So it is all over for another year. In terms of numbers, Tramlines is now around the size of Glastonbury, attracting an estimated 150,000 people over the weekend. The crowds were treated to the usual mix of musical genres, with most tastes catered for in some shape or form. I’ve picked out a few aspects of the festival that I really liked this year…

Friday night

Kill your darlings Kid acne exhibition

It was an inspired idea to schedule the free launch of Kid acne’s new exhibition on the Friday night of Tramlines. If you don’t think you know who Kid acne is then you will have certainly seen his work around town. The launch was the perfect warm up to the festival, with live music, drinks, a look round his exhibition and loads of familiar Sheffield faces. Then there was plenty of time after to go and see more music, including Heaven 17′s homecoming performance in Barkers pool.

The Folk forest

The Folk forest in Endcliffe park

A haven away from the city centre and well worth a visit even if you weren’t a folk fan. What’s not to like about lying back under the trees with the sun shining, listening to live music while enjoying a local beer? The heaving centre of town over Tramlines weekend isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and the enchanting Folk forest in Endcliffe park did a good job of widening the appeal of the festival to an older – and younger – audience.

The Busker bus

The busker bus

A handy way to get around and also a venue in itself. Watching someone perform against the backdrop of a vibrant Sheffield through the window was a brilliant combination. Half the fun was just turning up and seeing who hopped on to perform: it could have been anything from big local names to great new music or even an X Factor boy band fresh from the main stage.

More people and more venues

This year there were even more venues involved across a wider area of the city, including some of the more suburban pubs and cafes. And seeking sanctuary in the cathedral for some lovely acoustic music was a magical experience (plus having a drink in the pews was also quite good fun). More venues over a wider area meant more people, although this didn’t stop Tramlines still being a good place to bump into random friends.

Great weather

The sun over West one

There’s no denying that a weekend of sunshine makes all the difference and this year the weather was possibly the best yet. After a very light shower on the Friday night, the sun shone on both the main days which would have no doubt encouraged even more people out.

The Tramlines brand

This year the visual identity of Tramlines was given an overhaul and it was a big improvement. Sheffield agency Peter and Paul designed a new font specifically for the festival, which was used on all the promotional material and also picked up by other outlets. The poster campaign featuring familiar and unfamiliar Sheffield faces shot by photographer Sean Bloodworth also looked great around town. It all made for quite a distinctive campaign that communicated one of the main selling points of Tramlines; that it was free for everyone.

A boost for the city centre

A busy Soyo

The experience of a trip to Sheffield city centre is a bit patchy to say the least. Many of the shop units stand empty due to the recession or in anticipation of Sevenstone construction starting, which has left it all a bit in limbo. Tramlines resulted in the streets being packed with people and local businesses doing well out of what would otherwise have been a quiet summer weekend. Anecdotal evidence suggests that trade was busy – there were reports of one bar running out or beer and another making more over Tramlines weekend than they make in a month.

Good beer

With an official festival brew in the shape of Tramlines ale, other local breweries like Thornbridge taking part and many of Sheffield’s real ale pubs on the circuit, there was no reason not to steer clear of the keg lager, even in the main stage areas.

Same again next year?

Overall it seems like Tramlines 2011 was another success. Some people were wary of the impact of a big sponsor coming on board, although this didn’t seem to make a discernible negative difference. Others are still expecting to see a lot more bigger names playing, even though this would be hard to manage at a ticketless, free festival.

For me Tramlines isn’t just about seeing big bands, or even being regimental about the music you do try and see. The friends I know who enjoyed it the most are the ones who got out and about and threw themselves into what and wherever their weekend took them, whether it was a rammed and sweaty pub or the tranquility of the Folk forest.

How do you think it compared to previous years? And what would you suggest for 2012 – is there anything they should keep, ditch or should be doing?

The Radical departures What I learned from Tramlines 2011 blog post is a good read and has some useful tips for if and when the festival returns in 2012.

The main stage on Devonshire green

Nat Johnson at Tramlines 2010 and performing this year on Saturday night at the cathedral

Making the most of a weekend of free live music

So Sheffield’s busiest weekend of the year is here in the form of Tramlines. If you haven’t already then have a look at the listings to find out who is performing and when.

There are 70 venues so there is plenty to see, however it is likely that some will be running at capacity during busy periods and for the most popular bands.

My advice based on previous years would be to get there in plenty of time and be prepared to queue to get in. In the past, when one band finished playing, lots of people would leave the venue, giving other people the opportunity to move inside and get a good spot for the next one.

Remember that the festival isn’t just based around Devonshire green. The Tramlines footprint for 2011 is even bigger than last year, and the list of participating venues stretches as far as Heeley, Greystones, Sharrow vale and Kelham island. This should help spread the crowds out and ensure that you get see your share of live music.

If you use Twitter then keep an eye on the #TramlinesTraffic hash tag. The organisers will be using it to keep people updated about the queues and business of venues and they are hoping that people will join in to keep everyone informed.

Busker bus at Tramlines 2010

Finally, if you haven’t been on the busker bus then you have missed out. As well as being a practical (and free) means of getting around, it is a venue in itself, with a programme of acoustic and unplugged performances running Saturday and Sunday.

Last year I overheard one old couple on there sat behind me discussing whether they should go round and do another circuit of the city. They were loving it.

You won’t have heard of every artist playing, but nearly every major genre of music must be catered for at some point over the weekend. And it isn’t just about seeing big bands: for me it is as much about mooching around town, stumbling upon some new music and supporting what is becoming one of the most high-profile events in Sheffield’s calendar.

The weather forecast looks OK, so have fun and soak up the atmosphere on the one weekend of the year when Sheffield feels like a completely different place compared to at any other time of year.

Shake Aletti at Tramlines 2010 and appearing on Saturday at the Harley

Keep your fingers crossed for good weather this weekend as there are two good outdoor events to look forward to, and both are raising money for good causes.

On Saturday, Peace in the park (also on Facebook and Twitter) takes place at the Ponderosa in Upperthorpe. This annual community festival is now in its eighth year and donates any money raised to nominated local and international charities.

Expect live music across various stages, a cabaret bar, DJs, a kids area, cycling activities, the healing and learning area and you can even get involved in a world record attempt.

Driftrun: organising and playing Weston party 2011

And the following day just up the road in Weston park is the second Weston party (Facebook).

Last year, this post-Tramlines afternoon of live music took place over August bank holiday weekend. This year, the organisers Driftrun have moved it to June, but the idea is still the same: a chance to see local bands play outdoors while you relax in the park with your picnic.

Artists playing include Alvarez kings, Playground mafia, Jon Windle (ex-Little man tate), Driftrun plus Steve Edwards. Once again, there will be a collection to raise money for Sheffield Children’s hospital.

At the time of writing the weather forecast looks pretty good for the weekend, let’s hope it is right.

Weston party 2011

There’s a full post about this event over on counterfeitmag.co.uk so I won’t repeat it all here, but this looks like a good bet for a fun, free way to spend bank holiday Monday.

Billed as a post-Tramlines pick-me-up, this afternoon of music in Weston park features a line-up including Sarah Mac, Ian Brit, the Cartels, Orange 38, the Tivoli, Driftrun and Lords of flatbush.

The forecast says that the best of the weekend sun is going to be on Monday and you are invited to bring along your own picnic or barbecue.

Weston party, 30 August 2010

Lords of flatbush

So once again the hordes descended on the city centre for the second year of the Tramlines festival. This time it was much bigger than 2009, with an estimated 125,000 people creating an amazing atmosphere around town.

Following feedback from last year, there were some changes for 2010. The problematic ticketing system for the main stage was scrapped in favour of a one-in, one-out policy. This meant that there was queuing down Devonshire street, particularly on the Saturday, but on the whole I think it worked much better and led to the main arena being much fuller for more of the day.

Devonshire street queues

The capacity for Devonshire green was increased to around 8,000, with a bigger area fenced off.  This meant that the spontaneous barbecues and gatherings that took place along the Rare’n'racy stretch of Devonshire street didn’t occur, which was a shame. Most of the businesses along there were inside the enclosure. I understand that the intention was for there to be public access to it via the side gates, but this didn’t seem to happen.

It was good that you were allowed to drink anywhere inside the main stage area, Food wise, I think there is room for more outlets offering a bigger variety of cuisine than we saw this year.

If you wanted to see a particular band then you needed to get there early, allowing time to queue to get in the different venues. Some people seemed annoyed at this but as it is a free festival, I don’t think that much can be done about it. I found that when one band finished playing there was the opportunity to move inside and get a good spot for the next one.

It was possible to avoid the queues if you chose your venues carefully. Drifting between the new music stage in Barker’s pool and also the world stage in the Peace gardens was easy. And I had no problem walking straight in to the Leadmill, Frog and parrot and Soyo at various times over the weekend.

If you didn’t go on the Busker line bus, then you missed out. As well as a practical means of getting around, it became a venue in itself. I overheard one old couple sat behind me on there discussing whether they should go round again. It sounds like they had been on it a while.

Buskerline bus

The organisers have said they’d like to make Tramlines even bigger if it returns in 2011. It will be interesting to see how they go about this. I can’t see how the main stage can increase its capacity, although they could also open it on the Friday night.

I also get the feeling that there is a limit on the size of the headliner that Tramlines can accommodate on Devonshire green. Echo and the bunnymen was a perfect fit: an established band that appeals to different generations and has at least a few songs that most people will recognise. If the main band was were really big then although that in some ways would be brilliant, it would also bring with it a whole new level of logistical and security issues.

Echo and the bunnymen

There isn’t another obvious city centre location for a bigger stage than Devonshire green. They could look to using the Don valley bowl, but part of the appeal of the festival is its compactness and the atmosphere that is generated in town because of this.

Also, at the moment I don’t think Tramlines is just about getting big names to play. Although having very well known bands playing where you know the songs is great, the festival is as much for me about soaking up the atmosphere around town, checking out some new music and supporting local artists and businesses at the same time.

The organisers have acknowledged that some elements of this year’s festival could have been run better and are still looking for feedback (they have over 500 points on the list already). You can get in touch via Facebook.

And if you want to increase the chances of Tramlines happening again next year, they have also set up a voluntary donation scheme.

All in all it was another great weekend, I think the most exciting of the year to be hanging out in the city centre.

Flickr photos

• arepeejee Friday, Saturday and Sunday
• dansumption
• robinbyles
• Starquake
• Subterranean Tourist Board

Tramlines TV videos

Shake aletti Activity Sheffield dancers

Solar disco, Devonshire green

Live art in Soyo

If you’re pining for more live music in town then why not check out Busk Sheffield on Saturday:

On the 31st of July Devonshire Green and other surrounding locations will see Sheffield’s best musicians and performers come together in a fantastic busking event in support of the housing and homelessness charity Shelter.

This event will tread new ground in city entertainment, with Devonshire Green hosting a mass busking event as musicians take… up their unamplified instruments and play for money from the giving public. There will even be a Free-Busk space where any old joe can come and pick up a guitar and play for their pennies. This is blended with live entertainers and non-profit food and charity stalls.

Bush Sheffield Facebook event

@busksheffield on Twitter

Town was really packed last night with the opening night of Tramlines and I’m sure tonight will be even busier.

Most of the venues were at capacity, with people queuing outside. So if there is a band you really want to see then get there in plenty of time and allow for a bit of a wait to get inside.

Have fun!

Tramlines 2010 information

The Crookes at the Grapes last night

Here are this month’s additions to the list of Sheffield people and organisations of interest on Twitter – nearly 80 accounts are listed below. The full directory can be found on the Sheffield Twitter users page.

We’re now into our second Twitter list of people and organisations in Sheffield in Twitter. There is also the first Sheffield Twitter list, which contains the first 500 accounts.

Photo Sheffield – Sheffield photography community
@photosheffield

Made by jonty – Sharrow vale road cafe
@Madebyjonty

Beanies – retailer of all things good and wholesome
@beaniessheff

Rony Robinson – BBC Radio Sheffield presenter
@Rony37

CHEFFIELD – food festival
@CHEFFIELDfest

Brendan Moffat, Director of strategic marketing at Creative Sheffield
@mofster

La squadra cycle squad
@LaSquadraTeam

Sean Bloodworth photographer
@BloodworthPhoto

Mixed in Sheffield
@MIXEDINSHEFIELD

Simon Leake – Police inspector for Burngreave, Firth park and Shiregreen
@KPInspector

Tramlines music festival
@tramlines

Martyn Ware – Heaven 17
@martynware

Designed in Sheffield
@DesigninSheff

Busk Sheffield fundraising event on 31 July 2010
@BuskSheffield

Sheffield open doors – young people’s outreach health service
@shefopendoors

The riverside bar
@Riverside_Live

Your nuts health stores
@yournuts

Aalto moderna – Oakbrook road antique shop
@Aaltomoderna

Love Sheffield blog
@love_sheffield

The hair band – Eccy road hair salon
@thehairband

Statement images – photojournalist collective
@statementimages

PCL air technology
@PCLairtech

Shef flex – podcast
@Shef_flex

New start design – Social enterprise specialising in design and ethically sourced print
@NewStart_Design

Barkers furniture
@Barkers__

Group on – stuff to do in Sheffield
@GrouponShfield

Output records
@outputrecords

World goal ball championships (at Ponds forge in June 2010)
@worldgoalball

Golf lesson search
@LessonSearch

Carney academy arts school at the Lantern theatre
@carneyacademy

Charity unleashed Sheffield
@unleashed_0114

Nest online design store
@nest_co_uk

Neil Smith personal trainer
@ptsolution

Rebecca Wainwright designer and dressmaker
@rebecca_designs

Sheffield university student’s union building news
@shefunionbuild

Green news
@Greenasaspnews

Grievous angel producer and DJ
@grievousangeluk

Space cabaret club night
@SpaceCabaret

Silent Sheffield
@SilentShe

Tie machine – writer
@Tiemachine

Timberplay play equipment
@TimberplayLtd

Street food chef Mexican street food
@streetfoodchef

Chrysalis photography
@ChrysalisPhoto

Sheffield wire – automated newspaper-style Sheffield news service
@SheffieldWire

Cross scythes Totley pub
@CrossScythesS17

Screaming maldini – band
@kookaburrasings

Infinite training
@Infinite_Trng

Sorby house office accommodation
@SorbyHouse

Opportunity Sheffield – supporting Sheffield’s employers
@OpportunityShef

World development movement Sheffield
@WDMSheffield

Ponsford furniture
@Ponsford

Glue creative
@gluecreative

Beauty business news
@BeautyBizNews

Tuxtel telephone, ISPs, hosting
@tuxtel

Feedback – Corporation club night
@FEEDBACKDNB

Funding4Sport
@Funding4Sport

Webber klein agency
@WebberKlein

The stitch factory
@stitchfactory

MADE entrepreneurs festival
@MADEfestival

Dale Smith – a woman with Asperger syndrome updating you with news, events information for people on the autism spectrum to participate in Sheffield and the UK
@Ms_cellany

Science cafe at the Showroom
@SciCafe

The strange things – band
@StrangeThings1

Shaun Galleon – Everly pregnant brothers singer
@BigShaunGalleon

Clare MacKenzie – freelance journalist
@ClareMacKenzie

Buzzy work – beekeeping services arm of the Sheffield honey company
@Buzzy_Work

Sheffield university big band
@SUBB_Sheffield

The student magazine
@thestudentmag

New channels digital TV specialist
@NewChannelsLtd

Leftfield podcast
@LeftfieldShef

ShefiGEM
@ShefiGEM

Activity Sheffield council activity initiative
@ActivitySheff

South Yorkshire funding advice bureau
@syfab

Everly pregnant brothers – another account for the ukelele group featuring @PeteMcKee and @TobyFoster
@everlypregnant

17 Broomgrove – development in S10
@17broomgrove

The bakery store – independent clothing store
@bakerystore

Trak robotic eye in Access space
@trakrobot

Benjamin Harris – DJ
@muskmanbenji

Theo Simpson – photographer
@sheffield_fans

If you want to be listed on it then follow @sheffieldblog, get in touch or comment below.

Tramlines 2010

23-25 July 2010

Our biggest musical weekend of the year, Sheffield music city, will soon be upon us. And the main part of that weekend will once again be the Tramlines festival.

Last year’s Tramlines was really good. The atmosphere around town was pretty special and even if you aren’t a music fan, it is worth popping down the the city centre over the weekend just to get a feel for what is going on.

As well as the big acts on the main stage, there are lots of smaller events happening at venues all over the city. The great thing is that it is a free festival and you do not need tickets for  events. You may have to queue up to get in to some venues or areas, but I think the plan is to have a one-in-one-out policy this year.

There have been various announcements regarding the line-up, and apparently there will be more news about who is playing on Monday.

For now, I’ve listed some of the information sources for the latest festival information:

www.tramlines.org.uk
Tramlines website. Should include full listings

www.facebook.com/Tramlines
Facebook page for Tramlines festival

twitter.com/tramlines
Twitter feed for main Tramlines festival

www.hallamfm.co.uk/article.asp?id=1812447
Hallam FM Tramlines page. Hallam FM is helping organise acts for the main stage

http://twitter.com/hallamfm
Hallam FM Twitter account

www.myspace.com/tramlines
Tramlines MySpace page

www.last.fm/user/tramlines
Tramlines Last.fm page

www.youtube.com/tramlinesfestival
Tramlines YouTube channel

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=83262808158
Sheffield music city Facebook group – doesn’t seem to be updated much though

www.eventsheffield.co.uk
Sheffield music city/Tramlines listing on Event Sheffield website

Anyone know if they are producing a paper brochure/programme this year?

A reminder of last year’s festival:

The first Sheffield music city/Tramlines festival was a generally seen as a big success and last month’s announcement regarding both the scale and line up for the 2010 festival hint that this year’s could be even better.

However, Tramlines is not the only music festival happening in Sheffield in 2010. As well as the Sensoria event in the spring, meetings and discussions have been taking place since early in the year about an alternative music festival, organised by and for Sheffield people.

It seems that this alternative festival could be run as a not-for-profit venture where any money made would be put into some sort of Sheffield music trust. Discussions on the Facebook group that was set up have also included debate about whether it should be a completely independent event or form part of a Tramlines fringe festival. After a burst of activity, the group has gone a bit quiet in the last couple of months.

As well as the talk of this independent festival, last October the Sheffield Telegraph reported that talks were being held with a national promoter with a view to running a weekend festival at a location on the edge of the city. This would be a complementary festival to the Tramlines event.

If this was going ahead I’m guessing we would have heard more about it by now.

Can anyone shed any light on whether an alternative festival is still in the offing for 2010 and also what came of the discussions regarding the other big festival?