TRNSMT SMACKS GLASGOW GREEN IN IT’S OPENING DAY RETURN

FESTIVAL REVIEW | TRNSMT – GLASGOW GREEN | DAY 1 12/07/24 by Anne Kelly

And just like that, TRNSMT 2024 is all over for another year! The three day music festival, which was launched by DF Concerts in 2017, takes place across Glasgow Green in July. This year, the festival ran over 12, 13, 14th July and over the course of its three days welcomed around 150,000 music revellers.

DAY 1

The opening day of TRNSMT 2024 was one of those rare sunny summers day in Glasgow. Whilst many of us (including me!) left many of us a little red and crispy on departure, we didn’t dare complain as this summer has been particularly wet in Scotland. The festival opened just a little after 12pm by rising talent Jalen Ngonda on the main stage, who despite the early start, pulled a better than expected gathering. However, our weekend really started over on the King Tuts Stage with Irish folk metal band, The Scratch. Echoing our own observations of performing early doors by telling us “it was early, it’s a work day and it was a very young crowd.” Regardless, the crowd in attendance were strong and the band left quite the lasting impression on Glasgow.

Another artist trying to draw in pulling in the early crowd was Scottish pop act Talia Storm. What she perhaps lacked in spectators, she more than made up with in the turnout of press who filled the photo pit, indicting the strength of interest in this young starlet.

By the time we headed back over on the main stage to see another Irish band (albeit a little less raucous this time) Picture This, the crowds were beginning to densify. The band recently released their fourth album ‘Parked Car Conversations’ in April and revealed to us that they were already working towards album number 5 (Interview coming soon…)

Back at the emerging talent hot spot, The River Stage, we head to see the talented young singer-songwriter, Ben Walker, who was making his TRNSMT debut. The turn out was sensational, with crowds further back than what the eye could see, it’s clear that Ben’s causing a bit of a buzz amongst the local scene.

It’s an especially busy day for the pop anthems today at TRNSMT. On the main stage, Canadian born pop star Lauren Spencer Smith wowed the younger fans gathering before the iconic girl band The Sugababes who hit us with all their 00’s nostalgia with their hit packed set.

Declan McKenna‘s set was one to be desired. Following the release of the 25 year olds third album ‘What Happened At The Beach‘ earlier this year, the rising star has soared in his already flying popularity. Declan’s appearance also marks the first ‘front pen full’ closure of the weekend; something which becomes an ongoing frustration over the next few days.

The biggest highlights of the first day could probably be best found at The King Tuts Stage. Bellah Mae then Nieve Ella both showcase some of the finest new pop talent that the UK has to offer right now. Wunderhorse was another popular choice for many this afternoon despite its unfortunate clash with Declan McKenna on the main stage who the rock band recently supported on tour. For us though, ensuring we caught some of Brògeal on The River Stage was of a top priority, a decision that wasn’t to be regretted. Sharing their rowdy indie folk tunes with a Celtic flair, Brògeal have very quickly reached infectious high throughout Scotland and beyond.

One of the biggest selling points of TRNSMT festival is the close proximity of the three main stages. Admittedly, it can cause a bit of congestion, however, it gives ample opportunity to move about the site, discover new music and ultimately solve some of those potential clashes too. The Glasgow Green site is a fairly good size for a day festival arena. Away from the music, there’s a variety of breakout spaces across the site. The Boogie Bar at the opposite side of the park plays host to DJ sets, creating the ultimate party atmosphere, particularly for the festivals youngest attendee’s. It has a bit of a notoriously troublesome reputation but having stayed clear over the weekend, I can’t confirm or deny that much. New for 2024, The Hideaway was introduced as a 18+ space bringing a mixture of live music and DJ sets. On Friday, The Hideaway played host to the biggest secret of the weekend an impromptu set by Glasgow’s Travis who released their 10th album L.A. Times earlier that very day.

Travis weren’t the only seminal Scottish band making waves on opening day. Over on the main stage, West Lothian Indie favourites The Snuts had Glasgow Green as putty in their hands. Their third and biggest TRNSMT appearance yet was concluded with the announcement that the band would be taking on Scotland’s largest indoor arena, The OVO Hydro, at the opposite side of Glasgow in December.

Next up, Edinburgh born rock goddess Shirley Manson fronted a spectacular return to Scotland after a five year absence with her band Garbage. As the penultimate act of the main stage, you would have envisioned much more enthusiasm from the crowd, however, it was sadly evident that those taking up the tight front pen spaces were those who just wanted to be down front for tonight’s headliner, Liam Gallagher. Having had the privilege to chat to drummer Butch Vig ahead of the show, I felt ashamed to be part of this crowd as Shirley picked up on the lack of crowd interaction. A band who has so many timeless classics under their belt (‘Paranoid’, ‘Only Happy When It Rains’, ‘Stupid Girl’) should be met with nothing but adoration, but unfortunately this crowd didn’t get the memo. Easily one of the best sets of the weekend was wasted on the unappreciated ears.

The highlight of the day though has to go to The Last Dinner Party (TLDP) who penultimately headlined the King Tuts Stage. The feminine fueled five piece have dominated the the UK pop scene this past year. Achieving a debut No.1 album back in February has done nothing but heighten the bands standing as one of the most exciting bands of the 21st Century. Recently playing their only other UK festival date of the summer at Glastonbury, the thirst for TLDP has been unquenchable and Glasgow are desperate to get in on it. Playing a packed stage that continually grows with every song, front woman Abigail Morris is spellbindingly good at what she does. Hooking everybody who happens to cross her gaze, the band’s TRNSMT set includes the best of their debut album alongside something new; teasing the future of TLDP who will set off on their UK tour in September. The most poignant moment of the set comes from Abigail asking the crowd to chant “give me, the strength” during ‘Portrait of a Dead Girl‘, a song which has taken new identity as a survival anthem. The audience, predominantly female, is one of the most diverse I seen all weekend in terms of age which reflects their wide appeal. Finishing up with the already iconic track ‘Nothing Matters‘, TLDP are masters in stage presence already and I cannot wait to see how they progress over the years.

The opening day of TRNSMT 2024 was pretty amazing. A choak full schedule of both new and classic pop music merged side by side for Scotland’s music fans to embrace. Closing the night on the King Tuts Stage with a star studded guest appearance from Scottish actor Martin Compston (Line of Duty) was the ‘Kickstarts’ singer Example. Solidifying his legacy as one of the best of his generation, the King Tuts stage becomes barely elbow room only. For those needing a respite from the Gallagher mayhem of the main stage, a few minutes away on the River Stage, Fife singer Cammy Barnes was an unexpected highlight of the evening.

The majority may have turned out to hear Definitely Maybe in its entirety, but the best moments of the opening day dig a lot deeper and leave quite an appetite for those returning for day 2.

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Anne Kelly

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