As said by footballers after a defeat, with TRNSMT ‘we go again’. Day two follows quickly and a shower and proper bed always trump camping at a festival, but maybe there’s something to be said for remaining in that mindset, rather than coming home, doing some normal things and then bowling out for fun once more.
Yes, there’s some first world problems for you…
Hey kids, meet your NewDad
It’s a tough shift opening a Main Stage at 12:30 on a Saturday afternoon. Galway’s NewDad gave a decent debut album this year, and they’re definitely a band to see live. Perhaps this wasn’t the right setting for them to make much of an impact.
It was a bit grey, there was a touch of wind affecting the sound and after yesterday’s sunshine vibe, it felt like Saturday was still to kick into gear. There was nothing wrong with the show, it was all rather splendid and an ideal way to ease into the day. However, when you think 13 hours earlier the same space was reverberating to the songs of youth and misplaced dreams, there was a need to reset and start all over. And it must be said, like all great bands, NewDad knew how to get a crowd on side.
By enquiring if the crowd were supporting Spain on Sunday night, drummer Fiachra Parslow couldn’t have elicited a larger cheer than if the band launched into a cover of ‘You Dirty English Bastards’ by the Hairy Bowsies.
It was the loudest roar of the day so far. It was a shame that the response wasn’t for any of the songs, but it was good that NewDad got a strong response somehow. ‘Madra’ meandered into something powerful, twisting darkly in the low light while ‘Spring’ remains as lovely as it was when first heard.
Bottle Rockets will fly high
The nagging feeling that NewDad were slightly hung out to dry by their positioning was reinforced with Bottle Rockets on the River Stage. It might have been the third biggest stage for bands, but the group has tunes and choruses destined for the top. There’s not quite the awareness about them yet, but they’ve got enough in their locker to suggest they’ll be back at TRNSMT, and similar festivals, at a later time, and on a larger stage.
Given they’ve won SAMAs and a BBC Introducing Award, it’s not as though there’s been no coverage of the group, but with so much noise these days, it’s understandable that word takes time to get around.
The thing is, with songs like ‘Community Service’ and ‘Limerence’, Bottle Rockets have the songs that will get crowds jumping and singing every word back. Singer Kenzi Murray has effortless cool in the bag, although admittedly, it was 1 on a Saturday lunchtime – half of Glasgow walks about with sunglasses on that time…and it’s rarely because of the sunshine!
‘Winter Baby’ is slightly colder, moodier, but no less bewitching. It’s also a song that packs a proper punch, broadening their sound and appeal.
Closing with a cover of Fontaines DC ‘I Love You’ could have backfired, but it was handled well, especially the faster sections where Grian Chattan unfolds with fervour. It didn’t seem out of place with the material which preceded it.
Do not ignore this
Dead Pony opened the festival last year with a lunchtime shift on the Main Stage on Friday, so while the stage was a step down, the slot was a step forward. Things are never linear, and the band is clearly on the rise.
Also, the band has been in the wars on their recent run, with bassist Liam Adams breaking an arm. It was good to see him on stage a few times and great to see Lizzie Reid back with the gang, prowling with bass intent.
That bass is vital, but it’s the duo of singer Anna Shields and guitarist Blair Crichton that drive the band. Shields is a dynamo, never stopping, always cajoling, regardless of stage or crowd size. Mainly drawing on this year’s debut album IGNORE THIS, the group have evolved into a pulverising outfit, offering up-tempo slaps to the chops. The album title track and ‘MK Nothing’ are the best examples of the group operating at full-throttle and you could sense people being drawn to this space with each passing song.
It was great to hear older track ’23, Never Me’ hold its own amongst the new material and ‘RAINBOWS’ has a sweet and tender side amidst the musical fury.
A blast of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ got the crowd airborne and Anna’s orders for a mosh pit were delivered. Like Bottle Rockets, there’s no arguing Dead Pony has the songs for a larger setting and much bigger crowd, it’s just about reaching people. Also, the sight of the band’s inflatable mascot bouncing around the Green was great fun.
Not to divert you to other platforms but if you watch the BBC footage of ‘MANA’, you’ll see it in all its glory, and someone’s attempts to ride it!
Plasticine have catchy numbers
It’s tough sculpting a setlist for a festival. An up-and-coming band like Plasticine gets half an hour, and is playing to a handful of committed fans and curious onlookers.
However, the band have a standout track in ‘On My Own’, which was absent from the show. Yes, it’s a slower track and maybe they decided they needed a mostly upbeat offering. That track’s omission was a slight disappointment, but there was still a lot to like.
You know a song called ‘STD’ is going to be catchy [oh dear] and their cover of ‘Pure Imagination’ is on the Glasgow zeitgeist (although let’s be fair to Plasticine, they were covering the track before Glasgow’s wonky fiasco!). Through it all, singer Summer Skye weaves melodies through the air while guitarist Bob O’Reilly gives the impression, he’d be an energetic pest when let loose!
And while the music was brilliant, all through the afternoon to this point, it felt as though there was something not quite fitting together. The music was great, every band had an engaging presence, but it felt as though the party was happening somewhere else.
It was.
TRNSMT Boogie Bar
The area leading to and around the Boogie Bar was absolute merry chaos! Festival goers entering via the McLennan Arch find this arena directly to their right, and there’s a sense many will not venture further. Which is okay, you can’t eulogise about the Slam Tent and then get sniffy when the next generation (maybe even the one-after-next generation) finds their thing, and goes all in on it.
From this point, the evening spiralled into a range of acts that need no introduction, no coverage from SNACK and, frankly, none of my time! And that’s the beauty of festivals.
Those into their up-and-coming bands have plenty of chances to tick off a great range of bands, all eager to impress, on their best behaviour. There’s plenty of space for those who want to cut loose and dance as if everybody’s watching, because let’s be honest, everyone is always watching.
And no matter what you think of the TRNSMT lineup, you cannot deny they give punters choruses to scream into the Calton sky. Rick Astley, The Courteeners and Gerry? Never mind that you’re not 19 forever, you’re not 39 or 49 forever either, so go and enjoy yourself, whatever that means to you.
TRNSMT 2025 dates
TRNSMT 2025 dates are Friday 11th – Sunday 13th July 2025
