EK singer is ready for a spot of T in the Park!
A Lanarkshire singer is getting ready for T time - after landing a spot at T In The Park.
Declan Welsh, from East Mains in East Kilbride, has won a place on the T Break stage for emerging talent. That means he’ll be appearing at Scotland’s biggest music festival, which takes place at Strathallan Castle in Perthshire. And the singer’s delighted to go to a festival he’s previously attended as a punter He told the Ticket: “It’s the Sunday I’m playing ( July 10), and there’s so many great bands that day - I’m a massive fan of LCD Soundsystem, and it’s amazing to be playing the same festival that they are.
“It’s starting to sink in a bit now that I’m getting to play T and I’m just buzzing about it all.
“I’m choking to get out there and play the show now.
“I went to T when I was 18, because it’s like a rite of passage to go when you’re that age.
“I remember seeing Pulp play, and.the Strokes and Weezer were playing that year too, so it was a great line-up.”
While this year’s bash will feature big names like the Stone Roses and Calvin Harris, Declan believes that something like T Break, which picks 16 new Scottish acts to join the bill, is a vital part of the festival.
He added: “It’s so important that they give new acts a platform, especially if they have something to say.
“I think music has a real purpose, and something like T Break gives you a platform and a chance to air your views.”
Those views can be heard on Declan’s upcoming double A side single, which is slated for a release later this year on Glasgow label Dead Beet Records.
The first song, No Pasaran, is focused on dealing with intolerance and fascism, while Do What You Want is centred around LBGT rights.
He said: “They’re both dealing with more mature themes than just going out.”
And the singer is grateful for the support he’s received from pals in East Kilbride, going back to his days with the band Stag Firm Collapse.
He added: “I’ve always been inspired by East Kilbride in my writing, and there’s quite a few references in the songs to things there.
“This opportunity won’t have come about without support from people there, and it’d be great if any of them could make it along to T and help support me.”