Boots have already trudged the ground, tent pegs and guy ropes put in completely inappropriate places, and cans of Tennents lager cracked open to the cries of "T IN THE PAAAAARK". Yup, Scotland's biggest music festival is about to begin, this year in it's brand new home at Strathallan Castle.
While the site will be new, there's a few things that will stay as loyal fans to the festival have always known. Food and drink will be plentiful, the weather will be unpredictable, and there will be over 100 acts playing across three days and six stages catering to all tastes.
There's some big hitters on the bill this year, but as always here at Scottish Fiction we have our eyes on the home ground talent, and present to you our top ten tips of acts not to miss during this year's festivities.
Catholic Action
One of the hottest tipped bands about at the moment are Catholic Action. Fronted by former Casual Sex, and current Pinact, member Chris McCrory the band are prolific with recent single The Real World released via Fuzzkill Records. Check them out on Saturday on the T Break Stage.
Man Of Moon
I was very impressed last month when I caught Edinburgh duo Man of Moon performing at the BBC at the Quay event. Their single The Road is catchy as anything, with chuggy guitars and crashing cymbals creating a steady pulse throughout. The band are playing the BBC Introducing Stage on Sunday.
The Twilight Sad
The Sad of course need no introduction, and are primed to play their fourth T in the Park set to date in King Tut's Tent on Friday afternoon. The band have progressed up through the stages, T-Break to BBC Introducing to King Tut's Tent, and of course this summer's festival appearances come fresh of the back of the critical success of fourth album Nobody Wants To Be Here And Nobody Wants To Leave.
Stillhound
Exciting times surely lie ahead for Stillhound, a Glasgow foursome, who play only their second live gig to date on the BBC Introducing Stage on Saturday. Their brand of artful, electronic pop harks to the soundscapes of Boards of Canada, but is more accessible with instant appeal making them potentially the discovery of the festival for you.
Pinact
The duo of Corrie Gillies and Chris McCrory released one of our favorite albums of the year back in May via Brooklyn label Kanine Records. With a well-honed, energetic, and passionate live act, plus seriously infectious melodies and a raucous guitar/drum combo, Pinact are a band to lose yourself to. They'll be on the BBC Introducing Stage on Saturday.
The Van T's
Another band with real promise on the T-Break stage are twin sisters Chloe and Hannah, better known as The Van T's. Their grungey, garage rock style twists in surfer-pop, and reverb soaked '90's alternative rock for an altogether enthralling sound. It's completely plausible to see The Van T's follow in the path of Honeyblood or PAWS, and their set on Sunday will be a good marker for that.
Hector Bizerk
Conflicted over whether to see headliners Kasabian or David Guetta? It's not a problem for Hector Bizerk, who were a late addition to the bill and take up headliner duties on the Transmission Stage on Friday evening. Guaranteed to be the top pick here at Scottish Fiction, their set can be guaranteed to be full of energy, sing-a-long raps, and body draining bounce alongs. NOT TO BE MISSED.
Miaoux Miaoux
Someone call Daft Punk and Pharrell. Miaoux Miaoux has taken the 'sound of summer' mantle from them with his new album School of Velocity. The new LP, out now on Chemikal Underground, was made with sun and good times in mind, and hopefully that's exactly what we'll get from the band's set on Sunday in the BBC Introducing Tent. Prepare to dance, sway and vibe.
Monogram
Last but not least is Monogram, another electro-pop act from Glasgow who strive to make infectious tunes that extract dancing from listeners. Fronted by Liam Rutherford, and backed with Gordon Skene and Ben Singer, the band have been working hard to bring their polished studio sounds to a live environment. Catch them on Sunday in the BBC Introducing Stage to see how well they've managed it.
