainly has two advantages - shelter and, most importantly, a decent standard of music.
One of the first few acts to grace T Break on Saturday is Largs three-piece Brown Bear and the Bandits. The music is as fun as their name - fiery, Celtic acoustic pop with a underlying punk energy. Despite the small crowd, they still make a big noise. Songs like ‘Truth or Dare’ resonate well with the audience, and a cheeky cover of Black Eyed Peas’ ‘I Gotta Feeling’ provokes cheers and claps. The funk-infused ‘Sail Away’ is what Red Hot Chili Peppers would sound like if they spent a couple of weeks in the Outer Hebrides. That’s a compliment by the way, to those naysayers who think the Chilis are the spawn of Satan.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIt’s unclear whether they hate the Chilis, but there are those who don’t think much of Glasgow’s Vukovi. Try saying that to the rafts of people packing the T Break tent like moshing sardines. Surveyed from the back, the band riffs away with their commerical heavy punk rock; ‘Target Practice’ shoots the crowd with heavy guitar licks and strong female lead vocals from Janine Shilstone. But describing them as the Scottish Paramore is as avoidable as trying not to think of a black cat.
You won’t find any naysayers when it comes to Django Django - if there are any, please leave by the back door. Eclectic, eccentric, and indeed electric, they colour the Transmissions stage with matching attire and perfect pop songs. ‘Skies Over Cairo’ is what The Specials would pen for a 60s Supermarionation show, while ‘WOR’ is a surf-pop mosh fest. Perhaps a smaller stage would have worked better, and it would have sufficed without the high shrill of a talkative female spectator - her tone would have upset dogs. Nevertheless it is a solid festival appearance.
United Fruit definitely land on a different spectrum to the Djangos. Trashy, raw production, intriguing song structures and a powerful sound have made them one of the darlings of the Glasgow music scene - and deservedly so. But their stint at the BBC Introducing stage lacks a certain something. Perhaps it is the slight technical issues, because they definitely exude a brilliant energy in their songs. However, the sound didn’t particularly rumble the insides, as expected from a band of their ilk. It was more like getting hit by a pillow than a ‘Wrecking Ball’ - one of their song titles, ironically.
The following act, Fatherson, who sound like United Fruit after a shower, seem to make a stronger impact. No doubt, this is helped by their loyal fanbase, singing every syllable to their heart-on-their-sleeves guitar pop. Their previous band name is chanted by the adoring legions: “ENERGY! ENERGY! ENERGY!” cry the fanboys and gals. With the additional heartstring-pulling cello and female vocals, they pull off a pleasant package of songs to ease people into Saturday evening.
Having had a small taster of We Were Promised Jetpacks at Oran Mor recently, it was interesting how they transposed their fire-inducing wall of sound to the Balado fields. Held by some militaristic precision from their drummer, their clattering guitar hooks and vocal melodies take your senses hostage. ‘Sore Thumb’ is epic, its infectious guitar riff, coupled with loud/quiet dynamics, seeming to last for an infinity at the Transmissions stage. It paid tribute to their Goliath nature as a four-piece, and they surely deserve a stint at the Main Stage in the future.
It is time to make a pilgrimage back to T Break for The Machine Room. The band may hail from Edinburgh, but they could well be shouting from the rooftops of New York skyscrapers. The sublime synth-pop juggernaut ‘Camino De Soda’ swaggers with such confidence. At the same time, Noel Gallagher gallivants with his High Flying Birds on the Main Stage - which is grotesquely near T Break. “They sound like Oasis!” jokes singer John Bryden to a small host of people. Noely G may pack the anthems, but he couldn’t match The Machine Room’s gliding dream pop.
Of course, the outstanding Scottish comeback of the Stone Roses is probably on everyone’s agenda by the end of the night - unless by some freak occurence you’re a massive David Guetta fan. But the amount of Scottish talent at T in the Park shows there is more to the festival than watching four Mancunians in the rain. This weekend is far from over...
RADAR: SHOWCASING THE BEST NEW MUSIC IN SCOTLAND