TRNSMT 'a dream come true' in Glasgow says organiser Geoff Ellis

  • Published
Fans at TRNSMTImage source, Getty Images

The man behind Scotland's newest and biggest music festival, TRNSMT, says it was a "dream come true".

Around 120,000 fans enjoyed headliners Radiohead, Kasabian and Biffy Clyro in Glasgow Green over the weekend.

Some people questioned how TRNSMT would stack up against fellow Scottish festival T in the Park, which is taking a break after having ground problems.

But organiser Geoff Ellis has told Newsbeat: "It went better than we could have expected for the first year."

Image source, AFP/Getty Images
Image caption,

The weather was, as usual, a mixture of rain and sunshine

"To see 120,000 people through the gates over the weekend over three days is phenomenal.

"Friday personally for me musically was great; London Grammar and Radiohead were brilliant. Saturday the weather was glorious and we were at capacity.

"Kasabian was an amazing headline act, Stormzy blew it out the park and Catfish and the Bottlemen had a massive crowd. Overall it has all been fantastic.

"King Tuts stage and the JD tent were good too - it's not all about the main stage."

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Biffy Clyro headlined on Sunday night

Seven people were arrested for offences ranging from drug possession with intent to supply to fraud or public nuisance.

Two people were also reported to the crown office for allegedly being in possession of a small quantity of drugs, while 25 people received a police warning for the same offence.

Geoff said: "The Police have been pleased about the audience behaviour for the size of the crowd with minimal arrests. In terms of a city event, I think the stats are pretty good.

"The crowd seemed like they were all nice people, really enjoying themselves and good natured and well behaved. It's a dream come true."

Image source, other
Image caption,

Geoff Ellis told Newsbeat TRNSMT is "a much easier event to organise" than T in the Park

Geoff continued: "It's great to see these results when you have an idea for doing something, and we've wanted to do this in Glasgow for a very long time. This was the perfect opportunity for it this year.

"It's not just for people in Glasgow but for everyone else who has travelled from across Scotland, so that's great. There were people from all over the world actually - a couple came from New York for Radiohead and it was the first time they'd seen Glasgow."

Geoff committed to putting on TRNSMT again next year, and in the future.

"We've wanted to do it on Glasgow Green for a long time and it's a completely different kettle of fish to a camping festival.

Image source, Getty Images

"We'll definitely continue this for many years to come."

Many of the thousands who enjoyed the Glasgow Green event this year had in the past been fans of camping at T in the Park.

"I think it's wrong to compare it to T in the Park. It's a completely different event," explained Geoff.

He told Newsbeat that it has been a lot easier to organise this event in the city, rather than an event where people stay overnight.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

T in the Park is on hiatus

He continued: "Logistically we are only creating an arena. With camping the biggest part is the campsite, followed by the car park and then the arena. Obviously what's involved is a lot less.

"This isn't a replacement for anything. It's a new event. It's designed to be TRNSMT."

Find us on Instagram at BBCNewsbeat, external and follow us on Snapchat, search for bbc_newsbeat, external