In Focus: Friday at TRNSMT sees established giants of music join next generation of talent on festival stage

I asked TRNSMT promoter Geoff Ellis of DF Concert about Ashcroft’s enduring appeal, what makes him stand out from the crowd? “Richard Ashcroft stands out because he brought a real sense of scale and emotion to guitar music at a time when that wasn’t always the focus. As the frontman of The Verve, he combined introspective songwriting with real ambition, which is why songs like Bitter Sweet Symphony still feel so powerful now.

“He isn’t trend driven. He’s self-assured and singular. That combination of producing amazing music and personal conviction is what turns a frontman into an icon. People will definitely be able to feel that when he headlines.

“The Verve were hugely important in the 90s, and Ashcroft’s voice and songwriting is one of the main things people have carried forward today. Over three decades, he’s maintained a consistent identity without feeling stuck in the past and that’s a difficult balance to strike. There’s also a credibility there that hasn’t wavered.

“He’s never felt like he’s chasing relevance, which ironically is what keeps him relevant. From a live perspective, he still delivers performances that engage fans of The Verve and fans of him as a solo artist. It’s that ability to connect at scale is what sustains an audience over time.”

In recent years Ashcroft’s music has been discovered by younger audiences, driving a resurgence of interest in his live performances: “Younger audiences are drawn in because the music holds up on its own terms. Discovery might come through streaming or seeing him share a stage with artists like Liam Gallagher, but once they hear the songs, they don’t feel dated.

“There’s a timeless quality to his songwriting and a directness in how it’s delivered. Hearing his songs live creates an immediate connection, even for people encountering him for the first time.”

What example does he set for the next generation of music acts? “He sets an example of longevity through belief in your own identity and a genuine love for his craft. His career shows that if you build your work around strong songwriting and a clear sense of who you are, you don’t need to constantly reinvent yourself to stay meaningful.

“There’s also an emphasis on the live experience. He knows how to translate songs into moments that resonate with large audiences, and that’s where lasting careers are really built. Artists like Richard Ashcroft demonstrate that staying true to your core while consistently delivering at a high level is what ultimately creates something that endures.

“I’m really excited for Glasgow Green to experience his music alongside some amazing up-and-coming acts all in the one day.”

Nile Rodgers and Chic bring good times and an astonishing parade of hits to the party as another key component of the line-up. As a songwriter and musician, Rodgers has set the agenda for modern music, Ellis says: “Nile Rodgers is foundational. He’s helped define so many genres – disco, dance and pop. Tracks like Le Freak and Good Times are more than hits, they’re an integral part of modern music. His style is still echoed in house, funk and pop records today. Having him and CHIC on Glasgow Green is going to create a really special moment for fans of all genres.

“His influence is enormous and wide-reaching. Beyond Chic, he’s shaped records for artists like David Bowie, Madonna and Diana Ross. That’s multiple eras of pop, 70s disco, 80s pop and beyond - each featuring his signature groove.

“His cross-generational catalogue means that every kind of music fan attending TRNSMT will love his set with Chic. He’s incredibly adaptable as an artist, and his openness to collaborate with artists is what makes him so influential.

“For younger fans at live shows, it’s simple – Nile Rodgers makes great music. Even if they don’t know every song title, they recognise the grooves, the hooks and the energy. A Nile Rodgers and Chic set is feel-good, and anyone of any age can connect with that. It also translates brilliantly in festival environments, which is why the Friday at TRNSMT is going to be so monumental.”

Nile Rodgers and Chic are frequent visitors to Glasgow and one of the most in-demand live acts globally, an appeal that Geoff puts down to consistency and pure joy: “His music is built on rhythm and feel, which doesn’t age the way trends do. Watching Nile Rodgers + CHIC provides a genuine sense of celebration. They’re not just performing songs, they’re curating a shared experience. Their set is going to elevate the entire lineup and leave audiences with life-affirming moments they’ll remember for many years to come.”

Joining the established names on the lineup is a blast from the past: “The Beta Band are a phenomenon. In the late 90s and early 2000s, they built a cult following that continued to grow after they split. Their records aged incredibly well, and crucially, new audiences kept discovering them.

“You’ve got really fun moments like being featured in the film High Fidelity, which helped to introduce them to a wider global audience, and over time they became one of those bands people felt they missed out on seeing live. That creates pent-up demand. So, when a reunion comes along, it’s not just nostalgia - it’s a second chance for fans – and we’ve felt the demand immediately. They’re set will consist of both fans reliving something special and a younger crowd finally getting to experience it first-hand.”

We’ve been following the ascent of Glasgow singer-songwriter Dylan John Thomas and his appearance on the Friday lineup feels like a big moment in his emerging career.

Promoter Chris Beltran puts it in context: “Dylan John Thomas’ headlined the OVO Hydro in December 2024 which is an incredible achievement for an artist on their first album. To hit those heights so early in your career shows there’s potential to grow even bigger.

“I've been fortunate enough to watch Dylan progress through the King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut Stage up to the Main Stage at TRNSMT and he's taken every step with the level-headed composure of a seasoned professional that's well beyond his years. It's that kind of mindset that see artists go on to one day headline festivals.

“I think Dylan has a lot in common with Richard Ashcroft. Both acts have an innate ability to take real world experiences, both positive and negative, and put them into an expertly made song. It’s those songs that really come alive in the festival setting.”

Across their two excellent albums they’ve managed to effortlessly straddle the line between artistic credibility and universal reliability, like so many icons before them.

Another standout act from the next generation of music is NewDad, Chris sees a bright future ahead: “There are a few acts I can see them following in the steps of, contemporary acts like Wolf Alice and fellow Irish band Fontaines D.C., as well as legends like The Cure and Mazzy Star. They’re fantastic on record, but it's on stage where they really come to life as their energy and excitement can be felt in person.”

Fellow promoter Dave McGeachan is excited about bringing Wolf Alice, a band rising in popularity and profile, to day one of this year’s festival: “They are an amazing live band, and a lot of their fans have followed them since the beginning. It has been great to see the band grow from King Tut’s, then Òran Mór and ABC, to selling out three nights at Barrowland Ballroom – plus very recently headlining Glasgow’s OVO Hydro. At the Hyrdo show, it was great to see a mix of new fans alongside older fans that have been following Wolf Alice from the start, and how the band brought the crowd together.

“Wolf Alice are a really thoughtful band, they make things feel personal between them and their fans. If they can keep going the way they are, like so many other big acts on this year’s TRNSMT lineup have, then there’s no limits to what they can achieve in the decades to come.”

The centrepiece of Glasgow’s summer of music, you can find out more about Pepsi Max presents TRNSMT festival here.