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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The Maccabees at Kirkstall Abbey – musical reunion of the decade?
When bands reunite, it's usually pretty easy to guess what the motive is. A looming tax bill, an incoming divorce, a tanking solo career, for example.
But with The Maccabees, those scenarios feel a long way removed.
This is a band that called it a day at the top of their game - and then have returned even stronger, and seemingly because they just missed being on stage together.
Addressing the near-decade apart while on stage at Kirkstall Abbey, The Maccabees frontman Orlando Weeks sums it up simply: "For a long time we were a band, and then we weren't a band for a bit, and now we're a band again."
He's as softly-spoken a frontman as they come, but then The Maccabees never have leaned entirely on their frontman for their live energy - not when he's flanked by the White brothers.
Felix White spends half the gig sporting an ear-splitting grin, and the other half screaming words of encouragement at the audience like a crazed Top of the Pops presenter. The organised-fun patter might grate if he weren't so phenomenal the moment the music starts again.
Then brother Hugo is a brooding, powerful figure, usually standing with his legs so wide apart I'm surprised he doesn't split his trousers. His stage presence is so cool, so confident, it's hard to take your eyes off him.
Orlando's otherworldly voice is really allowed to shine through with songs like Spit It Out, when the stage reduces to a single spotlight and the other band members actually squat down to minimise the distractions.
The tempo shifts of Marks to Prove It, the urgency of X-Ray and the layered beauty of Wall of Arms all underline just how tightly the band play together.
There will be new music on the way, eventually, and they give us a glimpse into that with The Ballad of So Long, a swooping epic that suggests they still have somewhere new to go.
It's hard to complain that they don't have much more to show us yet - not when the alternative is a greatest hits, belt-every-word live show.
By the end of the night, as The Maccabees wrap up their show at Kirkstall Abbey, there's a quiet confidence about them. They know this comeback works, and we'll be lapping it up for as long as they'll stick around.
Judging by the reaction inside Kirkstall Abbey, everyone else does too.
Loyle Carner at Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Everyone's favourite hip-hop and chilled rap artist is coming to Leeds for one night and one night only, make sure you don’t miss out.
That’s right, Loyle Carner is set to headline for ‘Above All Else,’ a brand-new event set up by local promoters ‘Futuresound,’ joined by the extremely talented Jordan Rakei, KOKOROKO, Kofi Stone and Bricknasty - what a treat.
As one of the UK’s most influential and inspiring young writers, producers and musicians, Loyle has recently been nominated for a bunch of awards in the past year, including the MOBO and BRIT awards, following the release of his most recent full album ‘Hopefully!’ which has become his highest-charting release to date.
He has also been in the media for being a fantastic role model for younger generations, using his platform to champion emotional vulnerability through his emotive lyrics. As well as utilising his platform to discuss mental health awareness, toxic masculinity, neurodiversity, and generational healing - what a good egg he is.
The gig is set to take place this Saturday 1 August, and will be an all-day outdoor celebration, with gates opening at 4pm and performances blending into the evening.
Gig guide | Loyle Carner at Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds – all you need to know
Are there still tickets for Loyle Carner in Leeds?
Yes, there are currently still tickets available to see Loyle Carner but hurry.
General admission and accessible tickets are priced at £67.20, with premium admission standing priced at £100.20.
ou can see the latest availability and grab your tickets HERE.
Stage times
Gates Open: 4:00 PM
Bricknasty: 4:45 PM – 5:15 PM
Kofi Stone: 5:40 PM – 6:10 PM
Kokoroko: 6:40 PM – 7:25 PM
Jordan Rakei: 7:55 PM – 8:40 PM
Loyle Carner: 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM
Loyle Carner expected setlist
We are unsure on the exact set list for the concert but many are expecting a lot from Loyle’s most recent album ‘Hopefully!’ which centres around topics of family relations, with thought provoking and emotional lyrics, in true Loyle fashion.
Fans have also been eagerly awaiting to see whether Loyle will bring out Joe James to promote his newest collaboration on the single Ignorance Was Never Bliss.
What does a Premium ticket get you?
If you're thinking of making your night a little fancier, there's a Premium area in Kirkstall Abbey that includes all of this:
Premium Entrance (please note this opens at the same time as all gates)
Premium Hang Out Area located in the Historic Abbey’s Cloister with Private bar and toilets.
Premium food vendors.
Live at Kirkstall Abbey map
Getting to Kirkstall Abbey
You can pre-book parking for only £11, which will open at 3.30pm. However, it’s important to note that no overnight parking is allowed and vehicles left overnight will be towed - don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Entry to Kirkstall Abbey Car park is located next to Abbey House Museum on Abbey Walk in Kirkstall (LS5 3EJ).
Fans are urged to use public transport or travel on foot wherever possible.
Kirkstall Abbey has two local train stations nearby; Kirkstall Forge is located approximately 1.3 miles from Kirkstall Abbey and Headingley Station is approximately 0.7 miles.
There are several bus stops near Kirkstall Abbey too, for more information visit here.
Clementine Hall -
30th July 2025 
