Saturday
After a slightly underwhelming start to the festival, the line up for the Devonshire Green stage on the Saturday promised a good time and a host of brilliant up and coming bands. Despite the fact Tropic Of Youth seemed to have been in hibernation since the release of their debut EP Sun City last year, their set was sunny and vibrant, paving the way nicely and setting the scene for the bands that were due to play after them.
Chesterfield locals TRASH played a slightly unconventional set as a result of frontman Daniel Longmore losing his voice and being unable to sing. “I think I’ve got laryngitis”, he croaked before launching into an instrumental version of fan favourite ‘Hot Coffee’. What should have been a disappointing set was instead salvaged by the band’s infectious melodies and guitarist’s Evan Martin’s occasional attempts at singing.
Sheffield’s very own Best Friends took to the stage next, and though they managed to attract a large crowd, the band’s sound is perhaps better suited to a more intimate venue. They did, however, shred through ‘Cold Shapes’ and ‘If You Think Too Much Your Brain Will Fall Out’ with grating conviction and that raw, melodic sound that the band have become known for.
Later in the evening, Hey Sholay put on a show to remember at Sheffield Cathedral. The setlist was a mixture of old established favourites embedded amongst a few new songs that also went down a treat. Highlights included the glittering ‘Wishbone (Wish Wish Wish)’ and they closed on a high with the euphoric ‘The Bears the Clocks the Bees’.
The best band of the day was, without a doubt, the Fat White Family, who headlined The Leadmill as part of the festival. It was loud, it was rowdy, and it was completely insane. They ended with ‘Touch The Leather’ and the guy beside me was having such a good time he felt it necessary to take his shirt off and start moshing like his life depended on it. In one world: bonkers. A completely and utterly crazy way to close the Saturday of Tramlines.