As Tramlines 2015 starts tomorrow, I thought it was the perfect time to put together a list of some of the acts to catch over the course of the weekend. I’ve picked acts from the more main stages but don’t forget to check out the free stuff in the pubs, bars and smaller spaces in the city. There will be plenty going on in every corner of Sheffield so if you are going to be there have a good dig through the programmes, gig listings and the internet to find some gems and places to visit. However, for now, here is my list of acts to check out over the course of the weekend:
FRIDAY
Beth Frisby – Millennium Gallery, 21:30
Nottingham born Frisby’s haunting and unique vocals mixed with her songwriting talent has seen her hit the top 20 in the iTunes charts with debut EP ‘Wandering Eyes’. A great new act to check out this weekend.
The Charlatans – Main Stage, 20:45
Tonight’s headliners are a much anticipated and very successful indie rock band. Having carved out a great career and sticking around for years in the alternative music scene of the UK, these guys are an exciting prospect to have playing at Tramlines and headlining the first night, truly kicking off the festival.
Inherit The Stars – The Leadmill, 19:00
Sheffield’s alt-metal five piece Inherit The Stars have bagged themselves a great set supporting the brilliant We Are The Ocean in what will be a celebration of rock and metal. With great tracks, heavy riffs, infectious moments and lots of energy live, they are one Sheffield act to check out.
Slaves – Main Stage, 19:30
Punk meets grime in the music of Slaves who will be hittng the main stage on the opening night. After a storming set at Glastonbury a month ago and plenty of critical acclaim, the duo are riding the coat-tails of their great music and increasing fan base. An interesting one to catch.
source – artsclubliverpool.com
We Are The Ocean – The Leadmill, 22:00
After years spent on the alternative metal scene, these guys have built up a fan base through their talent, hard work and passion for music. Headlining The Leadmill’s opening Tramlines night is a great honour and one they have earned, this set is sure to be nothing short of awesome. Check it out!
SATURDAY
And So I Watch You From Afar – City Hall, 21:30
Having recently released their fourth studio album, the quartet have solidified their sound and are set to take that on the road with a pit stop at this year’s Tramlines festival. It is safe to say that this will be a great set from a band that have worked hard for their success.
source – consequenceofsound.net
Basement Jaxx – Main Stage, 20:45
Saturday night and everyone wants to dance and who better to party with than Basement Jaxx. I know this is a huge booking for this festival and I can see the main stage being absolutely packed off people dancing their socks off to their headline set. With so many great singles to play, it is set to be hit after hit to keep the energy high.
Blessa – Devonshire Green, 18:00
Sheffield five piece Blessa have undergone a reinvention of sound over the last year since their critically acclaimed debut EP ‘Love Is An Evol Word’. Getting rid of the fuzzy guitars and replacing it with disco sounds, this will be one of the first outings of their new set and where better to do it than in their hometown on one of the biggest stages the city has to offer.
Hey Sholay – Sheffield Cathedral, 19:30
This Sheffield act have become something of a legendary act around these parts, well loved and much appreciated their mix of pop and trip has done nothing but gain fans over the years. A Tramlines would not be the same without these guys so make sure you check out their set for what is sure to be yet another memorable one.
Meadowlark – Folk Forest, 15:00
Bristol based pair Meadowlark will be making their debut performance at Tramlines in the beautiful setting of the Folk Forest. Their melancholic alt-pop has caught the attention of the likes of 6Music and XFM and will surely capture the imagination of many over the course of their set.
North Prism – Millennium Gallery, 20:30
After the recent release of their ‘Lightless’ EP, this five piece return to Tramlines a year after their debut set here. Heavy riffs and plenty of melody make for a compelling bunch of alt-rock tracks that will surely blow away any cobwebs lurking around the revellers on this Saturday evening.
Slow Club – Devonshire Green, 19:00
Sheffield duo Rebecca and Charles, aka Slow Club, are set to bring an amazing set and a big crowd to Devonshire Green on Saturday evening. Their danceable indie grooves and flowing, melodic subtleties make for a wonderful mix of tracks and a live performance which ebbs and flows perfectly from one track to the next. A sure highlight of Saturday’s bill.
SUNDAY
The Big Moon – Queen’s Social Club, 18:00
Newly formed London based quartet The Big Moon are all about the huge, infectious, fuzzy guitar based rock. A sound that will go down a storm on the Sunday evening kicking off the final night party at Queen’s Social Club. The tiny venue mixed with their raw sound will work to create one hell of a set. Don’t miss it!
Blossomer – Sheffield Cathedral, 19:30
Sheffield electronic pop collective Blossomer spent a long time huddled up in the studio before releasing 2014’s ‘To The Sea’ and ‘To Adore’. With a new single and promises of a new EP, it should be a great set from the act that have only climbed the bill year after year, showing how far local acts can come with hard work.
The Crookes – Devonshire Green, 17:45
With 3 albums, an EP and plenty of singles spanning their 6 year career, this Sheffield four piece are a success story of sticking to your guns and showcasing how the old ways of making music and their more vintage sounds can still be great in 2015. The now trio are currently recording their next album and their Tramlines set will see their first live performance in a long while, where new music should hopefully be showcased too. They are always a highlight of Tramlines when they play and this year’s Devonshire Green slot should be no different.
Dutch Uncles – Queen’s Social Club, 22:00
Manchester quinter Dutch Uncles will have the pleasure of closing the festival over at Queen’s Social Club. Having recently returned with new album ‘O Shudder’ and completing their biggest headline tour to date, the band are riding the waves of success currently with an album that has been described as their most accessible yet. Their awkward style of indie has merged well into the pop sensibilities they have added making for a truly interesting listen.
source – nme.com
Honeyblood – Queen’s Social Club, 21:00
Playing just before Dutch Uncles at Queen’s Social Club, this two piece will be bringing their combination of punk aesthetic, melodic hooks and plenty of charm to Sheffield. Having become one of the most talked about acts of recent years, these Glasgow girls mix urgent rock tracks with pop gems perfectly. An act to catch this weekend.
Stealing Sheep – The Leadmill, 20:55
Their 2012 debut album saw a merge of styles from each member that mixed into what was described as ‘medieval-kraut-folk’ and saw them described as the ‘pagan pop revivial’. The second album saw them develop and experiement sonically drawing inspiration from all corners of music, the weirder the better really. Mixing their eclectic music with plenty of artistic visuals makes for an interesting show to listen to and watch this Tramlines weekend.
I hope you manage to find some great acts to see at this year’s Tramlines festival and have a brilliant time in the Steel City this year!
Mixtape Couture 