IT’S SIMPLY THE FEST
Five-day festival to remember comes to a sensational end
Curtain comes down on TRNSMT with sets by The Killers and hometown bands CHVRCHES and Franz Ferdinand
IT WAS the festival that had everything – some of the world’s biggest artists, homegrown talent, fantastic weather and crowds loving every moment.
Held on five days over two weekends on Glasgow Green, TRNSMT 2018 will live long in the memories of everyone watching and taking part.
Queen with Adam Lambert, the Stereophonics, Arctic Monkeys and Liam Gallagher raved about the experience of playing to delighted crowds in the heart of the city.
Last night’s headliners The Killers were no different.
They kicked off to a shower of pink confetti with their recent hit, I’m the Man, before frontman Brandon Flowers really got the party started.
As they prepared to launch into Somebody Told Me, Flowers said: “Hello, Weegies. I feel a lot of love here tonight.
“If we’re The Killers, you’re the victim. You’re going to go away tonight knowing that we got away with it.”
A drummer called Tony had the evening of his life when he was called up on stage to play with the band.
He had gone to the barrier and held up a sign asking to play. To Tony’s shock, Flowers said yes.
To massive cheers from the 45,000-strong crowd, Flowers said: “You’ve been doing your homework.” The Killers followed fan favourites including Franz Ferdinand and Chvrches, who were returning to their home city, as well as Edinburgh’s Nina Nesbitt and Lewis Capaldi of Bathgate, West Lothian. The roars from the crowd were loud for synth-led trio Chvrches. Singer Lauren Mayberry said: “It’s been a really long time since we’ve played in our home town,” and soon had everyone singing along to Kaleidoscope and Bury It. Franz
Ferdinand began with the old favourite Do You Want To, with frontman Alex Kapranos singing: “Oh Glasgow, you’re so lucky.”
The band kept the crowd on a high as they played a mixed set of old hits and new singles.
As they introduced Finally, Kapranos said: “This song’s about appreciating. And it’s dedicated to my home town, Glasgow.”
Nesbitt couldn’t get enough of the action, as she popped up on the tiny Hotels.com stage to play an unannounced acoustic set shortly after gates opened.
She still drew about 100 fans, who were soon singing along with old favourites Apple Tree and Stay Out.
She then headlined the King Tut’s stage later on. A grinning Nesbitt told us: “I’ve never played TRNSMT before but I did T in the Park three times, so this is really cool.”
Capaldi took the main stage by storm and hoped he could follow in the footsteps of Gerry Cinnamon, who brought the festival’s biggest moment with 50,000 fans watching and singing along.
He dropped in All These Things That I’ve Done by The Killers – and hoped he wouldn’t upset them.
He told us: “Folk were really into it. I dropped in that Killers tune as well but as I was doing it I really hoped it didn’t get me huckled later.”
Gun’s English guitarist Tommy Gentry sneaked a solo of football anthem Three Lions into Shame on Friday night on the King Tut’s stage.
Frontman Dante Gizzi laughed and said: “Tommy is sound, but if football is coming home to England, he might be going back there too.”
Festival director Geoff Ellis was delighted with how the festival had come together.
He said: “It’s got the feel of a Glasgow crowd. There’s been a party atmosphere across both weekends.”
All the headliners had been blown away. Ellis said: “Queen were thrilled, they were not sure what to expect as
they don’t really play festivals but they loved the site and the crowd. The reaction was amazing.
“The Killers have arrived really early and they can’t wait to get on.”
Music fans had a ball. Ross Connelly and Michelle Dajager, both 17, came from Cumbernauld. Ross said: “You couldn’t ask for better headliners than The Killers.
“The line-up was perfect, so much variety. We’ll definitely be coming back next year.”
Chloe Carey, 25, and Micheal Buckley, 26, from Cork, said: “None of the stages are in tents so it’s easy to get a good spot and see the bands.”
Magnus Gislason from Iceland and Christina Magnusson from Italy arrived with their sons for their second taste of TRNSMT 2018.
Magnus said: “We were here last Friday for the Stereophonics and here again today for Hudson Taylor.
“It’s good that there’s so much across all five days that we could just pick the days that were best for us.”