IF THERE is a stage, there is talent. Most will look to main stage fare for that star appeal, but music fans all across the country know better. At every festival there is an unsung prodigy, hidden gem or genius-level virtuoso just waiting to be noticed.
TRNSMT has, over the years, played its part in casting a spotlight on emerging talent both in Scotland and across the UK.
In the past, The King Tut’s Stage has hosted acts such as Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, Tom Grennan, Blossoms and Inhaler – all of which have gone to play the main stage. Indeed, Dylan John Thomas and The Lathums – two of last year’s King Tut’s Stage bands – will take to the main stage in a few months’ time.
The River Stage (formerly Jack Rocks Stage and Queen Tut’s) has boasted performances from the likes of Neon Waltz, Swim School, Tamzene, Cara Rose, Daytime TV, The Mysterines and VLURE.
Both areas are teeming with vibrant acts on the verge of discovery and this year’s TRNSMT is no different. Dylan John Thomas, Brooke Combe, Luke La Volpe and Connor Fyfe are certainly tipped for big things, and will undoubtedly feature on the main stage in due course – but there are many more to uncover.
Those looking to catch the next big act, here are a few to check out this July.
KITTI – King Tut’s Stage (opener), Friday, July 8
Kitti will open the King Tut's Stage on the Friday
By its nature, raw talent in short supply. Yet, for Kitti, it is in abundance. The Paisley artist has been on many a radar for the past few years and her most recent releases are a promise of more to come.
In many instances, she remains relatively unsung. She is not short of acclaim, however, as he picked up Best Vocalist at The Scottish Jazz Awards 2020 and won Best Female Breakthrough Artist at The Scottish Music Awards 2020.
There is no doubt Kitti will turn heads when she kickstarts Friday proceedings on the second stage.
DEAD PONY – River Stage, Friday, July 8
Dead Pony perform on Friday afternoon on the River Stage
A definite bright spark in the Glasgow music scene, Dead Pony are a guaranteed highlight for TRNSMT Friday.
A redoubtable 2020 – which featured the releases Everything is Easy, Shar Tongues and 23, Never Me – saw the band climb a few gears. And the strength of their most recent track Bullet Farm suggests they will not be stopping there.
Anyone looking for a high-energy band in the late-afternoon/early-evening on the Friday would do well to pop over to the River Stage.
THE SKINNER BROTHERS – River Stage (headliner), Friday, July 8
The Skinner Brothers will headline the River Stage on the Friday
Hailing from London, with a sharp wit and relatable tales, The Skinner Brothers have been making huge strides over the last few years. A support slot with The Libertines might have been the catalyst, but they are standing freely on their own now.
By all accounts, a rousing show at King Tut’s recently was but a sample of their potential, with more to come from the band in the near future.
They were recently announced as the last act on the River Stage on the Friday and should bring in a healthy crowd to see out the day there.
BEMZ – River Stage (opener), Saturday, July 9
Bemz will release his EP later this month. Picture by @rossdunlopportraits
Recognition has been flooding in for Ayrshire rapper Bemz. He initially took flight in 2020 with the Saint of Lost Causes EP, featuring the track Suddenly that earned a place on The Weekender Awards’ Song of the Year shortlist. He then followed up with the M4 EP, which garnered a spot in the The Weekender’s EP of the Year shortlist for 2021.
Bemz continued to grow in stature, earning the SAMA Best Live Act Award and playing some key support slots for the likes of The Snuts. Earlier this year, he won the BBC Introducing Award which comes with the added benefit of being asked to open TRNSMT’s River Stage on the Saturday.
The buzz is steadily building, and it will be yet another milestone in the rapper’s journey when he takes to the stage at TRNSMT this summer.
PARLIAMO – River Stage, Saturday, July 9
Perth band Parliamo also play the River Stage on TRNSMT Saturday
Still, too many are sleeping on Parliamo. The Perth six-piece are an intriguing prospect with, no doubt, so much more to come.
They tinkered with their sound through lockdown and moved into some new territories. The result should give them wider appeal, but it is infinitely more dynamic than their previous output. They have been able to retain their earlier and more energetic sensibilities but have a greater sense of direction now.
Their 2021 EP, The Parliamo Manifesto, was a statement of purpose and will win over more than a few first-time listeners when they hear some of it live at TRNSMT on the Saturday.
BABY STRANGE – River Stage (headliner), Saturday, July 9
Baby Strange will perform on the River Stage this summer
A huge part of the Glasgow music scene, there is no doubt this TRNSMT set will be something special.
Bringing down the curtain on any stage on the Saturday is a huge task – but Baby Strange are more than a match for it. A set littered with explosive tunes is a sure thing.
Indeed, they have carved a name for themselves as an unrelenting live act and will draw a sizeable crowd for their closer at the River Stage.
RETRO VIDEO CLUB – King Tut’s Stage, Saturday, July 9
Retro Video Club will perform on the TRNSMT King Tut's Stage once again
No strangers to TRNSMT, the Edinburgh four-piece are back again for what will be another massive set at the King Tut’s stage on the Saturday.
Drafted in as a late replacement last year, Retro Video Club delivered one of the better performances of the weekend, rolling out crowd-pleaser after crowd-pleaser. They have since gone on to shows across the UK, including two sold out nights at Tut’s, as well as a massive show at Edinburgh’s Liquid Rooms and Liverpool’s Sound City.
They unveiled their pop-hook debut EP earlier this year and have a massive future ahead.
WET LEG – King Tut’s Stage, Saturday, July 9
Wet Leg take to the King Tut's Stage on the Saturday
No matter the prevailing circumstances, it will never be easy to bag a #1 album in the UK. But that’s exactly what Wet Leg accomplished in April this year. They shot right to the top of the charts in Britain, as well as Australia – no mean feat.
Since then, they have been a hot property around festival season and sit rightfully on the TRNSMT bill among Self Esteem and Maximo Park.
Their Saturday set on the King Tut’s stage will be hotly anticipated.
ALEX AMOR – River Stage (opener), Sunday, July 10
Alex Amor will open the River Stage at TRNSMT Sunday
Another incredible talent to emerge in recent years, Alex Amor is liable to take the scene by storm at any moment.
She turned heads with early releases, including the spell-binding debut EP Love Language. A follow-up effort is also in the works, with 2022 looking to be a massive year for the Glasgow-base artist.
Amor kicks things off at the River Stage on the Sunday and will surely be one to watch going forward.
RIANNE DOWNEY – River Stage, Sunday, July 10
Rianne Downey is back again to play the TRNSMT River Stage
Not enough can be said of the rise of Rianne Downey. It is even more impressive when noting that her debut release was a little over a year ago.
Fuel to the Flame, and the debut EP which bore the same name, was powerful and clear. Her most recent single Devil’s Gonna Get You was yet another string on the bow for the Lanarkshire artist.
She played a similar slot last year and was a massive highlight. Expect more of the same when she takes to the River Stage on Sunday Evening.
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