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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This Leeds pop choir is putting emerging musicians centre stage
If there’s one thing Leeds knows how to do, it’s produce a seriously talented bunch of emerging creatives. And this time, we’re swapping the usual indie gigs and late-night dance floors for a choir proving there’s nothing old-fashioned about singing together.
Meet LC Pop Choir, the Leeds-based group taking some of the biggest pop, rock and gospel hits and giving them a whole new lease of life.
Based at Leeds Conservatoire, the choir was founded in 2015 by Principal Lecturer Craig Lees and has since grown into a talented community of students and alumni who share a love of music and a good old singalong.
But don’t go thinking this is your typical Sunday afternoon choir. We’re talking huge vocals, impressive harmonies and the kind of performances that make you want to get up and join in. Think songs you already know by heart, reimagined with a whole room full of voices behind them.
In 2025, LC Pop Choir took to the stage on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, performing Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten. The anthem is practically impossible not to sing along to, and the choir gave it a powerful new spin, showing just how much a familiar pop hit can be transformed through the power of group vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxUjfRqvyks
It’s the sort of performance that reminds you why live music is so special. There’s something about hearing a song you’ve known for years delivered in a completely different way that makes you fall in love with it all over again.
LC Pop Choir is such an exciting part of Leeds’ creative community. They’re not just performing songs; they’re finding new ways to bring people together through music. And that’s something Leeds has always done particularly well.
What makes the group even more special is the talent behind the harmonies. Made up of emerging artists releasing their own music, touring around the country and even performing at major festivals, these are creatives making waves in their own right.
Yet, every Monday, they come together as a family of creatives, supporting one another, nurturing their talents and celebrating their shared love of music.
The music industry can be a competitive place, particularly for artists just starting out, so having a space to develop their skills, meet like-minded people and be part of something bigger is invaluable.
This Leeds pop choir is putting emerging musicians centre stage. Credit: Ian Hodgson
And that sense of community is exactly what makes groups like LC Pop Choir such an important part of Leeds’ cultural scene.
Whether you’re a musical theatre obsessive, a pop music fanatic or someone who simply loves a brilliant live performance, LC Pop Choir is one Leeds-based group worth keeping on your radar.
We have a feeling some of these young artists will be paving the way for the next generation of music in the North, and we can’t wait to see what they do next.
Clubland to celebrate 25 years with huge Leeds arena show
Clementine Hall
Clubland is heading to Leeds for a special arena-sized anniversary celebration next year.
The Clubland Arena Tour promises a night of the biggest artists and biggest anthems, giving fans the chance to come together for a celebration of the dance music brand.
Celebrating 25 years of Clubland, the tour will stop off at arenas in Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Aberdeen, and of course Leeds.
With the event set to take over one of Leeds' biggest live entertainment venues, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a nostalgic night of club classics and dancefloor favourites – even before the lineup is announced.
Image: Supplied
The full line-up is expected to be announced very soon, with fans encouraged to keep an eye out for further details.
Previous headliners at Clubland Live have included Cascada, Basshunter, Scooter, Ultrabeat, and Vengaboys, always guaranteeing a night of non-stop anthems.
For many dance music fans, Clubland has become synonymous with the sounds that dominated clubs, radio playlists and party nights throughout the 2000s.
Over the years, Clubland has continued to celebrate the artists and songs that helped define an era of dance music, giving fans the chance to experience their favourite tracks live alongside thousands of like-minded clubbers.
From infectious pop-dance hits to harder-hitting electronic anthems, its events tap into a sense of nostalgia while keeping the energy of a night out firmly at the centre of the experience.
The 25th anniversary tour looks set to build on that legacy, bringing a quarter-century of club classics to arenas across the UK.
The Clubland Arena Tour will be at the First Direct Bank Arena on Saturday 1 May 2027.
Clementine Hall -
30th July 2025 
