Final report on Connect 2008 – Duffy and Franz Ferdinand do the business

As before, this, report and the photograph accompanying it below, are by John Fyfe Patrick, ‘For Argyll’s’ Connect photographer.

The Connect Festival 2008 Saturday highlight was Paolo Nutini, who played a mass of new material, which has an upbeat country feel, in a simply stunning set. The Paisley lad also played These Streets, New Shoes and Jenny Don’t Be Hasty. Great voice, commanding stage presence and only twenty one years old.

Much of the rest of the Saturday night bill including Glasvegas, headliners Bloc Party and the Gossip simply failed to meet expectations, with mediocre performances – and although the crowds were entertained it was not rocking.

The weather cleared on Sunday night in time for headliners Duffy and Franz Ferdinand who both delivered superb performances which brought the fields down and closed a very successful Hydro Connect Festival. There can be no doubt after this year that Hydro Connect has definitely earned the title of the UK’s number one boutique festival.