TRNSMT has returned for another exciting year at Glasgow Green, right in the heart of the city! With the forecast predicting a scorching weekend and soaring temperatures, it looks like sun cream and plenty of water will be essential. Get ready for a fantastic time filled with music, sunshine, and good vibes!
Kicking off the main stage was the incredibly talented Calum Bowie, who effortlessly drew an enthusiastic crowd and captivated them with tracks from his latest album, *The Story So Far*. Fans joyfully sang along, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Some standout moments from his set included the anthemic “We Are The River,” the stirring “Anthem,” and the infectious “Dancing In The Sun.” It was clear he was relishing every moment on stage, expressing his delight at being back in Glasgow for TRNSMT and sharing his excitement about headlining the iconic Barrowland Ballroom later this year. He wrapped up his performance with a heartfelt tribute to his fans, delivering the beautiful “Love Lost.” As the final notes lingered in the air, he thanked the audience for arriving early to enjoy his set, leaving the main stage with a warm smile and a wave.
Calum is no stranger to the festival scene, and neither is James Bay, who brought an electrifying party atmosphere as he took the stage. He kicked off his set with the infectious “Up All Night,” instantly captivating the audience. Fans were treated to an exhilarating mashup of “Peer Pressure,” “Craving,” and “Pink Lemonade,” which had the crowd singing and dancing with wild enthusiasm. James looked fantastic in his signature hat, perfectly suited for the rising temperatures around the festival site. He closed out his set with an unforgettable finale, leading a massive sing-along to his beloved classic “Hold Back The River.” The TRNSMT audience welcomed him with thunderous applause as he exited the stage, leaving everyone buzzing with excitement.
Over on the King Tut’s stage, NOFUN! from the USA was having an incredible time captivating the Glasgow audience with an electrifying hip hop set. They commanded the stage effortlessly, weaving in and out between vocalists with an infectious energy. It was a true delight to witness their harmonious blend of voices and the genuine passion they poured into every song.
On the main stage, we were treated to an electrifying performance from Glasgow’s own Twin Atlantic, showcasing their original lineup with drummer Craig Kneale joining Sam McTrusty, Ross McNae, and Barry McKenna. The band was undeniably on top form, kicking off their set with the dynamic new single “Salvation,” a rock anthem that boasted a hard-hitting, guitar-driven sound. Their performance was brimming with passion and relentless energy, igniting the crowd as fans danced and sang along with their beloved local heroes. Standout moments from their set included the crowd-pleasing “World Class Entertainment,” the heartfelt “Brothers and Sisters,” and, of course, the unforgettable show closer, the sing-along classic “Heart and Soul.” It was a fantastic set that not only introduced fresh material but also celebrated the joy of seeing the original lineup back on stage. You could feel the camaraderie and excitement as they waved goodbye to the festival audience, clearly relishing every moment of their performance.
On the King Tuts stage, Arthur Hill was lighting up the night, bringing smiles to the large crowd that had gathered to see him perform. He was fully engaged with the audience, kicking off the evening with lively sing-along favourites like “John Wayne” and “Iced Coffee.” At one point, he playfully asked if there were any Lilys in the crowd, and after hearing a few enthusiastic roars, he dedicated a special moment to all the Lilys present. The highlight of the night was his new song, “Man in the Middle,” which captivated the audience and left them cheering for more. This was an unforgettable performance from Arthur, full of energy and joy.
A quick hop over to the main stage reveals Jamie Webster, whose electrifying performance sets the crowd ablaze. His engaging banter and heartfelt lyrics resonate beautifully, captivating the TRNSMT audience as they join in on anthems like “Days Unknown,” “Across the River,” “Going Out,” and the brilliant “Something in the Air.” The joy is evident on Jamie’s face as the warm Scottish sun bathes the stage. He wraps up his set with the audience singing at full throttle to “Looking Good,” culminating in a rousing finale with “Weekend In Paradise,” before departing the stage to thunderous applause from the festival-goers.
Back on the King Tut’s stage, rising star band Good Neighbours is creating quite a buzz in the music scene—and today, you’ll see why their infectious pop tunes drive the kids wild. With a captivating stage presence showcased by Oil Fox and Scott Verrill, it’s easy to understand why this band is hot property in the music industry. They had the crowd bouncing from front to back, opening their set with “Small Town” before diving into their latest release, “Suburbs,” which had just dropped the day before. Fans took the time to absorb the new track, and soon enough, they were singing along enthusiastically with the band. Although it was a brief set, Good Neighbours hit Glasgow hard, finishing with a bang on their debut single “Home,” followed by the crowd favourite “Daisies.” You could feel the band pouring every ounce of energy into their performance, delighting the audience, and the emotion on their faces said it all—they truly enjoyed every moment in the vibrant atmosphere of Glasgow as they left the stage.
Next up was the much buzzed-about band, The Royston Club, and the King Tut’s stage was absolutely packed as fans eagerly gathered for their set. Hailing from Wrexham, North Wales, the band features the talented Tom Faithfull, Ben Matthias, Dave Tute, and Sam Jones. They electrified the crowd with their unapologetic indie rock, leaving both loyal fans and newcomers thoroughly entertained. Today was extra special as they sprinkled in a few unreleased tracks, including the catchy “30/20,” the fiery “Curses,” and the powerhouse “Spit.” While these new songs were a treat for the audience, they still enjoyed a setlist filled with their beloved hits. Standout moments included the infectious “Blisters,” the sassy “Mrs. Narcissistic,” the exhilarating “Shivers,” and the brilliant “52.” The band’s energy was palpable, and you could feel the audience’s excitement with every song. As they wrapped up their fantastic set, they promised fans that they’d be back in Glasgow soon, leaving everyone buzzing with anticipation!
As the crowd buzzed with anticipation, the main stage was alive with excitement, all eyes eagerly awaiting the arrival of Wet Leg. Hailing from the iconic Isle of Wight, this band was back in Glasgow to ignite the atmosphere with their captivating tunes. When they finally stepped onto the stage, Rhian Teasdale, the charismatic vocalist, was the last to join her bandmates, all of whom were dressed in striking white outfits. The lineup included the talented Hester Chambers, Ellis Durand, Joshua Mobaraki, and Henry Homes, each ready to create an unforgettable experience.
The bands kicked off their set with the electrifying “Catch These Fists,” sending the TRNSMT crowd into a frenzy, with fans hoisting each other onto their shoulders while others danced and sang along joyfully. As the opening chords of “Wet Dream” rang out, it was a sight to behold—people from all corners of the audience were jumping and dancing in unison. The band had the TRNSMT attendees completely captivated, and Rhian’s dynamic presence on stage only amplified the energy. Some standout moments of their performance included the fantastic tracks “Davina McCall,” “Jennifer’s Body,” “Pillow Talk,” and “Angelica.” The crowd was left spellbound as the band delivered their last two songs, “Mangetout” and the powerful closing number “CPR.” Under the bright Glasgow sun, the warmth was palpable—not just from the weather, but from the shared excitement between the band and the audience. Wet Leg just keeps getting better; I remember the first time I saw them open for Inhaler at the Barrowland Ballroom, right across from the festival grounds. As the band exited the stage like champions, you could see the joy and triumph on their faces as they waved goodbye to the adoring crowd.
Next up on the King Tut’s stage was Nashville’s own Tanne Adell, who brought her unique twist on Country to the festival. With passion coursing through her veins, she delivered a captivating performance on the TRNSMT stage that left a lasting impression. A standout moment of her set was the incredible “Buckle Bunny and Tan Lines,” which resonated deeply with the audience. From the very first note, she enchanted the TRNSMT crowd, holding them in the palm of her hand throughout her performance. As she wrapped up her set, her joy and appreciation for the enthusiastic reception were evident, leaving everyone eager for more.
Next up on the main stage was Ireland’s beloved band, The Script. Fans were in for a treat as the group, consisting of Danny O’Donoghue, Glen Power, Benjamin Sargeant, and Ben Weaver, delivered an electrifying pop set that had everyone buzzing. The band kicked off their performance with the sensational “Superheroes,” sending the crowd into a frenzy. Danny was clearly in a spirited mood, determined to elevate the energy throughout the set. A poignant moment came when he dedicated “If You Could See Me Now” to their late band member, Mark Sheehan, who had tragically passed away.
Some standout tracks included “Before The Worst,” “Inside Out,” “Paint The Town Green,” and an impressive rendition of David Bowie’s classic “Let’s Dance.” The band was in exceptional form, winning over the hearts of their loyal fans as they wrapped up their set with the heartfelt “For The First Time” and the empowering “Hall of Fame.” The TRNSMT audience responded with a thunderous ovation, showering the band with appreciation. As they exited the stage, they waved goodbye to their enthusiastic supporters, leaving behind a lasting impression.
Over on the King Tut’s stage, the brilliant Confidence Man from Brisbane, Australia, took the spotlight as the new headliners to close out the day. Featuring the dynamic duo of Janet Planet and Sugar Banes, they elevated TRNSMT to exhilarating heights from the very first chord, getting the crowd dancing and singing along word for word. With their opening track “Now U Do,” the energy in the venue surged five notches, as festival-goers erupted into a dance party, mirroring the infectious enthusiasm radiating from the stage. The synergy and timing of their performance were nothing short of spectacular.
Some standout moments from their set included crowd favourites like “All My People,” “Firebreak,” “Gossip,” and the incredible “Real Move Touch.” They had the audience in the palm of their hands, refusing to let go as the infectious beats compelled everyone to move. The passion and vibrancy projected by the band cascaded into the crowd, culminating in an electrifying atmosphere as they launched into their final two songs, “So What” and the masterful “Holiday.” This was a truly remarkable set—one that undeniably proves they belong on the festival’s main stage. Confidence Man knows how to invigorate a crowd and elevate the experience with their unique blend of dance and song. This is undoubtedly a band to watch. As they exited the stage, the crowd clamoured for more, but alas, it was time to close the curtain on the night.
The headline act on the main stage to wrap up day one of the festival was none other than rapper 50 Cent. He delivered an electrifying set that had the crowd dancing and singing joyfully along to his iconic hits, including “P.I.M.P,” “Disco Inferno,” and a couple of Game covers like “Hate It or Love It” and “How We Do.” The songs came at a rapid pace, generating even more energy on what was already a sweltering day. 50 Cent closed his show with the powerful anthem “Many Men” before seamlessly transitioning into “I’m The Man,” leaving the audience in awe with the unforgettable finale, “In Da Club.” It was the perfect climax to an opening day filled with sunshine and excitement, leaving everyone buzzing with joy.
TRNSMT Day One wrapped up on a high note with the iconic 50 Cent taking the stage! Among the standout acts were the headliners from King Tut’s, Confidence Man, alongside the sensational Good Neighbours, the captivating Wet Leg, and the talented Calum Bowie. It was truly an unforgettable first day, leaving us all buzzing with excitement. What incredible surprises will Day Two have in store for us?
Photographs by James Edmond Photography
Review by Karen Edmond
