Review: Tramlines festival, Sheffield – day two

A hugely successful second day at Hillsborough Park with Leicester rockers Kasabian putting on a great show along with local bands Little Man Tate and Everly Pregnant Brothers.
Serge Pizzorno of Kasabian at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott AntcliffeSerge Pizzorno of Kasabian at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott Antcliffe
Serge Pizzorno of Kasabian at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott Antcliffe

Much better weather greeted revellers as they entered Hillsborough Park for the second day of Tramlines Festival.

An already impressive crowd arrived early for the hilariously outspoken Everly Pregnant Brothers. Jokes and lyrics about the current government aplenty, the crowd were laughing and cheering in unison. As always, the band had great crowd interaction handing out t-shirts and even Everly Pregnant Brothers underwear!

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Playing in their first Tramlines, Little Man Tate came onto the stage to a rapturous applause and despite lead singer Jon Windle having laryngitis, they put on a superb set which had the crowd bouncing. Chants of ‘Yorkshire, Yorkshire’ echoed around the park.

Little Man Tate at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott AntcliffeLittle Man Tate at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott Antcliffe
Little Man Tate at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott Antcliffe

The band kicked off with classic hit Man I Hate Your Band which had the capacity crowd rocking and singing in unison. Other hits included The Agent, What? What You Got, This Must Be Love and the anthemic House Party at Boothy’s.

A great first Tramlines for a band, who were made and destined for their hometown festival. They couldn’t have been happier and more appreciative. “Thank you, Sheffield, this means so much to us,” frontman Jon Windle said.

Irish band Inhaler impressed on the main stage too. Frontman Elijah Hewson, son of Paul Hewson, aka Bono of U2 fame, has certainly inherited his dad’s genes. Already with a number one album under their belt, the Dublin four-piece put together a slick set with Cheer Up Baby, Falling In and When It Breaks going down well.

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When you have the slot just before the headliner, it’s often a little daunting and pressurised to say the least. That task was given to London rockers The Vaccines who, as always, put on a superb show. Justin Young and his bandmates dipped into their back catalogue of five albums, including their 2011 platinum-selling debut album What Did You Expect from the Vaccines? Which helped them gain a Brit Award for Best New Band.

Inhaler at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott AntcliffeInhaler at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott Antcliffe
Inhaler at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott Antcliffe

Classics such as If You Wanna, All in White, I Always Knew and XCT got an airing much to the delight of the bumper crowd. With their infectious melodies and Young’s commanding stage presence, it’s easy to see why they’ve garnered such well-deserved plaudits and critical acclaim.

At 8.30pm Serge Pizzorno entered stage left to one hell of a reception – 35,000 fans went wild after hearing the opening chords of mega-hit Club Foot. After sacking frontman Tom Meighan two years ago, Pizzorno was now tasked with leading the Leicester rockers. With a trophy cabinet sporting a Brit award, Seven NME awards and four Q awards and with five UK Number One albums, it must have been a tough task for Pizzorno to choose a set from such an extensive back catalogue. Underdog, Shoot The Runner and Empire all had the crowd bouncing.

Pizzorno’s stage presence was phenomenal, the crowd hanging off every word and physically hanging onto Pizzorno when he climbed the barrier during hit song Treat.

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The crowd were treated to a three-song encore including Bless This Acid House, L.S.F. and the anthemic Fire. The latter was a pure spectacle – 35,000 fans singing the spine-chilling lyrics, the words echoing around Hillsborough. Pizzorno declared, “Wow, that will stay with me forever, thank you so much.”

Everly Pregnant brothers at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott AntcliffeEverly Pregnant brothers at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott Antcliffe
Everly Pregnant brothers at Tramlines festival, Sheffield. Picture: Scott Antcliffe

You’re not the only one, Serge, that was a joy to behold – a fitting conclusion to a sublime set.

Sunday will see Madness take the headline slot, but also hometown heroes Reverend and the Makers will be taking to the main stage.

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