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You can now apply to play at Tramlines Festival 2026 as part of programme to support emerging artists

What an opportunity.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 14th January 2026

Ever wanted to play at Tramlines Festival? Well, now's your chance.

Applications are now open until Wednesday 28 January for Tramlines Festival’s 2026 Apply to Play programme.

This fantastic initiative offers emerging and unsigned artists the chance to perform at the festival, which is set to take place from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July.

This year's Tramlines Festival will be headlined by Fatboy Slim, Courteeners and Wolf Alice - so it's safe to say that if you win, you'll be in great company.

Alongside a paid slot at the festival, the overall winner will also perform at Truck Festival, Y Not Festival and Victorious Festival.

Images: The Sheff

The talented winner will also receive an official endorsement with Epiphone, one of the most iconic guitar brands in the world, a professional electric guitar, 12 months of artist relations support, access to Epiphone’s London showroom and a performance slot at the Gibson Garage.

And it doesn't stop there as they will also get £500 in studio credit from Pirate Studios and a slot at the This Feeling industry showcase.

Finalists will receive paid performance slots at Tramlines and a second artist will be chosen through a public vote from a shortlist of 100 entries. That artist will also receive the full Epiphone package and secure a guaranteed place in the final selection.

 
 
 
 
 
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Timm Cleasby, Operations Director at Tramlines, said: “Apply to Play is one of the things at Tramlines I’m proudest of. Every year we get blown away by the talent coming through, not just from Sheffield but from all over the UK.

"We’ve had artists start out on a small stage and come back a couple of years later to play a packed tent. That kind of journey means a lot to us and shows emerging artists there is a pathway for them to grow. It’s why we do it and I can’t wait to see who steps up in 2026.”

Applications are now open, find out more here.

Read more: Yorkshire railways to receive huge investment as government unveils £45 billion Northern Powerhouse Rail project

Featured image - The Sheff


Audio

The UK’s oldest nightclub is in Halifax – and now they’re campaigning for a blue plaque

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

An all-new fundraiser has been set up which aims to crown the UK's oldest nightclub with its very own blue plaque.

Situated in Halifax, Acapulco Club, has been providing clubbers and night out lovers with live music and entertainment for 65 years.

Alongside offering 75p drinks to any guests before 11pm and a whole host of DJs playing out beats and bangers on their mezzanine-floor decks, Acapulco has created lots of happy memories too.

This West Yorkshire cultural hub attracted lots of media attention back in 2022 when the club auctioned off pieces of its spiral carpet for just £20.

Now, this Halifax nightlife institution is giving itself a massive pat on the back by setting up a fundraiser for its very own blue plaque.

Working alongside Halifax BID and Halifax Civic Trust, this living piece of Halifax history is recognising its contributions to this West Yorkshire town and clubbing culture.

Commonly referred to as "Acca", the club prides itself on "Welcoming dancers before man landed on the Moon, before the M62 motorway transformed our region, and before colour television arrived in British homes."

The cost of a blue plaque is £650 and any excess funds that are raised will be donated to Halifax Street Angels - a local charity which works alongside the night-time economy to keep partygoers safe.

Acapulco is encouraging anyone who has visited the nightclub over its 65 year period to donate and also provide any memories or photos they have shared within this venue.

Some of the famous faces that have graced this legendary clubbing hotspot include Katie Price and her son Harvey, Joey Essex, as well as an array of Love Island and Big Brother stars.

The Acapulco Club has even welcomed 80's pop royalty courtesy of a visit from George Michael... the tribute act of course.

Anyone wanting to find out more information or make a donation to the recent fundraiser set up to honour the UK's oldest nightclub Acapulco with a blue plaque can do so HERE.

Read more: Audio North’s Artist of the Month: Cruz | July 2026

Featured Image - Google Street View (via supplied)

Audio

Audio North’s Artist of the Month: Cruz | July 2026

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

July already? We're Cruz-ing through the year. Meet this Northern Indie rock band who've been crowned Audio North's latest Artist of the Month.

Sam, Tom, Jamie and Ethan, better known by band-name Cruz, are well and truly making a name for themselves with a whole host of gig dates scattered throughout the Summer.

Live music lovers are about to become very familiar with the 'Disco Colour Beams' songwriters, as Cruz' Summer schedule includes Isle of Wight Festival, Truck Festival and two Sheffield dates.

The Sheff-based shows are special for the fourpiece as they're hometown shows at both Everywhere At Once Festival and the incredible Tramlines Festival - Congrats lads.

Cruz are feeling the love, as the reason they're heading out to Tramlines is because they were voted the Fans' Pick, and this recognition continues as they've been chosen by Audio North to be our Artist of the Month.

An interview with Cruz | Audio North's Artist of the Month: July

Cruz-ing there way from festival to festival this Summer, the Sheffield band sat down with Audio North to talk Artist of the Month title / Credit: Press Shots (supplied)
Cruz-ing there way from festival to festival this Summer, the Sheffield band sat down with Audio North to talk Artist of the Month title / Credit: Press Shots (supplied)

For those who don't know, introduce us to Cruz

Tom and Sam were jamming in early 2022 before deciding to start a band while looking for other members, with Ethan and Jamie finding out through friends of friends.

Ahead of their first live gig, Cruz were drummer-less, Ethan's recruitment was lifesaving for the band as he stepped up a week before and never looked back since, four years strong.

How has Sheffield shaped you as a band?

It's such a rich city full of creatives, music-based as well as even broader to art and culture, Sheffield isn't just a city, it's a support system.

When we were starting out we got involved with all the local gig venues, who are always on the lookout to champion upcoming bands, it was so nice.

Do you feel any connection to this city's musical heritage?

Pulp, Arctic Monkeys and Richard Hawley of course, Human League and Def Leppard, the list goes on.

Growing up in Sheffield and going to gigs at The Leadmill was so incredible too.

What have been some of your favourite live shows so far?

Sidney and Matilda is prominent to us because it's where we played our very first headline date. We also supported Overpass, which was our fifth show ever as the band as we know it, then playing our headline in the same room was awesome.

Sam, Tom, Jamie and Ethan, better known as Cruz, are making waves in the Sheffield music scene / Credit: Press Shot (supplied)
Sam, Tom, Jamie and Ethan, better known as Cruz, are making waves in the Sheffield music scene / Credit: Press Shot (supplied)

If someone wanted to experience the Sheffield music scene, where would you take them?

The Washington does free shows with bands and acoustic sets, making it accessible for everyone. The majority of venues in Sheffield are always hosting gigs.

Kelham Island has a lot of free entry venues too, it's great, getting to watch four or five bands playing out all on one night in this current economy is top tier.

Tramlines and Tramlines Fringe is chaotic in the best way, you never know what to expect but you'll leave with a buzz of energy every single time.

Who are some Northern artists that you're enjoying listening to at the moment?

Leeds-based band The North, there's also The Rosadocs and Montello. We played a gig not too long ago with some class acts too, Bochum Parkway and Jessops, And we can't forget The Slates as well.

What's some of your favourite songs by these artists?

'Soundcheck Your Soul' by The North they've got so many great tunes, they're an amazing band. Montello's 'Suit and Tie', 'Runaway Instead' The Rosadocs.

Playing out at various festivals across the UK, for this Sheffield act it's Tramlines which is most important to them / Credit: Press Shot (supplied)
Playing out at various festivals across the UK, for this Sheffield act it's Tramlines which is the most important to them / Credit: Press Shot (supplied)

What's your favourite track off your newest EP?

Jamie picked 'Man of the People' quoting it as a 'Proper anthem', 'I Get By' is Ethan's pick, it's a track which has been in the works for a while but now the band have finally cracked the code.

While Sam's favourite song is 'Amsterdam' as it's the most personal to him and it's a chilled out number.

Read more: Sheffield’s Peddler Market to relaunch as FREE monthly mini music festival

Featured Images - Press Shots (supplied)

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