THE preparations are well underway as TRNSMT prepares to open to music fans tomorrow.

It is five years since the first festival replaced T in the Park in 2017.

This year acts will be spread over four stages - King Tuts, Main Stage, River Stage and Boogie Bar.

But for down time between performances, festival-goers will also see a bigger VIP area inside the TRNSMT arena and the Big Feed food truck offering has doubled the size.

Glasgow Times:

Festival boss Geoff Ellis said he "can't wait" for the gates to open on Friday at noon.

He added: "The excitement always builds up just before you open the gates of a festival and after the couple of years we've had nobody takes live music for granted any more and that probably makes the anticipation even greater."

READ MORE: Here are the bar prices for TRNSMT 2022

Last year's festival was moved to September due to ongoing Covid restrictions and coronavirus mitigations were still in place.

This year is the first time since the pandemic that the event is operating under almost normal conditions - and the atmosphere should be buzzing.

Glasgow Times:

Geoff said: "There was a bit of caution and fear in the air last year but I have to say the audience last September were very compliant, they all took a test in advance, and as soon as they were all on site they just forgot about Covid and began to enjoy themselves and I think that will be the case this weekend as well.

Glasgow Times:

"People will just come and have a great time and enjoy being at a music festival."

Glasgow's gig scene has been bursting back into life in recent months with outdoor shows in Glasgow selling around 800,000 tickets.

Geoff added: "That's 800,000 people coming in for shows in Glasgow, between Hampden Park, Glasgow Green and Ibrox as well with Harry Styles.

READ MORE: TRNSMT 2022 festival boss wants 24 hour public transport

"Obviously we lost Guns N' Roses and the Red Hot Chili Peppers show, but it's definitely a bumper 2022."

Glasgow Times:

And he's not concerned that Covid call-offs will spoil the festival.

He said: "Covid has not gone away, it's still there, but with the two shows that were cancelled they weren't covid related anyway, they were other illnesses, and it just shows actually covid isn't the only thing out there, you can get ill.

"But I think with TRNSMT you've got so many acts on you're not as exposed if you lose one to illness, as you are with a headline show.

"With a festival, the festival carries on."

The festival boss has his own list of must-see acts this weekend - a blend of big names and rising stars.

Glasgow Times:

He said: "The heavy hitters, Lewis Capaldi, Strokes, Paolo Nutini, Sam Fender, Nile Rogers, they will be great, great live acts.

"Self Esteem, I really love what she's done, Prioritise Pleasure is one of the best albums out in the last couple of years.

"Wet Leg are some of the freshest, most exciting artists to come out of the UK in a long while.

"Acts like Dylan who should be opening up the Main Stage on Saturday, Dylan John Thomas as well. 

"Across the stages there is a lot of new talent, plenty of gems across the weekend."