TRNSMT Festival Faces Criticism Over All-Male Headliners for Ninth Consecutive Year

Scotland’s TRNSMT festival, a major music event, has been criticized for consistently failing to feature female headliners, despite the prominence of female artists in the music industry. The festival’s 2026 lineup includes Richard Ashcroft, Kasabian, and Lewis Capaldi as the headliners, all male. Critics, including musicians and music journalists, have voiced disappointment, highlighting the persistent gender imbalance in the festival’s top billing. TRNSMT has only had one woman headline—Pulp’s keyboardist Candida Doyle in 2023. Female artists like Amy Macdonald and Wolf Alice will perform, but none are at the top of the bill. Music professionals argue that while initiatives like Girls Girls Girls (which gives emerging female talent a chance to perform) exist, they are not enough without a systemic commitment to gender equity at higher levels. The issue has led to broader discussions about the representation of women in major festivals, with many pointing out that other festivals manage to feature a more diverse lineup. Calls for TRNSMT to adopt the Keychange 50:50 pledge for gender equality are gaining traction. Activists argue that true change requires supporting young female and non-binary artists from the start and ensuring they have opportunities to perform at major festivals.