Paisley has consistently punched above its weight when it comes to supplying the nation with pop talent, which over the decades has included everyone from disco artiste Kelly Marie to Stealers Wheel and Paolo Nutini. Now a substantially louder offering is emerging as a standard bearer of the city’s scene, in the form of Carnivores. The trio were one of our highlights at the goNorth Festival last month, boasting a ferocious live show and an audience to match. Our track of the month, Scottish Football is a hugely enjoyable musical rage complemented by suitably angry lyrics and a very meaty sound.

At the other end of the genre spectrum, but also a goNorth highlight, is Jemma Tweedie. The 20-year-old from Nairn, has been performing for less than a year, but has played at Rockness, supported Charlotte Church, and received spins on both BBC 6 Music and Radio 2. The young singer finishes an extensive UK tour on 4th July, which saw her play over 41 shows in 20 days at Caffe Nero shops. You can see her at The Wickerman Festival on the goNORTH Festival stage on 27th July. Visit: www.jemmatweedie.com

Other emerging acts to look out for at Wickerman Festival, which takes place in Dundrennan on 26th and 27th July include Flutes, Roman Nose, Siobhan Wilson, Saint Max & The Fanatics, Honeyblood, Fat Goth, Casual Sex, Prides, Hector Bizerk, Be Like Pablo, Friends In America, MAASK, Book Group, Willie Campbell and GARDEN OF ELKS. Visit: www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk

For those heading along to T In The Park earlier in the month, there is no shortage of excellent new talent to check out between 12-14 July. In addition to the 16 acts performing on the T Break tentwww.tennents.com/tbreak – these include Arches, Hector Bizerk, Honeyblood, Fake Major, Poor Things, Pronto Mama, Michael Cassidy, The Velveteen Saints, The Merrylees – the BBC Introducing stage also promises to supply some extremely good acts. We recommend looking out for Roman Nose, PAWS and the young Dundonians, Model Aeroplanes visit: www.bbc.co.uk/events/egfrbp/stages/s5qwrz

And for anyone who prefers smaller and more intimate festivals, we strongly recommend Kelburn Garden Party [July 6-7], a mere £5 taxi ride from Largs. Not only does it boast a stunning location and the most diverse range of genres [including electronica, folk, classical, blues and rock], its organiser has gone to the trouble of making a mix tape featuring many of the the artists performing this year. Highlights for us are likely to include Tinderbox Orchestra, Hidden Orchestra, Hector Bizerk, Poppy Ackroyd and Roy’s Iron DNA. www.kelburngardenparty.com/programme

Innovative new Glasgow record label East 52nd Records is set to launch an online competition called Do The Right Thing, designed to raise money to help get young people get involved in music. For a donation of £1 aspiring artists are able to download a hip-hop or pop backing track and are then invited to add their own lyrics and melody which they upload to Youtube. The competition will run for 5 weeks, with East 52nd Records and partners selecting the winners. Prizes include JBL Speakers, HP tablets and clothing, full info visitwww.east52nd.com/competition

Meanwhile, up in Ullapool, Middle of Nowhere Records, founded up by music entrepreneur Rob Hicks to release Rachel Sermanni’s music, has announced the addition of Colin Macleod, (best known under the moniker The Boy Who Trapped The Sun) to their growing roster. Already confirmed for the Belladrum and Wickerman Festivals, as well as a host of European dates, an EP is scheduled for release later this year visit: www.monr.co.uk for details.