TRNSMT Pageant
Glasgow Inexperienced, Glasgow
seventh July 2023

The primary stage on Friday at TRNSMT. A day of uplifting, shimmering pop, showcasing the most effective in songwriting, or a procession of spineless insipid pop musak? Music is all the time a matter of private style. (Saturday and Sunday to comply with)

Joesef units a tone for the principle stage. Effectively crafted songs, nice melodies, saccharine candy harmonies and backing vocals however I’d prefer to see extra stage presence and charisma. There’s a rising appreciative viewers readily singing alongside however a number of songs in my curiosity’s waning. I would like an antidote.

I’m on the lookout for Excessive Vis however mockingly can’t discover them. The small River stage has disappeared. Ultimately I discover it nestling amongst bushes; it actually wants to return to it’s unique location. As soon as discovered, Excessive Vis present the medicine required. Laborious core punk, political angst and a contact of melody. They’re a refreshing various to the relative sterility of the principle stage.

There are additional pleasures at The Pleasure Resort on the King Tut’s stage. I suppose you’d name them alt rock. There are seven of them they usually’ve definitely obtained a rock’n’roll spirit. Musically their sound strikes between alt nation, candy melodic ballads and extra forthright quaint rock. In Morgan Woods they’ve additionally obtained a really charismatic entrance girl.

Again on the principle stage The View are taking part in their jangly indie guitar rock sprinkled with touches of Scottish folks. They’re nice sufficient however I’m drawn again to King Tut’s for Scorching Milk. Their emo-inspired, pop punk sound and picture is nothing new, however stay they’re inspirational. Han Mee and Jim Shaw might share vocal duties but it surely’s Mee who’s the point of interest; continuously shifting and steadily outspoken. For me, they ship the efficiency of the day.

Paul Heaton‘s coronary heart’s undoubtedly in the precise place. Pre gig, he’s been out to Glasgow pubs leaving bar tabs for fortunate punters. He’s obtained a wealthy again catalogue too, treating us to a succession of Housemartins and Stunning South classics with Rianne Downey guesting on vocals. The songs inevitably show a cue for mass singing.

Niall Horan‘s greeted by 1000’s of screaming voices, banners with declarations of affection, affords of marriage, and even Niall dolls. He begins with the rock infused Good To Meet Ya, replete with pop star waving. It’s a good begin however Heaven shortly raises the sickly candy and screeching degree to eleven. And so it goes on. The tempo of songs might differ however the high quality of melody is past doubt. There’s an ever current industrial pop sheen to the sound as every new monitor’s greeted with ever louder screeching. Finally it’s all an excessive amount of on your cynical reviewer.

Warmduscher self describe as submit punk. I’m unsure what which means anymore; it’s a reputation tag for an ever increasing style. Musically, the band appear to defy style however they’re positively fascinating. Uniformly wearing black, delivering off kilter rhythms, I’m reminded of Devo though they don’t actually sound like them. The entrance man is extra menacing than charismatic; he’s like a personality from The Sopranos.

Glasgow audiences like to sing and George Ezra doesn’t disappoint. His stylistically diverse set veers between gospel, pure pop ballads, Caribbean sounds and an assortment of infectious rhythms. They’re all a backdrop for his songwriting. The widespread function all through, although, is choruses which might be simply made for singing. Fairly Shiny Individuals sees 1000’s of individuals being simply that, whereas tasteful slide guitar on Barcelona actually elevates the music. Elsewhere, his brass part contributes impressively. To be sincere I’ve by no means actually warmed to George Ezra however watching him after Niall Horan I’ve gained a larger appreciation.

Over on King Tut’s stage Cat Burns is headlining. She’s very personable and appears genuinely stunned to be topping the invoice. Musically she’s very mellow with a sound that’s a mixture of gospel and soul with a contemporary city really feel. There’s no band, simply pre-recorded backing tracks. It’s a pity, a stay band would give far more freedom to such an emotive voice

Our important stage headliners tonight are a band from Sheffield, huge within the ’90s. They aren’t actually considering being reviewed and Louder Than Warfare isn’t vital sufficient to {photograph} them. Tonight, that proper’s reserved for nationwide print newspapers so I’ll go away this most unusual band with their widespread folks.

TRNSMT competition may be adopted on Fb and their web site

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Phrases and pictures by Trev Eales. Extra work by Trev on Louder Than Warfare may be discovered at his creator’s profile. His pictures portfolio is right here