It’s a truth universally acknowledged that the first day of Tramlines festival will always chuck it down. I really made sure of that, though, by donning a pair of white trainers for the Friday. They are white no more – but that’s a small price to pay for a weekend packed full of noughties pop nostalgia.
Circa Waves
Not long after a triumphant show at Sheffield’s O2 Academy, the Liverpool lads took to the stage mid Friday afternoon, back when there was still grass visible beneath the crowd. They performed a typically high-energy set, with highlights including fan favourite ‘T-Shirt Weather’; a somewhat ironic choice given what was to follow for the next two days.
Sea Girls
Dressed like waiters or members of The 1975, London indie pop outfit Sea Girls followed Circa Waves’ lead. “I want everyone to fucking bounce, not just these guys,” says frontman Henry Camamile gesturing at the sea of teenagers in front of him. Bounce we did, for the man whose name sounds like an Aldi tea brand.
Pale Waves
“Do we have any queer people?” asks frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie, before exclaiming “This next song is the ultimate gay song” and launching into ‘She’s My Religion’; a track that she tells the crowd is about a girl she met in Las Vegas. A fan holds up a sign saying ‘Play Jealousy’ midway through their set; which the Manchester outfit does and then some, closing out a stellar performance with gusto.
Bloc Party
Besides a few issues with the sound which affected the first few songs, Bloc Party delivered a solid performance of hits including ‘Hunting For Witches’, ‘Banquet’ and ‘Helicopter’. Sheffield, sex city, could only come through with a vodka coke for Kele Okereke – not the desired jaegermeister. Sorry Kele, maybe next time.
McFly
Opening a high-energy set with recent single ‘Where Did All The Guitars Go?’, noughties hearthrobs McFly were back with a bang as the festival’s worst kept secret on Saturday afternoon. ‘The Scottish Flies’ lured the crowds out earlier than they’d have perhaps been tempted otherwise, in order to sing ‘5 Colours In Her Hair’ and ‘Obviously’ at the top of their lungs. A cover of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Dancing In The Dark’ was a surprising but welcome addition to the mix.
Spector
Given the last time Spector played Sheffield there was a crowd of about ten people in Record Junkee (because Covid restrictions had just lifted and people were still being cautious, not because of anything the band had or hadn’t done), it was understandable that Fred was concerned people might not show up to hear them play. He needn’t have worried, though. Spector make catch-all music perfect for fans aged 9-66 years old, with highlights as ever including ‘Chevy Thunder’ and ‘All The Sad Young Men’.
Courteeners
Despite the fact that a man ended up hospitalised after a fall, halting their set temporarily, Manchester’s darlings the Courteeners did their best to keep spirits high. Despite Liam Fray being shaken by the incident – apologising later on in the night for being so quiet – he and his merry men ploughed through flare-raising anthems including ‘Cavorting’, and ‘Not Nineteen Forever’, before proclaiming, “It’s still a f*cking dream to be here with you lot.”
Sugababes
Sugababes are one of those bands where you can’t ever remember the name of the song when it gets played at your local pub quiz, but you still somehow know all the words even years later. Keisha Buchanan carried the performance, interacting with the crowd like a dance exercise instructor between bop after bop. Highlights include ‘Too Lost In You’, ‘Red Dress’ and of course, ‘About You Now’. See you at their O2 show in London – which is apparently, quite far from Sheffield.
Kaiser Chiefs
They are your da’s favourite band, but that’s exactly what you expect from the Sunday lineup at Tramlines festival – so don your blue velvet tracksuit and get in the moshpit, because ‘I Predict A Riot’. Despite Ricky Wilson looking a bit worse for wear, Kaiser Chiefs were just what the crowd needed to rouse their spirits. There’s no Angry Mob here, just a collective of soggy Sheffielders who are hopeful that by this time next year, they’ll be sunshine. See you then.
Tickets for Tramlines 2024 are now on sale here.
Words by Beth Kirkbride
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