A warm, humid day is expected in the city, with the forecast predicting a few summer showers throughout the day. Tonight, Calvin Harris will take over the main stage to bring the festival to a close. Additionally, today’s festival will feature the Euro Final between Spain and England.
As the gates opened, there wasn’t a significant rush; only a few people trickled in early. The first glimpses of St. Andrew’s Cross flags appeared, accompanied by the Spanish flag, while a few England flags were scattered around the festival grounds. The opening bands on the Main Stage and King Tut’s Stage played to a modest crowd of a few hundred people in total.
At the main stage, CMAT was ready to perform, captivating the TRNSMT audience with her infectious songs and lively dances that had everyone joining in. She’s a remarkable entertainer who truly deserves to perform on larger stages. CMAT had the crowd fully engaged, revelling in the interactive experience she created.
At the King Tut’s stage, Irish band Kingfishr made their debut at the festival. Considering the festival site was relatively quiet at the time, they managed to draw a decent crowd. The band, known for their beautiful songs and harmonies, has performed in the city several times before. Their openness and willingness to interact with fans were evident during their brief festival set. Although today’s performance was short, it was powerful, featuring standout songs like “Heart in the Water” and the excellent “Caroline.” If you have the chance to see them live, you won’t be disappointed. It’s worth noting that they are gradually moving to larger venues, so catch them at a smaller one while you can. Currently, the band is touring with their latest album release in Dublin.
Next up on the main stage was the brilliant Baby Queen, who graced the audience with her presence, wearing a crown and captivating the crowd at the front. They sang along to her songs and danced energetically. Arabella Latham, originally from South Africa, moved to London to pursue her dream of making it in the music industry. Judging by today’s performance, she is well on her way, delivering an energetic show with music that had everyone bobbing along. She is currently promoting her latest album, “Quarter Life Crisis,” and the new songs she performed today were met with great enthusiasm, featuring catchy melodies and a compelling chorus. Baby Queen has an excellent stage presence and knows how to engage her audience fully. Don’t miss the chance to see her live at a venue near you.
On the King Tuts stage, the Irish band Sprints made their entrance, with singer Karla Chubb confessing to the TRNSMT audience that they were slightly hungover after finishing their last support show with the Idles the previous night. Despite this, they delivered an energetic performance, with guitarist Colm O’Reilly donning a tartan kilt. Playing their unique style of garage punk, the band captivated the audience, who responded enthusiastically. The high-intensity, guitar-driven set had the crowd dancing along. This is a band I would love to see in a smaller venue. Their stage presence draws you into their world. Make sure to check them out if they’re performing near you.
On the main stage, it was time to welcome Alison Goldfrapp as she brought her pop-disco sound to the festival. She stepped onto the stage wearing a multi-colored heavy jumper that made it seem like it was the middle of winter. Her set was packed with songs from her former band, Goldfrapp, including recognizable hits like “Rocket” and “Strict Machine.” The performance was elevated by her dancers, and the mostly young crowd danced along to the music.
Next up on the main stage were the outstanding Blossoms. From the very first song, they had the crowd captivated. Frontman Tom Ogden expertly engaged the audience, demonstrating his knack for connecting with them. The stage setup was impressive, featuring a statue covered in black sheets during the initial songs. When unveiled, it revealed Gary the gorilla, also the title of the band’s latest album. Blossoms have to be among the best performers on stage this weekend, with perhaps only one or two exceptions. Their stage presence and energy were electrifying, capturing the audience completely. This was our first time seeing the band live, and as you can imagine, we were blown away. If you haven’t seen them perform live yet, make sure to check them out.
Next up was Tom Grennan, who undoubtedly elevated the party atmosphere. Having performed at the festival multiple times over the years, he clearly knew how to engage the Glasgow audience. He covered every inch of the stage, connecting with the crowd as he delivered hit after hit, much to the delight of fans who sang along to every word. Highlights of his performance included “By Your Side” and the outstanding “Lionheart.” His facial expressions showed he was enjoying every moment of the set. Tom, a true entertainer, whipped the TRNSMT audience into a frenzy. If you haven’t seen Tom perform live, you’re missing out. Be sure to catch him soon.
Next on stage were Chase & Status, who delivered a powerful set blending Drum and Bass classics with fresh tracks. Their performance was a hit, featuring guest vocalists throughout. The crowd was energized by the band’s impressive enthusiasm from start to finish. Their passionate and distinctive show truly captivated the audience.
The headliner for tonight, Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, was next, ready to bring the festival to a close with remixes of his hits. He treated the TRNSMT crowd to a spectacular show featuring CO2 cannons, pyrotechnics, and an impressive light display. Harris had the audience dancing throughout his two-hour set, with fireworks exploding behind the stage. Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of the crowd. Closing the festival with a DJ was a unique choice, but it was exactly what the attendees wanted, and they enjoyed every moment. During the final of the football match, Calvin kept the audience updated, thrilling the Scottish fans when Spain took the lead and eventually won. It was a massive dance party as the TRNSMT Festival came to a jubilant end.
Now that the festival is over, it’s time to start planning for next year. What can we expect from the lineup? Only time will tell. Given that this is Scotland’s major festival, we’re sure to have a thrilling lineup in store. Tickets for next year are now on sale, so be sure to grab them quickly before they sell out.
Review by Karen Edmond
Photographs by James Edmond Photography
