Glasgow's A Belter.

This was the first festival I ever went to, and it birthed my love for live music. I'd been to watch the odd concert before hand but only occasionally. TRNSMT turned my hobby to more of an addiction. The line-up, that's what did it. I decided to go whilst mourning the lack of tickets I got for the Arctic Monkey's UK tour in 2018. I didn't care for accommodation, travel or survival. All I knew is I was seeing Alex Turner live. And I did.

DAY ONE

Day one, or in other words, the day before AM played. Still hyped though. The day that we travelled up to Glasgow and entered the city (also the day I discovered airBnB). The line up sufficed; the forever chanted Gerry Cinnamon, Shed Seven, Wolf Alice, Courteeners and the lesser talented Gallagher brother, Liam. Cinnamon stole the show. Never heard of him before that day, but the Glaswegians made up for that as soon as I arrived. The Scots of the crowd erupted while watching this belting performer, and his humble attitude makes me love him even more. I've seen him several times since in Manchester and the guy brought the same energy each time. There is just something about that feller. No PYRO no PARTY.

Next stop; Courteeners. TRNSMT helped me celebrate my 6th teeners experience, so I lied a little before when I said I went to the occasional gig prior to this weekend. Well, I occasionally went to gig that wasn't Courteeners. I didn't expect the same energy from the Scottish crowd as I'd only ever been part of a native, Mancunian crowd before this weekend. I was proven very wrong. The moment the flares hit the back of my throat after they opened with '...Notion' I knew I was in for a TREAT. As the hour of cavorting passed, the sun-burnt crowd anticipated the arrival of the headline act. Mr Gallagher, the one that can't sing.

The hour of the less talented, more swag brother. With the crowd like putty in his hand, Liam managed to work the crowd even with his hands tied behind his back. For me, his new stuff doesn't have the same effect as the old, when Noel was in charge of the writing but these songs act as a good chance to catch your breath. His cock-sure attitude shined through mid way through his set, as the parka swanned off stage for reasons unknown (possibly due to a naked man climbing a pole, can not confirm). Sulk over, Liam returns to the stage and boxes day one off nicely.

DAY TWO

The day I discover Alex Turner is alive!! And he was very much alive and within eye sight, but there were also more beautiful people making beautiful music that day; Tom Grennan, Miles Kane, Declan McKenna, Nothing But Thieves, Blossoms and Interpol. Lovely Stuff.

First big stop; Declan McKenna. Before TRNSMT, I was familiar with Brazil, like anyone who lived through the 2014 World Cup, and a few other songs off the album. But, similar to Cinnamon, this man is a performer and knows how to glue the audience's eyes on him, I suppose the bright yellow, Mercury-esque, p'leather jacket helped though. His debut album, 'What Do You Think About the Car', since hearing it live and experiencing his energy first hand is an essential. Although just watching him made me shattered, but that could have also had something to do with the blistering sun.

Arctic Monkeys. It was time. The moment was upon us. After politely sitting on the floor throughout Interpol's set to conserve energy and getting through a tube of glucoses-tabs in the hope of a mad sugar rush, Mr Turner graced the stage. Hair slick back, comb in hand, the icon glided on stage, fully aware everyone at that festival had only bought tickets to see him because they were still in primary school the last time they toured. They opened with 'Four our of Five' from their relatively criticised 2018 album 'Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino'. I would, however, defend the album's honour as I thought, live in particular, it generates a huge atmosphere. Although this song lulled me in to a false sense of security (or calmness) as it was swiftly followed by 2007's 'Brianstorm', which quite literally blew me away. Emotive classic 'Cornerstone' was a definite favourite of mine, Turner didn't fail to show us how he was a performer like no other. Miles Kane, who had earlier performed (both at TRNSMT and in the band) made a cameo in this set, playing guitar on '505' (another personal fave) and, bless him, got more appreciation in that 5minutes than he did for his entire solo set. With an encore to dazzle the audience with some classics, their set was flawless, totally beautiful and will forever be an 'I was there!!' gig. Both moving and moshy, Turner knew how to use that crowd, an unforgettable end to a brilliant festival. x