Tramlines 2011
Below is Exposed's round-up of all things Tramlines - that's happening from 22 to 24 July in Sheffield in case you hadn't heard.
This year, Sheffield’s free-for-all festival is coming at you bigger and better thanks to a partnership with Nokia. Even more venues are involved (over 70 at last count) and some ace new additions such as the folk stage in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield Cathedral and Under The Stars mean that, if at any point over July 22-24 you find yourself twiddling your thumbs, we’ll personally come and give you a medieval style learnin’.
Thirsty for Tramlines knowledge? Come, drink from our fountain of wisdom…
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Monday 4 July
Future Heads
The Futureheads, after meeting at community college and practicing in a youth centre, wa-oh-ohed into our consciousness back in 2005 with their inventive take on the Kate Bush classic ‘Hounds of love’. Since then the group have produced four albums, conquered America and navigated a very near break up. With this in mind there are so many questions I am eager to ask as the dial tone on my mobile rings. However, this was not to be.
As he zooms through the northern countryside, skimming Sheffield as he passes, front man and straight edge nu-waver Barry Hyde can barely hear me as the phone signal struggles to keep up. The threat of tunnels and mobile black-spots hangs over our conversation like a cloud. Words: Will Campbell
Hello Barry? I said, where are you at the minute and what are you up to?
I’m on a train at the minute on my way to Manchester so I might cut out at any moment.
Well if you might cut off at any minute I’ll cut to the chase, are you looking forward to Tramlines festival?
Of course, yeah I’m really excited about it. I haven’t had a proper spy at the line-up yet but I’m looking forward to the festival because it seems like quite an interesting one as far as festivals go. Someone was telling us about it the other day, about how the layout is quite unique. How they block off the city centre and you can drink on the street, I love it when they do that. Yeah so I get the impression it’s a bit of a pub crawl consisting of loads of drunken bands.
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Saturday 2 July
Get The Blues
The Blues and Ale Trail (partly funded by sales of the Sheffield Brewery Co's Tramlines beer) features rhythm and blues artists playing live in some of Sheffield's best real ale pubs over the Tramlines weekend.
It also includes a main stage in Shalesmoor at a brand new venue in the form of CADS (Creative Arts Development Space) on Saturday.
Acts on the Trail include The Hummingbird Blues Band, Billy Martin Jr, M&J Blues, and Green Onions.
Pubs participating are The University Arms, The Harlequin, The Gardeners Rest, The Bath Hotel, The Kelham Island Tavern, The Fat Cat and The Riverside.
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Thursday 30 June
Band Of Brothers
Playing the main stage at Tramlines, Exposed meets the motley crew that is The Everly Pregnant Brothers. Two days before their brilliant album launch party, Phill James caught up with all seven of the Everly Pregnant Brothers to ask them some questions about fame, fortune… and food.
The band was originally formed as a drunken dare. Are you surprised by how far you’ve taken it… or are you just still drunk?
Shaun: It’s been mental, people who collar you in street or pub have really got me, I love it but it makes me laugh 'cos people are like 'Alright Shaun' and I’m like, 'who the hell are they?' But I’ll always say hello, people have taken the time out to come and watch you and the least you can do is not be a mardy arse.
Dave: Funniest moment we had was playing a gig in Barnsley and there were this old couple, 70 odd, face like thunder. Never smiled, everyone else loving it and we found out later they’d come to see an Everly Brothers tribute act.
How do you come up with the ideas for the songs? The album is very local in its references.
Shaun: That’s because I’m such an idle b***ard - it’s so much easier to write about what you know than come up with something really clever. I don’t sit down and write lyrics, I hear a song and we think: 'let’s set down and have a bash at this one'. Then we start mixing around with it.
Pete: Also, we have to make sure the songs are easy enough for us all to play, and we throw a lot of songs out if they’re not funny or Shaun’s not feeling it.
Dave: And we have to keep the swear count up.
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Wednesday 29 June
Shine, Shine, Sarah
Sarah Mac is a polite, talented and enthusiastic local musician - and she's playing Tramlines again this year. Johnathan Bradwell caught up with Sarah following the release of her EP, ‘Everyone Knows’.
Sarah: I like to write music that is emotional and thought provoking. I write about things I heave heard, I write all my lyrics about my observations and I things I see. Mainly things that have not actually happened to me ha-ha! However, they are still things that I can relate too, like my friends and stuff. I like music like that, I mean, I am inspired by people like Ray Charles. It’s just really my style of music. Things like Carole King, I absolutely love her.
Exposed: I noticed you are very often compared to Carole King. Do you think that reference is an accurate way to describe your music?
Sarah: I sure hope so, I love her music, she is absolutely amazing. I like to do stuff that feels really close to you. I love music that you can relate too.
Exposed: So what are your views on more conventional and mainstream artists such as Adele?
Sarah: She is the exact same, she is another great song writer and performer. She has gone on to be a massive star. She had had a number One, and I just hope I can follow in their footsteps as I know music is what I want to do. I don’t really care how popular I get though, I just want to keep on doing what I am doing and hopefully that will mean I can become successful as a performer.
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Friday 25 June
Sholay Communion
Life is good for Hey Sholay. The local lads with a penchant for dressing up recently released a new single on Label Fandango/Fierce Panda which has featured on Steve Lamacq’s 6Music show. They’ve also been confirmed to play Serbia’s Exit Festival after winning a major competition by NME. Hitting the New Music stage at Tramlines, James collared them for a natter.
You’re playing Tramlines this year. You’ve said that last year didn’t go so well…
That was us having a laugh and it just backfired. The two gigs were like the extremes of where we’ve played. The Bowery’s good ‘cos everyone’s crammed in one room with the crowd in your face and if you turn round, you’ve the rest of the band right behind you. But then the Leadmill’s a good space, more room to breathe and a big PA. The Bowery’s not good for a keyboardist with three keyboards, or guitarists with a set of pedal boards like the computer out of Superman III, but it still always a top gig.
Will you be wearing bear suits like last year?
No bear suits – which aren’t good for breathing - but we’ve got something top secret lined up for a video we’re gonna be doing soon. We didn’t burn the bear suits or anything though. We use them on our midnight super-hero missions, going round helping people in trouble, so they still come in handy.
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Shining Lights
Headlining Tramlines' Main Stage, Exposed catches up with Ash frontman Tim Wheeler. Makes a rockin' cover story for our July issue too... Look out for it in and around Sheffield from next week. Words: Dan Phillips
Ash burst onto the scene back in 1996 - their arrival marked by the sound of a tie-fighter and the enthusiastic guitars of a teenage band kicking up their own version of American pop-punk.
Their debut, 1977, was a hit. For a while they were superstars - but the truth is that Ash were never destined for album greatness. Later efforts Free All Angles and Meltdown aren’t memorable for much, but they’ve always been a solid singles band - tracks like Girl From Mars, Kung Fu and Burn Baby Burn have outlived their respective albums by some way. Tellingly, their singles collection Intergalactic Sonic 7”s, is probably their best album. Tim Wheeler is nothing if not honest, however, 2010 saw Ash forsake the album format permanently and engage on a futuristic project based on the listening habits of the itunes generation.
Thematically based on the alphabet, Ash recorded and released a digital only single every two weeks. Now they’re back on the road and heading for the main stage of Tramlines. Exposed caught up with frontman Tim Wheeler before their upcoming show to discuss their tour, playing live, the A-Z series and Sheffield memories.
Let's start with a catch up, how are things and where are you?
They’re great! We’re touring now and we played Rome last night. Now we’re in a place I’ve never been before on the coast called Sabaudia. It seems really nice but we've only just arrived. We’re doing a few weeks of festivals, some gigs in between and so on. The next big thing for us is Japan in July, then of course back to the UK for more shows over the summer, including Tramlines. We’ve taken a break from recording for now because we’ve spent a lot of time in the studio...
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Saturday 18 June
Get The Shakes
Remember The Shakespeare? You know, that modest looking pub on Gibraltar Street that was sold last year and has been kept out of commission ever since? Well, it’s back - and new owner William Wagstaff promises the faithful patrons that he has a master plan to restore The Shakey to its former glory. If you were a regular of the pub you’ll know what that means… live music.
With ambitions to expand the selection of real ales, continental lagers and whiskeys, the venue will be re-launching to coincide with Tramlines with live music upstairs.
Radio Ga Ga
As has become tradition, Hallam FM will be looking after the main stage on the Saturday. The afternoon will be something of a pop affair – whist the evening will be more about longer sets from bands. Acts currently confirmed include Joshua Radin, Delta Maid, Nerina Pallot, FrankMusic and Loick Essien. Keep your ear to the ground for further announcements.
Bird Is The Word
Tramlines kicks off this year with a free pre-festival performance from Guillemots. Formed by Fyfe Dangerfield, they released their third album Walk The River in April. Thursday July 21 sees the Brit nominated band performing at The Leadmill. Head to www.leadmill.co.uk for more.
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Thursday 16 June
A Storr Is Born
Headlining the Tramlines Blues & Ale Trail with his band, Exposed meets Dale Storr. Words: Dan Phillips
Unless you followed the mid nineties boom in popularity for the blues in the UK, you'd be forgiven for not knowing who Dale Storr is. However, if you were to take a look in to the Sheffield blues scene (which isquietly thriving in bars and live music venues across town), then you might have caught up with this immensely talented local pianist.
Excelling in New Orleans blues and funk, Dale and his new band are set to headline the Tramlines Blues & Ale Trail. Ahead of it, we were lucky enough to catch them live at The Greystones for a show - and managed to collar both Dale and his drummer Dave Raeburn for a quick natter while we were at it.
Sheffield’s got more of a reputation for electronic music, so most people don’t know much about the blues here. How did you get involved with the scene?
DS : I saw a Frank White gig when I was about sixteen living in Lincoln – he’s a legendary blues man from Sheffield, and his son Joel was on piano. After the show, when everyone was talking to Frank, I went over to his son and said how good his piano playing was. I think he was shocked that a young lad knew so much about the blues when I should have been into Erasure and all that. A few weeks later he came over to see me play and a month after that I was playing at The Pheasant with Frank in Sheffield. That’s how I ended up in the city and I’ve stayed here ever since.
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Wednesday 8 June
Tramlines Music Festival 2011 - Dance announcement
tramlinesfestival via Youtube.
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Monday 6 June
Bits and Bobs...
Tramlines Festival 2011 - Hot Soles studio session from Tramlines Festival on Vimeo.
Youth Festival
Showcasing some of the youngest talent in Sheffield, Youth Festival at the Peace Gardens will brings together an entire scope of young musicians on the 24th July. Not only did some great bands perform at Corporation, the venue for the festival last year, but vocalists, MC’s, turntablists, break and street dancers and visual artists were also be able to showcase their skills. There were also many opportunities to win prizes and receive some brilliant giveaways.
Under The Stars
Under the Stars, a nightclub which holds live music and workshops for those with learning disabilities will be hitting Tramlines again this year. Last year, live bands performed fantastic shows, with a few of the members having learning disabilities. This year sees Beat This from Tyneside and the Outsiders from Leeds and Sheffield as confirmed acts.
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Thursday 2 June
Saturday 23rd's line-up announced
DANCE VILLAGE
The Dance Village will be busting its way to Sheffield University for this year’s Tramlines - below's what the Saturday will hold.
This huge event will shake its booty at the Octagon and the curator for the dance village is dance maestro Toddla T, joined later by Ms Dynamite and Shy FX.
Meanwhile over in the Foundry, Hiem will be taking the stage. Hiem is fronted by Boz, the ex front man of Sheffield dance act the All Seeing I and they will be joined by the hotly tipped Starlings.
But with such nice weather (hopefully anyway), the Interval Bar will host the Hip Hop BBQ, an outdoor daytime and evening event which will feature the Renegade Brass Band and the Ruby Kid, a politically charged rapper.
Sarah Nulty, Assistant Festival Director said: “I’m very proud to present the biggest and best dance line-up that Tramlines has ever put on.”
Dubstep event Wait will also be making an appearance at DQ and up and coming Scottish dubstep artists Koreless will be performing at the Harley.
Then it all gets a bit confrontational as the Earl of Arundel will be the arena for a musical battle royale between record labels Off Me Nut which is run by the Squire of Gothos and R8 Records who are headed by producer Rogue State and Alex Deadman. DJs Autograff, DJ Deadbeat & J Vandal (aka Walter Ego) are also on the bill with the speed rap Guiness world record holder Daddy Freddy hosting the event.
Whoa!
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Wednesday 1 June
Tramlines Music Festival 2011 - Dead Sons studio session from Tramlines Festival on Vimeo.
Thursday 26 May
TRAMLINES FESTIVAL ANNOUNCE – THE FUTUREHEADS, WORLD MUSIC, DROWNED IN SOUND & MORE
Tramlines - The Free For All music festival that takes place across Sheffield from July 22nd to July 24th - have announced line-ups for their New Music Stage and World Music Stage, along with the first announcements from some of the seventy venues taking part in the festival.
The free-entry festival, now in its third year, transforms Sheffield's city centre into a massive showcase of live music across a wide variety of genres.
The organisers have this week announced the addition of theFutureheads to Sunday's Main Stage bill. The full line-up now readsAsh, the Futureheads, Frankie & the Heartstrings, Dry the River, the Crookes and the Everly Pregnant Brothers.
Tramlines veterans and acclaimed music website Drowned in Sound have unveiled their Saturday line-up for the 2,500-capacity New Music Stage, with Los Campesinos! taking the headline slot on a bill that also features Dananananaykroyd, Young Legionnaire, Mazes, Still Corners and local act Hey Sholay. Drowned in Sound promoter Rob Webb explains his choices online at www.tramlines.org. He also announces the inclusion of a new stage at Sheffield Cathedral, which will showcase a range of acoustic sets from well-known names in the venue's breathtaking surroundings.
Meanwhile on The World Music Stage Johnny Clarke will be appearing in Sheffield for the first time, signalling a significant step up in the stage's output. They will also be showcasing talent from around the world including Michael Prophet, Shooglenifty, Yaaba Funk, Oojami, Bertie Lee's Blues Band, Jungle Lion, Balkan Bandits, Romano Jilo and Concord Bugle & Brass Band, with a very special secret guest still to be announced.
With the excitement in the city already building, the first of the venues are also now beginning to announce their lineups. Acts confirmed to date include Josh T Pearson at the Leadmill, The Duke Spirit at DQ andIslet at the Harley.
Set up as a celebration of the musical diversity in Sheffield, Tramlines sets out to capture the city’s many and varied musical projects. With over seventy participating venues, the final line-up sees hundreds of bands and performers filling every available space in the city.
The festival's chief booker Kate Hewett said: “There are dozens of bookers and promoters working on the many different aspects of the festival, as we want to showcase as broad a range of acts and genres as possible, right down to grass-roots level. We try to give festival-goers and local music fans a real sense of ownership in the event. Our aim is for the entire city to feel involved, and I think it's this approach which really gives the festival its unique flavour.”
In the coming weeks there will be further announcements on the Dance World, Rolo Tomassi’s New Music Stage line-up, Hallam FM’s Saturday showcase on the Main Stage, the Blues and Ale Trail, the Youth Music Festival and literally hundreds of individual venue announcements. Keep an eye on Tramlines.org for news and views in the build up to the event.
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Monday 23 May
Tramlines Music Festival 2011 - Blues and Ale Trail announcement from Tramlines Festival on Vimeo.
Tramlines Music Festival 2011 - World & Community Announcement from Tramlines Festival on Vimeo.
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Friday 20 May
TRAMLINES PRESENTS: WORLD & COMMUNITY
Tramlines Festival takes place in Sheffield from 22nd to 24th July 2011 across 4 main stages, 70 venues and will feature over 200 bands and acts. Tramlines is a completely free and ticketless event often described as an urban Glastonbury.
The World and Community area of the festival is curated by Papa Al of The JuJu Club and includes the World Stage, Under The Stars, Junior Tramlines and the Youth Music Stage. World and Community also includes venues, The Earl of Arundel and The Redhouse.
The focal point of this area of the festival is the World Stage which has been a part of Tramlines since its birth in 2009. The World Stage is the second largest stage in Tramlines and is held on Saturday 23rd July at ‘The Peace Gardens’ in Sheffield City Centre running from 11am until 10pm.
Headlining the World Stage this year are two internationally acclaimed reggae veterans, Johnny Clarke and Michael Prophet. Johnny Clarke (coming direct from Jamaica!) rose to fame in the mid 70s in Jamaica as a roots and lovers rock artist whilst Michael Prophet started in the 80s. We believe it’s the first time either artist has appeared in Sheffield and they will be joined on stage by a 3rd reggae superstar and former World Champion.
Also on the World Stage are Shooglenifty, the ‘acid croft’ phenomenon hailing from Edinburgh who will bring the full-on energy of Scottish dance music mixed in with electronic loops and funk bass to create the irresistible sound of Celtic fusion music.
Oojami is the brainchild of Necmi Cavli, originally a native of Bodrum, a Turkish holiday resort nestling on the banks of the Aegean Sea. The band kicked off in London with the success of their first album, ‘Bellydancing Breakbeats’ which put them at the heart of the international bellydancing explosion and linked them up with Miles Copeland, former manager of The Police who released 3 of Oojami’s LPs.
The World Stage will also feature Bertie Lee’s Blues Band, Jungle Lion, Balkan Bandits, Romano Jilo (Roma dancers) and theConcord Bugle & Brass Band. The whole day will be hosted by Sheffield community super-star MC Nige who’s favourite dance troupe ‘The Wildcats’ will also perform.
Under The Stars is an exciting new addition to the festival. Under The Stars runs a nightclub and music workshops for adults with learning disabilities, hosted every 3 months at Sheffield Hallam University’s Union building The Hubs. For Tramlines, Under The Stars is putting on an all day event on Saturday 23rd July which will feature a mix of live acts, all including adults with learning disabilities. A drumming group called Beat This from Tyneside will perform alongside The Outsiders from Leeds and Sheffield based groups.
Junior Tramlines, taking place on Saturday 23rd July in the Millennium Square caters for the under 12 yr old Tramlines fans with a small funfair, a mass African drumming session and lessons in Circus Skills provided by Swamp Circus.
The Youth Music Stage takes over the Peace Gardens on Sunday 24th July and will feature the best of Sheffield’s under-18 performers including bands, dancers and MCs. The finale of the stage will be a break dancing competition with young dancers coming from across the country to take part and compete for cash prizes.
The Earl of Arundel plays host to World Stage after-party on Saturday 23rd July for the 3rd year running. This event will have a sound system focus with some heavy dub, reggae, jungle and dubstep. Liquid Steel Sound System will be in attendance as well as representatives fromDubcentral, Junglist Alliance and more Sheffield crews to be announced nearer the time. The headliner for this event will be Daddy Freddy, a world renowned ragga and reggae artist who has a strong fan base in Sheffield.
The Redhouse, like the Earl of Arundel, is a fantastic ‘off the beaten track’ venue that features live music and dance events throughout the year. Friday night (22nd) is a takeover by ‘Not Shy of The DIY’, a Sheffield based punk rock record label. Saturday is King Mojo with his ‘Psychedelic Solution’ and Sunday night features performances from Nat Johnson from the band Monkey Swallows the Universe. On Sunday daytime Judy Beat are presenting a folk and indie line up which includesStandard Fare, This Many Boyfriends, Nature Set, Tigercats, Low Dou, Jim Connolly and Judy Beat with the Becketts.
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Website - http://www.tramlines.org.uk
World and community on vimeo - http://vimeo.com/23307046
New Music announcement - http://vimeo.com/23303988
Remember to use the #tramlines hashtag in your tweets to get them publish on the Tramlines site.
