Paolo Nutini blends soul, rock, and vintage pop, and his return after a long break sharpened his voice and writing.
From Paisley To Festival Prime
Expect a warm, lived-in set that moves from gravelly ballads to brisk stompers without fuss. Likely picks include
Jenny Don't Be Hasty,
Iron Sky,
Pencil Full of Lead, and
Through the Echoes anchoring the arc.
What You Might Hear
The Sunday crowd at TRNSMT leans mixed-age, with local diehards, new fans pulled in by radio singles, and visitors keen for a Glasgow singalong. You will notice pockets of quiet during story songs, then big, communal release when the drums tumble in. Trivia notes: he once opened early tours for
Amy Winehouse, and his
Caustic Love era cemented him as a UK chart mainstay. Another quirk is his habit of stretching codas so the band can ride a groove until the cheers crest. Everything about the songs and production here is informed guesswork based on recent tours, so the real show may not match this exactly.
The Sunday Scene Around Paolo Nutini
Sunday Best, Glasgow Edition
Around a
Paolo Nutini set, the look skews practical but expressive, with vintage football tops, bucket hats, tartan scarves, and sturdy trainers. You will see hand-painted signs and a few homemade flags tucked near the rail, often nodding to Paisley or past TRNSMT years. Popular merch trends lean to heavyweight tees with simple fonts, city-specific prints, and a tote or two for the all-day crowd.
Communal Rituals
Before the set, people trade first-show memories and favorite deep cuts, then settle when the house music dips. Big group sing moments arrive fast, with phones up for ballads and rhythmic claps surfacing on the early hits. Between songs, friendly chants ripple through the field, closer to a football chorus than a party shout. The overall feel is social and grounded, like a neighborhood gathering that just happens to be very good at harmonizing. By the end, you can read the day on faces, from the quiet smiles after the slow songs to the hoarse voices from the lively ones.
How Paolo Nutini Builds a Song in Real Time
Voice First, Band Second
Live,
Paolo Nutini leads with texture, letting a raspy tenor sit just ahead of the beat so phrases feel spoken and sung at once. The band keeps drums dry and guitars slightly overdriven, giving him room to switch from hush to shout without losing detail. Horns or organ will likely drop in for the soul-heavy numbers, while acoustic guitar and shaker carry the quieter corners.
Little Live Tweaks That Matter
He is fond of nudging tempos down a notch so the groove breathes, then snapping back for a chorus that lands like a release valve. A common move is stitching
Jenny Don't Be Hasty into
New Shoes as one flow, turning the handclaps into an easy call and response.
Iron Sky often grows into a long middle section with spoken-word flavor before the final lift. Watch for small cues, like a raised palm to extend a vamp or a head tilt to cut the band, which lets sections expand organically. The result is music-first staging where lights tint the mood but never fight the mix.
Kindred Ears: Paolo Nutini Fans' Adjacent Picks
Neighbors In Sound
Fans of
Paolo Nutini often vibe with
Lewis Capaldi for the big-hearted vocals and confessional swing.
Gerry Cinnamon overlaps through singalong choruses and a street-level storytelling feel that lands well outdoors.
Shared Crowds, Shared Moments
If your taste leans more indie grit than soul,
Sam Fender brings sharp guitars and anthems that still carry tender edges. Those who like era-blurring sets might drift to
The 1975 for polished grooves and clever dynamics that keep a field engaged. All four acts aim for melodies that hook fast yet leave space for crowd voices, which is the connective tissue of a good festival closer. Their shows mix heart-on-sleeve lyrics with arrangements built to bloom in the open air.
