It was a stunningly beautiful day in Glasgow, marking the first day of the highly anticipated festival. Enthusiastic festival-goers, brimming with excitement, queued up outside the venue, eagerly awaiting the moment when the doors would finally open.
Today’s highlight is none other than Liam Gallagher, who is set to headline the event with his spectacular “Definitely Maybe” anniversary show. As the gates swung open, a vibrant sea of festival attendees poured in, their bright, colourful clothing creating a lively mosaic of hues. Among the crowd, a plethora of Oasis T-shirts and hats stood out, symbolizing the deep-rooted love and nostalgia for the iconic band.
Early birds who arrived promptly secured their coveted spots at the front of the stage, ready to immerse themselves in an unforgettable musical experience. The air was thick with anticipation and excitement, hinting at the extraordinary performances that lay ahead.
Kicking off the main stage was the remarkable soul voice of Jalen Ngonda, delivering a brilliant sound and providing the perfect start to the festival with his exquisite music. The US-born singer, now based in Liverpool, captivated the Glasgow audience with his soul-infused sound. Jalen is definitely an artist to watch, as his music channels the passion of some of the soul greats. His radiant smile lights up the stage, and his powerful vocals send chills down your spine. Make sure to catch him at a venue near you.
Next up on the King Tut’s stage is The Scratch from Ireland, delivering a performance that’s nothing short of infectious. Jordan O’Leary goes wild with his handmade acoustic drum kit, complemented by his powerful vocals. The band takes over the stage, radiating energy and passion that sweeps through the crowd. Their unique blend of acoustic sound with a heavier edge gets everyone dancing under the Glasgow sunshine. The Scratch is set to play at most major festivals across the UK, and they are definitely worth catching at a venue near you.
On the main stage, Irish band Picture This is about to perform, and the fans at the front are eagerly awaiting them. The band, led by the exceptional vocals of Ryan Hennessy, captivates the audience. They are preparing for their European Tour later this year to promote their fourth album, “Parked Car Conversations,” released in April. Ryan begins the show by playing piano at the back of the stage before moving to the front, delighting the fans. He expresses his excitement to be back in Glasgow, Scotland, as the band plays a mix of new songs from their latest album and some old favourites. They end the performance with the outstanding “Addicted to You” and a crowd sing-along to “Take My Hand.” With their beautiful songs that tug at the heartstrings, this band has earned the devotion of their fans, who sing along to every word.
Over on the King Tus stage, Bellah Mae captivated a large crowd as she stepped up with a glass of red wine in hand. Her stunning voice delighted the audience, who enthusiastically sang along. Bellah clearly enjoyed the moment, especially when the loudest cheer erupted for her debut song, “Boyfriend of the Year.” The Solihull native is definitely worth checking out for her impressive vocals.
Back on the main stage, TikTok sensation Lauren Smith Spencer captivated her fans, delivering a passionate set about teenage heartbreak that had the TRNSMT audience singing along. With her stunning voice and infectious appeal, she expertly entertained the crowd and knew exactly how to engage the festival audience.
It was time to head down to the River Stage to witness Ben Walker, a 20-year-old from Montrose who is generating quite a buzz with his music. The stage was packed with eager fans waiting for him to perform. As Ben and his band stepped onto the stage, their expressions showed surprise at the large crowd gathered to hear him. From the moment he started playing, Ben’s guitar-driven music and stunning vocals captivated the audience. His commanding stage presence made it clear that this is just the beginning for him. Expect bigger things from Ben Walker, as the word is now out. Don’t miss his latest single, co-written with Kyle Falconer of The View.
Over on the King Tut’s stage, the talented Nieve Ella captivated the TRNSMT audience with her charm and music, getting everyone dancing and singing along. With a commanding stage presence, she truly let loose and rocked out. The Glasgow fans enthusiastically supported her throughout her performance. Nieve Ella is definitely an artist worth checking out at a venue near you.
On the main stage, it was time for the talented Declan McKenna to perform. A large crowd eagerly awaited his arrival. As soon as he appeared, the festival fans erupted in a massive cheer. His set had the entire audience singing along enthusiastically. With the sun blazing on one of the hottest days in the city, it was clear from the expressions on Declan’s and the band’s faces that they were having an incredible time.
Rumours circulated all day about a possible surprise guest over the weekend. When the word got out, people headed to the Hideout stage/bar. The sign outside displayed the band set to perform: “Glass Onions.” For longtime music fans at the festival, this name was a nod to a band’s original title. For those unaware, they were in for a real treat—a secret show by Fran Healy and Travis. The small stage was packed as they delighted the crowd with hits like “Slide” and “Flowers in the Window.” Fran, sporting bright orange hair, joked with the audience, saying, “This is what happens when you drink too much Irn Bru.” The crowd inside sang along enthusiastically, creating a lively, party-like atmosphere.
Next up was one of the finest bands to emerge from Scotland, The Snuts, who elevated the festival atmosphere to new heights. They kicked off their set with an iconic song dedicated to Glasgow, instantly captivating the crowd. The band shone brightly as they guided the Glasgow audience on a magical journey through their music. The TRNSMT crowd danced and sang along, filling the front of the main stage to capacity, with both front-of-stage pens closed due to the overflow. It was a delight to witness their growth, having performed on various other stages over the years, and now gracing the main stage. Perhaps one day, they may even headline it.
The next highlight was eagerly anticipated by many long-time fans: the homecoming of Shirley Manson and Garbage. The band made a grand entrance, preceded by a full pipe band that took the stage before Garbage appeared. Shirley Manson entered from the back of the stage, clad in a full tartan outfit, and despite the challenges of performing for a younger crowd unfamiliar with their work—and competing against Example, who was filling the King Tuts Area—Garbage delivered an outstanding performance.
Shirley’s vocals were flawless, and her commanding stage presence reaffirmed her status as a powerful force in the music industry. The set was electrifying, featuring hits like “Godhead,” “I Think I’m Paranoid,” “The Men Who Rule The World,” and the iconic “Stupid Girl.” It was a joy to see her and the band grace the TRNSMT stage and return to Glasgow. They even pulled off an epic cover of Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Cities in Dust.” The band was in top form, and it’s a performance not to be missed.
The moment had finally arrived for what all the kids had been eagerly anticipating: Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and his band taking the stage. The setlist was packed with hits from his former band, celebrating the anniversary of the Definitely Maybe album. Fans at the front sang along passionately as he kicked off with “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star.” The music and vocals sounded as vibrant as they did back in the day. However, the energy seemed to dissipate across the festival field.
A surprising addition to the set was a cover of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds song “Lock All The Doors.” Unfortunately, Liam’s vocals didn’t quite suit the song, and despite the crowd’s efforts to support him, it just didn’t click. He wrapped up the set with fan-favourites “Supersonic,” “Slide Away,” and the iconic “Live Forever.” The band then left the stage briefly before returning for an encore with The Beatles’ “I Am The Walrus,” bringing the first day of the festival to a close.
The festival kicked off flawlessly with gorgeous weather and an outstanding lineup. What can we look forward to on day two?
Review by Karen Edmond
Photographs by James Edmond Photography
