TRNSMT Festival Kicks Off in Glasgow Amid Heatwave and Political Expression
Scotland’s largest music festival, TRNSMT, opened its gates Friday, drawing massive crowds to Glasgow Green despite soaring temperatures reaching 27C. The three-day event features headliners 50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, and Snow Patrol, alongside a diverse lineup of established and emerging artists.
Scottish singer Calum Bowie officially launched the festival, performing to a surprisingly large crowd for an early set. “It’s quite early and the first day of the festival but it was amazing, there were people right down the front and it filled out during the rest of the set,” Bowie told BBC Scotland News. “Everyone was singing back, everyone seemed on good form.”
The festival’s opening day saw a mix of musical styles and political undertones. Irish rockers The Script ignited the evening with a series of sing-along performances, while earlier in the day, chants critical of the Conservative party erupted during a set by singer-songwriter Jamie Webster. Despite the political fervor, Webster urged attendees to focus on enjoying the festival experience, stating, “Festivals like this are escapism, and that’s massively important.”
Later, Wet Leg, the Isle of Wight duo, made a distinct statement, referencing headliner 50 Cent with a drum kit emblazoned with “50 Leg.” Singer Rhian Teasdale further captured attention with a display of strength in the heat, while guitarist Hester Chambers voiced her support for Palestine, asserting that “fascist forces” are suppressing protests against the war in Gaza. Bass guitarist Ross McNae of Twin Atlantic also showed solidarity, wearing a Palestine FC football shirt.
Attendees navigated the heatwave with fans and water bottles, and health officials from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde advised festival-goers to stay hydrated and protected from the sun. “We’ve already got through one bottle of water pretty quick so we’ll be going to get more,” said one attendee, Kelly Gillespie, who was attending with her sister. Longtime festival-goer Lesley Lapsley, who first attended T In The Park in the 1990s, expressed hope for a surprise set from an artist like Lewis Capaldi.
Breaking with convention, 50 Cent took the stage five minutes early, delivering a high-energy performance complete with dancers, pyrotechnics, and costume changes, featuring hits like “Candy Shop” and “Just a Lil Bit.” Prior to his performance, the rapper was reportedly seen bowling and enjoying champagne at Glasgow’s Vega venue.
The lineup saw a last-minute change on the King Tut’s stage, with Australian duo Confidence Man replacing the previously scheduled Kneecap. Their performance proved to be a highlight, injecting energy into the smaller stage with dance-pop and choreographed routines.
Saturday’s lineup includes Biffy Clyro, Fontaines D.C., and Underworld, with Miles Kane stepping in to replace Wunderhorse, who withdrew due to illness. The festival will conclude on Sunday with performances by Snow Patrol, Gracie Abrams, and Jade Thirlwall. .
The event continues to demonstrate the enduring appeal of large-scale music festivals, offering both entertainment and a platform for social and political expression.
