POP ICONS, INDIE NOSTALGIA AND PLENTY LOCAL TALENT SEE TRNSMT 2025 OUT WITH A BANG

TRNSMT FESTIVAL| DAY 3 REVIEW by Anne Kelly

After suffering the hottest day of the year so far, there was a collective sense of relief when the previous day’s temperatures didn’t quite hit the same hellish highs. That said, it was still a sweaty one and we headed along for another day at TRNSMT Festival featuring some of the best new and seasoned talent we could hope for.

A day packed with back to back interviews, we still somehow managed to cram a healthy amount of live music in beside them. Sunday’s line-up provided a balanced offering of rising local talent, pop icons and an occasional dose of indie nostalgia.

KYLE FALCONER

It wouldn’t feel like a Scottish Summer without the a chorus of hundreds of people singing ‘Same Jeans’ in field somewhere, this time alongside from the unmistakable voice of The View‘s notorious frontman, Kyle Falconer. This time around, Falconer was billed as a solo act and brought his band for the ride. The were the perfect addition to a Sunday afternoon on the King Tuts Stage, with special mention to his harmony counterpart Neeve Zahara, who compliments Kyle’s vocals beautifully. Performing a mixture of tracks from both The View and his solo back catalogue, fans turned out in force for a good ol’ sing-a-long in the sun. Falconer looked in high spirits, with his face coloured in blue glitter, whilst his young family watched on the side-lines (admittedly the only kids allowed on site that day).

DICTATOR

West Lothian genre benders Dictator made their highly anticipated TRNSMT debut, drawing an enthusiastic crowd down by the BBC Introducing Stage mid afternoon. Introduced by Friday headliner Bemz, the gesture drew parallels to the moment that the rapper beat the band for the crown of BBC Introducing Scottish Act of The Year, 3 years earlier. Whilst both artists are carving their own path of success, they are living proof that hard graft does open doors. Having been a fan of the band over the years, the permanent live addition of Lesley on the trumpet has transformed the bands sound and elevated them as a live band. Only going from strength to strength, Dictator are worth seeing in full when they go on tour later this year.

NATHAN EVANS & THE SAINT PHNX BAND

RIANNE DOWNEY

Better known for becoming the musical other half to the legendary Paul Heaton in recent years, Rianne Downey returned to home turf to remind us that when solo, she has even more to give us. Set to release her debut album later this year, the big voice from Bellshill performed a short but sweet set of her most popular offerings plus a a few covers including Beautiful South’s ‘Rotterdam’, ‘Don’t Marry Her’ and her ethereal rendition ‘Caledonia’, leaving everybody singing along with her.

THE LATHUMS

Wigan wonders, The Lathums made their main stage return too, drawing focus on their most recent album Matter Does Not Define. Throwing in some of their most anthemic offerings such as ‘Say My Name’ and ‘Sad Face Baby’, they also brought deeper cuts too with fan favourite ‘Artificial Screens’, and from their new album songs like ‘Stellar Cast’ ‘Heartbreaker’ and brand new single ‘Cobblestones’ were welcomed by their Glasgow crowd. The band have soared in confidence over the past few years, and passion shines through their performance. I love seeing how frontman Alex Moore commands the stage he once allowed himself to be shadowed by, and you can’t overlook guitarist Scott Concepcion who is quickly rising to be crowned one of the the finest players in the modern indie scene.

The only gripe I had with The Lathums set – or any afternoon set on the main stage – is the lack of engagement from those (often younger) fans who gatekeep their prime spot in the front pens. Their dedication resonates but their attitudes stink. Many younger fans left sitting crossed legged and bored as they wait hours ruins the atmosphere for others. All the while, people who genuinely want to be down the front are left excluded as pits are closed due to crowding, and the bands left feeling a sometimes hostile welcome. Kudo’s to the security teams though so prioritises safety over anything else and insisted everybody in crowds should be standing.

NINA NESBITT

Other highlights of the early evening included Nina Nesbitt and Brooke Combe from the King Tuts, representing the strong Scottish woman as Rianne did earlier. Both commanding the crowds, we were lucky enough to chat to both of them throughout the day.

BROOKE COMBE

GRACIE ABRAMS

From the main stage Myles Smith and Jade had the crowds as putty, echoing back every word of their viral sound bites (even if I only heard them from the distant media village). Whilst it wasn’t on my agenda, the lull at sunset drew me towards the enchanting voice and presence of Gracie Abrams on the main stage. The one all the earlier barrier warriors were waiting for, it was quickly evident to me or any other passersby as to why the pop star has blown up in the past year. Everything about the moment, draped in the beauty of a Glasgow sunset after a demanding weekend just felt like tranquility.

JADE

SHED SEVEN

Why on earth organisers thought that Snow Patrol should follow Gracie Abrams on the main stage was a hot topic of conversation this weekend, but yet fate was sealed and the front pens finally emptied, ready to head home after a day basking down the front. Not ones to call it a day quite yet, we opted for a bit of 90’s nostalgia instead as Shed Seven brought the King Tuts Stage to climatic close. A band who have managed to secure 2 Number 1 album in the space of just one year and as frontman Rick Witter told us ahead of the show “only 19 other acts have done that since 1953”. Performing a set heavily leaning on those two aforementioned releases with tracks like ‘Lets Go’ and ‘Going For Gold’, the band brought a hefty dose of nostalgia with songs like ‘Speakeasy’, ‘Getting Better’ and ending on the classic ‘Chasing Rainbows’. Always ones to embrace the Glasgow crowds, Shed Seven was a natural way to finish our TRNSMT 2025 experience.

SNOW PATROL

Minus the sunburn, blisters and even a sprained ankle, my third TRNSMT experience was probably my best yet. I felt safe throughout, even walking back from the site afterwards, spirits always felt high. Welfare and security teams were always attentive and approachable offering water top ups, suncream and even a notorious “TRNSMT spa” (a water mist spray) when you needed it most. The line-up continues to be predictable, generally refusing to leave the mainstream indie/pop umbrella, but that’s not exactly a bad thing. The absence of Kneecap may not be forgiven yet, but as a whole TRNSMT 2025 gave 2026 it’s remit to do it all over again.