Snow Patrol Closes TRNSMT 2024

Glasgow Greets Homecoming Heroes as TRNSMT Reaches Finale

The TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow has concluded, with Northern Irish-Scottish rock band Snow Patrol delivering a powerful headline performance on Sunday, the final day. An electric atmosphere pervaded Glasgow Green as thousands of music fans gathered to witness a diverse lineup of established stars and emerging talents. Sunday’s programme offered a fitting conclusion to a weekend of live music, which had seen major acts like Biffy Clyro and Amy Macdonald perform on the previous day. The last day's events capped off another successful year for the festival, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of Scotland's cultural calendar.

A Festival Forged in Legacy

TRNSMT emerged in 2017, stepping into the void left by T in the Park, its popular predecessor. Organised by DF Concerts, it quickly established itself on Glasgow Green as a premier event for pop, rock, and electronica. The inaugural festival drew an impressive 120,000 attendees over three days. Past headliners have included international heavyweights like Radiohead, The Killers, Stormzy, and Pulp. Despite its success, the festival has faced criticism, notably from the Musicians' Union in 2019, for the low proportion of female artists on its bills. This led to the creation of a female-only 'Queen Tut's' stage as a response to the backlash.

Snow Patrol’s Triumphant Return

For Snow Patrol, the headline slot was more than just a performance; the occasion was a true homecoming. Gary Lightbody, the band's singer, repeatedly acknowledged their deep-rooted connection to Glasgow, a city they called home for a decade. This sentiment resonated with the crowd, creating an intimate rapport between the artists and their audience. The band's history is intrinsically linked to Scotland, having formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 under the name Shrug. Their early years were spent honing their craft in local pubs and venues, making their return to a major Glasgow stage a full-circle moment celebrated by longtime supporters.

A Setlist Steeped in Nostalgia

The group began their much-anticipated set with several of their most recognisable songs, immediately igniting the crowd. Well-known songs, among them "Take Back The City" and "Chocolate," were met with widespread enthusiasm, their anthemic choruses echoing across Glasgow Green. Lightbody told the audience that Glasgow represented a significant chapter in their collective story and that performing there felt like returning home. This genuine affection for the city added a layer of emotional depth to their set, transforming the large-scale festival performance into a shared, heartfelt experience for the thousands of fans in attendance.

Image Credit - Big Think

An Ode to Early Supporters

A highlight was the dedication of their iconic track, "Chasing Cars," to the fans from their early days. Lightbody specifically mentioned their initial gigs at celebrated Glasgow venues such as King Tut's Wah Wah Hut and the city's Nice N Sleazy. This dedication served as a heartfelt tribute to the city's vibrant music scene, which played a crucial role in their journey to international fame. The song itself, reported in 2019 as the most-played track of the 21st century on UK radio, created a massive singalong, uniting the audience in a moment of collective nostalgia.

The Path from Dundee to Global Stardom

Originally formed by students Gary Lightbody, Mark McClelland, and Michael Morrison, the band initially went by Polarbear before settling on Snow Patrol in 1997. After relocating to Glasgow, they released their first two albums to critical rather than commercial success. The turning point arrived in 2003 with their major-label debut, Final Straw, which propelled them to national fame. The success of that album and its follow-up, Eyes Open (2006), solidified their status as mainstays of the post-Britpop movement and earned them a global following, selling millions of albums worldwide.

Gracie Abrams Bids Farewell to Europe

Earlier in the day, American pop sensation Gracie Abrams captivated the audience with a powerful performance on the festival's primary stage. She informed the crowd that this performance would be her last in Europe for an extended period. The show marked the culmination of a lengthy tour supporting her successful 2024 release, The Secret of Us. Abrams' announcement added a sense of occasion to her performance, with fans eager to witness her final European show for the foreseeable future. Her heartfelt delivery and connection with the audience demonstrated why she has become a significant new voice in pop music.

The Secret of Her Success

That album, The Secret of Us, marks a commercial and critical high point for Gracie Abrams. Her second studio effort, it soared to the top of the charts in the UK and Australia and secured the number two spot on the US Billboard 200. Produced with Aaron Dessner of The National, the record features a collaboration with pop superstar Taylor Swift on the track "Us." The album's singles, including "Risk" and "Close to You," have achieved significant chart success and viral traction on social media, cementing Abrams' position as a rising global star with a dedicated and growing fanbase.

A Joke and Its Rebuttal

During her set, Gracie Abrams humorously suggested that ninety percent of the audience was primarily there to see Snow Patrol. The massive and enthusiastic reaction to her own songs, however, quickly disproved this modest claim. Her own material, like the fan-favourite "That's So True" from the deluxe version of her latest album, received a thunderous response from the Glasgow crowd. This interaction highlighted the strong connection she has built with her own following, who turned out in force to support her performance, proving she was a major draw in her own right.

Celebrity Watch at the Green

Speculation was rife among festival-goers about the potential appearance of Hollywood actor Paul Mescal. The star of Gladiator 2 is the boyfriend of Gracie Abrams, and many fans were hopeful he would be seen on-site supporting her performance. Celebrity spotters kept a keen eye out for the Irish actor throughout the day. However, their hopes were ultimately unfulfilled. The buzz surrounding his potential presence added an extra layer of excitement and glamour to the festival's final day, keeping the rumour mill turning among the assembled crowds.

Image Credit - Glasgowist

A Tale of Two Siblings

While Paul Mescal was not present at TRNSMT, his sister, Nell Mescal, was also on the TRNSMT bill. She delivered a well-received performance on a smaller festival stage, showcasing her own distinct musical talent. Her brother, meanwhile, was otherwise engaged, having been spotted in London attending the final of the men's singles competition at Wimbledon. The contrasting weekend activities of the Mescal siblings provided an interesting subplot to the festival narrative, highlighting the diverse paths of two rising stars from the same family.

The Atmosphere on the Final Day

After a scorching Saturday, conditions at Glasgow Green eased for the festival's conclusion on Sunday. While the daytime remained very warm, a comfortable coolness settled in as night fell, providing more pleasant conditions for the headline acts and the audience. Police Scotland reported a calm event overall, with ten arrests occurring during the first two days of the event. The relaxed and positive atmosphere contributed to a successful and enjoyable final day for the thousands of revellers who had gathered for the weekend's musical celebration.

Jade’s Solo Spotlight

The afternoon’s main stage schedule included a vibrant performance from Jade, formerly of the BRIT Award-winning girl group Little Mix. Drawing loud cheers of enthusiasm from the audience, she appeared in a striking tartan outfit, a clear nod to her Scottish surroundings. She expressed a wish for those in attendance to experience a feeling of love and connection during her set. Her performance included a mix of her emerging solo material alongside popular songs from her former band, offering something for new listeners and long-time fans alike.

Myles Smith’s Highland Fling

Another artist to capture the afternoon crowd's attention was Myles Smith. Capturing the event’s spirit, he appeared on stage dressed in a kilt and a Scottish football jersey. The clear highlight of his set was a performance of his massive viral hit, "Stargazing," which prompted a huge audience singalong. His energetic performance and charismatic stage presence made a strong impression on the festival attendees. The combination of his Scottish-themed attire and his popular music created a memorable moment before the main stage audience.

Shanty Pop Heroes Conquer the Main Stage

The audience gave a hero's welcome to Nathan Evans and the Saint Phnx band for their afternoon performance. Their high-energy shanty pop set had the crowd buzzing with excitement from the very first note. From the stage, Evans made a major announcement to the enthusiastic audience. He revealed an upcoming headline show for himself and his musical collaborators at the prestigious OVO Hydro in Glasgow that October. This news was met with a massive roar of approval, far exceeding the band's own expectations and confirming their rising status.

From Apprehension to Triumph

During a conversation with BBC Scotland News, Nathan Evans admitted to some apprehension before the show. His nervousness was not about the performance itself, but rather how the announcement of the OVO Hydro gig would be received by the festival crowd. The overwhelmingly positive reaction validated the band's decision to share the news at TRNSMT. His bandmate, Stevie Jukes, added that their collaboration with Evans has been a continuous upward trajectory. He described the TRNSMT performance and the subsequent gig announcement as the culmination of all their hard work together.

Image Credit - Crexcell

Nina Nesbitt’s Call for Change

Singer Nina Nesbitt gave a captivating performance on the King Tut's Stage under the afternoon sun, which included a heartfelt cover of the Scottish folk classic "Caledonia." Nesbitt, an Edinburgh native, used her platform to address a long-standing issue associated with the festival. In comments made to the BBC, she voiced her hope that TRNSMT would book its first woman headliner for the next event. She joked that she was attempting to 'project' this outcome into existence, a nod to the long-running critiques about the underrepresentation of women in headline positions.

A Platform for New Talent

A showcase for some of Scotland's most exciting new artists was the BBC Introducing stage. Among them was teenager Pat Hamilton, who performed not long after a song of his found viral fame on the social media network TikTok. The singer from Glasgow shared with BBC Scotland News that he had previously attended TRNSMT as a fan. He described making the leap from the audience to the stage as a personal ambition fulfilled, a sentiment likely shared by many aspiring musicians in the audience.

From the Crowd to the Stage

Another act to appear on the BBC Introducing stage was the indie group Dictator, who bring a funk influence to their music. The band members conveyed their excitement about the TRNSMT gig, telling BBC Scotland News that the festival's name recognition even extended to their own families. This fact highlighted the event's significance within the wider community. Michael Campbell, the singer, commented on the typical anxiety performers face regarding afternoon audiences. He expressed his relief and was pleased to find the audience was so animated and engaged, which contributed to a fantastic show.

Britpop Veterans Look Back

A different musical generation was represented by Shed Seven, established figures from the Britpop era. The group, who were the headliners for the King Tut's stage, reminisced about performing at T In The Park, which was TRNSMT's predecessor, multiple times. The lead singer, Rick Witter, offered his perspective on the evolution of festival-goers' behaviour. He offered his view to the BBC that audiences today exhibit better manners than in earlier times. He pointed out that the presence of large, intoxicated male groups has diminished, a change he views positively.

Enduring Appeal and a Grateful Outlook

Rick Witter also conveyed his appreciation for his group's enduring career, acknowledging their fortune in remaining active over three decades later. He pointed out that it is rare for bands of their generation to have such longevity, making them feel fortunate. According to Witter, their audience is constantly evolving, with a growing number of youthful fans at their concerts. He concluded with a lighthearted promise to continue performing well into their old age.