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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Tramlines Festival 2025 was an out-of-body experience for one reason'
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
New technique hailed as ‘powerful double weapon' against chemo hair loss
Scientists have developed a new technique which they describe as a 'powerful double weapon' to prevent cancer patients losing their hair during chemotherapy. The method combines scalp cooling – where a patient wears a cold cap to help reduce hair loss from the damage caused by the cancer drugs – with a lotion comprising the same antioxidants found in the likes of red grapes. The study, which has been hailed as a 'milestone', also pinpointed the optimal temperature for scalp cooling to be most effective for keeping hair. Cold caps are used by some cancer patients during chemotherapy to help minimise the amount of hair they lose. Chemotherapy drugs are drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, but they cannot discriminate between cancer cells and rapidly dividing normal cells in the body The technique works by restricting blood flow to the scalp, which reduces the amount of medication reaching the hair follicles. Now, researchers at Sheffield Hallam University have found cooling the scalp to 18C can prevent hair follicle damage, while cooling to 26C may not provide enough protection to hair follicle cells. The team has also shown how combining topical antioxidants with cooling could 'transform the ability of cooling to protect' against hair loss. Dr Nik Georgopoulos, an associate professor of cell biology and Transforming Lives fellow at Sheffield Hallam, told the PA news agency that he views hair loss as the 'face of cancer'. 'The reason why people get hair loss is because, at the base of the hair follicles, there are these rapidly dividing cells that are actually feeling the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs,' he said. 'Chemotherapy drugs are drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, but they cannot discriminate between cancer cells and rapidly dividing normal cells in the body. 'At the base of our hair follicles are these rapidly dividing cells, or keratinocytes, that constantly grow and they end up forming the actual hair.' For the study, published in Frontiers of Pharmacology, hair follicles were isolated from the scalp and grown in the lab before being treated with chemotherapy to study the impact. 'We show that they die,' Dr Georgopoulos said. 'The cells that are rapidly dividing and grow the hair, they will die because of the toxicity of chemotherapy. 'But if you cool them, they are protected, and I don't mean just protected – prevented from dying. 'So if cooling is used while the hair follicles are grown in the lab, it can completely prevent the toxicity. But there is a catch – you have to use the right temperature.' By adding this topical product that delivers this antioxidant, we form a powerful double weapon that, based on our results in the lab, showed us it can transform the ability of cooling to protect While an optimal temperature was highlighted in the study, researchers also combined cooling with the lotion as a potential target for patients who may not respond to the cold cap technique. It contained antioxidants like resveratrol, which is found in the likes of red grapes and peanuts, and N-Acetylcysteine, a dietary supplement. Dr Georgopoulos told PA: 'For some patients, cooling works, and for others it doesn't. Because some heads – I call them stubborn – they don't cool enough. 'By adding this topical product that delivers this antioxidant, we form a powerful double weapon that, based on our results in the lab, showed us it can transform the ability of cooling to protect.' Dr Georgopoulos added that the antioxidant lotion is not 'powerful enough' when used alone. 'The reason for that is cooling does multiple amazing things at the same time,' he said. 'What happens in the body when things go cold? You get the constriction of your blood vessels, they're narrowing down, less blood goes to the scalp, less drug. It isn't as simple as that. 'Our research has shown that cooling can slow down the cells, stops them from dividing – protection. 'It stops the chemotherapy drug going in – protection. It does multiple things at the same time as long as the cooling is optimal. 'If it isn't optimal, our approach is now allowing us to actually say 'it's OK, it's not an ideal scenario, but we compensate for it with our topical product'.' Researchers have found cooling the scalp to 18C can prevent hair follicle damage (Paxman Scalp Cooling/PA) Dr Georgopoulos has been working with Paxman Scalp Cooling for more than a decade. The Huddersfield-based business has created a device that circulates coolant through a specially designed cooling cap, worn by the patient. The cooling cap is worn for half an hour before chemotherapy treatment commences, during treatment, and for up to 90 minutes after all the drugs have been given. It is now hoped the new technique, combining scalp cooling with the antioxidants, can be trialled with cancer patients using the Paxman device, with researchers currently finalising the antioxidants that will be used in the topical product. Dr Georgopoulos said: 'Our ongoing work will ensure that efficacy is as high as possible with the belief that a topical agent will not only dramatically enhance the efficacy of scalp cooling in protecting from hair loss, but also significantly accelerates hair recovery post chemotherapy treatment.' Read More I noticed a lump in my throat while swallowing — it was cancer
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Exact date humans will reach their peak athletic form revealed – and it's sooner than you might think
Physiologist explains how we're 'close to being perfect specimens' PEAK PERFORMANCE Exact date humans will reach their peak athletic form revealed – and it's sooner than you might think Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HUMANS will reach peak athletic form by the year 3000, scientists predict. They believe we are nearing the limits of physical performance in many sports, such as the 100 metre sprint. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Jakob Ingebrigtsen was one of two people to break the mile record in February Credit: AFP But runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen was one of two people to break the mile record in February. Asked when records will stop being broken, sports engineer Prof Steve Haake of Sheffield Hallam University, said: 'We're kind of hitting that now. "But we're also looking at where we get to 99.99 per cent of the infinite limit. "And it's years away in events, like swimming. "By 3000 I'm pretty certain we'll have reached the limit of performance.' 3000 would be the Olympics and men's football Euros. Physiologist Dr Emma Ross added: 'Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour marathon, but it required the right surface, time of day, climate, shoes and pacers. "It wasn't within regulations. 'I wonder if the rules will have to change because the people at the top now are as close to being perfect specimens as we'll get.' Other experts have warned that by 3000 we might have a 'tech neck' hunch and claw hand from craning over phones. The Next Step in Human Evolution: Embracing Bionics
The Sun
6 days ago
- Science
- The Sun
Exact date humans will reach their peak athletic form revealed – and it's sooner than you might think
HUMANS will reach peak athletic form by the year 3000, scientists predict. They believe we are nearing the limits of physical performance in many sports, such as the 100 metre sprint. 2 But runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen was one of two people to break the mile record in February. Asked when records will stop being broken, sports engineer Prof Steve Haake of Sheffield Hallam University, said: 'We're kind of hitting that now. "But we're also looking at where we get to 99.99 per cent of the infinite limit. "And it's years away in events, like swimming. "By 3000 I'm pretty certain we'll have reached the limit of performance.' 3000 would be the Olympics and men's football Euros. Physiologist Dr Emma Ross added: 'Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour marathon, but it required the right surface, time of day, climate, shoes and pacers. "It wasn't within regulations. 'I wonder if the rules will have to change because the people at the top now are as close to being perfect specimens as we'll get.' Other experts have warned that by 3000 we might have a 'tech neck' hunch and claw hand from craning over phones. The Next Step in Human Evolution: Embracing Bionics 2
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Does a school smartphone ban make a difference?
Smart phones are part of modern life but the amount they are used can be a battleground, with parents and schools often on one side and young people on the other. So what would the effects be if children gave up their phones – even if just for a short time?Meghan was interested in ditching her device, but said her friends thought the idea of being without a smartphone – and the myriad apps within – was "ridiculous".The 15-year-old is one of 32 pupils who took part in a project at school to swap their high-tech handheld items for 'brick' phones, which can deal with calls but not be on the the doubts expressed by Meghan's peer group, she decided to hand over her phone as part of the three-week project at Ecclesfield Secondary School in South Yorkshire."I wanted to do it because I feel like the older I get the more I realised what you see on your phone can be harmful, so coming away from it could be nice," she well as pupils, four staff gave up their smart devices as part of the scheme, which was a collaboration between the school, Sheffield Hallam University, Mitie and Career Meghan manage to survive without her internet and social media-connected phone for the project?She said it had been "easier" than she initially feared. The time away from scrolling meant there had been more opportunities to do other things, Meghan said."I got more homework done but talking to my family more was my favourite thing," she said."Before if I was upset I'd go to my room and scroll on TikTok, but now I didn't have my phone so I chatted much more to my mum."The idea for the project came from Liz Hunter, who teaches Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education at Ecclesfield."You don't have to work in education to see the growing impact that modern mobile phones increasingly have on our children," she Hunter said those who took part in the project had reported "so many positives, things like less anxiety, better friendships, better sleep, and more time to engage in other activities".Earlier this year, a Parliamentary bill that had suggested banning smartphones in schools and addictive algorithms aimed at young teenagers was watered down to gain government teacher Richard Walkden, who has been in charge for eight years as smartphone use has become a greater talking point across the UK, said he was proud of the students and staff who took part."My role is to protect childhood," he said."We banned mobile phones from school many years ago. They terrify me. They make kids grow up quicker." A 14-minute film entitled Why Don't You?, made by firm Revealing Reality, which tracked the pupils' progress was premiered on 14 July in the main hall of the pupils the BBC spoke to also said they had found the phone break 12, said the project had given him more time to help his dad working with wood."It was quite nice," he said. "I couldn't do the dangerous stuff but my dad helped me get involved and work with the resin."After receiving his phone back, he said he did not feel he had "missed out"."I just had a bunch of messages from my form groupchat full of stickers," he 13, took up fishing during the project using his grandad's kit."I went out almost every day," he the teenager did confess to "missing" his phone when he caught a fish and wanted to "celebrate" with a picture. Olivia said she had found the experience "quite freeing".The 15-year-old said: "I found it quite nice to not have the burden of replying to every message."But did the short project create long-term change?Olivia was in two admitted that although she now used her smartphone less, she had felt herself "slipping into old habits".Ofcom, the online safety regulator, reported in February 2024 that 99% of children spend time online and nine in 10 children own a mobile phone by the time they reach the age of 11. They also found three in five secondary school-aged children had been contacted online in a way that potentially made them feel Hunter said the school were now looking at how they could spread the message to encourage their children to live "less of their lives online."She said: "We're looking at our school policies for mobiles. We're wanting to do more work with parents, and we're also looking to work with our local primary schools to try and capture the children at a younger age and get them thinking about their phone use." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
