TRAMLINES
Organisers of Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival, which returns for its eighth instalment from 22 to 24 July, have announced another huge injection of electronic artists for its 2016 bill, with the likes of Cut Chemist, Derrick Carter, Tom Findlay (Groove Armada), Zero 7 (DJ set), DJ Woody, Ghetts, Footsie, Giant Swan, Joe90 (Futureboogie), The Reflex and over 40 of Sheffield’s finest featuring amongst the latest additions.
For the first time, Tramlines will open up the university’s club venues for two consecutive nights on Saturday and Sunday, in response to the huge demand for its clubs shows. Those who’ve attended the UK’s biggest-inner music festival before will know that, once the sun sets, the city’s clubs and warehouses offer up a wide selection of all-things- electronic, all night long.
Leading the DJ talent on this latest announcement are Chicago house legend Derrick Carter, Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay, and the genre-bending Zero 7, all appearing at the University on Saturday night.
For something a bit more lyrical, Ghetts, one of the UK’s most highly-acclaimed rap artists, will perform at the o2 Academy on Saturday night, joining the already-announced garage, grime and drum and bass lineup with My Nu Leng & Dread MC, DJ Hype, Machinedrum and Ragga Twins and Big Narstie.
At Foundry on Sunday night, revellers will be treated to a masterclass in turntablism, from World Champion Scratch DJ Woody and Jurassic 5 co-founder Cut Chemist, who takes to the decks following the full groups Main Stage live set.
Other key sets across the festival come from Newham Generals’ grime favourite Footsie, known for releasing on Dizzee Rascal’s Dirtee Stank label as well as producing for Big Narstie; Joe90 of the Bristolian dance music collective Futureboogie; The Reflex, who breathes new life into soul and disco staples, with his boxfresh edits praised by Nile Rogers and Craig Charles, and industrial techno duo Giant Swan, whose improv approach makes for a singularly unique live show.
Known across the UK for its forward-thinking club scene, Sheffield is home to some serious DJ talent, with over 40 local artists newly added to Tramlines 2016 bill. Joining the lineup at The Night Kitchen are Huddle, famed for their killer parties around Sheffield with the likes of Crazy P and Medlar, both of whom are also playing Tramlines. Joining them is Chip Butty Records’ DJ Cryptic, no stranger to the top of Juno Download charts and Roots, helmed by the much-loved club promoter Akid.
Another stand-out local act are the Hybrid Vigour collective. The electronic brainchild of local experimental band Blood Sport, they have curated the venues lineup, and will DJ alongside featured artists including Giant Swan, Guttersnipe, Negative Midas Touch, Steve Davis (DJ) and Mica Levi (DJ).
It’s not just the night-time programme that sees 100,000 music fans turn out to transform Sheffield into a vibrant festival site, with everything from indie to RnB, and electronica to reggae appearing across the sprawling festival site. Over three outdoor stages and 15 indoor venues, the 2016 lineup already includes Dizzee Rascal, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Jurassic 5, Kelis, George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic, The Dandy Warhols, The Mystery Jets, Gaz Coombes, Dawn Penn, Crazy P Soundsystem, Goldie, Craig Charles, Public Service Broadcasting, Field Music, Little Simz, The Enemy, Norman Jay MBE, Toddla T, Young Fathers, My Nu Leng, David Rodigan, Skream and loads more.
Tickets for Tramlines Festival 2016 are on sale and, as ever, remain seriously good value. Night-time tickets and Sunday day-time tickets are now sold-out, but a weekend ticket comes in at the bargain price of £42 plus booking fee, covering all stages from day until night. To stay for the official closing parties on Sunday night, tickets are an added £5, making it one of the most competitively priced festivals around.
For up-to- the-minute information about Tramlines 2016 visit www.tramlines.org.uk or follow Tramlines on Twitter @tramlines