Electric Fields was one of the highlights of last year’s festival season, a bargain price and some stellar acts combined with a fully fledged but also kid friendly festival atmosphere to make it a festival that won’t have many people saying no to.
This year they look to capitalise on the absense of T in the Park, albeit the Glasgow based replacement TRNSMT seems to have been a huge success, but not quite the same market as Electric Fields in aiming at.
This year’s headliners, the even dependable and super popular Frightened Rabbit will have everyone crying, cheering and singing along while Dizzee Rascal will almost undoubtedly bring the party closing Saturday night’s activities.
Add to that a stellar backing cast of superb acts that make up the mainstage stage and other stage headliner affairs; over the Atlantic Band of Horses would headline a festival of this size, while The Jesus and Mary and Arab Strap’s reputations are formidable.
Our ones to watch are coming from further down the bill looking at local up and comers and smaller touring acts.
Friday:
Marnie (Main Stage 16.15)
Glasgow based Helen Marnie may be better known for her work Liverpool electro-pop maestros Ladytron, but her solo work is every bit as glimmering. Her latest album Strange Words and Weird Wars is a breezy joy that thrills on a pop level without ever becoming too easy.
Anna Meredith (Discover Stage 18.30)
Last years SAY Award winner is a special talent, the composer, performer and musician seem to emerge into the pop world out of the blue with her Varmints album last year, an all encompassing release that saw jazz and electronic sounds combined to make a record of bewildering propositions that is even better experienced in a live setting.
And Yet It Moves (Redeemer Stage 19.00)
And Yet It Moves have been bubbling away for over a year now, evolving, engulfing and enhancing with each visit, they seem a different band at every visit. The now Berlin based band led by the powerful live presence of Dale Barclay are set to take the festival stage as their own, expect something haunting, something powerful, something that you won’t forget in a hurry.
Modern Studies (Discover Stage 14.30)
Steeped in rural folk, chamber pop super group from Perthshire-via-Glasgow-via Yorkshire Modern Studies paint delicate experimental landscapes that hypnotise and engross. They’re a band that promise lots and seem set to deliver, Electric Fields may provide the stage their beautiful recorded music needs.
Savage Mansion (Redeemer Stage 16.00)
One of the biggest prospects of Scottish guitar music at present Savage Mansion are band that individually have cut their teeth in a collection of impressive acts, but seem to have came together to create something that captures the moment with sultry beauty. The four-piece deliver fuzzy guitars, bouncy drums and catchy basslines coupled with Craig Angus’ (formerly of Poor Things) coolly delivered, conversational vocals that give an effortless pop aesthetic and chilled out reflection that recall the like of Parquet Courts and Mac DeMarco.
Saturday
Aldous Harding (Discover Stage 15.15)
Compelling and theatrical New Zealander Aldous Harding has the sort of bewitching live show that will leave you lost for words. The recently signed to 4AD performer’s show can be as powerful as it is delicate, and her captivating charm and atmospheric tracks will be well worth getting along for.
Sacred Paws (Main Stage 13.30)
Another SAY Award winner, this time the current holders Sacred Paws bring a fun energy to any stage, Rachel Aggs’ undeniable talent and unique tropical guitar sound has been a fixture of her work for years now and Sacred Paws are every bit as exciting as her other projects Shopping and Trash Kit. Add Eilidh Rodgers’ playful percussion and interweaving backing vocals, plus a touch of subtle brass you’ve got a band that can bring the sunshine to any festival.
Whyte Horses (Main Stage 14.30)
Enigmatic psych group Whyte Horses have a eclectic array of influences, filtering through a modernist take of fuzzy tropical sounds, Krautrock vibes, 60s girl group pop, psychedelia and much more Whyte Horses present a spirally sound that will sending you away to dreamy hypnotic daze while having all the pop presence to keep the energy flowing. Initially imaged as the band to complete the catalogue of band leader Dom Thomas’ Finders Keepers label the band have evolved into something that simply can’t just remain a side project.
Edwin Organ (Redeemer Stage 15.00)
Variation seems to be key to Edwin Organ’s game, still everything he touches seems to come out golden, his slick, but not unbearably polished production gives his head nodding organic left-field electronica. At points it’s super catchy at others a welcoming hug that fuses soul and jazz elements with obvious dance knowledge, expect to get lost in this one.
Brat and the Bonemen (Discover Stage 12.00)
We don’t know much about these guys and have heard very little, but what we have heard for the Dumfries & Galloway based act suggests that they’ll be an explosive live act that expel a raucous distorted post punk energy that will be brimming with attitude.
And some honourable mentions go to This Is The Kit, Skjor, Stillhound, Future Get Down.
And here’s some of the bigger acts on the bill that we think are definitely worth getting down for: Glass Animals, Real Estate, Foxygen, Nothing, Car Seat Headrest, Shogun, British Sea Power.
Rave Child 