Every year 30,000 people come flooding through the gates of Hillsborough Park for a weekend of great music. Since its humble start in 2009, Tramlines has grown into the cornerstone of Sheffield culture, promising visitors a weekend of action-packed memories. Boredom is seemingly impossible at the festival, thanks to the Comedy Stage, the discos, karaoke, food stalls and, of course, the four stages dedicated solely to music of all different types. Whether you are there for the music or not, Tramlines will always have something for you.
The acts headlining the Sarah Nulty Main Stage this year include new indie-darling Sam Fender, Leicester-based indie legends Kasabian, and perennial favourites Madness, along with a host of other well-known artists like The Wombats, The Vaccines, James, and even local favourites Reverend and the Makers. T’Other Stage also offers delights at every turn, with headliners Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Sigrid, and Becky Hill sure to put on a memorable performance over the weekend. Be sure not to miss the Library Stage headliner Alfie Templeman, whose new album ‘Mellow Moon’, is sure to be a summer crowd favourite, as well Crawlers, who have recently found TikTok fame with their song ‘Come Over (Again)’. Although the temptation to stick with the main stage can be an all-too-real idea, the smaller bands playing at this festival will soon be the big names in the industry, and the chance of seeing bands at the beginning of their career is a truly magical experience. With four stages of live music on offer, finding somewhere to vibe with your friends and enjoy the summer fun won’t be difficult.
This year, Tramlines is continuing with their no re-entry rule for visitors, meaning once you enter the site, you cannot leave and re-enter, preventing you from nipping out and getting a cheap meal-deal or popping over to McDonalds. That being said, the food on offer in the festival has always been excellent, especially the giant Yorkshire puddings and poutine stalls! There are numerous vendors selling a vast array of foods, catering for all dietary requirements (but be sure to save up your money, as you may walk away with a small dent in the bank!). The same principle goes for drinks, which can set you back around £6 a pint. However, I would argue the feeling of drinking a nice, cold pint whilst sitting on the grass, listening to an artist you really like, surrounded by your mates, is simply beyond the concept of money and is worth the money.
Transport is a big factor to consider before you go. For most students, getting to the festival from the city centre or Crookes, you are best off getting the 52, 52a or 57 to Hillsborough. You will want to get off as soon as you see Hillsborough Interchange (right next to the old Hillsborough Barracks). One of the added benefits of getting the bus into Hillsborough is that the Rawson Spring, the local Wetherspoons in Hillsborough, is right next to the bus stop, allowing you to save on money and stock up on cheap food and cheap San Miguels! During the day you can also get the tram from the city centre into Hillsborough. However, despite the name, it’ll be difficult to find your way back into Sheffield city centre on the trams, which, after the festival, are often packed and can even be cancelled, leaving you to depend on taxis or buses. Make sure to wear a pair of comfy shoes in case you get caught out and have to walk a while to get to a bus stop or tram stop. You may even have to walk the whole way and, if so, remember that Crookes is uphill! However, whilst it seems a long journey, getting back to Crookes, Crookesmoor or even just the town centre from Hillsborough is actually relatively easy.
If you’re (somehow) still awake by the end of the night and still wanting to party until the early hours, I’d recommend The Leadmill, who’s Tramlines after-parties on Friday and Saturday are always legendary. Tickets are available from their website and these are guaranteed to elevate an already great weekend. As well as this, our very own Foundry usually organises a great after-party, last year even having Mike Skinner do a DJ set! If you fancy something a little more casual, head to West Street and dive into the array of bars, especially The Washington, who typically have some DJs on late into the night. However, if you’re feeling too tired, there’s nothing wrong with getting some rest before you’re at it again the next day!
Tramlines promises to be the best weekend of the year for Sheffield and there is so much excitement in the air that every single problem goes away. Be sure to be careful, keep your belongings close and plan your route home for ease and efficiency. But the most important tip, of course, is to have fun.
