A Sheffielder's Guide To Tramlines

As a Sheffielder, I figure the best way to harangue you into coming to Tramlines is to be your local guide. Here’s how to do Tramlines, broken down into easily digestible tips and handy numbers. Come escape to the city.

Friday

4.8 miles / 8 artists / 5 venues / 40,000 new friends

6.15pm – For starters, go check out the new Main Stage. By moving the main arena, Tramlines has shifted capacity from 7,000 to 10,000 Good work. Ghostpoet is up first.

7.30pm – Slaves have been responsible for quite a lot of noise lately. They should be on your radar, they’ll certainly be on the Main Stage.

8.45pm – The first Main Stage headliners of the weekend are The Charlatans. Expect a career-spanning set.

10.00pm – We Are The Ocean will be worth a punt at Leadmill, for sure.

11.00pm – A-KID & Special Guests. A-Kid is the brains behind Roots and owner of the <20Hz Sound System, which will be at Yellow Arch Studios. You know it’ll sound massive.

1.00am – Romare’s Projections was a huge album. Sadly, this isn’t a live slot at The Harley but still, guy’s going to have some bangers in his record bag.

3.30am – One of Sheffield’s finest DJs, ES.Q is at The Night Kitchen. If you’ve still got the legs then stick around for Pedram’s set afterwards.

Saturday

10.3 miles / 11 artists / 9 venues / 40,000 new friends

11.00am – Hey, it’s time to get up. Today’s a big day. Get in the shower and scrub that drunk right out. There’s plenty of places to grab great hangover cures in Sheffield, try Steam Yard today and grab a black coffee and a doughnut to soak up that regret.

2.00pm – The Payroll Union have just released their second album and they’re on at Folk Forest. Make the most of them because you might have to duck out early.

2.40pm – You might be a bit late for Jim Ghedi at The Cathedral but that’s okay; you’re doing a festival, this isn’t work. Listen to Jim, that’ll help calm you down.

5.00pm – Best Friends are playing on Devonshire Green. Their new album is amazing. Don’t get comfy because you’ll need to leg it down the road after their set.

5.30pm – Phew. Bit out of breath but don’t sweat it, you get to stay put for a while at Cathedral. First up is Daniel Whitehouse then the hotly-tipped The Half Earth. Both deserve your ears.

7.30pm – Hey Sholay/Martha Reeves. That’s a decision for you to make. Personally I’d plump for Reeves at the Main Stage – Hey Sholay will be around for some time yet.

8.45 – Got to watch a bit of Basement Jaxx on the Main Stage, right? Strap your dancing shoes on. Mental.

10.15 – Quick, collar a taxi and hope Leadmill doesn’t have a queue. Fat White Family are on.

10.45 – Get to The Harley to watch Nao killing it. I’m going all Mystic Meg and saying there are big things in her future.

1.00am – I love Queen’s Social Club. I think it’s that stage’s backdrop that does it for me. Nozinja’s set is bound to be one of the weekend’s highlights.

2.00am – Stick your head in O2 Academy Room 2 to check out the Dusktildawn and NiceLikeRice curated bill that includes Mak & Pasteman followed by Wheresnorth?.

Sunday

5.8 miles / 9 artists / 7 venues / 40,000 new friends

11.00am – By now your head should know how a Tramlines Saturday feels. Oh, it does. Good. Right. Breakfast? Venture to Tamper Coffee on Arundel Street and they’ll see you right.

1.00pm – Banish those hangovers with some Buffalo Skinners at the Folk Forest. You’ll feel better in no time.

2.45 – The Ratells have been hiding away writing new material. I reckon you might get to hear some at Devonshire Green.

3.45 – And while you’re there stick around for The Sherlocks.

5.10pm – Any Sheffielder worth their Henderson’s will tell you The Downtown Roots are a must at City Hall.

6.00pm – I’ve never seen The Big Moon live but I’ll be watching them at Queens Social Club.

7.45pm – Get back to the Main Stage. Wu-Tang Clan are on the Ponderosa. This is a BIG moment in Sheffield history.

10.10pm – That was intense. I need so disco to shake it off. Ekkah are at The Harley. Party fun times to be had at.

12.30am – I reckon some Horse Meat Disco at Foundry is an acceptable way to round Tramlines off.

3.00am – Andy H at The Harley is a better way, if you’re still standing.

That’s just one way to do Tramlines. Come explore the festival and find your own way.

Tramlines takes place across 19 venues in Sheffield on 24th, 25th & 26th July. Weekend tickets are £30 and can be purchased from the festival’s website.

Sam Briggs

@samgrantbriggs