The moment we have all been waiting for is nearly upon us - Paolo Nutini is almost ready to take to the stage once again in Scotland.
The Paisley musician has been in hiding from the music scene for a good few years, having released his last album in 2014. But Paolo is back with Last Night in the Bittersweet, and is set to headline TRNSMT on Friday night.
So, Glasgow Live has decided to look back on where it all started for the Pencil Full of Lead singer. Read on below for a history lesson on Paolo Nutini.
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Humble beginnings in Paisley
Paolo's family resided in the city of Paisley, running a fish and chip shop for generations, a stone's throw from Glasgow. Paolo would spend a lot of time at his grandfathers house when his parents were working, and that's where the mini musician was introduced to his eventual passion for the first time.
A young Paolo would notice that his grandfather used the power of music to grieve for his late wife. Previously speaking to The Big Issue on his childhood, the singer said: "He'd be sat at the piano with his glasses with the brown tint, head up, eyes closed, and just playing these beautiful arias from Aida and other operas.
"Every now and again I can even remember the wee tear trickling down. To me he was just singing and looking up and he was just like, 'I hope you can hear this, darling.'"
Tutoring time to make it big
Realising that he needed some lessons in the art, Paolo enlisted a music tutor, Avril McCusker, at the age of 14 in order to make his big dreams a reality. Despite entering talent contests and winning, Paolo knew he needed help to make it to the big stage.
Avril was sceptical at first about giving the youngster lessons, as she had heard the spiel plenty of times before from boys his age. But those doubts disappeared as soon as Paolo began to sing.
The 52-year-old said: "He turned up at my front door wearing a trendy T-shirt and jeans – he looked very handsome. He asked me to improve his singing.
"As soon as I heard Paolo sing, I knew he was destined to be a star even at the age of 14. What a brilliant voice he has. But it needed a lot of tuition and hard work.
“I just thought, ‘If this boy does not make it, who will?’”
Over the next three years, she put Paolo through a tough boot camp of singing lessons and they studied the songs in the classic music book 24 Italian Songs And Arias. When they needed a break from arias, Paolo and Avril enjoyed the occasional Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra tune.
Avril said: “Paolo desperately needed technique and he was willing to put all the hard work in. That’s what made him different – he had seen his parents grafting in the fish and chip shop so it was in his blood. He was no stranger to getting stuck in.”
Sacking off school for a career in music
Paolo deliberated with Avril over whether he should quit high school before sitting his Higher exams to pursue a career in music. Avril said: "Paolo was undecided and was under a lot of pressure at the time but I’m glad he took my advice – you only get one chance to be a star at that age.
"Paolo packed in school and later got a publishing deal followed by a recording contract with Atlantic Records. I am glad I pointed Paolo in the right direction. A lot of my pupils have entered X Factor. But you need a hard-luck story to get far in that.
“Paolo achieved fame the old-fashioned way through hard work at his singing. He did not need to tell a producer at X Factor that his budgie had died.”
Instant stardom at a young age
Paolo released his first song, These Streets, at the age of 17 after being signed for Atlantic Records in 2006. Months later, he brought out Jenny Don't Be Hasty, that reached number five on the UK Singles Chart.
After a springboard into stardom, Paolo went on to perform at the likes of T In The Park, Glastonbury, Wireless and V Festival. In 2009, the singer released his second album Sunny Side Up which was a huge success with his songs Candy, Pencil Full of Lead and Coming Up Easy.
In December 2014, Caustic Love came out and sent fans wild with a new range of songs. And then, the Scottish hero vanished, with fans distraught at his sudden hiatus.
Eventual return to the limelight
Paolo then announced his return to the big stage, announcing his headlining act at TRNSMT Festival 2022 back in September last year. He released new album, Last Night in the Bittersweet, at the beginning of July this year, and is set to go on a run of shows across the UK and Europe in 2022.
Despite his musical hiatus, last year it was announced that he was the winner of number one most played Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award. So, are you excited for Paolo's TRNSMT set yet?
Paolo will perform at Glasgow's TRNSMT Festival on Friday, July 8 2022. Other highly-anticipated acts include Sam Fender, Tom Grennan, Lewis Capaldi and Wolf Alice.
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