Photo: Wenn
Scotland’s biggest summer festival is over for another year, but what are the 5 main talking points we can take from a weekend of great acts and general party times at the new location of Strathallan Castle?
1. The 90s can still hold its own
Sunday’s bill topping trio of The Prodigy, Above and Beyond and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds proved themselves to be more popular than ever, delivering exciting new material 20 years on from their respective breakthroughs.
As much as this underscores each act’s individual excellence, and possibly the cyclical nature of music - Above and Beyond flourishing under dance music’s moment in the mainstream sun - it also begs the question as to whether enough is being done to nurture the next wave of headline acts.
2. Sam Smith and Alt J are the future kings of pop and rock
Both drew huge crowds and were comfortable playing to them. Smith has perfected the pop croon-heart-breaker niche perfectly, and is much loved for it, whilst Alt-J continue to push the indie-pop genre to its limits. But as Saturday showed, the band can also rock. Heavily. Surely future Glastonbury headliners.
3. Festivals need more than just a good line-up
T in the Park’s move from Balado to Strathallan castle brought with it a fantastic line-up, but also chronic organisation problems which ruined the festival for many. The issues need to be addressed in time for next year if the festival is to remain on top.
4. The Libertines are back
Anthems for Doomed Youth is only months away and the band sound tighter than ever, Pete Doherty at his sharpest in over a decade on Saturday. Not a fucking waster anymore.
A lot weighs on the new album, but new track 'Barbarians' showed the signature sound that made the first two records so infectious is far from gone.
5. Susan Boyle needs a new stylist
Really Susan? Really? I dreamed a dream and it wasn’t this.
.jpg)
.jpg)
