TRNSMT 2025 (see Saturday right here)
Glasgow Inexperienced, Scotland
11-Thirteenth July 2025
Sunday at TRNSMT: Shiny pop, indie stalwarts, and the sounds of Scotland in 2025. Trev Eales hung out testing the expertise on the smaller levels.
Making an early begin, my first act of the day is Nxdia, from Egypt by way of Manchester; alt pop with fascinating beats, a couple of musical traces of her Center Jap heritage, and a few pleasing bursts of rock guitar. Visually too, she’s an interesting presence and value additional investigation.
Subsequent up, two younger Scots each impress. Each have nice voices. Nineteen 12 months outdated scholar Pat Hamilton mines a dance pop vein with upbeat actually infectious songs. Kerr Mercer brings extra gravitas. His voice is paying homage to Lewis Capaldi, with whom he’s been writing songs. Each have but to launch music in bodily kind however are apparently promoting out reveals in central Scotland and Mercer attracts a very sturdy crowd for therefore early within the day. Positively ones to observe.
Persevering with my early wandering I encounter Kuleeange on the BBC Introducing Stage, a guitar and bass duo backed by electro beats. There are echoes of Nineteen Nineties dance, of techno and dub. Musically, if not vocally, they’re paying homage to Alabama 3 at instances, and so they’re getting air time on 6 Music. They’re most likely not destined for mass consumption however your reviewer enjoys them.
As for mass consumption . . .
Nathan Evans & Saint PHNX Band are tearing up the primary stage. Nathan Evans went viral on TikTok 5 years in the past singing sea shanties. Now he’s gracing TRNSMT’S essential stage and getting the very best response of the day to this point. He’s like an much more Scottish model of Gerry Cinnamon; a populist tackle people with nation flavours thrown in.
The Lathums, who comply with him, wrestle. Enjoying a set dominated by their new album might have brought about difficulties, with the group seeming to not recognise earlier songs like Say My Title. They battle on however get little response. It’s little doubt partly because of set decisions however maybe additionally right down to programming. Sandwiched between the Scottish populism of Nathan Evans and the three shiny pop acts who comply with them, this actually isn’t their viewers.
In the meantime on King Tuts, Kyle Falconer has no such issues. Whether or not selling solo materials or fronting The View, the Dundee singer at all times goes down properly on his (maybe over) frequent visits to TRNSMT. I’m starting to surprise if he owns shares in promoters DF Live shows.
Whereas pop strengthens its grip on the primary stage, a trio of feminine acts maintain court docket at King Tuts. All acquit themselves properly. Rianne Downey, maybe greatest identified for singing with Paul Heaton, is pleasant. Mixing country-tinged pop and Scottish people ballads, her voice is faultless, whereas her on stage informal appeal provides to the environment.
Brooke Combe‘s expertise is past query. In the present day, she’s the epitome of a easy soul singer. I final noticed her two years in the past, extra tough edged, with a band that introduced a rockier sound along with her soulful vocals. Mass reputation little doubt beckons however I a lot desire the sooner incarnation.
Nina Nesbitt‘s an intriguing character. Singer, music author, and typically mannequin, she’s a musician seemingly repeatedly altering genres. Coming throughout her over a decade in the past, she was a teenage solo artist enjoying jangly people pop on acoustic guitar. The pure pop album that adopted bore little resemblance to the dwell act I’d seen. By 2022, locks shorn and time spent within the USA, her dwell sound had grow to be soulful, electro flavoured pop with a really American really feel. In the present day, turned Scottish cowgirl, we’re handled to people and nation flavoured Americana. It’s undoubtedly right down to innate expertise however every reincarnation appears to work.
Again on the essential stage it’s clear that the higher layers of right this moment’s line up have business pop as their core focus and market.
Myles Smith‘s fast rise to fame has been spectacular. Fuelled by on-line success, BBC patronage, BRIT nominations, and a current help slot with Ed Sheeran, he’s enjoying a late afternoon slot at TRNSMT. Stay, he initially presents as humble and maybe barely over awed by over 20,00 folks in entrance of him.
“Hello, my identify’s Myles Smith. You might not have heard of me or know my songs however I’m going to do my easiest to ensure you have an excellent time.”
He needn’t have fearful. His voice, power, and uplifting songs are infectious. Whether or not enjoying it severely with acoustic guitar or bouncing across the stage, his expertise is self evident. Anticipate to see and listen to way more of him sooner or later.
Jade‘s efficiency is all about manufactured, choreographed, shiny lady pop, whereas between music banter contrasts with earthy northern sincerity. On stage we’ve bought shiny inflated spikes and an identical silver podium to climb. Every music’s tightly choreographed with accompanying dancers. Musically there’s a mixture of Little Combine and solo materials – not that your reviewer can differentiate. The group although, like it.
Because the pop parade continues, the penultimate essential stage act is a few American pop princess. Is she any good? I’ve no concept. Like an growing variety of artists from the USA, she’s banned all photographers. Is it ego, narcissism, a need for management, or one thing to cover? I share the views of many who each {photograph} and assessment gigs. If we aren’t adequate to {photograph} her, she isn’t getting reviewed.
I head again to King Tuts the place a parallel world has unfolded; the youngsters and twenty somethings in entrance of the primary stage have been changed by a couple of thousand males of their forties and fifties. Is it a secret Oasis reunion? The place have all these folks been all day? I don’t know the place they’ve been however they’re right here to re-live their Nineteen Nineties youth with Shed Seven. “Shed” have loads of hits, fan favourites and some new songs to entertain them for an hour. And so they do it very properly. After which these misplaced souls migrate to the primary stage for an additional dose of nostalgia with Snow Patrol.
And what of right this moment’s headliners, Snow Patrol? They’re skilled, they’ve bought some good songs, they’re an pleasing pay attention. You don’t realise simply what number of good songs till you hear them once more. They’re clearly happy and proud to be enjoying within the metropolis the place they first gained success. However ought to they be headlining Sunday evening at TRNSMT? In the present day’s three previous acts are all very “pop,” attracting a completely completely different demographic.
There’s been some pleasing music and some new finds right this moment however I’ve needed to wander to the smaller levels to search out them. The day actually hasn’t reached Saturday’s heights, and it appears vital numbers have left after the pop acts. As I go away I can’t assist ponder whether a special headliner was initially deliberate. A younger act, extra pop oriented, extra suitable with the remainder of the primary stage programme and the viewers it attracted?
I assume I’ll by no means know.
TRNSMT Competition pageant might be adopted on Fb and their web site
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Phrases and images by Trev Eales. Extra work by Trev on Louder Than Battle might be discovered at his creator’s profile. His pictures portfolio is right here
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