This week, Sheffield gets ready to host another edition of its iconic Tramlines Festival. Last year’s festival felt like a cathartic release of post-lockdown energy as crowds were welcomed back into Hillsborough Park for the first time in two years; it was a beautiful sight to behold.
And this year, the team have truly upped the ante; huge headliners collide with hot new acts and veterans alike. Ahead of Tramlines 2022, here are 5 of the best acts playing you need to check out.
Sam Fender
OK, this is probably the most obvious choice, but…come on. Sam Fender is deservedly one of the biggest artists in the UK at the minute, with latest album Seventeen Going Under receiving universal acclaim and chart success. His open and candid songs detail his upbringing, politics, relationships and mental health in a way that will make millions of listeners feel heard. Having recently conquered Glastonbury, playing the sunset Pyramid slot, Tramlines will be one of the first festivals to have him as a headliner. In what will no doubt be a euphoric Friday night, come see Fender headlining a smaller festival before he takes over the world.
Self Esteem
2021 was the year of Self Esteem. I can only describe her second album Prioritise Pleasure (our 2021 Album of the Year) as a cultural reset, and since its release, she has enjoyed a meteoric rise. Her soaring, anthemic and unifying brand of pop has won her audiences of thousands, yet there is nothing that beats a home crowd. A Yorkshire native, this will be a homecoming show to remember. Scream along, sing along, cry along; it will be one hell of a celebration.
Yard Act
Headlining the Leadmill Stage on Sunday night, Yard Act will be comfortably demonstrating why they have risen up to indie royalty. Their debut album The Overload won them a legion of fans and supporters, selling out dates across the country. Their charismatic and quirky brand of post-punk will close the festival with pits as well as prose.
Big Joanie
Perhaps one of the most exciting new punk acts around, Big Joanie will be taking the stage to deliver their energetic and bold anthems to the Hillsborough masses. Headlining the Library Stage on Friday night, they are up against some stiff competition, but if you want a vision of what the future will look like, brace yourself for a night of noise like no other.
The Coral
The Special Guest slot is a relatively new addition to Tramlines, but it’s an excellent way of seeing bigger bands in earlier slots. Case in point: Sunday morning, you may be feeling hungover and tending your bruised limbs from the Kasabian moshpit. But if you sleep in, you’ll miss The Coral, who not only released their best album last year with Coral Island, but are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their iconic debut! Sound like something worth skipping your lie-in for? Good. See you at Hillsborough.
Tramlines takes place in Sheffield's Hillsborough Park, 22-24 July.
