- Music
- 31 Aug 14
Main stage rocked by Scottish troubadour
Dressed in a well-pressed shirt tucked into his jeans, there's more than a bit of 'casual Friday' about Paolo Nutini. Fitting; from the start, he means business.
His Caustic Love album marked a departure from the sound which brought him early success. This show was built around the new approach, and even old favourites were subject to a radical overhaul.
Backed by a brass section and a whole posse of musicians collectively known as The Vipers, his set is a masterclass in festival in festival performance, managing that keen trick of intimacy in a crowd which must have numbered 20,000.
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An R&B driven 'Jenny Don't Be Hasty' gets the crowd going; the singalong during 'New Shoes' was probably audible from space. By the time he finishes with a solo rendition of 'Candy', he looks visibly moved by the adoration of the Stradbally faithful.
He'd introduced the set by saying, "I'm Paolo, they're The Vipers, and we fuckin' love ya". If the introduction was unnecessary, then so too was the proclamation; for tonight, it's nothing but love at the main stage.