THIS WEEKEND marks the return of Scotland’s biggest music festival to Glasgow Green, TRNSMT Festival. Set to attract thousands of music fans from 7th-9th July, some of the hottest acts on the planet will descend on the park once again for three days of incredible live music. This year’s festival will feature another eclectic lineup– from Main Stage headliners Pulp, Sam Fender and The 1975 to indie heavyweights Kasabian, Royal Blood and Thie View to pop stars like George Ezra and Becky Hill to exciting breakthrough artists like The Big Day, Uninvited and The Joy Hotel.
As the excitement continues to mount for the weekend, here’s a rundown of our top bands to see.
Sam Fender
Fresh off the back of his triumphant homecoming shows at St James Park, TENEMENT TRAIL alumni Sam Fender returns to TRNSMT as a headliner – years after starting out at our multi-venue festival and climbing up the stages to where he is now. Since those early days, he’s shared his acclaimed second album ‘Seventeen Going Under’ – and it’s made him a bonafide star. Expect plenty of emotional singalongs and crowd-pleasing anthems.
When: Main Stage, Saturday 8th July, 9.20pm
Pulp
Eleven years on from their last shows, Jarvis Cocker and co are back and headlining festivals and huge outdoor shows all summer – and with much aplomb. They may not have any new songs, but the Britpop legends have returned with all the energy they had before – gaining widespread acclaim for each show to date. A band full of charisma and unending energy, expect to hear all the classics like ‘Common People’, ‘Razmatazz’ and more.
When: Main Stage, Friday 7th July, 9.10pm
Declan Welsh & The Decadent West
Making their debut on the Main Stage this year, Declan Welsh & The Decadent West are set to get TRNSMT off to a flying start on Friday at noon. This main stage slot has been a long time coming for the four-piece who release their second album ‘2’ later this year. With a sold-out Barrowlands show already under their belt, this will mark another milestone for a band we’ve watched come into their own in recent years. Expect big indie rockers and rousing, socially conscious anthems.
When: Main Stage, Friday 7th July, 12.15pm
Flo
Winners of the BRIT Award Rising Star Award and the BBC Sound of Poll 2023, there’s plenty of hype surrounding Flo. Set to make their TRNSMT debut on Friday, the trio deal in impeccable R&B anthems – even securing the assistance of Missy Elliot on their recent track ‘Fly Girl’. Touted as the UK’s next big girl group, catch them on the Main Stage this weekend.
When: Main Stage, Friday 7th July, 1.10pm
Warmduscher
A vital live force to be reckoned with, Warmduscher are beacons of positive and experimental, saxophone-fueled punk and jazz. Arriving in 2014 as a Fat White Family offshoot, the London-based outfit have four albums to their name – filled with genre-mashing brilliance and a grimy post-punk edge. If you’re in for a good time, don’t miss out.
Where: King Tuts stage, Friday 7th July, 5.45pm
The View
This weekend marks The View’s return to Scotland’s biggest stage. With a new album on the way, we’ve already heard big tunes like ‘Woman of the Year’ and ‘Neon Lights’, that indicate the band are in fine form once again. However, it’ll be the old favourites that are set to go down a storm with a new generation of fans – ‘Same Jeans’, ‘Wasted Little DJs’, ‘Grace’ and more. Known to incite utter chaos with each live show, it’s hard to think of an outfit more ready for festival season than The View.
When: The Main Stage, Friday 7th July, 3.10pm
swim school
Edinburgh’s swim school released their new EP ‘Duality’ this year to widespread acclaim. Having spent some time hold away in the studio this year, their music takes influence from modern indie, 90s grunge, dream-pop and more – filled with big hooks, distorted guitars and impactful lyrics. Led by the guitarist and vocalist Alice, they’re an increasingly accomplished live prospect – shifting from singalong choruses and magnificent surges of noise – and they’re about to embark on another busy festival season.
When: King Tut’s Stage, Friday 7th July, 1.30pm
SLIX
A band who grow in stature with each release and riotous live show, Slix are a four-piece indie-rock band from Gourock. With a loyal following behind them who make every show a sell-out, they’re a band brimming with charisma and youthful exuberance – dealing in heart-on-sleeve lyrics, jangly guitars and of course, hooks galore. Recent single ‘Rewind’ indicates their growth as songwriters, and their TRNSMT show is sure to mark another big milestone in their fledgling career.
When: River Stage, Friday 7th July, 12.45pm
The Joy Hotel
Formed in the east end of Glasgow in 2019, The Joy Hotel shouldn’t be missed. With founders Morgan Woods (Emme Woods) and Luke Boyce sharing vocal duties, the band has swollen to include seven members – all bonded by their shared love of vintage pop, layered arrangements and classic vocal groups. With elements of psych rock, dream pop and alt-country all thrown in to the mix, their live shows are nothing short of captivating.
When: King Tut’s Stage, Friday 7th July, 12.3opm
The Big Day
Landing in a flurry of colourful suits, sunglasses and stadium-ready pop anthems, The Big Day made an instant impact from the moment they first burst onto the local live circuit – and have since lived up to all that early potential and more. Led by the illustrious Ryan Hunter, they draw from a wide range of influences such as David Bowie, Duran Duran, Gary Numan and Confidence Man, blending them into fun, slick and well-crafted pop songs – and their live show is not to be missed.
When: The River Stage, Saturday 8th July, 1.45pm
Uninvited
Uninvited appear at TRNSMT this year on the River Stage. Writing music that pushes the LGBTQ+ conversation to the forefront, their shimmering pop-rock tunes have gained them widespread acclaim at the likes of Reading & Leeds and our very own Tenement Trail. A band destined for big things, don’t miss out.
When: The River Stage, Sunday 9th July, 5.10pm
Lucia & The Best Boys
With her debut album on the way later this year, Lucia & The Best Boys is back to captivate the Glasgow crowds this weekend. Highlights of recent years have included a UK-wide tour with Wolf Alice and Dream Wife, as well as a support slot with Biffy Clyro. A magnetic performer with heaps of gothic charm, look out for massive tunes like ‘Perfectly Untrue’
When: King Tuts Stage, Sunday 9th July, 1.10pm
