Tramlines (Day Three): Huge Human League Homecoming Wraps up Sheffield Weekend [Photos]

The final day of Tramlines Festival (which we covered in 2023) was by far the hottest and it offered a perfect mix of musical styles to enjoy. It began with a bang thanks to the incendiary Static Lives and their lively dance alt rock attack on the Leadmill stage, while over on the main stage a much more relaxed and easy-going Philippa Zawe crooned the festival goers into a lovely summer haze with her folky soulful repertoire. She has a beautiful voice and eases the crowd into the day perfectly.

The wonderful wonk pop of Brighton residents Lime Garden sounded like a modern version of The Breeders with joyful energy and jagged riffs. They storm their set with an effortless cool making tons of new fans in the process – check them out as soon as you can.

Indie stalwarts Maximo Park played an early set on the Tramlines Festival main stage and reminded everyone why they fell in love with them the first time. Their new songs show lots of promise and the classic “Apply Some Pressure” is a quirky, janky anthem that gets the audience bouncing in unison.

London teenager Flowerovlove is a breath of fresh air as her hypnotic summery pop sweeps over the field and chills everyone out – and a melancholic cover of “Dancing Queen” gets the crowd singing along with her. To have her confidence and clear vision of what she creates at such a young age will set her up for an incredible musical career.

Local legends Human League were a massive draw, filling the field with an eager audience of all ages ready to enjoy the synth pop majesty of the iconic band. Phil Oakey points to the other side of the field and tells everyone that he lived only 200 yards from the park that Tramlines Festival is held in as a child.

With the band sounding great and Phil’s perfect tone supported beautifully by Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley, it was one of those festival moments that people will talk about for years to come.

The singalongs that accompanied the likes of “Tell Me When,” “Together in Electric Dreams,” and closer “Don’t You Want Me?” made for the biggest karaoke session Sheffield had ever seen. It’s honestly hard to understand how they weren’t the headliners this year as it would have been THE perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

Instead, Snow Patrol were chosen to close main stage proceedings, but not for us. The T’other Stage had a much better way to end the weekend – Leeds lunatics Yard Act. They are the perfect level of batshit crazy, full-on energy and quirkiness to tick any box for anyone who likes good music.

Frontman James is hilarious and chaotic as he launches himself across the stage spitting out incredible lyrics while the band fuse a mesmerising blend of hip hop, punk and indie behind him. It truly is a thing of beauty. A band, that everyone should absolutely see at the first opportunity they get. What a way to finish the day, and the whole festival.

Tramlines Festival truly has something for everybody. One of the most welcoming and inclusive festivals we’ve ever been to it was a joy to be a part of. After the battle against nature last year, it was also good to see the festival as it should be in perfect condition. 2025 better be good because 2024 will be a Yard Act to follow.
Super early bird tickets for next year go on sale on Friday, 2 August, at midday for £89.50 + booking fee. You sign up now for priority access at https://tramlines.org.uk/

Join us at the biggest party Sheffield has to offer. Ta’ra!

Tramlines Festival (Day Three) @ Hillsborough Park (Sheffield, UK) on July 28th, 2024

53 photos