The 2023 Tramlines Festival line-up has just dropped, with some absolutely massive names headlining Sheffield's biggest party.
The likes of Richard Ashcroft, Courteeners, and Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott will all perform on the The Sarah Nulty main stage, as Tramlines marks its 15th edition.
The three-day festival will be back at Hillsborough Park in Sheffield between 21 and 23 July this year.
Also on the bill for this summer are Blossoms, DMA's (who missed their headline slot when 2020's festival was postponed), Kaiser Chiefs, Sugababes, Beabadoobee, Kate Nash, Katy B, Sea Girls, Pale Waves, and special guests The Enemy and The Zutons, with loads more announced this evening.
On the comedy side of things, famous faces including Omid Djalili, Jonathan Pie, Paul Smith, Tom Wrigglesworth, John Hastings, Nina Gilligan, Tamer Kattan, Scott Bennett, Raul Kohli, and many more, will be taking to the Tramlines stage.
Credit: Tramlines 2022 + Lindsay Melbourne
40,000 music lovers and families will pile into Hillsborough Park each day of Tramlines 2023, ready for a weekend of music, art, comedy and performance across five stages, plus a family friendly area packed with things to do, festival food, bespoke craft beer and ale, vintage clothes stores, and roaming entertainment.
The Friday night will be headlined by Richard Ashcroft, with Courteeners taking the main spot on Saturday as part of their monumental year, which saw the band's debut album reach number one 15 years after its initial release.
The infallible duo of Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott will close Tramlines 2023 on the Sunday evening.
Credit: Tramlines 2022 + CFaruolo
The diverse festival brings together artists from the worlds of rock, pop, indie and alternative, with big-name bands and up-and-coming musicians rubbing shoulders on the same bill.
Since 2009, Tramlines has been proud to offer a platform to breaking and emerging talent, this year backing breakthrough acts like Stone, The Moly Wallopers, Primaqueen, Jetski, Franz Von, Amaroun, Deadletter, Lizzie Esau, Rumbi Tauro, and Deuxe.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Tramlines without an injection of Sheffield’s finest, Reverend and The Makers, who’ll bring the crowd pleasers as well as teasers from the new album, plus a band who pull in one of the biggest crowds of the weekend for their hilarious spoof covers, The Everly Pregnant Brothers.
Tramlines announced some of his headliners by sending out miniature bottles of Henderson’s Relish with artist’s names on the labels.
General manager Matt Davies from the Sheffield-based company said: "The recipe for Henderson's Relish has been kept under lock and key for over 130 years. Normally, we're quite good with secrets, but we got a bit too excited about the line-up for this year's Tramlines. Sorry about that."
Credit: Tramlines 2022 + CFaruolo
On the launch of Tramlines 2023, operations director Timm Cleasby said: "This year’s lineup is a cracker with some awesome names and, as always, there’s more than just music with loads to do, see and get involved with.
"My personal must-sees this year are Kate Nash, Rachel Chinouriri, Rumbi Tauro, Sugababes, the funny Paul Smith, and Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott.
"To quote our much-missed friend Sarah, 'I Just want to have a massive party with all my friends'.
"The turns are booked, the party’s on and you’re all invited. It can’t come soon enough."
Only a handful of Weekend tickets are left for Tramlines 2023, with over 95% sold already.
Tickets will go back on sale on Friday 3 February at midday, priced at £140 (+ booking fee), and the first batch of day tickets from only £50 (+ booking fee).
Today, Leeds city centre earned itself a coveted spot in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
What brilliant news to end the week on, hey?
Leeds city centre was amongst eight other locations across the north and the north east to be featured on the list.
The market town of Skipton took home the dazzling first prize, but it's still nice to be included isn't it.
Here's what the judges had to say about Leeds city centre: “Leeds has five universities, the fourth largest urban economy in the UK (with job opportunities in finance, insurance and big business), a youthful vibe and a relatively affordable average house price (£285,100).
Image: Unsplash
“Stay close to the centre, where you won’t have to worry about the patchy public transport, and it all adds up to a fun-filled, fulfilled life within walking distance of stylish shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. There’s a good choice of riverside homes, where you may spot kingfishers and otters, and even the schools are good.”
In total, 72 places across the UK were selected by The Sunday Times to showcase the very best of Britain, with Norwich named the overall national winner.
The full list of locations in the north and northeast include:
Skipton
Howardian Hills, North Yorkshire
Leeds city centre
Morpeth, Northumberland
Newcastle: Gosforth
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire
Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
York
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain.
“It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.
“Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live."
The best rooftop bars in and around Leeds to enjoy a tipple in the sunshine
Clementine Hall
The sun has got his hat on and there's no better place to soak it up than on a rooftop.
We've already been blessed with some beautiful weather this summer (touch wood), and here in Leeds there's plenty of sun-soaked spots to enjoy it.
To help you make the most out of the sun, we've taken it upon ourselves to do some in-depth research on the very best rooftop bars in Leeds to enjoy a drink or two.
You know, because someone's got to do it.
Whether you want to dress up and treat yourself to a swanky cocktail, jam out to a DJ whilst enjoying a craft beer or catch up with friends over some good food washed down by a refreshing beverage, there is a rooftop for you.
Let's get into it then shall we?
Green Room
36 Wellington St, Leeds LS1 2DE
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one definitely won't come as a surprise, having made a name for itself as one of the city's best nights out Green Room leads the way as the best rooftop in town.
Expect banging drinks, a buzzing atmosphere and New York style pizza - need we say more?
Headrow House
Bramleys Yard, 19 The Headrow
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Possibly the biggest rooftop in Leeds and set over two floors, this terrace promises a fantastic night out where you’ll be boogying on until the sun goes down. The first floor offers long picnic style tables, colourful parasols and overhead heaters to counteract the evening chill. The second floor has more benches amidst charming little covered huts, ideal for larger groups as they can be reserved in advance.
A huge neon sign is propped up amongst the skyline which comes alive when the sun goes down, setting the scene with a reddish tint as the DJ provides groovy tunes to take you into the early hours.
Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen
1-1a Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you like craft beer and good music, this is the rooftop for you. Belgrave’s iconic rooftop is always jam packed in the Summer and it is no surprise why; the vibes are always immaculate and the drinks are ace. Kirkstall Brewery and Five Points Ale are just a taster of what’s on the pumps and there’s also a great cocktail menu which are well priced and mega tasty.
If you get peckish you can order some ‘session loaded fries’ from Patty Smith’s burgers or a huge sharing pizza from Dough Boys. Both vendors are just downstairs and are a good enough reason to make a trip to Belgrave alone. Live DJs play all day and there’s an authentic friendly atmosphere meaning you’ll all be bopping heads and soak in the views together.
Azotea
2 Sovereign St, LS1 4DA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you want to feel like you're on the set of Love Island then get yourself to Azotea and gather round the fire pit.
This Mexican-inspired rooftop is the perfect spot if you're feeling a little bit fancy and want to dress up with the girls and treat yourself to a couple of cocktails.
IF Rooftop
10 - 12 Park Cross Street, LS1 2BH
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one's a little bit hidden, but if you can find the secret door and enter the code to the secret paradise then it's most definitely worth it.
Think incredible panoramic views of the city, banging cocktails and groovy DJs to get you grooving as the sun goes down.
Roland's
39 Call Lane, LS1 7BT
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Just when you thought Roland's on Call Lane couldn't get any better, head upstairs to their glorious sun terrace and be prepared to be proven wrong.
This small but mighty sun trap is a great spot to enjoy the best cocktails in town, and you can even watch the trains go by as you sip.
The Woods
5, Stainbeck Corner, Chapel Allerton, LS7 3PG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Located in the heart of Chapel Allerton, this roof top is a firm favourite and it's easy to see why.
Great drinks, plenty of space and banging food by The Kerbside Kids. We can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night to be honest.
Headingley Heights
8 Otley Rd, Headingley, LS6 2AD
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're over in Headingley, then this is the spot for you. Upstairs at BOX you'll find this huge sprawling rooftop equipped with its own bar with exclusive cocktails, two huge HD screens showing all the sports and all the usual food and drink locals have come to know and love from BOX.