Tramlines 2026: Wolf Alice, Courtneers, and Fatboy Slim Top a Reyt Good Weekend in Sheffield [Photos]

Sheffield’s annual party, Tramlines, returned for another year and once again proved why it’s one of the UK’s most-loved festivals. Unforgettable headline sets from Fatboy Slim, Courteeners and Wolf Alice were backed by a line-up spanning rock, R&B, hip hop, pop and comedy. With glorious sunshine for almost the entire weekend, it became a celebration of everything that’s great about the British festival season.

Here’s how it went down.

1. The Vibe

With schools out for summer and the heat feeling more South American than South Yorkshire, Tramlines is the perfect place for families to gather and teenagers to cut loose, all soundtracked by some of the best bands around, old and new.

Located in the vast Hillsborough Park, it’s in the perfect location and is the perfect size to amble about the different stages and not miss much. You can discover newer bands early in the day on the Leadmill stage, watch some top comedians on T’other stage mid-afternoon before the music kicks off there later or head to the main stage for sets from big names and legends, and if that’s not enough, there’s another 2 stages offering spots for local artists to showcase their talents – Tramlines really does have it all.

Tramlines Festival Day One @ Hillsborough Park (Sheffield, UK) on July 24th, 2026

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2. The Undercard

It’s a festival that proudly puts on fresh local talent, which is why you can catch standout acts like Sheffield’s Junk or Barnsley’s Gelder putting on great-sounding sets in the Leadmill tent as you enjoy your first beer of the day.

The comedy programme is a welcome part of each day’s action, with several acts every day including a big-name headliner. This year was Reginald D. Hunter, Dom Joly and undoubtedly the funniest of them all, the ‘easily distracted by ghost trains’ Ross Noble, whose set was nothing short of a manic stream of consciousness that went off in so many tangents it was impossible to keep track of.

90s act Gabrielle and her hit “Dreams” bore the brunt of most of his jokes, with Noble encouraging the crowd to attend her set dressed as horny squirrels, before he was distracted by the guy manning the ghost train next to the tent, which quickly became a comedic stand-off between the two. Zany, chaotic and hilarious.

Over the weekend there were many notable shows on the main stage, including hit-laden sets from the perennial Kaiser Chiefs, The Coral and Sleeper, as well as being the perfect setting to hear Vanessa Carlton perform “A Thousand Miles,” which had everyone front to back, old and young, singing along with her, offering one of many goosebump moments across the weekend.

3. Heavy Hitting Highlights

There were so many highlights across the weekend, but the overriding feeling that kids are loving grunge-influenced rock again was the most pleasing of all – and it’s safe to say that great rock music that means something is in safe hands with the likes of KEO, Bleech 9:3 and Westside Cowboy carrying the torch.

All of them had packed crowds lapping up every second of their shows and singing back every word to them with unbridled intensity and passion, and in the case of KEO, who don’t even have an album out yet, it felt like you were witnessing the birth of something new and vital and with unlimited potential. If this is the sign of something bubbling under the surface, it felt like it’s ready to explode at any minute and start making waves in a big way.

Brooki are an intriguing alt rock band from Ireland, and their powerful, cinematic sound filled the Leadmill tent with an intense performance that not only made them a standout but harked back to the times of PJ Harvey, making them an instant favourite.

Indie pop rockers The Lottery Winners are festival favourites, and it’s not hard to see why. Robbie Williams’ best mate Thom Rylance could probably have headlined the comedy stage on his own, instantly having the crowd in tears of laughter by breaking his mic stand and adlibbing when forgetting his lyrics as well as starting beef with Paul McCartney. He’s an absolute star and even gets a hot dog hand-delivered to him on stage from one of the food trucks in the field. The music stands up too with the pure joy of it being truly infectious, and even though it rained solidly before their set, no spirits were dampened.

Wet Leg were always going to be a highlight of the weekend, and as they took to the stage completely obscured by dry ice, it felt special. Their set was intense, engaging and fun, and on any other day they could have easily headlined the stage. Rhiann Teasdale has quietly become one of British indie’s most magnetic frontwomen and a bona fide rock star with her captivating performances, and the band seem to be going from strength to strength.

Tramlines Festival Day One @ Hillsborough Park (Sheffield, UK) on July 25th, 2026

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4. The Diamonds in the Mud

With festivals like Tramlines, it’s not always about the headliners or the big names, but more about stumbling into a tent to witness a band you’d never heard of or being drawn into a tent from 500 feet away by a voice that grabs you, to discover something special.

The stars of Tramlines this year were a band called Girl in the Year Above, who are described as Irish-Cornish Folk Rock, but that just sells them short – by a long way! In Jennifer Ball they have a compelling and energetic focal point, whose joy at performing seems to be second to none, and the crowd responded to her instantly. They also happen to own a rather special bowling ball with Elvis’ face on it that cost them a small fortune apparently, but besides that useless fact, all you need to know is that they are worth your time to check out and especially see live – you’ll leave with a big smile on your face for sure.

Secondly was Maximilian Tanner, who played the T’other stage and drew us in from a huge distance with his cinematic 80s gothic sound and his impeccable voice. His dark synth-led sound harks back to the golden age of goth and feels expansive and ethereal. It takes something special to pull people into a tent from hundreds of feet away, and whatever “it” is, he’s got it.

5. The Headliners

With the iconic Fatboy Slim, Courteeners and Wolf Alice headlining, you had a completely different experience every night of the festival.

Fatboy Slim transformed Hillsborough Park into one enormous open-air nightclub, delivering hit after hit to a crowd that barely stopped moving. Courteeners did the job but felt a little less edgy than they have previously, not phoning it in, but with less bite than you’d expect. Perhaps it was a result of the fact that Blossoms had played before them and had such a resounding response to their brilliant set that everything just felt a little flat afterwards.

It was Sunday night’s headliner Wolf Alice who stole the show though, bringing the festival to a close with an indie masterclass as well as a touch of class.

They opened with the brilliant “Bloom Baby Bloom” as silver confetti erupted above the crowd and only got better from there. Ellie was seemingly channelling ‘68 special Elvis in an all-black leather suit and sounding fantastic while the rest of the band were making the most of the huge stage. Their set was a fitting way to finish a glorious weekend.

Tramlines Festival Day One @ Hillsborough Park (Sheffield, UK) on July 26th, 2026

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6. The Final Verdict

Tramlines has mastered the art of being a genuinely inclusive festival without losing its identity. It celebrates Sheffield’s music scene while attracting world-class headliners, gives emerging artists a platform alongside established names, and somehow manages to feel both intimate and expansive at the same time. That’s why people keep coming back.

Festival comedown is very real, and after a weekend like this it’s even harder to shake. As they say in Yorkshire, that was ‘reyt good’. Same time next year?

Tramlines returns from the 23rd to the 25th July 2027. For more information and ticket details, head over to the Official Tramlines Website.

Tramlines Festival 2026