TRAMLINES FESTIVAL 2024 - FRIDAY // HILLSBOROUGH PARK, SHEFFIELD
Tramlines Festival 2024 is finally here
★★★★☆ (4/5)
PAOLO NUTINI HEADLINING DAY ONE AT TRAMLINES FESTIVAL 2O24 AT SHEFFIELD’S HILLSBOROUGH PARK
PHOTOCREDIT: ALEX BROWN
Friday saw a stacked day for Tramlines and a crowd filled with excitement and anticipation for the days to come. The sun shining down on Hillsborough park my day started with the incredible Scottish band The View who are always filled with bundles of energy and big hitting songs. We had weather on our side, drinks a plenty and and lively music, what more could you ask for to start a Friday afternoon.
THE VIEW LIVE AT TRAMLINES FESTIVAL 2O24 AT SHEFFIELD’S HILLSBOROUGH PARK
PHOTOCREDIT: ALEX BROWN
Shortly after, we were greeted by Coach Party, a band I’d never really heard of before, but the fans sure knew and what a performance it was. The love and energy between fans and the band were equally matched. It may have only been a 30 minute set but it was a fantastic one.
Local band Matilda Shakes were next up on T’other Stage and the locals definitely came to support at a packed out tent (Which is not something I expected to see at 3 in the afternoon but wow. What a great first impression) Hitting the crowd with their Indie vibes, punchy guitar riffs and singalong Choruses, Matilda Shakes brought an absolute killer set and showed that next time they return to Tramlines they deserve a bigger stage and longer set.
MATILDA SHAKES LIVE AT TRAMLINES FESTIVAL 2O24 AT SHEFFIELD’S HILLSBOROUGH PARK
PHOTOCREDIT: ALEX BROWN
Next on the main stage was indie legend, Miles Kane. I’ve been a fan of Miles for well over a decade and I could not wait for his set. Sporting a poncho with ‘KANE’ written on the back we were treated to a powerful set filled with killer riffs, fun solos and a true showman performance.
But there’s no party without a little bit of disco and this is where we welcomed Sophie Ellis-Bextor, this is where the crowd came alive, Singing, dancing, kids, teens and even grown men on shoulders partying along to the uplifting beats of Sophie’s big hitters and even a couple of covers (ABBA is always going to get people singing). Sophie is an absolute icon who keeps a standard for her performances and always smashes it out the park.
Now for my band of the day (and possibly will be my entire weekend) Soft Play. I’ve been a fan of these guys since the ‘slaves’ days. What a performance, entering the stage to ‘Punks Dead’ you just knew it was going to be an energy filled set, big hitters, powerful riffs and an insane stage presence which the crowd matched. If these guys return they absolutely need to be on main stage.
Time for the main event, Paolo Nutini. A man I have listened to since being a teenager, whose music has always been a huge part of my growing up. He is a very good performer, he knows how to run a show, playing all the anthems such as ‘Last Request’ ‘Jenny Don’t Be Hasty’ (Which he blended with Teenage Kicks and New Shoes) and ended his main set with ‘Candy’ To end a very special set, he came out with a second encore, which was a cover of the Stevie Wonder hit ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’.
It was a great end to day one. My only complaint has to be how much Paolo had changed some of the songs to become almost unrecognisable to what they originally sounded like.
On a whole, the day has been wonderful and extremely eventful, meeting so many lovely people and watching everybody have just the greatest time in the sun. Onto tomorrow where we will see the likes of, Tom Brennan, The Snuts and our headliner for the day Jamie T.
PAOLO NUTININ HEADLINING DAY ONE AT TRAMLINES FESTIVAL 2O24 AT SHEFFIELD’S HILLSBOROUGH PARK
PHOTOCREDIT: ALEX BROWN