THEBANDS AREBACK IN TOWN
Livemusicfans flocktoGlasgow Greenasfestival returnsafter two-year wait
THOUSANDS of music fans celebrated in style as Scotland’s biggest music festival finally got under way yesterday. Revellers poured through the gates at Glasgow Green for TRNSMT’s first of three days of entertainment including sets by Primal Scream, Liam Gallagher, Chemical Brothers, Twin Atlantic and Keane. Those with tickets were asked to prove they had taken a negative lateral flow test prior to their arrival but that didn’t dampen enthusiasm. Jane Harris, 26, of Aberdeen, summed up the mood, saying: “I did the test, was negative and gave a whoop of delight. “We’ve all been deprived of gigs and music festivals for too long. I came to see all the bands but especially The Chemical Brothers and Snow Patrol on
Saturday.” The weekender, which was cancelled last year and postponed from July, opened its gates for the first time in over two years with 50,000 music lovers also expected to catch sets by the likes of Sam Fender and future superstar Joy Crookes.
Geoff Ellis, the festival’s director, said: “It’s absolutely incredible to be back. So much work has gone into making this weekend happen and it was a pretty amazing moment when we opened the gates earlier today.
“The festival means so much to people and it really reminds you how much we’ve all missed live music. You can see that from the crowd’s reaction so it’s amazing to be able to offer their first gig experience in such a long time.
“There’s an action-packed few days ahead and a real buzz of energy right across the city.” After a morning of grey cloud and drizzle yesterday, the skies cleared and the evening sun shone in time for Irish rockers Inhaler to provide a blistering set on the main stage.
The band – who feature U2 star Bono’s son Elijah Hewson in their line-up – later admitted to The Record that they almost split during lockdown.
Drummer Ryan McMahon said: “We were questioning whether we were still going to be a band, when it was going to end and all that stuff.
“During the pandemic it was scary and we didn’t know if it would be five or 10 years before we could play again.
“We eventually decided we write songs and the benefit was we wrote five or six new tunes.
“It’s wonderful to be back seeing crowds enjoying live music again. It’s amazing.”
The Courteeners closed the main stage with a rousing set
of favourites from the festival veterans.
Fans gave the TRNSMT festival the thumbs-up.
One reveller, Tom Keegan, said: “I’m looking forward to The Lathams, Sports Team, Sam Fender and Blossoms. I saw a gig last week but I’m buzzing to be back at a proper festival.”
The event was rocked by two last-minute cancellations due to Covid.
Scots chart-toppers The Snuts and singer LukeLaVolpe, both from West Lothian, announced to fans they would not be able to perform.
The Snuts, who topped the album charts with their album W.L. earlier this year, issued a statement, saying they were “beyond devastated” by the news that a band member and a crew member had both tested positive for Covid.
They said: “We are beyond devastated to let you know that we are unable to perform at
TRNSMT festival today. A band member and one of our crew have both tested positive for Covid.
“We put so much work into what was going to be the biggest show of our lives and we were so excited to share it with you.”
LaVolpe, real name Luke Gibson, had been due to perform on the King Tut’s stage tomorrow.
He said: “This isn’t easy but I’ve got to give you the absolutely gutting news that I’m having to self-isolate and I won’t be able to play TRNSMT on Sunday.
“I’ve dreamt of playing a gig like this since I was a boy and over the past 18 months I’ve visualised every second of my set.
“To be perfectly honest, at times it felt like it was the only thing keeping me going through all this. When it was rescheduled and I got the bump up to the
King Tut’s stage, it was the biggest buzz going for me and the band.
“It would have been our biggest gig yet and it felt like all the hard work was paying off.”
A spokesperson for TRNSMT said: “Set times will be updated soon so fans should download the festival app to keep up to date throughout the weekend.”
Those not attending will be able to catch festival highlights on BBC Alba and BBC Scotland at 9pm and 10pm tonight.
But there bad news for revellers hoping to get the train to and from TRNSMT tomorrow, when The Chemical Brothers and Snow Patrol will take to the main stage.
ScotRail is facing strike action across the weekend and says no trains will run in Glasgow tomorrow.
Meanwhile, three people were arrested at the festival, one for a minor assault and two arrests for breach of the peace.