The summer is upon us, festival season is well underway and as mid-July rolls around, Scotland is all set to send out its big hitter. While Glastonbury played host to a historic festival moment with the Rolling Stones’ headline set and Download swung for the fences with Slipknot, Rammstein and Iron Maiden, T in the Park has also got a few tricks in store.
Headliners Mumford and Sons and the Killers tick the indie and rock boxes respectively, while pop princess Rihanna also nabs a slot at the top of the bill. The likes of Snoop Dogg, Emeli Sandé and Ke$ha are also slated to perform, but as with all festivals, the quality doesn't just come from the names at the summit. Here’s our pick of a few bands to keep an eye on over the course of the weekend.
Imagine Dragons - King Tut's Stage - Friday 12th July
If you look at the Facebook likes of most bands on the smaller stages, they're in the thousands. Not Imagine Dragons. They’re a sensation in the States, and it's no surprise that they’re in the millions. Their track, Radioactive, has catapulted them to the brink of stardom and typifies the airy, atmospheric rock that they're all about. If this band can conquer the UK as they have the US, they'll be an inescapable name by this time next year.
The Recovery! - BBC Introducing Stage - Saturday 13th July
The Recovery! bring some Glasgow talent and a heavier edge to the Introducing stage. They’ve been compared to bands including Every Time I Die, and they deliver a ferocity in their live performance that has impressed fans and press alike. With a punk tinge to their heavy roots, this is an exciting band and one that you can't imagine going anywhere other than up.
The Virginmarys - T Break Stage - Saturday 13th July
Hailing from Macclesfield, the Virginmarys draw from the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Twin Atlantic and utilise Ally Dickaty's accent for the benefit of their music. With his punchy vocals, this is one band who are sure to cause their audience to move, if the notable bounce to their tunes wasn't indication enough.
Nina Nesbitt - King Tut's Stage - Saturday 13th July
It's the height of summer - the perfect time for a singalong. Cue Nina Nesbitt, one of the more enjoyable acoustic acts around right now. A fine indication of her talents lie in the track Boy, with its pinched beats and acoustic overtones. Picture the sun out over Balado and Nina with guitar in hand.
Chvrches - Transmissions Stage - Sunday 14th July
The synth pop trio, another local talent, are growing at an astonishing rate. The band's airy sound, aided by Lauren Mayberry's cutesy vocals, has opened up boundless opportunities. Following their T in the Park performance, they tour Europe with Depeche Mode before heading Stateside.
Trash Talk - T Break Stage - Sunday - Sunday 14th July
Plucking some hardcore talent from Stateside, Trash Talk fill one of the T Break's slots. Though Sacramento's own are celebrated for their unrelenting energy and visceral qualities, their recent pairing with Odd Future for their record '119' took the band to a surprising new level.
The LaFontaines - BBC Introducing Stage - Sunday 14th July
The Fonts are one of Scotland's own up and coming bands, with their blend of hip hop and rock producing some great songs. Part of you thinks it shouldn't work, but it's hard to deny that it does. Having supported Twin Atlantic, to name but one, the band have more than proven themselves in a live capacity.
Alunageorge - Transmissions Stage - Sunday 14th July
Aluna Francis and George Reid, the aptly named duo, are behind a brand of hip pop that flits from an airy vibe to a more commanding tone. Take their hit Attracting Flies - it’s never too far from the restrained base of their electronics, but Aluna's pointed voice brings a dose of attitude without screaming about it. A subtle twist on both hip hop and pop, the duo are an exciting prospect.
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