Festivals
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TRNSMT 2023: Underlined
The unmissable names hiding under the headliners at the Glasgow festival
TRNSMT festival arrives at Glasgow Green next month, and all eyes are on the huge names heading the line-up. Pulp’s spectacular reunion tour will hit the main stage on Friday 7th, with TRNSMT Festival favourite Sam Fender returning to headline Saturday evening and indie titans The 1975 closing out the weekend. But scan your eyes down that mammoth line-up and you’ll find plenty of other unmissable acts. From the next big names in pop to indie acts making a splash, here’s our roundup of the hidden highlights on the TRNSMT lineup.
FLO
Friday, Main Stage
The girly pop renaissance is upon us, and with it comes the return of the R&B girl group. FLO won over the internet with their insanely catchy debut single, ‘Cardboard Box’, and the music industry with their debut EP, The Lead. Scooping the Rising Star award at the BRITs last year, they’ve been teasing a debut album ever since. They might just be Britain’s answer to Destiny’s Child.
The Big Moon
Friday, King Tut’s Stage
Indie rock band The Big Moon will bring sparkly synths, introspective lyrics and big catchy choruses to King Tut’s. If you aren’t already acquainted with the London group, we recommend sticking them on your packing playlist immediately (and then keeping them on repeat throughout the rest of the year). Their latest album, Here Is Everything, documents the arrival of Juliette Jackson’s first child, a pregnancy which began in lockdown and ended in a emotional, complex and all-round fantastic record.
High Vis
Friday, River Stage
There’s anger and there’s love in High Vis’ post-punk musings. The group’s politics might be the sound that’s shouted the loudest in their music, but everything here comes from a personal place. Proud and productive of their working-class roots, their inspiration is often in their family and friends and the very tangible impact that conservative policy has in their lives. Expect a riotous set full of emotion and anthems and fingers stuck up at Rishi.
SIIGHTS
Friday, River Stage
Irish-Scottish band SIIGHTS do it all between the two of them, from the songwriting and the producing to the singing and the guitar/piano/bass/drum playing. They’re a seriously impressive duo making waves with their infectious alternative pop, and it’s hard to imagine their live set being anything other than a great time.
Brooke Combe
Saturday, Main Stage
Opening up the main stage on Saturday is Edinburgh act Brooke Combe, a velvety-voiced singer-songwriter who blends elements of pop, rock and R&B. She’s partial to a pop anthem with a big instrumental and a catchy chorus – what more could you ask for to kick off your Saturday?
Mae Stephens
Saturday, King Tut’s Stage
Who is Mae Stephens? We’re only just beginning to figure that out, but we like what we’re hearing so far. The 20-year-old singer-songwriter released ‘If We Ever Broke Up’ earlier this year, her third single and her first since 2021, and immediately found her audience. The track now has over 120 million listens on Spotify. If you’re interested in unearthing the next big name in pop before she’s even released an EP, look no further.
Cassia
Saturday, King Tut’s Stage
If summery indie pop sounds up your street, then Cassia should be on your radar when you head to Glasgow Green this summer. Their typical crowd is a sea of smiling faces and gently swaying bodies. “Tropical vibes but not tropical guys,” reads their Spotify bio, pretty accurately.
Terra Kin
Saturday, River Stage
Terra Kin only released their debut single ‘Flames’ in October 2022, but their earthy, ethereal sound has already picked up a buzz. Following a vocal feature on Fred again..’s ‘Hannah (The Sun)’ and a few live appearances alongside the producer and songwriter, they’ve been carefully carving out their solo sound, releasing a four-track EP of low-fi alternative pop.
Ashnikko
Sunday, Main Stage
![Ashnikko - Slumber Party (ft. Princess Nokia) [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/luZyMQjPTkM/0.jpg)
Ashnikko’s confrontational, unapologetic brand of pop has earned her a passionate fanbase, particularly amongst Gen Z. With arresting visuals, playful production and double-take punchlines, they’ve racked up six million monthly listens on Spotify and will drop their debut album, Weedkiller, this August. Don’t miss the chance to get a sneak preview.
Dream Wife
Sunday, King Tut’s Stage
Dream Wife blend a jumble of pop subgenres – pop punk, pop rock, alt-pop – with a dash of heavy rock and a healthy dose of social commentary. Formed as an art school performance project, the three-piece are now gearing up for the release of their much-anticipated third studio album. We’ve already chatted to them, and seen them light up The Great Escape this year: they’re unmissable.
Paris Paloma
Sunday, River Stage
![Paris Paloma - labour [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jvU4xWsN7-A/0.jpg)
Folk-pop singer Paris Paloma has had a fast rise over the last few months thanks to the success of her viral singles ‘the fruits’ and ‘labour’. Paloma specialises in poetic lyrics full of female rage set to gorgeous folky melodies. Although her releases have been sporadic so far, her new and very eager fanbase are ready for more.
Tommy Lefroy
Sunday, River Stage
Soft-rock duo Wynter Bethel and Tessa Mouzourakis take their name from Irish politician Thomas Lefroy, thought to be Jane Austen’s inspiration for Mr. Darcy. Their music is suitably poetic, romantic and imaginative, each leading the listener on narrative journey. Expect gorgeous harmonies, emotional ballads and serotonin-boosting melodies.
Photo credit: Nici Eberl
