Wedding proposals, smashed disco balls, tiny gigs from The XX and Alt-J – we’ve had the lot over the years. Let’s take a look back at the last ten years of Tramlines.
2009
– People from all over the UK flock to Sheffield city centre for the first Tramlines.
– Some huge Sheffield artists lent their support to the festival including Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helders, who flew in from recording in the States to help with the launch.
– Artists are announced for the first Tramlines instalment, including Reverend and the Makers, Toddla T, Just Jack, Pixie Lott, Example and Little Boots.
– The XX perform at The Harley a month before their self-titled LP drops to universal acclaim.
– Figures reveal 35,000 people attend the festival over the weekend.
2010
– Tramlines announce it will be expanding the festival to include new venues, including Sheffield University’s Octagon Centre, Tudor Square, The Leadmill, O2 Academy Sheffield and Winter Gardens.
– Acts are announced for the second instalment of Tramlines, including Echo and the Bunnymen, Mystery Jets, Simian Mobile Disco DJ set, Professor Green, Tinchy Stryder, The Hoosiers, Toddla T and Annie Mac.
– In total, 250 artists appear across the event’s many stages.
– The Buskers Bus is launched, featuring acoustic sets from breaking artists while transporting festival-goers from one venue to another.
– The attendance of the festival almost doubles with 65,000 people attending.
2011
– The hugely popular Folk Forest area is launched.
– Acts announced for the third edition of Tramlines include Ash, Olly Murs, Pixie Lott, The Futureheads, and Heaven 17.
– Under The Stars join the Tramlines party, organising a large event for adults with learning difficulties.
– The festival wins ‘Best Local Event’ at the Exposed Awards and ‘Best Metropolitan Festival’ at the UK Festival Awards.
2012
– Alt-J, already on course for global stardom, play for free in The Bowery.
– The likes of Roots Manuva, We Are Scientists, Ms Dynamite, Julio Bashmore, and Spector all play the festival.
– 95,000 people attend over the weekend.
– The Leadmill host ‘Tramlines People’s Choice’, where eight bands compete for an opening slot on the Tramlines main stage. Blue Lip Feel win.
2013
– Tramlines announce they plan to get over 700 acts for 2013’s festival.
– Catfish and the Bottlemen bring down the house (and a disco ball) at a packed Soyo.
– The Selecter hit the main stage and lead the crowd into a mass skank.
2014
– Hip-hop royalty Public Enemy join fellow headliners Katy B, The Cribs and Annie Mac on the main stage.
– Sister Sledge lead the crowd in a disco singalong a sunny Saturday evening.
– Tramlines’ first wedding proposal takes place! She says yes.
2015
– Tramlines announce that the main stage will move to the much larger Ponderosa Park.
– Wu-Tang Clan, Basement Jaxx, The Charlatans, Buzzcocks and Sugarhill Gang are announced as main acts.
– The Exposed In Session Stage, which showcased the best of local talent, is announced on Devonshire Green.
2016
– Dizzee Rascal tops a diverse line-up including Kelis, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Jurassic 5.
– Funk legend George Clinton brings seamless party grooves to the main stage.
– Spanish rockers Hinds play with borrowed instruments after having their gear stolen a few days before the show.
2017
– The official festival becomes an exclusively outdoor event, with the Devonshire Green stage making a return.
– The Libertines, Metronomy and All Saints are announced as festival headliners.
– A petition is launched to make the Monday after Tramlines a bank holiday. It fails.
2018
– Organisers plan a major celebration of the festival’s 10th year.
– Tramlines changes main location to Hillsborough Park, moving it out of the city centre for the first time.
– Headliners announced include Stereophonics, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Craig David’s TS5.
2019
-Tickets sell out in advance of the festival, with over 30,000 festivalgoers expected each day.
– A speaker’s corner curated by Sheffield’s Poet Laureate Otis Mensah is announced.
– The biggest street food offering yet heads down to the main arena.
– Two Door Cinema Club, Courteneers and Nile Rodgers & Chic headline the newly-named Nulty’s Stage.
