London has one, Nottingham too so why not Sheffield. With the city thriving from the sort of music scene that happens once in a generation came its very first inner city festival, Tramlines. Only this was free, yep, every single venue adopting a free entry policy.
The project was the brainchild of just four men; Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, Reverend himself Jon McClure, Toddla T and local entrepreneur James O’Hara, each with their own project, or should that be tramline. The premise was simple, create an event free for all showcasing the best of what Sheffield has to offer with a smattering of renowned musical talent in venues across the city centre. According to the curators themselves, the hope was that Tramlines was not the culmination of months planning but the start of something, a legacy even. Revealing the local talent in a free event was one thing, but enticing audiences to the same performers and venues for months to come is the long-term goal.
The venues themselves were located in prime city centre locations with the main stage on the green space known as Devonshire Green where a mini festival itself was housed complete with bar, food outlets and portaloos. With the weather behaving on Saturday, the place was packed with families, couples and a fair few lounging in the sun with a cold cider. Entertainment was hosted by local radio station Hallam FM with sets from the likes of Example, Just Jack, Athlete and Pixie Lott while headlined by Little Boots. Drizzle sabotaged such sun tanning for Sunday yet the stage belonged to local bands such as The Violet May, Backhanded Compliments, Dead World Leaders and a headline set from Reverend and The Makers.
Nearby bars such as The Harley, The Bowery, The Forum, Frog and Parrot, The Stockroom, The Washington, The Grapes and Bungalows and Bears all hosted their own acts from Friday to Sunday. Makeshift stages were even set up on the steps to City Hall on Sunday on a line-up which featured Nat Johnson and Jody Wildgoose. Music aside, a Continental Market kept the food lovers busy on the main shopping parade known as Fargate, children were kept entertained by the Kids Zone and there was also a World Stage in the Peace Gardens featuring Middle Eastern and African dancing with a feature film for afters.
The entertainment went late into the night with DQ playing host to various after hours parties. Friday night was curated by Toddla T and included Shake Alletti, DJ Zinc and culminated in a DJ set from Toddla himself. Saturday was a Matt Helders presents… night which featured sets from Joe Carnall and The Book Club, Bromheads Jacket and Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster with Helders himself headlining with his own eclectic DJ set. The event even gained the approval of one Steve Lamacq in attendance.
Did I mention it was free?