White Lies make Scottish debut

By Kev Geoghegan
Radio 1 music reporter

White Lies have made their Scottish debut at T in the Park.

The west Londoners played the Futures stage on Saturday afternoon.

White Lies pulled one of the biggest audiences when they played the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Maidstone in May.

But, until now, they had never performed in Scotland.

"This is the first festival of the summer for us," said bassist Charles Cave before their set.

He continued: "We've heard that Scottish crowds are the best in the UK so we're very excited."

White Lies set list E.S.T. Unfinished Business Farewell To The Fairground From The Stars Death

The band shared a diverse bill which mixed the gothic ballads of Glasvegas with the gobby laddish pop of The Metros.

But it's the Glasgow band that White Lies have the most in common with, treating the crowd to an angst-ridden set midway through the afternoon.

The band's dark, epic sound has been compared with Joy Division, Echo and the Bunnymen and, more recently, Editors.

Cave said: "It's kind of orchestral rock music, very cinematic.

"It's a big sound."

On stage, in their matching black outfits, they bear a striking resemblance to their fellow merchants of gloom, Interpol.

Friendly banter is a million miles from singer Harry McVeigh's mind who says nothing to the half full tent until after the band's final song.

Even then, he merely confirms the band's name and thanks people for watching.

Releasing material

White Lies are working on their debut album.

Cave revealed that it has been recorded in Belgium and is being mixed, with a view to releasing it later in the year.

The band headlined the Introducing stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend

The first single will be Death, cheery stuff for sure.

With their black uniform and dark introspective goth rock, Cave smiled as he acknowledged that they risk being pigeonholed.

He said: "We made it as a demo and it got out and Zane Lowe made it his hottest record in the world twice.

"Death isn't literal and people who listen to it will hear some genuine uplifting moments."

White Lies head out on a headlining tour of the UK in September.