As one of the first festivals back after the 19 July, and another government pilot to hopefully bring the live industry screaming back to life, Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival kicks off this Friday (23 July).

Welcoming a full, huge line-up to the official festival over at Hillsborough, the city centre will also be blasting music from bars and venues around town as Tramlines Fringe ensures no ones left out. A scene far too often overlooked for its bigger neighbours, the weekend will showcase some of the best local talent along with some up and coming artists we’ve got our eyes on. Whether you’re taking to the field or wandering bar to bar around town checking out the free fringe line-ups, here are some acts you should catch at Tramlines.

Tramlines

Before Breakfast 

Sarah Nulty’s Main stage, Saturday

Melodramatic two piece Before Breakfast merge classic folk influences with more experimental sounds inspired by the likes of Bjork and Marika Hackman. All built out of tight, almost choral harmonies, accompanied by soothing cellos and pianos, their songs are angelic but never boring. With so many textures and layers, the humble duo of Gina and Lucy can easily fill a field with their sound, sure to be a captivating set. 

Holly Humberstone

T’Other Stage, Sunday

Becoming a real one to watch in 2020, Holly Humberstone is finally getting the chance to perform live. After releasing one of our favourite EPs of last year, Holly’s unique brand of sad girl pop with a wonky electronic twist will have you swaying through the melancholia of her lyrics as unleashes her live experience. 

Oh Papa

The Library Stage, Saturday

Sheffield’s favourite soft boys, Oh Papa’s surfy, Laurel Canyon inspired sound is quickly gaining attention, so see them before they get huge. Wrapping big emotions up in jangling guitars that somehow merge phoebe Bridgers level feeling with a Mac Demarco twang, they offer up something different to the classic indie boyband that that city is known for. Having always been a favourite at Tramlines Fringe, this year they’re taking to the official field.

Baby Queen

The Library Stage, Sunday

Somewhere between Avril Lavigne and Taylor Swift, Baby Queen has been delivering banger after banger with relatable lyrics about unrequited crushes on Jodie Comer and always wanted to go home from parties. Another act that has gained major attention during lockdown, these will be the first Baby Queen performances, offering you a prime opportunity to see a set you can brag about in a couple of years. With intensely catchy beats and choruses, tracks like 'Want Me' and 'Raw Thoughts' are sure to end up stuck in your head.

Teah Lewis

The Library Stage, Sunday

For something dreamy to kick off your Sunday, make sure to catch Teah Lewis. Sweet singer-songwriter goodness at its best, Teah’s unique voice is perfectly paired with bolder trumpet accompaniments and a solid live band made of some of the city’s finest musicians. Her latest single Magnolia is infused with banjos and harps, making for a serious cinematic listen that will set the tone of your day and have you romanticising your life.

Tramlines Fringe

Black Mamba Fever

The Washington, Friday + Shakespeare’s, Saturday

Despite having not released anything new for a couple of years, Black Mamba Fever remain a staple of the Sheffield live scene. Always found somewhere at Tramlines fringe, crowd surfing in pubs or climbing the walls of some bar, their live set might just be the most high energy thing you’ll have seen in a while. Their excitement is contagious, filling their heavier punkier sound with a sense of fun. 

FEMUR

The Washington, Friday + Shakespeare’s, Saturday

Often found kicking off the festival with some secret midnight set somewhere, the city’s psych-rock darlings are always on top form for their live performances. Hypnotic and frantic, dropping between western-inspired grooves and heavy meltdowns, their fans in the city ensure the crowd is moving in time to the chaos. If you’re looking for a set to soundtrack your first post-pandemic dance, giving you the perfect place to shake out all that frustration, make sure to catch Femur.

Dead Slow Hoot

DINA, Sunday

Fresh from the release of their latest album, A Kinder Kind, Dead Slow Hoot bring something so different to the Sheffield sound with their dark, mood, anthemic rock. One to watch for fans of big names like Radiohead and The National, floating between sad boy bangers and big rock moments, their live sets are always packed out. An ideal set to catch to both sooth and slowly shake you out of your hangover at the end of the weekend, their Sunday matinee set can act as hair of the dog.

TEEFF

The Washington, Saturday

Back with their first release in a couple of years, England Today is a perfect taste of the sound of the city. Taking classic indie influences with big catch choruses, and then making it all grittier, the two piece makes an impressive amount of noise. Just a guitar player and drummer, they’re like Royal Blood if Royal Blood were actually good.

Rosey PM

Shakespeare’s, Sunday

Part of Sheffield’s creative collective Blancmange Lounge, Rosey PM makes it all look so easy. Making gentle, funky tunes that defy genre, Rosey’s discography touches on everything from heavy RnB influences to almost late riot grrrl elements in their nonchalant lyrics. Head down with your girlfriends and boogie along to T.G.4.M.G.F.S (Thank god 4 my girlfriends, mood).

Tramlines and Tramlines Fringe take place 23-26 July in Sheffield.