GLASGOW Green, that venerable, 55-acre space on the fringe of the city centre, is quiet at the moment. But not for long
The third TRNSMT festival kicks off here on the long weekend of July 12-14, headed by such acts as Stormzy, Gerry Cinnamon, Catfish & the Bottlemen, George Ezra and Snow Patrol.
It’s sometimes easy to overlook the startling contribution made to live music by Glasgow Green. It was here, for example, that Michael Jackson entertained an estimated 35,000 fans in August 1992, as part of his Dangerous world tour. The late Nina Simone played the Beck’s Tent on the Green in May 1994. REM played in the rain in June 2005
A landmark event was Gig on the Green, which was launched in 2000. Its emphasis was on rock ‘n’ roll: the first two-day event was headlined by Oasis, and other acts included Stereophonics, Primal Scream, Paul Weller, Foo Fighters and Beck.
The following year saw the show being headlined by Eminem and Travis, alongside Iggy Pop, Marilyn Manson, Green Day, Cosmic Rough Riders,. The Strokes and American Hi- Fi.
The event was a particular success for the home-grown heroes of Travis. Sporting a bright-pink Mohican, singer Fran Healy told the 35,000 crowd: “You’re all beautiful.” He dedicated the band’s hit, Turn, from their second album The Man Who, to his home audience: “I would like to dedicate this song to everyone here as this is one of the only countries in the world where you are allowed to dream.”
The theatrical shock-rockers Slipknot headed the third Gig on the Green, in 2002; other acts included And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, James Yorkston and Biffy Clyro.
Gig on the Green was replaced by Big Day Out in 2003, which saw performances from such notable acts as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queens of the Stone Age, PJ Harvey and more.
Another key event in the history of Glasgow Green was The Big Day Out, during Glasgow’s reign as European City of Culture in 1990. Some 250,000 people attended free shows at stages at the Green and at George Square, the Broomielaw and People’s Palace.
Five years ago, Coldplay took the honours at Radio 1’s One Big Weekend on the Green, atop a bill that included Pharrell, One Direction, the Kooks and Lily Allen. Coldplay’s Chris Martin teased the crowd by observing how, “a lot of people, when they come to Scotland, try to ingratiate themselves with the local audience, but we don’t believe in that.” As he spoke, he opened a can of Irn-Bru.
The Stone Roses played an unforgettable show at Glasgow Green in 1990; all 50,000 tickets for their show at the venue in June 2013 were sold in the space of an hour.
The Green has also hosted the World Pipe Band championships and numerous well-attended Proms in the Park classical events.
After this year’s TRNSMT festival, the largest in Scotland, the event will have welcomed 500,000 people since 2017.
Geoff Ellis, CEO of DF Concerts & Events said yesterday: “Glasgow is known around the world for its incredible atmosphere and crowds who are without equal. The city is a breeding ground for exciting new talent so it’s no wonder that some of the country’s most iconic music moments have happened at TRNSMT’s home of Glasgow Green.
“My personal memories of gigs include working on Big Day Out at the Green with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, PJ Harvey; and the BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2014 - an incredible show.. And who can forget the phenomenal set by The Stone Roses in 1990?
“The Green holds a special place for Radiohead. From two nights at the old Freshers Haugh, where the hockey and football centre now is, just after ‘Kid A’ was released; through to them headlining their own outdoor show in the pouring rain, and throwing in ‘Creep’ during the encore to thank the audience for their commitment; to becoming the first act to be booked for the first TRNSMT festival in 2017, where they performed a blinding two-and-a-half-hour-long set.
“The simply spectacular show from Queen + Adam Lambert will always be a special moment in my memory, alongside the moment Gerry Cinnamon and Lewis Capaldi stepped on to play TRNSMT’s main stage, having both performed on the King Tut’s Stage the year before.”
Ellis added: “We’ve made some incredible memories at Glasgow Green with TRNSMT over the past two years and can’t wait to welcome back homegrown heroes like Cinnamon and Snow Patrol this year, alongside international acts like Stormzy and George Ezra.”
The 2019 line-up also includes BRIT nominees Years & Years, Jess Glynne and Mabel to exciting breakthrough artists such as The Snuts, The Dunts, whenyoung.
• Tickets for TRNSMT can be obtained from www.TRNSMTfest.com
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