Paulo finds Time To Pretend at T Pic: Geoffrey Robinson/Rex Features
Bounding onto the Main Stage, Scotland’s pride, Paolo receives the warmest of welcomes from an adoring crowd.
With a wide smile and visible excitement, an ecstatic Paolo launches into ska laden reggae track 10/10, backed by a 7-piece band, some distance from one boy and his guitar who first graced the stage at T. Reaching the end of the track and an overwhelming cheer, one would guess that one song in, this young man will be receiving an A for his performance, a diverse audience championing his every word and encouraging every awkward dance move.
It’s not long before the trumpet flutters of Pencil Full Of Lead begin. Sounding like a modern day Louis Prima, Paolo and his laid -back band very much resemble Disney’s The Jungle Book (I Wan’na Be Like You) characters, complimenting the apes in the T in the Park crowd, who at this point feel the need to throw plastic pint tumblers full of mud.
Going back to basics Paolo revisits old times, playing These Streets armed with only his acoustic guitar, before playing what he introduced as “a new song”, rich in flavours of the Wild West.
More tender tracks, Growing Up Beside You and Candy are embraced by the raucous crowd, who take a moment to get melancholy, engendering more singing, attempting subtle and delicate though audibly gruff, yet the effort is there in excess.
Any sentiment is lost quickly as the young Scotalian and his band break into Funky Cigarette which results in a full blown hoedown, sending mud splashing.
Before giving time for the gentleman standing next to me to wipe his glasses clean, a muted trumpet plays a familiar riff. Instantly recognisable, backed by a cheer from the crowd, Paolo and his band of merry men play electro darlings, MGMT’s hit, Time To Pretend. With not a synth in sight the song is given a new vibe and epic vocals from the crooner.
Leaving his oldest and dearest till last Jenny Don’t Be Hasty and Last Request are the icing on the mud pie for the elated T crowd.
Review by Kirstin Lynn
