| Location(s) | Sheffield, England, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Years active | Annually since 2009 |
| Date(s) | End of July |
| Genre | Rock, Indie, pop, electronic, dance, hip hop |
| Website | www.tramlines.org |
The Tramlines Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Sheffield.[1] The festival is free to attend, and the lineup consists of national and local artists. The festival is curated and organised by a panel comprising local venue owners, promoters and volunteers. [2] The name of the festival is inspired by the city's tram network. Tramlines held its first festival in 2009, which attracted 35,000 fans and was seen as a huge success. 2010's event doubled that figure. Tramlines 2011 took place between Friday 22 and Sunday 24 July.
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The festival takes place at over 70 venues and 4 main stages in the city centre, including The Leadmill, O2 Academy Sheffield, Barkers Pool, The University of Sheffield, The Harley, The Bowery, the Peace Gardens and the Hallam FM @ Tramlines stage at Devonshire Green. The main stage on Devonshire Green has a capacity of 8,000.
Tramlines held its first festival in 2009. Notable artists such as Rolo Tomassi, Just Jack, Toddla T, Pixie Lott, Little Boots, Example, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, The XX and Reverend and the Makers, who headlined, played at the festival. The festival was a huge success,[3] attracting 35,000 fans.[4] The organizers, as well as councillors and Sheffielders, praised the festival. The festivals attendance, along with positive reviews, led to the 2010 festival being announced. The festival-goers had to queue to get wristbands, which gave them access to the different stages. This resulted in long queues on a first-come-first-served basis.
2009's festival recycled 400 litres of paper, 2080 litres of plastic and 560 litres of aluminium in the outdoor venues alone.[5] This led to an environmental campaign in 2010 in which the festival seeks to reduce its environmental impact.
Tramlines Festival 2010 was held from 23 to 25 July.[5] 250 artists performed, and several venues were added, including Sheffield University, Tudor Square, The Leadmill, O2 Academy Sheffield, Winter Gardens and the main stage at Devonshire Green increased in capacity from 5,000 to 8,000. Headliners were Echo and the Bunnymen, Mystery Jets, Simian Mobile Disco DJ set, Future of the Left, Darwin Deez, The King Blues, The Hoosiers, Craig David, Dum Dum Girls, Annie Mac and Toddla T.
The festival remained free, and the wristband system was scrapped, replaced with a first-come-first-served turnstile system. The festival attracted 65,000 people.[1][6] New events at the 2010 festival included a Youth Music Festival, Blues trail and a Ceilidh.[6][7]
The festival also focussed on reducing its environmental impact in 2010. This pledge included a solar powered headphone disco on Devonshire Green, major recycling areas at all of the outdoor stages, and cheap accommodation via Unite.[5]
Tramlines 2011 took place from 22 to 24 July, with an estimated 175,000[8] revellers in attendance. Over 70 venues took part, with 4 main stages and at least 200 live acts. Headliners and other notable acts included Ash, Pixie Lott, Heaven 17, Dananananaykroyd, David Rodigan, Dry the River, Frankie & The Heartstrings, Los Campesinos!, Rolo Tomassi, Dead Sons, Skint & Demoralised, The Crookes and Toddla T.
Sheffield City Council confirmed that the festival will return in 2012.