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Pulp, penalties and Yorkshire pride: Tramlines 2025 proves Sheffield’s still got it

What a weekend.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 30th July 2025

Tramlines Festival returned to Sheffield with a bang this year, bursting with brilliant music and local pride.

Now a firmly established cornerstone of the social calendar, Tramlines has proved itself to be a multi-stage celebration of music sprawled across Hillsborough Park.

This year the festival felt even more local than ever before, with two out of three headliners hailing from the steel city itself.

But it wasn't just about the headliners, each and every act delivered impeccable sets to roaring crowds. Complete with a blazing sun and a cheeky England win, it was definitely a Tramlines to remember.

Day One

Friday kicked off in the most Sheffield way possible - John Cooper Clarke taking to T'Other Stage and delivering an hour long set jam-packed with his charming, witty and hilariously inappropriate poems. Signing off with "I Wanna Be Yours", the iconic poem that inspired the Arctic Monkeys, we were ready to take on the festival.

Image: The Sheff

Hot Chip really got the party started with an electric DJ set, whilst Fat White Family performed to a packed-out Leadmill Stage just before the one we've all been waiting for began their set. That's right, Pulp.

Walking through the grounds it was clear to see the majority of festival-goers were here to see Pulp, with every other punter sporting a piece of their merch. And their set did not disappoint one bit.

From the opening riffs of “Spike Island” to the belting choruses of “Disco 2000” and “Common People”, Jarvis and co. fused their past legacy with a defiant nod to the present. With Richard Hawley invited for the encore and “Sheffield: Sex City” finally getting its live hometown debut, it was the kind of show you'd write home about - if you weren’t too busy screaming the lyrics back.

An iconic Tramlines moment that we won't be forgetting any time soon.

Day Two

Back again to Hillsborough Park, perhaps not so bright eyed and bushy-tailed, but did that stop us? Absolutely not.

Image: The Sheff

Saturday brought another day of unbeatable local energy, Rotherham lads The Reytons headlined the Sarah Nulty Main Stage with swagger that felt both underdog and overdue. Whilst Franz Ferdinand had the field fizzing with guitar drama and singalongs to “Take Me Out”, but not before nostalgic icon Natasha Bedingfield could perform her catalogue of anthems from “These Words” and "Pocket Full of Sunshine" to “Unwritten”. We're going to blame that one on losing our voice.

And if you weren't at The Reytons, then you were most likely at the Rizzle Kicks who are back and boy oh boy aren't we glad they are. The crowd's electric reaction to "Get Down With The Trumpets" got us all asking, why did they ever leave in the first place?

Day Three

Last but definitely not least, Sunday brought a day of proper laughs courtesy of Russel Howard kicking things off at T'Other Stage followed by Irish legend CMAT who had the crowd enamoured by both her flawless singing voice and immaculate stage presence.

Scouting For Girls brought the nostalgia to the main stage closely followed by The Last Dinner Party who underlined their position as one of the best girl groups in the country right now.

And of course, as we were all bopping our heads to this myriad of fantastic music the Women's England squad were playing Spain in the Euro's Final. Just before Kasabian exploded onto the stage, the penalties were played to a sea of adoring fans which can only be described as electric. A perfect way to set up the last act of the night.

Image: The Sheff

Opening with “Club Foot” and closing with “Fire”, Kasabian turned the park into a celebration of national pride which can only be described as something really quite special.

So, Tramlines 2025? A weekend which showcased an incredible array of British music, with an undeniable focus of Sheffield's roots and musical prowess. We'll absolutely take that.

Tramlines 2026 will return from Friday 24 - Sunday 26 July, tickets go on sale this Friday and you can grab yours here.

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Featured image - The Sheff

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Inside the Leeds factory that makes and supplies classic jukeboxes

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

This Leeds-based family-owned business is famed for supplying pubs, clubs and even ordinary people's homes with classic jukeboxes.

Started up in 1978, Sound Leisure really is a local business like no other, creating and distributing classic jukeboxes to over 40 countries.

This music-machine-making company notes that 75% of the jukeboxes they manufacture and sell throughout the year are bought for everyday homes.

The remaining 25% of orders are for the all-expected hospitality venues like bars, clubs and hotels, with the jukeboxes sometimes bought for company headquarters and retail outlets too.

Although there are other jukebox manufacturers, especially across the pond in the US, Sound Leisure is the only factory in the world that creates jukeboxes to play out across all formats: CD, vinyl and digital.

This jukebox business even runs the world's only 'Custom Shop', which is a design service that offers any music lovers the chance to personalise their pristine player.

So whether you're after a themed jukebox, customisable nameplate or even a bespoke design, this jukebox company's website states: "If you can dream it, we can build it".

One of Sound Leisure's prized products is the music machine inspired Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-themed jukebox which any fan of The Beatles would dream of being its lucky owner.

And there really isn't anything they can't do, as alongside creating classic jukeboxes, the same team even make pinball machines, football tables, LED signs and more.

With CD and vinyl jukeboxes from £5,000 and digital jukeboxes quoted from upwards of £12,000, we're going to need a fair few rainy days to save up our money.

However, you can still marvel at these magnificent music machines without having to dip into your savings, with guided tours starting from just £15.

If you're up for learning a little bit more about music technology or simply after admiring these classic jukeboxes in all their glory, you can find out more about the factory and book your guided tour ticket HERE.

Read more: Two giant balloon dog sculptures by acclaimed international artist have landed in Leeds

Featured Images - The Hoot Leeds

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An independent one-day festival run by local businesses is returning to Leeds this summer

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Bramley’s independent festival is back after a sell-out first year.

Three local businesses, no corporate sponsor, one big day.

That's the motto of Mill Fest - an indie festival returning to Swinnow Grange Mills in Bramley after a sell-out debut that brought more than 600 people through the gates.

Mill Fest began as a shared idea between three Bramley businesses who fancied putting on a proper day out for the area, and we're so glad they did.

Last August it turned Swinnow Grange Mills into a full day of live music, street food, flash tattoos, market stalls and cold pints in the sun. We can't think of a better way to spend the day to be honest.

Images: Supplied

This year Mill Fest is back and taking place on Sunday 2 August, and the plan is simple - keep what made it work and build on it.

There will be a full day of live music, the return of the flash tattoo day, more independent traders, street food and local beer. This time the team is keen to bring in more businesses and faces from around the area, and the full lineup and programme will be announced over the coming weeks.

Images: Supplied

Owen Wilson from Against the Grain Bar said: “We started this because we wanted to put something on for Bramley, run by the people who actually work here. Last year went better than any of us expected. The place was full, the sun came out, and it felt like the whole area showed up. We can’t wait to do it again.”

Danae Miller from Grays Salon said: "The aim for this year is the same day people loved, just a bit bigger. We’d love to get more local businesses and artists involved, and to see even more familiar faces down at the mill. If we get the weather, it’ll be another one to remember.”

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Featured image - Supplied

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