Tramlines 2024: Everything you need to know

IT’S BACK, BABBEH!

It’s that time of year again – Sheffield’s biggest music-based event returns this month! This year’s Tramlines Festival takes place 26–28 July at Hillsborough Park and will feature an eclectic lineup of music, comedy, art, performance and more.

Tramlines returns for its 16th consecutive year with one of its strongest line-ups to date, featuring three main stage headliners and over 50 other acts, spread across five stages.

This year, Tramlines is showcasing three headlining stages: The Sarah Nulty Main Stage, T’Other Stage and The Leadmill Stage.

Headlining The Sarah Nulty Main Stage are Paolo Nutini, Jamie T and Snow Patrol, each making their debut appearance over the three-day event. Supporting these headline acts are Bombay Bicycle Club, Tom Grennan and returning Tramlines favourite, Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Anticipate a special home turf appearance from Sheffield legends, The Human League, marking their first UK show of the year.

Over on the Leadmill Stage, this year’s crowd-pullers include The Mysterines, PEACE, The Magic Gang, Been Stellar, English Teacher, among many others.

Photo: C.FARUOLO

Scoot over to the T’Other Stage, and you’ll find a brilliant lineup of standup comedians by day and a melting pot of musical talents by night. Headliners include Britpop icons The Charlatans, Brit Award winner Holly Humberstone and Mercury-nominated Yard Act. The comedy headliners bringing the laughs include Hull’s funniest, Lucy Beaumont, loveable oddball Angelos Epithemiou and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown captain, Jon Richardson.

The Library Stage is where you can find the best local talent – many hailing from South Yorkshire – offering a wide mix of neo funk, soul, ska, indie and rap. This year’s Apply To Play competition winner, Barnsley-based Hannah Rowe, headlines the Friday, with Sheffield rap royalty KDOT shelling it down on Saturday and much-loved singer-songwriter Ed Cosens playing Sunday.

The Open Arms will be its usual mini festival within in a festival, hosting the perfect party acts for some daft, unpretentious fun. Old Dirty Brasstards will be performing horn-led covers of your favourite tunes, the ever-popular Barrioke makes a welcome return and the ABBA Party promises to get all the dancing queens grooving.

Elsewhere, we have the Speakers with Slambarz stage, dedicated to showcasing the best young lyricists rappers and DJs from the Steel City and further afield. This stage will feature a dynamic lineup including DJ Dylor, Law Break, SL Kutta, AJ, Kid Blue and Teewhywho?.

Photo: L.MELBOURNE

Nestled in a secluded part of Hillsborough Park, Into the Trees is an oasis perfect for the little ones. Run by Pop Up and Play, this area offers three new play zones – The Spinning Top, Craft Den and Treehouse Stage – making it a family-friendly summer holiday experience worth venturing out for.

This year’s event will also provide a platform for small Hillsborough-based businesses to showcase their wares. Head to Little Hillsborough and you’ll find homemade items from Annie Jude’s, alongside works from local artist Luke Horton.

For the full Tramlines lineup and ticket information, head to www.tramlines.org.uk.

Then over to… The Fringe at Tramlines!

Back in the city centre, Sheffield music and cultures is set to shine for The Fringe at Tramlines..

Every year, The Fringe at Tramlines, supported by Sheffield BID, brings free outdoor stages and a huge variety of music to Sheffield’s pubs, clubs and bars. This vibrant event returns alongside Tramlines Festival at Hillsborough Park on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July, promising a weekend full of music, culture, and entertainment. Curated by Alan Deadman, the Fringe Stage at Devonshire Green will feature an eclectic mix of live acts and DJs, highlighting the best of Sheffield’s vibrant music scene.

Among the standout performers is Ripton Lindsey, the amazing Jamaican dancer who got the crowd moving last year. Ripton, a DJ, poet, dancer, and choreographer, has collaborated with legends like Afrika Bambaataa and Daddy G (Massive Attack). His ‘Jamaican Carifolk Dance’ is set to be a highlight once again. Street Robots will deliver their high-octane live show with punchy breakbeats and effervescent guitar riffs, ensuring an unforgettable performance.

The Waterbear/Tracks Collaboration will showcase the best-emerging talent in Sheffield, featuring Good Damage from Waterbear College of Music and two competition winners from Tracks Sheffield Music School. Both organisations are making huge waves in the local music scene, with Tracks recently hosting a surprise visit from Ed Sheeran, who jammed with the students and offered words of encouragement.

Sparkle Sistaz, a fantastic all-female group from Sheffield, will also grace the DJ decks. This group of DJs come from Under the Stars, a Sheffield charity that enhances the lives of people with learning disabilities through high-quality music and theatre. Sparkle Sistaz brings a unique energy and style to their performances.

The Fringe Stage will also feature a diverse array of acts over the weekend, including Highway Child, Speed for Lovers, Solar Love Society, Mango Rescue Team, Shanghai Treason, Shine Choir, Jungle Lion, Soul Battalion, and Blue Street Brass. DJs Myna, Kom, JuJu Master, Izza Dancer, Ian Hodgson, and Papa Al will keep the crowd dancing throughout the weekend. In addition to the main event sponsor, Sheffield BID, the Fringe stage has received funding from the Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation, a Sheffield-based charity founded in honour of former Tramlines Festival Director Sarah Nulty, which supports charities and organisations using music to improve people’s lives.

Supported by Sheffield BID and Sheffield City Council, The Fringe at Tramlines promises not only a fantastic line-up on the main stage at Devonshire Green but also a range of activities and performances across dozens of venues throughout the city.

Keep an eye out for a handy free printed programme that yours truly will be producing and distributing throughout the city, with a digital version going online at www.exposedmagazine.co.uk.