Paolo Nutini came to town over the weekend and set Scottish hearts a fluttering. Amanda got in touch with her groupie side….
When I heard Paolo Nutini was playing a gig in Dubai, I didn’t hesitate to bag myself a couple of tickets to see the cheeky chappy from my home town! And what a treat it turned out to be; he so is so talented!
Paolo Nutini is only 24 and already has 2 platinum selling albums. In fact the 2nd album "Sunny Side Up" has gone 3 times platinum in the UK! Not bad for a wee Scottish laddie who's dad owns the local chippy!
Paolo hit the big time when in 2003 he was invited to sing a few tracks at a local radio station (102.5, Clyde One) concert as a welcome home gig for David Sneddon (Fame Academy winner & fellow scot). Paolo was the winner of an impromptu pop quiz held by the station and when David Sneddon was late to the gig, Paolo filled in and impressed the crowd with a few tracks. Brendan Moon was in the audience that day and offered to be Paolo's manager. The rest as they say is history…
He released his debut album "These Streets" in 2006 which featured songs like "Jenny Don’t be Hasty" & "Last request" which you may recognise from the hit tv series "Gavin & Stacey" as their love making song!
The second album hit the shops in 2009 titled "Sunny Side Up" which features the tracks "Candy" & "Coming Up Easy". His individual singing style really shines through in this album and is I have to say the best driving album ever! (There speaks a true fan…)
The concert at The Irish Village on Friday evening was brilliant! He wowed us with all our favourite songs and showcased some of the amazing stuff to come. He seemed rather shy and didn’t interact with the audience too much. He is all about the talent and played guitar on most tracks. In jeans & t-shirt, with scruffy hair, he drank a pint or two on stage and enjoyed doing what he does best. We loved it.
Earlier that day I was rather lucky to spot the man himself at the Dubai Football 7's supporting his favourite football team, Celtic - the legends had a team in the tournament. He led the team onto the pitch and even took part in their traditional and famous "huddle" before the match. He is famously a man of few words which was quite apparent when the compere tried to chat to him. He then supported his team from the bench and was happy to greet his fans with signings and photos. He’s clearly more of a one to one kind of a guy. I did manage to squeeze in & grab his autograph at that point; I clearly haven’t grown out of my groupie phase!
After the game he did a little more signing and was being hounded by fans so security huddled him away so the football could continue. We thought we had missed our photo opportunity but a security guard whispered his exit route in my ear. I wandered round the back of the stadium and there he was, happy to chat away, sign some more autographs and take lots of pics!!
The funny thing is we were so nervous when we finally got to meet him; shaky hands and quivering voices! For goodness sake, girls..!! He was lovely, although a little shy…
What did he think of Dubai? "All good, all good" he said.
We asked if he was looking forward to the concert, "Aye, cannae wait!! Plenty ah dancin’ girls eh?!"
Is it possible to be more in love right now??!!! I dreamt of him the past two nights and keep waking up like I’ve slept with a coat hanger in my mouth!! Ahhh… he really has made my year. To quote the man himself "Ah've got food in ma belly & a licence for ma telly & nothins gonna bring me down"!
Come back soon Paolo, we love you!!