Summer Sundae 2005

Friday

Pacific Ocean Fire reap the benefits of an unscheduled afternoon downpour as people scramble to shelter under the Musicians Acoustic Stage, before Friday morphs into a melodious Scots-fest. Glaswegian four-piece Sons and Daughters de-flower the Outdoor Stage with driving folk-rock and Adele Bethel's commanding vocals on 'Dance Me In'. Guitarist Scott Paterson powers through 'Rama Lama' adding his own West Coast inflection as Bethel throws herself about, all petite floral dress and luminous red lipstick.

One half of beer-soaked boundary-pushing Arab Strap, Malcolm Middleton, proves an early highlight. Backed by leftovers from the sadly departed Delgados, the ginger half of the 'Strap eases in with an aptly wretched start in 'Devastation' before bursting out the other side with 'Break My Heart' and 'Loneliness Shines', instantly scrumptious pop songs sparkling with Malkie's unmistakable drawl.

Unfortunately the gathered throng dissipates as the brilliant British Sea Power (plus obligatory foliage and stuffed animals) start their set on the Outdoor stage. Summer Sundae is arguably for acts with less pulling power and as BSP continue their extensive touring of the festie circuit, Malkie's draw is too strong for some. Middleton retains the 'Strap's disturbing debaucherous lyrical sentiment ('No Modest Bear') but packages it in an unnervingly more palatable and danceable form. Sublime.

With more than a 15-year-old history of under-appreciation and innumerable kicks to the guts, it's a credit to the Trashcan Sinatras that they still refuse to crumple under the force of the blows. Tonight Greater Glasgow's (still young) Grandfathers of melody headline the packed out Musicians Acoustic Stage, delighting a handful of hardcore fans and seducing the new. The perpetually and unfairly ignored five-piece play a set that spans their entire career to date - the lone drunken heckler gets his wish when frontman Frank Reader introduces the band's first ever single. Despite having been released in 1989, 'Obscurity Knocks' is more reinvigorated than dated, with sneering poetry shining throughout Paul Livingston's vibrant Marr-esque guitar riffs.

The achingly beautiful 'Leave Me Alone' is illuminated by Reader's impeccable vocal, 'All The Dark Horses' proves their obvious but untapped commercial potential and 'Send For Henny' exemplifies their mastery of musical and lyrical dynamics. This is a group that for one reason or another has failed to sell truckloads of records, despite producing flawlessly crafted folk-tinged pop songs littered with intelligent everyday narratives and glorious harmonies. 'Weightlifting' tells the tale of a band letting go of their baggage before festival organisers thwart the yelps for an encore.