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TRNSMT arrest total falls after 'exceptional' festival

PA Media A woman in a fluffy cowboy hat watches the bands while sitting on someone's shoulders. She is surrounded by a sea of fansPA Media
About 50,000 fans attended on each day of the three-day festival

Nine people were arrested and charged on the final day of the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow, taking the total over the three days to 19.

Police said the alleged offences included sexual assault, assault, culpable and reckless behaviour, hate crime, possession of weapons and police assault.

But the figure was significantly down on last year when 40 arrests were made.

TRNSMT festival director Geoff Ellis praised fans and said this year's event, held in sweltering temperatures on Glasgow Green, had been one of the best so far.

"While the weather has certainly been one of our star bookings, it's the fans who have truly made the weekend so special - a passionate, welcoming mix of ages, united in their love of live music and creating an atmosphere that has been nothing short of exceptional," he said.

TRNSMT is Scotland's biggest music festival with a capacity of 50,000 on each of the three days.

With Scotland basking in its hottest weather in two years, fans appeared to have heeded warnings about staying hydrated and protecting themselves from the sun.

"Glasgow Green has provided a perfect setting once again, with the natural shade under the trees offering fans the opportunity to take respite from the sunshine and enjoy the surroundings at their own pace," said Ellis.

PA Media A woman in a high vis jacket squirts a mist of water at fansPA Media
Stewards helped keep the fans cool by misting them with water
Getty Images Police officers walking across a grassed area with large flags in the backgroundGetty Images
Police were on patrol but the festival passed off without any major incidents

A ferris wheel was evacuated on Saturday evening after a generator caught fire but there were no injuries and the festival passed off without any major incidents.

Singer Rick Witter from Indie veterans Shed Seven told the BBC he believes festival crowds are more polite now than in the past.

"You're less likely to just see hordes of drunken men, which you used to get it. But I quite like that," he said as the band prepared to perform at the King Tut's stage.

Getty Images A tattooed and bearded man plays a red electric guitar. A drummer can be seen in the backgroundGetty Images
Biffy Clyro were the TRNSMT headliners on Saturday

Snow Patrol topped the bill as the festival closed on Sunday evening, after Biffy Clyro and 50 Cent headlined on the previous two days.

Other acts included The Script, Fontaines DC, Jade, Gracie Adams and Underworld.

Controversial Irish rap band Kneepcap were originally due to perform but were axed from the bill after police raised concerns about safety.

Mr Ellis, who is head of organisers DF Concerts, said the weekend had delivered some "outstanding moments".

"Biffy Clyro gave a phenomenal headline performance, Fontaines DC drew a huge and energetic crowd, and Underworld brought an electrifying, club-like energy to the Smirnoff presents King Tut's Stage on Saturday night, following a fantastic set from Jake Bugg.

"It's also been a pleasure to showcase emerging talent: Nell Mescal, Alessi Rose, and Nieve Ella all gave impressive performances and are certainly names to watch for the future.

"I'm incredibly proud of what the entire team has accomplished this year, and I'd like to thank every artist and fan for contributing to such a memorable festival."

TRNSMT was first held on Glasgow Green in 2017 after it was announced that the T in the Park festival, also organised by DF Concerts, was being discontinued.

Since then it has been held annually except in 2020 when it was unable to go ahead due to the Covid pandemic.