Tramlines 2023

hayleygrice1
Oct 1, 2023
6 min read

It was wet, like extremely wet, but my god, what a weekend!

Image: Hayley Grice

I've been to Tramlines festival a few times before, but this was my first time working it for BBC Radio Sheffield and it was probably the best time I've been for that reason - brace yourself, it's a long one.

It is important to address the weather, organizers were incredibly unlucky with the forecast, wellies were a necessity! Which sadly did a bit of damage to Hillsborough Park, however, in fairness to Tramlines, they are doing what they can to fix it financially.

But, back to the actual festival itself, anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a bit of an Indie Pop (dark fruits...) kind of gal and I'm not afraid to admit it.

Image: Hayley Grice

So the line up this year spoke to me, so even had I not been working it - I'd have got a ticket regardless.

Image: Tramlines Events Ltd 2023

This line up is a bit of me, if I'm honest, so let's break it up shall we? Going day by day...

FRIDAY

So, in my opinion an excellent start to the lineup, The Enemy, Circa Waves, Sea Girls, DMA's, Richard Ashcroft, The K's? Incredible choices.

And that's not even the full lineup! There was so much more going on throughout the day into the evening too.

This was the first time I had experienced the photo pit at a gig or festival too, which was a massive thing ticked off the bucket list for me!

Image: Sea Girls frontman Henry Camamile - Hayley Grice

So getting photo's like this, not zoomed in and up close and personal was a first and it was incredible.

I've loved Sea Girls music for a while, but not managed to catch them live yet, so to tick off not only a gig of theirs but also to photograph them was amazing! - Very much a band to keep an eye on, stage presence was great, the songs sound amazing and they got involved with the crowd, an amazing performance.

Image: Johnny Took - DMA's and Me - Hayley Grice

I also got to do a bunch of interviews, which was an absolute DREAM - including this guy above, if you don't recognise his name, you'll definitely have heard of his music, this is Johnny Took from Australian band DMA's - I'd seen DMA's a few times, notably supporting Liam Gallagher at Sheffield Arena in 2019 and supporting the Courteeners at Heaton Park in 2023 and they were amazing then! Their performance at Tramlines was no different.

Johnny was a breath of fresh air to speak to - a really nice chilled out guy who had a lot of love for Sheffield and the UK in general and their performance was coming off the back of their new album 'How Many Dreams?' which was released in March 2023.

I'll put up the interview with Johnny soon - but if you get chance, give the DMA's a listen - they're incredible, especially their stripped back cover of 'Believe' by Cher!

Next up, the Enemy...

Image: The Enemy on Stage - Hayley Grice

I did catch their set, it was my third time seeing them which they were brilliant again, the only criticism I have is that their set was too early in the day! They needed to be a little bit later on in my opinion, but regardless, it was class.

Sadly no interview this time but something I hope to do in the future, however, I did manage to meet them when working at Askern Music Festival and I managed to have a quick chat with guitarist Andy Hopkins at Hillsborough Stadium in between interviews! such a lovely guy, hope to see them again in future.

SATURDAY

Probably my favourite day lineup wise - Blossoms, Everly Pregnant Brothers, Red Rum Club, Stone and my personal favourite The Courteeners.

Let's start off with these guys though shall we?

Image: Everly Pregnant Brothers - Hayley Grice

If you don't know these guys already, get to know them.. The Everly Pregnant Brothers, a hilarious band who create spoof versions of songs with the best sense of humour possible.

They brought a brilliant audience to the Sarah McNulty main stage, with hits like 'Chip Pan', 'Stuck in the Lidl with you' and 'Hendos' (if you know, you know).

Plus I got to catch up with them as they supped some pints and over some soup! They are a brilliant band and bags of personality - I would really recommend getting to know them, such lovely guys.

Image: Hayley Grice

Next up, Red Rum Club, this lovely lot from Liverpool I've had the privilege of seeing live and meeting on many occasions now and this one was no different! Fran Doran on vocals has a really smooth dulcet tone, whilst 'Joe the Blow' (yes.) on Trumpet brings a really different element and they are amazing! Managed to catch both Fran and Joe in the photo pit after Mcfly's set and it was like seeing old friends, such lovely guys.

If you haven't already, I'd give them a listen and they've just announced a new album and tour - so definitely get on that if you haven't already, may see you there!

Next up though... let's talk about this shall we?

"The Scottish Flies" - that all important surprise set that had everyone guessing - of course, was McFly.

Image: Hayley Grice

What a set it was too! One I was incredibly grateful to get in the photo pit for (also kicking myself for not saying hello properly when I walked past them earlier on in the day!), but they played the hits everyone knows, including "All About You", "Obviously", "Five Colours In Her Hair" as well as some of their newer hits, the audience was HUGE and there is no surprise why - what a great turnout!

And finally for Saturday...

Image: Liam Fray - Hayley Grice

Anyone who knows me, know's I'm not an emotional person, but I shed a couple of tears during this set. Firstly, because they're my favourite band and some of their music has got me through some tough (and good!) times and secondly, I got to be in the photo pit for it, if that was my last day on earth, I would have been happy.

Their set, despite a couple of interruptions (for legit reasons) was incredible. They also treated the crowd to a cover of 'It Must Be Love' by Madness, which is something they didn't do at Heaton Park.

Frontman Liam Fray also debuted the new Manchester United shirt partway through the set, a bold move in front of many fans next to Sheffield Wednesday's ground!

But probably one of my best experiences watching them and they really brought the crowd in, treating them to hits such 'Cavorting', 'Small Bones', 'Not Nineteen Forever' and of course the obvious 'What Took You So Long' and a couple of snippets of 'Tomorrow' by James as well as 'Please Don't' and 'Bide Your Time' which I haven't heard at their gigs often!

It's a band I will never tire of seeing and I cannot wait to do it all again.

SUNDAY

Moving onto Sunday, the final day of Tramlines, and this day was the highlight interview wise.

Lineup highlights for me were definitely Sugababes, Professor Green, Kaiser Chiefs, Reverend and the Makers and of course, the incredible Paul Heaton, sadly no Jacqui Abbott due to illness, but her stand in was the amazing Rianne Downey.

It was the heaviest day of rainfall, but people still came in the masses and I can understand why, I would have too.

So onto interview one of two...

Image: Hayley Grice

Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers, if you live in Sheffield or know it remotely, you'll know who this guy is, and he is a bloody lovely one as well.

I've had the pleasure of interviewing and getting to know Jon a few times, especially over the past year and would now consider him a friend.

I caught up with him before his set and had a good chat with him about how his year was going so far, and it's been a busy one, new album, tour, acoustic tour and more - and it was just brilliant, as always.

His set was a hit too, despite the rain, he got everyone bouncing and kept spirits up, with hits like 'Bassline', 'Heatwave in the Cold North', 'Bandits' and of course 'Heavyweight Champion of the World'.

Looking forward to seeing what comes next from Jon and the band.

And finally, getting to see the incredible Paul Heaton and the amazing Rianne Downey together.

Rianne has been standing in for Jacqui Abbott as she recovers from illness for sometime and she did not disappoint!

Image: Hayley Grice

Paul was the final headliner at Tramlines and he again, kept spirits up whilst the rain really came down, Rianne also got an amazing reception - performing hits of the Beautiful South and Housemartins, such as 'Five Get Over Excited', 'Rotterdam (Or Anywhere)', and 'Happy Hour'.

One thing Paul does at his gigs and I love it, is he introduces his band by which football team they support, which as you can imagine, gets mixed reaction from the crowd, although admittedly, it is funny hearing people boo random teams.

As a Sheffield United fan himself, it was also a mixed reaction of Sheffield Wednesday turf but amongst a mix of Blades and Owls!

I also got the opportunity to catch up with the man himself, which was an absolute dream! Having being brought up with some of his music, it was incredible and just rounded off one of the best weekends.