Friday 8 July 2022

PAOLO NUTINI HAS SCOTS HOMECOMING AT TRNSMT




 TRNSMT Festival welcomed back 50,000 fans on day one and Paolo Nutini made a long awaited comeback at the festival in Glasgow Green.  

The opening day of Scotland’s biggest music festival was packed with outstanding performances from the moment the gates opened until the sun set, with the likes of PaoloSam FenderBeabadoobeeElla HendersonLuke La Volpe and even more, all making it an exciting day for a sold-out crowd.  

With a weekend of celebrations ahead which will see over 70 acts perform across 3 stages, fans' excitement and enthusiasm at returning to the festival was palpable as the city-centre site played host to the best in live music. After the culinary triumph of last year, cinch presents TRNSMT 2022, partnered once again with Big Feed offering fans everything from dirty vegan burgers at Typhoon Ten, to Bao Buns over at Street Bao Buns, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and indulge. The vibrant atmosphere continued at the Boogie Bar where the crowd could check out DJ sets from K4cieand Beth, or for a more chilled out experience, fans headed to the Wellbeing Area, where they could take a break and recharge. 

Making his triumphant live return and TRNSMT debut no less, Paisley’s own Paolo Nutini performed to a sold-out audience, experiencing first-hand the magic only a Glasgow crowd can bring as he performed classic hits including‘Funk My Life Up’ and ‘Candy’ as well as new single ‘Through The Echoes.’ Renowned for his brooding swagger and smoky vocals, the Paisley singer gave his all to the cinch presents TRNSMT crowd, with Nutini sayingGlasgow you’re looking good, you’re looking very good in fact, you’re looking great.” Up next was ‘Jenny Don’t Be Hasty’ mashed up with a cover of the angsty classic ‘Teenage Kicks’ followed by fan favourite ‘New Shoes’ - the crowd went wild for it. With a bittersweet cover of ‘Caledonia’ he had the audience in tears but ready for more. After a hiatus from music, it’s as if he never left, closing the first day on what is set to be the biggest TRNSMT yet.

The Main Stage crowd experienced what is sure to be one of the more emotional moments of the three-day event as North Shields' ownSam Fender performed the breakout hit of last summer ‘Seventeen Going Under’, with backing vocals provided by 50,000 ecstatic festival fans. As the chant began to wind down, Fender played the opening note to ‘Angel In Lothian’ reminding everyone he’s only played it four times in the past - a real treat for those TRNSMT fans lucky enough to witness it. As the song continued he said, “I spent about half my life growing up in the borders of Scotland, so this song is about that.” As the rain came down, he thanked fans for sticking around. 

The Bootleg Beatles kicked the day off in nostalgic fashion, donning matching black suits, they performed ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ and anthem ‘Hey Jude’ to a mesmerised crowd. Disco heavyweights Nile Rodgers & CHIC made their sensational return to Glasgow, “Are you ready to party?” He ponders before a surreal exhibition of club nostalgia takes hold, performing legendary tracks ‘I Want Your Love’, ‘Le Freak’ and David Bowie’s ‘Let’s Dance’.  Tom Grennan and The Lathums followed, with the latter achieving a UK No1 last year for their debut album ‘How Beautiful Life Can Be’. Walking on stage to crowd chants of “Here we f****** go!”, the Manchester stars teased the audience saying, “you might know this next little song?” before playing fan favourite track ‘I See Your Ghost’. Ella Henderson, had the crowd dancing from the get-go, introducing herself to the crowd as ABBA’s iconic ‘Dancing Queen’ boomed, before jumping into a glorious pop rock infused set, which included her hit song ‘Ghost’ and a snippet of Gerry Cinammon’s ‘Belter’. No stranger to Scotland Ella said, “I gotta say I’ve got Scottish in me, my dad is Scottish and I love Scotland” before belting out new track ‘Crazy What Love Can Do’.

Friday’s King Tut’s Stage line-up saw a host of award winners and nominees performing, from a Brits Rising Star Award nominee inBeabadoobee, to a Scottish Jazz Award recipient with Kitti. Kitti opened today’s River Stage, backed by her 5 piece band - it was a set dedicated to female empowerment with the songstress dedicating new track ‘How Long’ to all women in the audience, she said,  “Imma’ do this song on my own, this ones for all you ladies!”. With quiet confidence, Beabadoobee made her return to Glasgow - headlining the King Tut’s Stage, with her unique fusion of contemporary low-fi beats and vintage Britpop sound, it made for a Friday highlight. London based rap artist M Huncho captivated audiences with his brand of edgy, thought-provoking lyrics and beats, along with local legends SAINT PHNX who played to a hometown crowd. “We are SAINT PHNX from Glasgow and we’re so happy to be among you sexy people!”. Fresh off their preshow party last night at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut - the duo shine on stage, loving what they do. “Glasgow, it’s good to be home!”, Callum Beattie screamed to a buzzing audience as he guzzled his beer, pumping his fist in the air he shouted “come on!” before performing ‘Daddy’s Eyes’. Walking out in a baby blue ensemble which included a sharp suit and tinted glasses to boot, Luke La Volpechannelled rock kings of the past from Johnny Cash to Elvis Presley, bringing a coy swagger to the King Tut’s Stage - ecstatic at the response from the crowd, Luke said, “I didn’t expect so many of ya” before playing track ‘Dead Man’s Blues’. Brooke Combe followed, with Brooke sauntering on stage shouting “What’s happening Glasgow!”, she received a warm welcome from the cinch presents TRNSMT crowd, the Edinburgh singer has had an incredible year and it all culminated in a white hot performance on the legendary King Tut’s Stage. 

Over on the River Stage, fans could catch the best up-and-coming artists, one day destined for the main stage. An energetic crowd saw The Skinner Brothers, coming alive at the question of frontman Zachary Skinner, “Are you ready to get it f****** moving?!”. Alongside Stone, Finn Askew, Dead Pony, The Roly Mo and Etta Marcus, there was no shortage of show stopping performances. Terra Kin, sashayed onto the stage in a flowing silk maxi dress, telling the crowd, “The sun is out and hopefully it’s here to stay”.

The next two days will see Main Stage headliners The Strokes and Lewis Capaldientertain crowds at sold-out Glasgow Green, with sets from FoalsWolf AliceNina Nesbitt and many more. 

GLASGOW’S THE DHABBA HELPS TRNSMT REVELLERS WITH RUM TIM TIM COCKTAIL





GLASGOW’S The Dhabba restaurant has come up with a special rum cocktail to help revellers at TRNSMT festival this weekend. 
July is rum month with Saturday July 9, world rum day and the North Indian restaurant has created the RUM TUM TUM cocktail with VAHDAM® India Turmeric and Ginger tea, honey and rum to help revive those who might be flagging after the music weekender. 
The tasty concoction combines the peppery citrus bite of ginger and turmeric which are loaded with anti oxidants, and anti inflammatory properties.
 A drizzle of honey also adds digestive properties, can coat a sore throat and gives the drink a welcoming sweetness alongside the heart strengthening rum that will kick start you into next week. 
Rum has always been a sought after drink in Scotland and from the 18th and 19th century was a popular beverage in Glasgow. 
Water, sugar, lemons and limes were initially added to rum to make up the “Glasgow Punch”. 
In Candleriggs Merchant City which  is home to The Dhabba North Indian restaurant and it’s sister restaurant Dakhin,  Peter Gemmill, John Cauldwell, Frederick Hamilton and Robert Cumming began refining sugar in 1667 in their Wester Sugar House and eleven years later  started to distil rum. 
The nearby Tontine building also was home to the sugar exchange while 138 Gallowgate was the address of the Easter Sugar House in 1669. Eleven years later in 1680, it began rum production and was the sole distiller for a decade. 
All around Glasgow rum production became a huge industry with Stockwell Street housing the South Sugar House in 1700. 
Navdeep Basi from The Dhabba said: “We wanted to celebrate world Rum day with an original offering and our RUM TUM TUM cocktail sees us mix the finest ingredients with Oprah Winfrey’s favourite VAHDAM® India tea which we have just introduced to the restaurant. Our restaurant’s homes in Candleriggs are closely associated to Rum and we reckon its the perfect pick me up for TRNSMT weekend.”




RUM Tum Tum cocktail 

Boil the kettle and add our turmeric and ginger tea bag to a cup.  Add 1/2 cup of raw organic honey and let it cool. Give it a shake with a generous dash of white rum and add a slice of lemon in a glass of your choice. 

Vahdam ginger turmeric tea
Honey syrup 
Cane sugar
Lemons 
White rum

Ice