Tramlines 2024: Sheffield music festival kicks off

An estimated 40,000 revellers are set to descend on Sheffield this weekend as Tramlines Festival opens its gates.

Paolo Nutini, Jamie T and Snow Patrol will headline the three-day event, which has been held at Hillsborough Park since 2009.

As well as live music, the event also includes comedy shows and a free fringe event at venues dotted around the city.

Sheffield City Council and festival organisers said they had put extra measures in place to prevent the park being left damaged by wet weather after the 2023 event left the site requiring substantial repairs.

The opening of last year's festival was delayed after downpours meant essential work was needed to make the arena safe.

It was the second wettest July on record for Sheffield, with areas of the 49-acre park closed over the summer for repairs.

Councillor Richard Williams, of Sheffield City Council, described last year as a "mess", but said the park's drainage system had been renovated, footpaths widened and additional floor covers put down in the areas with the most footfall.

"We've done much more than in the past and we're starting from a better place - plus the forecast for the weekend is looking promising," said Mr Williams.

"It's a very important event and brings in £3.8m in extra revenue."

After a long stretch of unseasonably cool weather in South Yorkshire this summer, the weather forecast for the weekend was "pretty good", according to BBC Look North meteorologist Paul Hudson.

"Except for one or two showers, there should be a good deal of decent weather," he said.

Friday's headline act is Scottish artist Paolo Nutini, followed by London singer songwriter Jamie T on Saturday and indie rock band Snow Patrol headlining on Sunday.

Other acts over the weekend included Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Human League, Example, Maximo Park, Miles Kane and The Charlatans.

Timm Cleasby, festival operations director, said the line-up was "testament to the reputation of Tramlines".

Jamaican-born Sheffield-based musician Franz Von, who will headline The Library Stage on Saturday, told the BBC: "Having the chance to headline a stage is amazing for me."

Comedians performing at the festival included Adam Hills, Lucy Beaumont and Angelos Epithemiou.

Tramlines struck a deal to keep the event at Hillsborough Park for another five years, with organisers Tramlines Events Limited (TEL) agreeing to pay Sheffield City Council an increased fee after the disruption in 2023.

Mr Cleasby called the state of the park last year "heartbreaking", but said they were committed to putting it right.

The festival aims to nurture up-and-coming musical talent, with a new scholarship launched for 2024 in collaboration with WaterBear College of Music.

The bursary covered tuition costs for a three-year course, with the aim of "empowering aspiring musicians with top-tier education and opportunities", the festival said.

Mr Cleasby said: "This cuts right to the heart of what Tramlines is about - supporting local artists."

Tramlines has also partnered with two charities, Tickets For Good and Sheffield Young Carers, to increase access opportunities for those hoping to attend.

In a further collaboration, Hillsborough Primary School pupils have created artwork of musicians at the festival, which are then turned into tea towels and sold.

"It always make me smile and all the profits go back to the school," Mr Cleasby said.

Gates open at 12:00 BST on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the last entry at 19:30.

Hillsborough Park is three miles north west of the city centre, but visitors are being urged to use the city's "brilliant" public transport and avoid arriving by car.

There is no free parking within one mile of the event, organisers warned.

People are advised to catch the yellow route tram service to the Hillsborough Park or Leppings Lane stops, or the blue route service to the Hillsborough stop, which is a five-minute walk to the park.

Trams will run every six minutes from Sheffield city centre to Hillsborough Park.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].