After the twin headlining wonders of Bjork and Beastie Boys last year - Primal Scream were squeezed inbetween at the three-day event, but I was too ensconsed within my own personal festival madness then to notice - it was hard to see whether Connect could follow up with an equalling compelling reason to attend in 2008. Today's initial announcement isn't quite as mouthwatering yet, but there's still some intriguing acts already confirmed.
Sigur Ros alone are a very, very good reason for going along, their sweeping, epic magnificence ideally suited for the scenic surroundings of Inveraray, and their performance will likely be something of wonder, as anyone who saw them at the Academy on their last visit to Scotland will attest. The return of adopted Scottish sons Franz Ferdinand should receive a suitably unhinged reception; their upcoming third album may have by then provided a storming comeback, but even if not they have enough singalongs to thrive on the main stage.
The mere mention of Kasabian's name makes me want to throw myself out of the nearest window on to a bed of foot-long spikes, the pain providing blissful relief from the continued existence on Earth, though I'm sure some people will welcome them with slightly more positivity. Their presence is perhaps a sign that things are going a bit more mainstream after the apparently disappointing ticket sales for Connect last year, with Paolo Nutini, Duffy and Manic Street Preachers also acts dragging themselves along who are likely to attract a wider audience.
Elsewhere, Nick Cave shall be stalking the stage with Grinderman, sleazy rock'n'roll greatness seaping out of his very soul, and there's some fandabadozy female representation through Sia, Amy MacDonald, The Breeders and The Gossip, with Beth Ditto always an enthralling and wonderful spectacle even when the group's blues-tinged racket drags slightly. The return of the Club Noir and Vegas nights is welcome, their shows providing blissful post-headliner relief at Connect's debut outing, providing continued partying into the early hours without having to constantly trip over sleeping camper's tents as you stumble around the site. Other acts include:
Coral, The Levellers, The Roots, Elbow, Mercury Rev, Spiritualized, and Camera Obscura
So far it's not a stellar line-up, but there are enough indications that the festival will be well worth going along to once more acts are added to the bill, and I'll definitely be there - what an enticement, I know - just to catch some of this live:
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