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TRNSMT music festival begins in the scorching heat

Jonathan Geddes
BBC Scotland News
Reporting fromTRNSMT, Glasgow Green
Getty Images A woman with red hair wearing a bikini top stands at a microphone and flexes her biceps and looks sweaty with a hazy smoke filled backgroundGetty Images
Rhian Teasdale of Wet Leg powers through the heat on the main stage

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.

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

Calum 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."

Getty Images Calum Bowie - a clean-shaven young man in a beige t-shirt sings and plays guitar on the TRNSMT stage.Getty Images
Calum Bowie kicked off the festival weekend at TRNSMT

Crowd chants criticising the Conservative party broke out during Jamie Webster's set on the main stage.

However, the Liverpool singer-songwriter, known for 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."

Political statement

Later on the main stage, Isle of Wight duo Wet Leg were more inclined to make a poltical statement.

Guitarist Hester Chambers voiced her pro-Palestinian support to cheers from the crowd.

She claimed "fascist forces" in politics and the media were blocking people's right to protest the war in Gaza.

The band also cheekily referenced headliner 50 Cent, with a drum kit branded "50 Leg", while bikini-top wearing singer Rhian Teasdale flexed her muscles in the early evening heat.

Irish outfit the Script then sparked a string of sing-a-longs during a hit-packed performance.

PA Media A young woman with long blonde hair smiles while sitting on someone's shoulders in the crowd at TRNSMT. She wears a cropped Brazil t-shirt and there is a crowd of music fans all around herPA Media
The first bands took to the stage in the blistering sunshine
PA Media Four women in summer wear hide behind a Saltire with a yellow smiley face on it. PA Media
Fans carried small fans and bottles of water as they headed in to the festival
PA Media A young man sits on a friend's shoulders with his hands in the air and his tongue sticking out in the crowd at TRNSMT. The big wheel is behind him in the distance.PA Media
It was most definitely a "taps aff" occasion at Glasgow Green

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

The weather was too much for some, with dozens of fans at the smaller King Tut's stage - featuring the likes of indie-pop band Good Neighbours - retreating to shaded sections near the stage.

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."

PA Media A man onstage with a guitar along side bandmates, with Jamie Webster in letters behind on the backdropPA Media
Jamie Webster calmed the crowd's anti-Tory chants during his set

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."

Lesley Lapsley, in a patterned top and sunglasses, with her son Aidan, wearing a Download t-shirt and shades
Lesley Lapsley was there with her son Aidan, 16, after previously bringing her daughter to her first festival

The heat may have led to a more reserved crowd, with more mild reactions to many acts than might have been expected.

The smaller King Tut's stage only came alive for Confidence Man - who replaced rap trio Kneecap as stage headliners after the band were dropped from the bill.

The Australian duo's dance pop was accompanied by costume changes and choreographed routines, to a jubilant reaction.

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.