THIS WEEKEND marks the return of Scotland’s biggest music festival to Glasgow Green, TRNSMT Festival. Set to attract thousands of music fans from 12th – 14th 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 wide-ranging lineup– from Main Stage headliners Liam Gallagher, Gerry Cinnamon and Calvin Harriso indie heavyweights Courteeners, The Vaccines and Wunderhorse to pop stars like Sugababes and Natasha Bedingfield to exciting breakthrough artists like Bottle Rockets, Gallus, Brogeal and more.
As the excitement continues to mount for the weekend, here’s a rundown of our top bands to see.
Liam Gallagher
Thirty years on from the release of ‘Definitely Maybe’, Liam Gallagher has just completed a UK-wide tour in celebration of that seminal album – playing the whole thing in full alongside some cherished B-sides. He’s bringing the nostalgia fest to TRNSMT – and while it may be the third time he’s headlined the festival since its inception – it’s sure to go down a storm with old-time and new-gen fans alike.
Wunderhorse
Wunderhorse are a formidable live act. Fronted by the enigmatic Jacob Slater, their introspective powerhouse indie-rock hits even harder in person. And with their new album ‘Midas’ due on 30th August, we can maybe expect a glimpse at new material.
When: Friday, King Tuts Stage, 5.15pm
Gallus
Gallus are like a live juggernaut; having already firmly established themselves as one of the nation’s most exciting bands with their exhilarating debut ‘We Don’t Like The People We’ve Become’, they’ve toured the length and breadth of Europe in the last 12 months, winning over fans far and wide. Don’t miss them headline the River Stage on Saturday night.
When: Saturday, River Stage, 8.40pm
Dead Pony
Another band who have well and truly made their presence known well beyond the confines of their hometown, Dead Pony are in the midst of a hectic touring schedule that has taken them all over the UK and Europe. Back in Glasgow to play the King Tuts stage on Saturday afternoon following the release of their brilliant debut album ‘IGNORE THIS’, they’re a well-oiled machine, so expect plenty of loud, heavy and punchy anthems.
When: Saturday, King Tuts Stage, 2.30pm
Plasticine
A band looking to follow in the footsteps of the bands mentioned above, Plasticine make their TRNSMT debut on Saturday afternoon. They’re a band who deal in noise, melody and attitude – full of 90s grungy influences, infectious pop melodies and alt-rock dynamics.
When: Saturday, River Stage, 3.05pm
Dan South
Glasgow-based DJ Dan South has been lighting up UK festivals for a few years with his electrifying dancefloor-focussed mix of house, disco, electronica and rock’n’roll. Kicking off the festival at the Boogie Bar on Friday with an hour and 45 minute set, he recently released his invigorating debut single ‘RISE’ – a track full of the powerful, rolling energy of bands like Primal Scream, Prodigy, New Order and Justice and the undeniable grit and swagger of GOAT and Queens of the Stone Age.
When: Friday, Boogie Bar, 12pm
Bottle Rockets
As worthy winners of BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year, Bottle Rockets earned their place on the River Stage early on Saturday. A band we’ve grown to love in recent years, they were also one of the first names confirmed for TENEMENT TRAIL 2024. Drawing inspiration from grungy alt-rock, eighties new wave, shoegaze and modern rock, they deliver a luscious combo of dreamy vocals, shimmering guitars and punchy melodies.
When: Saturday, River Stage, 1pm
Sugababes
One of the many highlights at this year’s Glastonbury, Sugababes are sure to be one of names on people’s lips. With their original line-up back and in form, there will be plenty of old hits to dance and sing along to with plenty of reminiscing on the early 2000s.
When: Friday, Main Stage, 3.30pm
The Last Dinner Party
One of the most talked-about acts of 2024, The Last Dinner Party lived up to the hype with their excellent debut album ‘Prelude to Ecstasy’ earlier this year. A band made for festival stages, they’re like a mix of pure theatre, classic rock n’ roll and pop camaraderie. Just wait for the mass singalong of ‘Nothing Matters’.
When: Friday, King Tuts Stage, 6.30pm
Brogeal
This Falkirk outfit are a band fast on the rise, so don’t expect to see them on the smaller stages for much longer. Blending a love of traditional folk, punk and indie, their ever-growing songbook is sure to seize the heart and mind of any first-time listener.
When: Friday, River Stage, 5.15pm
Soapbox
A last-minute addition to Saturday’s lineup, Soapbox are one of the most exciting bands in Glasgow right now. Bursting with a vigorous, forceful energy, they’re bringing classic seventies punk to the modern day – with grit, wit and heaps of ambition. Their recent EP ‘HAWD THAT’ was a relentless punk assault – and we can’t wait to see it in person.
When: Saturday, River Stage, 1.55pm
Ben Walker
Making his TRNSMT debut on Friday, Ben Walker is gradually amassing a loyal following with his catchy tunes and lyrical storytelling. Taken under the wing of The View’s Kyle Falconer, he’s no stranger to the local live scene – and he’s sure to win over more fans this weekend.
When: Friday, River Stage, 2.40pm
The Snuts
The Snuts have surely earned their place in TRNSMT folkore, working their way up the stages to where they are now. Playing their biggest set to date, the festival is like a home from home from the West Lothian outfit – and the hometown crowd will lap every minute of their set. Expect mass singalongs and indie rock anthems galore.
When: Friday, Main Stage, 6.05pm
CMAT
Just two years ago, CMAT was playing a modest slot on the River Stage and now she’s back to take on the Main Stage. Last year’s album ‘Crazymad, For Me’ confirmed her status as bonafide country-pop icon and since then, the venues and stages have just got bigger and bigger. Having delivered one of the finest Barrowlands headline shows of 2023, make sure to get down early on Sunday for what’s sure to be another stellar performance.
When: Sunday, Main Stage, 1.10pm
Rachel Chinouriri
Rising indie star Rachel Chinouriri has released one of our favourite albums of 2024 in ‘What A Devastating Turn of Events’. Mislabelled as a ‘R&B and soul’ artist in the earlier stages of her career despite the clear rock and folk influences in her songwriting, she’s one of the breakthrough artists of the year – unflinching in her honesty, infectious in her storytelling ability and sublime in her vocal abilities. An artist destined for indie stardom, don’t miss out.
When: Sunday, King Tuts Stage, 3.25pm
Majesty Palm
Another artist named in our first wave of artists for TENEMENT TRAIL, Majesty Palm make their TRNSMT debut his Sunday. Cultivating a reputation for their layered and textured indie synth-pop sound, oscillating from the meditative and considered to upbeat and uplifting, they take influence from the likes of The Cure and Tears for Fears in their appreciation of eighties synthesisers and beats.
When: Sunday, River Stage, 1pm
English Teacher
Leeds outfit English Teacher received widespread acclaim for their debut album ‘This Could Be Texas’ earlier this year – perhaps one of the most definitive debuts of the year. Striking in their originality, they meld indie-prog, rock, folk electronica, and post-punk into an expansive new sound – and their live show is known to be every bit as vital and exuberant.
When: Sunday, River Stage, 8.35pm
