“MORE SHOWS AND NEW MUSIC” | BACKSTAGE AT TRNSMT WITH SHAY O’DOWD

INTERVIEW | SHAY O’DOWD by Ella Dowell

I first spoke to Shay O’Dowd before he was presented with the 2025 Breakthrough Award at the Scottish Music Awards. He had only started releasing music that year, and already had sell-out shows under his belt. It was clear to me then that he was one to watch. Fast forward 8 months, I caught up with Shay ahead of his first ever TRNSMT performance over at the BBC introducing stage.

Shay’s first time playing TRNSMT, and my first time covering a festival; it was nice to see a familiar face in the press village, a real “It’s yersel’!” moment. We were both very excited, or “buzzing” as he would put it, to be there. I asked him how life had been since we last spoke: “It’s been good, It’s been really good. I started the year off going to Ireland, I played Dublin and played Belfast, and then I was working on an EP that I’ve now finished. And now I’m just starting a run of festivals across summer, so I’m buzzing!”, said Shay.

As well as TRNSMT, O’Dowd will also make appearances at festivals Belladrum, Latitude and Boardmasters; he also played a support slot with Deacon Blue at a Forest Live gig last week, alongside DJ Ian Davies and The Lightning Seeds.

Asking about how he was coping with his whirlwind success, I was met with this answer: “Oh, it’s class. It’s absolutely class. I couldn’t ask for any better. I think I’ve been super fortunate since I’ve started kinda putting music out, so I’m just hoping that it continues and it doesn’t just vanish.” No signs of vanishing any time soon I’d say…

Shay O’Dowd (Hope Simmers/Northern Exposure)

He had caught a bit of singer/songwriter Blair Davie’s set before the interview, but was most excited about seeing “the big man Capaldi” as he closed the festival that Sunday night. Chatting about what comes next after his festival run, Shay said: “I’ve got an EP! and then I will be announcing headline shows at some point, outside of Glasgow, which will be good. So yeah, shows and new music!” Busy times for the Southside singer/songwriter.

I caught a bit of his set at TRNSMT before I retired to my jammies, and he was great! His stage confidence had his audience commanded, and he has a fabulous voice. His swift rise to recognition has been remarkable to watch over the last year, and it’s always lovely checking in with artists I’ve already crossed paths with. He is clearly committed to his craft, and I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing him the best in his new ventures!