TRNSMT Festival returns to Glasgow Green this weekend for three days of live music from some of the biggest names in pop, rock, dance and hip hop.
However, as well as attracting huge names like Biffy Clyro, Fontaines D.C., Snow Patrol, Gracie Abrams and 50 Cent, the festival has been known to provide a platform for some of the most exciting up and coming artists from across the UK.
Previous editions have seen the likes of Sam Fender, The Snuts, Lewis Capaldi, CMAT and even Fontaines D.C. appear on its smaller stages, before going onto become the huge artists they are today.
So, if you’re on the hunt for a new band or the next big thing, here are our top tips below:
Chloe Slater
One of the first names revealed on our own TENEMENT TRAIL lineup, get to know Chloe Slater before she returns in October. A sharp singer-songwriter, she’s known to delve into the personal and the political, against snarling indie-rock guitars, big drums and huge choruses.
Brogeal
With their debut album ’Tuesday Paper Club’ officially on the way, Brogeal are on a hot run of form. They recently completed a UK-wide tour, including a huge date at Glasgow’s SWG3, and have shared crowd favourites like ’Vicar Street Days’ and ‘Friday On My Mind’. With a sound rooted in Celtic tradition, their indie folk bangers will go down a storm with the TRNSMT crowd.
Cliffords
Dubbed the ‘next great guitar band from Ireland’ by Rolling Stone, Cork outfit Cliffords deal in big melodies, heavy guitars and ambitious alt-rock soundscapes. They shared their EP ’Salt of the Lee’ recently which marked a big step foward – soaring, cinematic and full of emotion.
VLURE
Few bands know how to get a crowd going like VLURE. The Glasgow heroes have taken their ravey-punk tunes all over Europe and beyond, and they’ve just announced that their long-awaited debut album ‘Escalate’ arrives on 26th September. Known for their raucous, impassioned live shows, you don’t want to miss their headline slot at the River Stage on Saturday. Believe the hype.
Indoor Foxes
Aside from a great cover of LCD Soundystem’s ‘Daft Punk Is Playing At My House’, Indoor Foxes have had a fairly quiet year – until now. Taking on the River Stage this weekend, the singer-songwriter, aka Martha Burr, shared the ’Sadolescence’ EP last year – grungy, introspective, emotive and full of big choruses and addictive melodies.
Becky Sikasa
Another SAY-nominated artist, Becky SIkasa opens the River Stage on Friday. Her music is deeply personal, poignant and affecting – her stunning vocals accompanied by stirring, soul and gospel-inspired arrangements. Songwriting prowess meets understated beauty.
KuLeeAngee
Guaranteed to get the crowd moving, KuLeeAngee deal in funky dancefloor fillers. Think Confidence Man, Jagwar Ma and Jungle where indie sleaze meets acid house and infectious grooves. The duo have just shared their five-track debut EP ‘Is It Awryt’ and it’s all killer, no filler.
HotWax
Alt-rock trio HotWax shared thier debut album earlier this year called ‘Hot Shock’. Recorded by Caatherine Marks (boygenius, Wolf Alice) and Steph Marziano (Hayley Williams), it’s an adrenaline-fuelled record full of huge, snarling guitar anthems. A band made to play loud, catch them on the King Tuts Stage.
Fright Years
Edinburgh outfit Fright Years are known for crafting indie rock that is as cinematic as it is emotionally charged. They released a new EP ’Still Life’ earlier this year that was defined by its shoegazey guitars, glimmering synths. yearning melodies and powerful lead vocals – oscillating from cathartic peaks to moody atmospheric moments.
Chloe Qisha
Tipped to become a key player in the UK pop scene in the coming years, Chloe Qisha comes to TRNSMT with an arsenal of inventive pop tunes already under her belt. Crafting a sound that is slick as it is sensitive, her music is ambitious as it is playful.
