TRNSMT music festival begins in Glasgow in scorching heat

Fans have flocked to Glasgow after Scotland’s biggest music festival opened its gates.

This year’s TRNSMT is headlined by 50 Cent, Biffy Clyro and Snow Patrol over three days on Glasgow Green.

Scottish singer Calum Bowie opened the event, with afternoon fans basking in scorching temperatures that are expected to continue all weekend.

Bowie told BBC Scotland News that he was terrified no-one would actually turn up to watch him play.

He said: “It’s quite early and the first day of the festival but it was amazing, there were people right down the front and it filled out during the rest of the set.

“Everyone was singing back, everyone seemed on good form. It [the festival} is the big one to do as a Scottish musician.”

Other Friday acts include singer-songwriter James Bay, who sparked a sing-a-long with his hit Hold Back The River, and hometown heroes Twin Atlantic.

Crowd chants criticising the Conservative party broke out during Jamie Webster’s set on the Main Stage.

However the Liverpool singer-songwriter, known for making past political statements, said it was not a day to be political and urged the crowd to enjoy the festival.

He told BBC Scotland News: “I always feel welcome here, and I’m lucky to have that relationship with Glasgow.

“Festivals like this are escapism, and that’s massively important. It’s a huge festival and it has always been great with me.”

Fans were seen carrying small fans and bottles of water as they headed in to the festival site.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has asked music fans to stay safe during the weekend heatwave by ensuring they are protected from the sun and stay hydrated.

Sisters Kelly and Chloe Gillespie from Glasgow, told BBC Scotland News that they have only ever missed one edition of the festival, which began in 2017.

They said: “We’re doing today and tomorrow – we can’t wait for Jamie Webster today and Biffy tomorrow.

“We’ve already got through one bottle of water pretty quick so we’ll be going to get more.”

Lesley Lapsley, who has been going to festivals since T In The Park in the 1990s, was there with her son Aidan,

She said: “The last time I was at TRNSMT was with my daughter to see Stormzy when she was 16, and now I’m here with Aidan as he’s 16.

“We’d love a surprise set from Lewis Capaldi,or someone like that, but I don’t know if that’s likely.

“It could do with a few more bigger acts, someone like the Prodigy, but it’s great for the younger generation.”

Also playing on the Friday are indie duo Wet Leg and Confidence Man – who replaced rap trio Kneecap on the King Tut’s stage after the band were controversially dropped from the bill.

Friday headliner 50 Cent was spotted in a Glasgow bar the night before the event.

The American and his entourage were apparently bowling at the city’s Vega venue while drinking champagne.

The event continues with Biffy Clyro, Fontaines D.C and Underworld among the acts on Saturday.

There is one change to Saturday’s line-up – rock band Wunderhorse dropped out of their scheduled slot due to illness. They will be replaced by Miles Kane.

The event will end on Sunday with Snow Patrol, Gracie Abrams and former Little Mix singer Jade Thrilwell performing.