My Tramlines Weekend - Ken

The Tramlines music festival took place on Friday 19 July for 3 consecutive days at Hillsborough Park Sheffield.

I, along with my PA plus my guide dog Barley attended all 3 days.

We arrived at our destination via the Super Tram and located the special admission entrance which saved us standing in a long queue.

We were issued with wrist bands which we wore throughout the 3 days, which saved us having to produce our tickets every time we were admitted. The first 200 attendees received a voucher for a free drink at one of the bars scattered around the sight.

Initially we walked around to determine where each stage was situated as there were 3 to choose from, the main stage, the Leadmill, plus the Library stage. Eventually we managed to obtain a programme with details of who was appearing on each of the 3 stages and on which day and time.

There were lots of food and drink stalls around selling a variety of food attracting lots of people to purchase their goods although they were very pricey.

The weather was cloudy on our arrival and the heavens opened around 6pm turning the solid ground into a wet, slippery and muddy surface. However that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm and enjoyment of the crowds that attended.

There were portable toilets scattered around the sight which you had to be desperate to use but you know what to expect at a music festival.  

Appearing on the main stage, amongst other performers, was a group from Liverpool who sounded professional, tight and varied their style to accommodate different tastes. The Manic Street Preachers appeared next playing there most famous songs and performed the Guns and Roses track Sweet Child Of Mine which the lead guitarist performed superbly the well-known middle solo.  Finally to round off the first evening, the Two Door Cinema Club concluded the first nights entertainment which most of the people attending enjoyed.

My PA and I proceeded to the Super Tram stop for a return journey to town. There were long Queues but a representative from the Super Tram instructed us to walk to the front of the queue and await further instruction.  When the next tram arrived he guided us on to the vehicle and pointed to a couple of seats near the front for us to occupy.  When it came to disembarking from the tram, there were so many passengers stood up that some of them had to disembark, allowing us to do likewise before they climbed back on board to resume their journey.

One of my dear friends joined us for the 2nd day of the music festival. It had been raining heavily throughout the morning. Most people on arrival at the site expected the ground to be a quagmire but surprisingly it was firm and the afternoon and evening became very pleasant and warm.

We arrived in time to see the Everly Pregnant Brothers who are a comic group changing the words of famous songs to incorporate their own rendition of the tune. We then decided to walk to the Leadmill stage which was inside a tent but the thrashing loud music didn’t appeal to either of us so we left and had a walk to the Old Fashioned clothes fair which was on display. We then returned to listen to Miles Kane who along with his band was superb playing an outstanding version of Donna Summer’s Hot Stuff. Next to appear were Sheffield’s own Reverend and the Makers who were very entertaining and performed brilliantly. Their rhythmic playing got everybody dancing and they received a tumultuous reception on arrival and on conclusion of their program. Half an hour later Johnny Marr performed songs including some of the tunes made famous by the Smiths which he was an original member of. His guitar playing was outstanding. Finally to round off the evening, the Courteeners performed playing a variety of tunes both fast and slow which was superbly received by fans of music.     

A couple of our friends kindly offered us a lift from the venue which we gratefully accepted. The first two evenings concluded at around 10pm.

The final day had been sold out for weeks and the weather was gloriously sunny. We set off early in order to catch the Happy Monday’s who were performing on the main stage at 1:30pm and we were not disappointed on our arrival. They were superb and displayed skill, entertainment and some cracking rhythms to listen to. Two bands with differing styles which I was unfamiliar with appeared next. In-between sets, my PA and myself walked to the front of the stage to watch the roadies strip down the equipment and off the stage while another set of roadies set up the equipment for the next performing band, all within half an hour. During this process, I bought a Tramlines 2019 t’shirt for a special friend.

We then decided to walk to the Leadmill stage to listen to Peter Hook and the Light. Peter was an original member of Joy Division and latterly New Order. Peter and his superb musicians performed tracks by Joy Division and New Order. The tent was packed and the atmosphere was electric. On completion of their hour spot the audience were singing Love Will Keep Us Apart long after the group had departed from the stage. It turned out to be a memorable and enjoyable gig.

With the singing still ringing in our ears we returned to the main stage in anticipation plus excitement of watching and listening to The Rag And Bone Man who along with his backing singers plus the musicians backing him gave a superb performance playing songs he had written himself. The spot we chose was ideal with the sound coming across crystal clear. 

Finally it was down to Nile Rodgers and Chic to conclude the festival and they didn’t disappoint playing a variety of sole songs which Nile had written for various artists including Chic, Cool and the Gang, David Bowie and Diana Ross. He more or less had the packed audience eating out of his hands finishing the set just before 9 pm. It was a memorable 3 days. We took away lots of happy, interesting and superb musical memories. Barley my Guide Dog received so many strokes and cuddles that she was in her element and behaved superbly coping very well with the vast crowds she had to contend with.

The journey back to the city centre was delightful with people singing their hearts out sounding in a very good mood with some of them already looking forward to next year’s Tramlines Festival.