I freely admit my music taste is a little on the eclectic side & for which I make no apologies for. Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes were the last band I saw live before the lockdowns of 2020 began. At that point I had never seen a live performance of either Biffy Clyro or Youngblud.
When a gig was announced where the line up included all three getting a ticket was a total ‘no brainer’ as far as I was concerned. Even if it did mean travelling to Glasgow to attend.
All Aboard
Unknowingly with my purchase I had unwittingly gotten myself a free pass on the 2020 rollercoaster of uncertainty. Finding out it was longer being held at Bellahouston in June 2020. I swallowed the disappointment on the basis it was being rescheduled. The only question was to where & when.
Turns out it was September 2021 at Glasgow Green on the ‘first day’ of the TRANSMT festival. Technically I think the festival started after the concert & they took advantage that the open air arena was available.
Consequently instead of incorporating the gig on a trip to Scotland as part of a short break with my hubby. I was looking at a solo drive North.
Unsurprisingly I found myself ramming a swab up my nostrils at the crack of dawn to see if I had the all clear to depart. Google maps indicated the trip to be at least six hours but that excluded any comfort breaks or what turned out to be interminable road works.
Use the link to watch a short clip of me on the way to Glasgow.
The weather was kind though & despite the sat nav going into a complete sulk in the oneway system. I finally reached the city centre hotel I had arranged.
As it was late I opted to eat in the hotel & it still surprises me to see the odd looks you get when you eat alone. You would have thought that society would have moved on a bit really.
A Good Start to the Day
Next day I began with yoga. One of the upsides of the pandemic ( yes there are some if you look) is the option to join a class online. Consequently I was able to ‘zoom in’ from the floor of the hotel room. I followed this by a walk around a damp grey city where I stumbled on ‘The Tea Rooms’ in Bath Street. Here I ate lunch & the nicest carrot cake I think I have ever tasted.
I debated over footwear. Opting finally for wellingtons plus my trusty Musto waterproof coat. Mainly because of the last minute as severe weather warnings threatening either a soaking or last minute cancellation.
Glasgow Green turned out to be a brisk 20 minute walk from the hotel & a long wait in a queue to get in. To be fair once the gates opened to this temporary venue the delay was due more to the volume of people & the additional checks required.
Temporary Location
TRANSMT usually takes place on Glasgow Green in the heart of the city. Built as a temporary structure like so many other festivals. However this unlike others had a distinct vibe of ‘not quite finished in time’ to it. Maybe as this was the day before the ‘official start’?
Chronic staff shortages within the events industry aside. The problems were compounded by covid restrictions & severe weather warnings. Which probably had the organisers were living on a knife edge in the run up to this event.
I am grateful that they held their nerve & it went ahead even if it meant safety checks were still in progress as the crowds poured in. The first band sadly weren’t quite my thing so I headed for the ferris wheel to get a ‘birds eye’ view of things.
My ride finished with just enough time to grab some fries & find a spot in the crowd ready for Frank & The Rattlesnakes.
No Longer A ‘First”
Due to rescheduling I had by this time seen three of the four acts at Reading Festival only a couple of weeks before . Yet as the first few notes of tunes from the Sticky Album started to blast out I knew the effort of driving all those miles had been worth it.
It probably goes against many rules of the universe but I now love a bit of Youngblud & wish it was possible to capture & bottle some of this performers energy on stage – I know I would certainly buy some. Below is a snippet of Mars – one of my favourites.
I had waited a long time to see Biffy Clyro live & if I had thought the performance of Reading to be good nothing quite prepared me for them plying on their ‘home turf’ so to speak.
It was amazing to be amongst others where everyone seemed to be singing at the tops of their voices was immense & very memorable. I was a bit miffed that a fight started to break out during Wolves of Winter but the security appeared out of nowhere quickly & efficiently quelling the potential uprising which was reassuring.
Over too soon it was time to wander back along the river following the hordes of fellow festival attendees & back to my hotel. Next day I packed up & headed for home needless to say singing all the way & recalling the brilliant performances of the previous evening. That is until I reached the out skirts of Birmingham!
Take safe & catch you all later with the next part.