Some of the best under the radar talent has today been announced for TRNSMT, taking place at Glasgow Green across 7th – 9th July 2017. The King Tut’s Stage powered by Utilita Energy will play host to the country’s favourite new artists, just as the iconic King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut has done for the past 25+ years in Scotland. Honne, The LaFontaines, Sundara Karma, Tom Grennan, Saint Motel, The Amazons, Clean Cut Kid, Declan McKenna, Fickle Friends, and The Vryll Society will play Glasgow’s newest festival this July.
London electronic duo Honne released their debut album Warm on a Cold Night in the summer of 2016 and since then, it has been a quick ascent to the top. Following the release of two consecutive EPs in 2014 and 2015, Honne have crafted their live shows at festivals across the country including BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend and in July, it is finally Glasgow’s turn. The band cite one of their major influences as TRNSMT’s own Friday headliners Radiohead and Honne’s sleek, slick sound has garnered praise from The Huffington Post, The Guardian and NME to name a few, making their appearance on the King Tut’s Stage powered by Utilita Energy at TRNSMT a chance for fans to see these rising stars before they hit the big time.
American indie pop band Saint Motel bring the California vibes to Glasgow Green in July as the quartet take to the stage. Following the release of their second album saintmotelevision in late 2016, the band have excelled in power pop guitar anthems and are known for their wild live shows, proven through support slots with Panic! At The Disco and Band of Skulls.
Saturday night headliners The LaFontaines, bring their unique blend of rock, pop and hip-hop to the TRNSMT party on 8th July. Frontman Kerr Okan’s lyrical brilliance often provides commentary on current youth culture and having already sold out iconic venues such as Glasgow’s Barrowlands, there is no doubt The LaFontaines will receive a rapturous homecoming from the TRNSMT crowd. They released their new single Release the Hounds in late 2016 and after almost 4 years of breaking records and pushing boundaries, these Scottish titans show no sign of stopping.
English indie rock band Sundara Karma only formed in 2015 but are already making waves in the music scene, with The Guardian comparing them to Arcade Fire, U2 and Bruce Springsteen. The four-piece released their debut album in early 2017 and have supported fellow TRNSMT act Two Door Cinema Club on tour. With a captivating frontman, modern indie rock and bold pop anthems there is no doubt these young rockers are set for big things.
Liverpudlian four-piece Clean Cut Kid formed in 2014, spending the time since honing their indie-pop sound permeated with unabashedly romantic lyrics and infectious melodies. Their singles so far introduced a band full of creativity, mixing classic melodicism with a sonic adventurousness. Their debut album Felt, due for release next month, is preceded by new single Leaving You Behind which has already received a BBC Radio 1 Hottest Record accolade. With a headline tour in April and May, and dates in support of Brit Award-nominated troubadour Michael Kiwanuka in May, the band is a welcome addition to the TRNSMT bill.
Brighton indie pop band Fickle Friends are no stranger to festivals, having performed at 53 across the UK and Europe over 2 years, proving their set at TRNSMT on Saturday 8th July will be one not to miss. The quintet’s vocalist Natassja Shiner combines graceful melodies with escalating guitar loops and bittersweet lyrics with upbeat pop songs. They released new made-for-summer single Hello Hello to critical acclaim earlier this month and fans can expect their debut album this summer.
The Vryll Society bring their rhythmic thunder to Glasgow Green in July and, well known for their overwhelming live shows honed while supporting fellow TRNSMT artist Blossoms on tour, are sure to go down well with a Glasgow crowd. The Vryll Society’s psychedelic jams merged with ethereal, accessible pop makes the band an exciting new discovery. They kicked off 2017 by releasing new single Sacred Flight and are due to release their highly anticipated album later this year.
Bedford-born, London-based singer-songwriter Tom Grennan’s first taste of fame came as a guest vocalist on the Chase & Status track When It All Goes Wrong. A BBC Radio 1 Hottest Record listing, BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge and Later…with Jools Holland appearances and the release of his Something in the Water EP in late 2016 have allowed the 21 year-old to showcase his gritty, soulful vocals alongside syncopated storytelling. A coveted spot on the BBC’s Sound of 2017 longlist, as well as a sold-out UK tour, shortly followed. As he prepares to play his biggest headline show to date at London’s Union Chapel next month, his force will be unstoppable as he heads to TRNSMT this summer.
English rockers The Amazons entered 2017 on a musical high. Signed to the prestigious indie label Fiction Records, home to the likes of Tame Impala and The Maccabees to name but a few, they’ve garnered one to watch listings from BBC, MTV, NME and The Independent – and 2017 has only just begun. Bringing their arena-sized brand of indie rock to the King Tut’s Stage powered by Utilita Energy at TRNSMT this July, their raucous burst of energy will surely be reciprocated by the famous Glasgow audience.
At just 18 years old, Declan McKenna has already won the Glastonbury Festival Emerging Talent search, self-released his debut single Brazil, reached number one on Sirius XM Radio’s Alt Nation Alt 18 Countdown, played the NME Awards and appeared on the BBC’s Sound of 2017 longlist. Currently working with James Ford, producer of Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode and Florence and the Machine, on his debut album, McKenna’s brand of socially-conscious indie pop has rightfully portrayed him as a youthful voice with something to say.
TRNSMT is officially partnered with Utilita Energy, the UK’s leading provider of smart Pay-As-You-Go energy.
TRNSMT 2017 LINE-UP
FRIDAY 7TH JULY: Radiohead, Belle & Sebastian, London Grammar, Rag’n’Bone Man, Honne, Saint Motel + more TBA
SATURDAY 8TH JULY: Kasabian, Catfish and the Bottlemen, George Ezra, The Kooks, Stormzy, Circa Waves, Cabbage, The LaFontaines, Sundara Karma, Clean Cut Kid, Fickle Friends, The Vryll Society + more TBA
SUNDAY 9TH JULY: Biffy Clyro, The 1975, Two Door Cinema Club, Twin Atlantic, Blossoms, The View, Tom Grennan, The Amazons, Declan McKenna + more TBA
