T in the Park: Top five international acts

A number of Europe’s top dance acts are making the trip to Kinross for this year’s festival, including French DJ David Guetta, Kosovo-born Rita Ora and Italian production duo Crookers, best remembered for their work with Kid Cudi on his ‘Day n Nite’ track.

Rather than go for acts from five different countries however, we’ve chosen the five must-see international acts at T this year, regardless of their country of origin.

fun.

The chances are that you’ll have already heard fun.’s athemic ode to youth ‘We Are Young’ on the radio or TV (thanks in part to the American musical drama Glee) and Nate Ruess, formerly of The Format, is bringing his band to Balado for their first Scottish festival appearance. Some critics have compared the band’s sound and live performances - some favourably, others negatively - to the theatrical indie pomp of Panic at the Disco, whom fun. supported on their 2011 tour. With a nod in the direction of Canadian indie outfit Arcade Fire, fun.’s music has mass appeal. Sophomore album Some Nights was released in February of this year, and don’t bet against a mass singalong when they play their five-times platinum selling single.

Did you know?

fun. got their name after a half-hearted conversation in which they suggested unlikely band names for a laugh. They came up with ‘fun’ which they ultimately liked. After searching on the internet for similarly-named bands, Ruess and co went with ‘fun’, later stylising it in lower case followed by a full stop after a Swedish death-metal band named ‘fun’ requested they alter their moniker to avoid confusion. Thus fun. were born.

When?

Sunday July 8

Download this: It has to be their multi-selling single We Are Young.

The Jezabels

UK listeners might not be aware of male-female quartet The Jezabels, from Sydney. Labelling themselves as ‘intensindie’, the four piece combine elements of rock, pop and indie. We first became aware of the band on the soundtrack whilst watching a video of Edinburgh cyclist Danny McAskill. Keen music fans may spot the similarities between singer Hayley Mary and Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. Predominantly a touring band, The Jezabels put on an energetic and electrifying live show, and are not a band to be missed.

Did you know?

The Jezabels won a national music prize in their native Australia for the 2011 album Prisoner.

When?

Friday July 6

Download this: The blistering single ‘Trycolour’ from the Prisoner album.

The Parlotones

Hailing from Johannesburg in South Africa, The Parlotones are the best band you’re not listening to. The post-punk/new wave band have racked up an astonishing 15 awards, including one for ‘Best Serenade’ and ‘Best Video’ at the Loerie Kraft awards, the first (and only) time a music video has been successful, we hear.

The quartet have released five studio albums, and a smattering of live records and DVDs. Although yet to really make an impression in the UK, we recommend going to see them at T this year. Stadium rock choruses and anthemic ballads - what’s not to like?

Did you know?

The Parlotones have released three wines, named after the band’s songs. Red wine ‘Giant Mistake’ is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinotage and Cabernet Franc, whilst white wine ‘Push Me to the Floor’ is a blend of Chenin blanc, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Viognier whilst rosé ‘We Call This Dancing’ contains a mixture of Wellington Pinotage, Wellington Shiraz and a blend of 30 different wines from the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus.

When?

Saturday July 7

Download this: Single ‘Giant Mistake.’ Best enjoyed whilst drinking the wine of the same name, we imagine.

The Temper Trap

Indie rockers The Temper Trap, from Melbourne in Australia are probably best known for their songs ‘Sweet Disposition’ and ‘Science of Fear’. Lovers of cricket and football may recall the latter from adverts on television. The quintet formed as a quartet in 2005, adding keyboard player Joseph Greer in 2008. Frontman Dougy Mandagi is noted for his impressive vocal range, with drummer Toby Dundas occasionally abandoning his kit to help out on guitar mid-concert. Critics and fans alike have praised the band for their live performances, and that’s reason for us to go and check them out this weekend.

Did you know?

The band’s name, The Temper Trap, came about after the band’s preferred name, Temper Temper, was found to belong to an American band. Bassist Jonathon Aherne explained to Spin Magazine that ‘feelings in the band are still mixed about the [name]’.

When?

Friday July 6

Download this: The relentless and soaring ‘Science of Fear’.

Bombay Bicycle Club

Okay, okay; we’ve cheated slightly here. Bombay Bicycle Club are actually from Crouch End in London. But they do have some great tunes, and are certainly making an impact on the UK indie scene. Having been around since 2005, the band have secured support acts with groups such as the Hold Steady. Bombay Bicycle Club take their name from the chain of London restaurants, and have been playing music together since they were 15. Teaming up with The Temper Trap producer Jim Abbiss for their debut album I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose, the folk-rock quartet who claim they don’t listen to guitar music are worth going to check out this Sunday.

Did you know?

The band created their own record label, Mmm...Records, on which to release their first two EPs. Upon leaving high school, Bombay Bicycle Club were then able to commit fully to playing music.

When?

Sunday July 8

Download this: The hypnotic ‘How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep’, taken from their most recent album A Different Kind of Fix.