'Tramlines Festival 2025 was an out-of-body experience for one reason'

Daily Mirror

7 days ago

It's one of the highlights of my year, and this year, I turned 30 in Hillsborough Park, but one performer made me forget I was actually on the planet for their set, says Daniel Bird
3am opinion
Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
Daniel is an Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor at the Mirror. He studied an MA in International Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University before joining Reach in 2019. When he's not busy down on-site at music festivals to bring the latest updates and exclusive backstage chats, he can be found writing about all things celebrity and his love for One Direction. He's also partial to a cup of tea – or ten. Before working in the entertainment industry, Daniel studied an NCTJ in Public Affairs and worked as a news reporter.
Tramlines Festival was back for yet another incredible year, but one set left me completely blown away. Each year, bosses at the festival always pull in the biggest names, which baffles me as I always think the previous year can't be beaten.
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This year, however, was extra special; there were two local acts headlining the Sarah Nulty Main Stage – one, I didn't even think was possible, but somehow, bookers managed to secure them. Each year, I attend Tramlines with a group of friends, and we always have the best time, whether that's grabbing food or a drink en route to Hillsborough Park and supporting local businesses, or this year, finding ourselves in a rather lively pub afterwards, with hundreds packing inside in a bid to keep the electric atmosphere going.
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2025 was no different. Local legend Jarvis Cocker and his Pulp headlining on Friday, certainly setting the weekend up for us. It was Pulp's 571st concert since the band launched in 1987, and you could have easily believed it was their first. Jarvis' energy was off the scale when he burst onto the stage, showcasing some of his best dance moves.
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It was their second festival of the year, after Glastonbury, and they certainly didn't disappoint. From explaining that most of their tracks were written either in Sheffield or about Sheffield to throwing grapes and chocolate out to the crowd (I'm sad I didn't get the Fudge or the Twirl), they delivered arguably one hell of a performance.
Taking to the stage with Spike Island, the atmosphere in the crowd instantly switched, and everybody became friends; there were no arguments or pushing, just 40,000 people embracing every moment. Hearing Sheffield: Sex City live for the first time since 2012 was certainly an experience. Although I'm not from Sheffield, I've called it my home on and off since 2017, and everybody could relate to some part of the song when Cocker called out various areas of the city.
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Disco 2000 instantly saw the energy in the crowd switch, 40,000 people jumping in the air, belting out every lyric; it was as though we had somehow found ourselves in The Leadmill on a Saturday night. Meanwhile, Common People saw a completely different aspect that none of us could have expected, fellow local legend Richard Hawley joined Pulp on stage, with the crowd erupting into cheers.
Day two, Saturday, saw a string of huge musicians, including Natasha Bedingfield, Heather Small, Lucy Beaumont, Rizzle Kicks, The Reytons, and Franz Ferdinand taking to the various stages. I was quite lucky to see Natasha chilling backstage before her set, and she was, as expected, rather lovely. Her performance didn't disappoint. Although she was on earlier in the day, she drew in one of the biggest crowds I had seen from a non-headliner on the Main Stage.
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One aspect of day two I have to talk about is Heather Small. It was an out-of-body experience. Standing in the front row, with thousands of people packed into the T'Other Stage, was something else. Her energy was off the charts, and she performed her biggest hits, including Proud and Movin On Up.
My friends and I were instantly taken to another world during Heather's set. I can't find the words to explain it, but she just has this magical aura about her, on and off stage. I was lucky to catch up with Heather after her performance, which you can read later in the week. I walked away extremely calm and relaxed. She gave me a hug, and it felt as though I'd been in hours of therapy with just that one hug. Even my friend couldn't believe the calmness that radiated from Heather.
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Earlestown band The K's also performed on the main stage, just one day after the release of their second album, Pretty On the Internet. Having seen the lads live and worked with them a few times, I knew that fans in the crowd would be in for a treat. There were mosh pits, people on shoulders, all belting out the songs, including Gravestone and an acoustic performance of Hoping Maybe. I
I was lucky enough to catch up with the lads, Jamie Boyle, Ryan Breslin, Dexter Baker, and Nathan Peers, just before they performed, which you can read here. They're also on track for their first-ever Number One album.
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Elsewhere on T'Other Stage were Rizzle Kicks, who I forgot had so many bangers. The tent was completely packed, with thousands getting down with the trumpets. One thing that struck me was the bond between Jordan and Harvey. The duo stopped performing in 2016 due to Harvey's anxiety, something that Jordan mentioned on stage, and I can't lie, it was quite emotional seeing the deep connection between the two.
Their set was nothing short of incredible, such a wild atmosphere, and I can't lie, I'm glad they weren't on the main stage. There was something about the atmosphere in the packed tent that just added an extra layer of excitement to their performance.
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Meanwhile, Rotherham's own, The Reytons, headlined the main stage, and they didn't disappoint. Opening with Red Smoke, the deep guitar riffs and bass made the ground of Hillsborough Park tremble. Frontman Jonny Yerral's vocals could have been heard in Clifton Park. I've followed the lads for several years now, and to say they're an unsigned act, the music industry is missing out, but I think it works well for them.
Kids Off The Estate saw Hillsborough transformed into Disneyland, with pyrotechnics galore, the lads didn't disappoint, and I genuinely believe that they're going to be even bigger than they already are. I mean, they have just announced a Wembley Arena show, which is proving my point already.
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But it was time for a much-needed break, so I snuck off back to the comfort of Hillsborough Stadium's backstage area, where the festival bosses put on a spread from local restaurant, China Red. We feasted on fried rice, spring rolls, chow mein, and spiced chicken, which is what I would call the best food there is. I also turned 30 on the Saturday, which was, in my opinion, the best way to do it. Backstage, friends who work at the festival ensured I'd be celebrating properly, with a cake, candles, and a bottle of prosecco, which went down a treat.
Although day three of a festival is normally a bit of a slower pace, Scouting For Girls opened the day for me. I've been friends with lead singer Roy Stride for a couple years now and seen the band several times and they never disappoint and Tramlines was no exception.
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Performing hits including Posh Girls, She's So Lovely, Elvis Ain't Dead, and around thirty seconds of James Bond, the crowd instantly found themselves jumping up and down as they also filmed a music video with the crowd, so that was very exciting. Barnsley-based band The Sherlocks also delivered an epic set.
This included a very brief tribute to the late, great Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, with lead singer Kiaran Crook belting out "I'm going through changes." But a last-minute decision meant that the women's Euros were played on the main stage, with Chloe Kelly's winning penalty instantly seeing drinks thrown into the air as we all leapt with happiness as football finally came home.
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The energy continued right through Kasabian's headline set, as they walked onto the stage with Freed From Desire blasting out. Frontman Sergio Pizzorno ensured that nobody was standing still as he belted out tracks including Club Foot, Shoot the Runner, and You're In Love With A Psycho.
Having seen Kasabian live several times since Serge took over as the frontman, I can hand on heart say, it should have happened sooner. His performing abilities are something else. As the encore came to a close with Fire, he made sure the crowd was involved, with everybody blasting out the lyrics, despite many of us no longer having a voice after three days.
In my opinion, it was the best decision to have Kasabian close the weekend. The rocky tones of the band and Serge's gentle yet feisty approach to performing make them one of the best bands. If Kasbian headlined every year, I'd be quite happy with that decision. Although luckily for Tramlines, I don't do their artist bookings, so I think they're safe.