Rick Astley wowed his fans at TRNSMT 2024 by playing a number of covers during his set, including Sam Fender’s “Seventeen Going Under”. The crowd at Glasgow Green numbered around 50,000, and the singer was not only warmly received for his renditions of classic hits but also for the personal stories he shared. Astley joked throughout his performance, and at one point, he told the audience that “Never Gonna Give You Up” would play towards the end of the set.
The singer built a connection with his fans, sharing his link to the city as he donned the suit he wore during his daughter’s wedding in Scotland, which happened to be in Glasgow. Astley told the audience that his daughter’s husband is from the city and said that his possible future grandkids would be half Glaswegian. Astley gave a vibrant live performance, trying his best to move as energetically as his younger self, before quipping that he had no insurance for dancing on stage.
In addition to Sam Fender’s song, Astley played a medley of covers from several iconic bands, including AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” and The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army”. His attempt to cover the latter was met with chants of “No Scotland, No Party”. Fans of Fender’s track praised Astley’s version, with one social media post stating that “never thought I’d [see] the day when I heard Rick Astley sing ‘so I thought about shifting gear’.”
Astley’s fans have become accustomed to his performances of covers. He and Blossoms had covered The Smiths during Glastonbury in 2023 to a similar reception. The singer more recently put his spin on Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers Licence” and Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” during an appearance in the BBC Radio 2 Piano Room. In all his performances, Astley embodies the vivacity and exuberance which make him such a charismatic showman and beloved performer.
Rick Astley remains an iconic figure in music, and his performances continue to delight fans of all ages. His infectious energy and love of music will no doubt keep his star shining bright for years to come. At TRNSMT 2024, Astley proved that he still has what it takes to get a crowd going and that his positive connection with his fans is as strong as ever
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