FESTIVAL director Geoff Ellis says he can’t wait to bring TRNSMT back to Glasgow this summer.
After the success of the event’s debut weekend last year, the music extravaganza will extend to five days across two separate weekends this June / July.
Headline acts are Stereophonics, Liam Gallagher, Arctic Monkeys, Queen & Adam Lambert and The Killers.
And others taking to the TRNSMT stage include The Script, Texas, CHVRCHES and Franz Ferdinand.
There’ll also be a host of familiar names and up and coming Scottish acts performing at The King Tut’s Stage.
Speaking to The Sunday Post, DF Concerts chief executive Ellis said: “Last year exceeded all expectations, there was a great atmosphere, a well-behaved crowd and it was a great benefit to the city.
“Local traders did great business and some of the licensees told me it was the best weekend of the year for them.
“The bands were fantastic and the atmosphere electric, so we’re coming back to do it all again but on two weekends this year. A double bonus really!”
With the site already reaching maximum capacity, organisers decided the only way to expand was to add the two extra days.
The split between two weekends also allows ticket sales to be directed to different audiences.
Ellis explains: “The crowd for Queen & Adam Lambert is likely to be different to the crowd for Arctic Monkeys so it enables us to do more weekend tickets. It enables the maximum flexibility for the programming.”
With the event taking place in the heart of Glasgow, the city is central to the festival’s appeal.
The Glasgow Green site is handily placed within walking distance of hotels, bars, clubs and public transport links.
“You couldn’t ask for a better location,” says Ellis. “Glasgow’s the biggest city in Scotland, the best city for live music and it’s well served by public transport.
“The local residents have been very cooperative and understanding to minimise impact on them.”
As well as being a prime location for accessibility, Ellis reckons the world-famous Glasgow crowds are a huge draw for the big name acts.
“It’s widely renowned that Glasgow audiences are the most passionate in the world and that obviously helps the artists on the stage, they feed off that,” he says.
“For Stormzy last year, everyone was in to see him early on and he couldn’t believe how great the audience reaction was. It’s great for the city and the festival.”
The wide variety of acts taking to the stage this year provides a smorgasbord of genres for music fans to take in.
“Every band you book, you imagine them being on stage and want to see them. I think Arctic Monkeys will be phenomenal,” Ellis says.
“I’m also looking forward to Queen and Adam Lambert, something a bit different that people maybe didn’t expect to be on the bill and that’ll be a great Glasgow singalong!”
Ellis admits that booking Arctic Monkeys for their only UK festival date this year is a ‘real coup’ and that Liam Gallagher will play TRNSMT at ‘exactly the right time’.
Another source of pride is the fact that the majority of the headliners have worked their way up from appearing as breakthrough acts on smaller stages to becoming main event talents.
“To have acts that have come through King Tut’s is special for us,” says Ellis.
“The Killers played their first Scottish show there, as did Stereophonics and of course Oasis, Arctic Monkeys…. I think it’s only Queen and Adam Lambert that didn’t start off there!
“It makes us proud that the key launch venue in Scotland and arguably the UK is involved.”
© Andrew Cawley / DCT MediaTwo acts that made big breakthroughs on The King Tut’s Stage at last year’s festival have elevated themselves to the main stage this year.
Gerry Cinnamon and Lewis Capaldi were names not many had heard of until the last year or so, where they exploded into prominence.
Glasgow singer Cinnamon opens the main stage on June 30, while Capaldi will share the stage on July 8 with the likes of The Killers and fellow Scots CHVRCHES.
“You’ve got to get there early to see Gerry, he’s opening the main stage which is a real coup – the only artist bigger than him that day is probably Liam Gallagher,” says Ellis.
“Gerry could easily sell out the Hydro. To have Gerry and Lewis come through from King Tut’s to the main stage is great.”
It’s hoped that many of those appearing on this year’s King Tut’s Stage, including the likes of The Ninth Wave, IAMDDB, Sam Fender and The Snuts, will have similar success stories.
Outwith the music, festival goers won’t see too many changes from last year’s event, but can expect a slight difference in the food on offer.
Street food specialists Platform will switch their home in iconic venue The Arches for Glasgow Green throughout the festival.
“There aren’t a lot of changes [from last year], because by and large the set up was very good,” Ellis says.
“There are slight improvements at a couple of the bars, we’ll be bringing in Platform for fantastic food – tasty treats as well as musical treats!”
Geoff Ellis was speaking at a TRNSMT media event to showcase acts performing on the King Tut’s Stage, as well as launching Platform On Tour, this year’s street food offering at the festival
TRNSMT takes place on Friday June 29, Saturday June 30, Sunday July 1, Friday July 6, Sunday July 8, visit trnsmtfest.com for tickets and information
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