The National lend emotional heft to revived Scottish hootenanny
THE rather more cultured Caledonian cousin to Glasgow’s full-on indie blowout TRNSMT, Connect returned to active service at the end of August following a 14-year hiatus. Having moved from the grounds of Inveraray Castle in Argyll where it was held in 2007 and 2008, it now occupies the rather more accessible Royal Highland Showgrounds on the outskirts of Edinburgh. It’s a less bucolic spot than before, perhaps, but still very agreeable. There’s a little lake and many quiet corners, plenty of space and unbroken good vibes.
With the likes of , , , and the having entertained sizeable crowds on Friday and Saturday, the festival peaks on Sunday, with highlights and surprises scattered across the Grand Parade main stage and supporting platforms throughout the site. Perfectly scheduled in the post-brunch slot, cast a benign and beguiling spell over the grounds with their expansive exoticism, their drifting sonic patchwork comprising fiddle, sax and accordion alongside more conventional band instruments. Touting an impressive set of all-new songs worked up since the sudden departure of their former frontman Isaac Wood earlier this year, they combine nursery rhyme prog-folk with pop and rock nous.
