In 2019, Tramlines was acquired by festival promotion giant Superstruct Entertainment. Superstruct, after an acquisition spree that peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now the world’s second largest festival promoter. According to IQ magazine, the company currently owns 85 festivals across Europe and Australia, including the UK’s Boardmasters, Bluedot, and Truck festivals. Under the control of Superstruct Entertainment, Tramlines festival has been consistently securing big names in the UK’s alt scene. Announced today, Tramlines’ line up for 2024 continues this trend.

Headliners include Scottish singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini, English singer Jamie T, and Dundee alt-rock band, Snow Patrol, who will be playing on Friday 26th, Saturday 27th, and Sunday the 28th of July respectively. This is not the first time that the two Scottish acts have performed at the same event as both played at Hyde Park’s BT London Live, an event that promoted the opening of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Brighton indie rock band The Magic Gang, who have recently announced their decision to part ways, are on the festival’s bill. For those unable to attend the band’s farewell UK tour in May, Tramlines festival will be one of the last places that the group will be performing.

As well as acts at the end of their lifespan, acts who have recently found a new lease on life will be attending Hillsborough Park. Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who has recently shot back up into stardom with the resurgence of her 2001 hit ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’, will be playing in Hillsborough Park on Friday the 26th. As well as newfound fame, Tramlines will likely be hosting some newly released music. Off the back of their soon-to-be-released EP, Fantasies, London’s Bombay Bicycle Club will be performing at Tramlines. Since Fantasies is set to release on the 23rd of February, there is a chance that those at the festival will be some of the first to hear a live rendition of the upcoming EP.

With 25,000 people already signed up to the festival’s pre-sale list, tickets are sure to sell out fast. Presale tickets for Tramlines go live tomorrow at 12pm, so if you haven’t signed up yet, you can do so here. Weekend tickets will be available for £130, and day tickets will cost £45. Although it is likely that there will be some tickets available after the pre-sale, prices before and after the pre-sale period may be subject to change. Additionally, Tramlines does not offer on-site camping, meaning that accommodation for those from outside Sheffield will have to be organised separately.

The singer-songwriter wrote on his Twitter that he was “Gutted to announce that unfortunately I’m no longer able to play Tramlines or Latitude this week as I’ve recently contracted COVID, I’m currently recovering in isolation dreaming about the rest of the wonderful gigs that we have in store for you this year!” 

Gutted to announce that unfortunately I’m no longer able to play Tramlines or Latitude this week as I’ve recently contracted COVID. I’m currently recovering in isolation dreaming about the rest of the wonderful gigs that we have in store for you this year! See you soon- Alf

— alfie templeman (@alfietempleman) July 22, 2021

With live music attempting to get up and running again, the fact that we’re still in the middle of a worldwide pandemic still can’t be ignored. As can be seen, this is something that’s already having an impact at Latitude, with two acts already dropping off this weekend’s bill. The other act pulling out is Fontaines D.C., which told fans that during routine testing, one of the band members tested positive for COVID-19. meaning the band and crew now have to self-isolate.

Headlining Latitude this weekend are The Chemical Brothers, Bastille, Bombay Bicycle Club and Wolf Alice, while Sheffield-based festival Tramlines will see The Streets, Royal Blood and Supergrass top the bill who replaced Richard Ashcroft as headliners. Ashcroft announced that he would be pulling out of his headline performance at the event as it is set to be part of the government’s Events Research Programme.

Data from the first stage of the ERP was published recently and confirmed that just 28 people who attended pilot events researching the impact of large-scale gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic tested positive for the virus.

Apply to Play is LIVE!

Calling all performers and bands, it’s your time to shine ✨ Hit the link to apply and spread the word! https://t.co/fTw0jWJ7zJ pic.twitter.com/R3qqTRfNzS

— Tramlines Festival (@tramlines) May 13, 2021

“Each year Tramlines and a group of tastemakers and artists handpick performers to play on select stages across the festival. Previous taste makers include, Reverend And The Makers, Clash Magazine, The Leadmill and BBC Music Introducing In Sheffield” – explains Tramlines organisers.

Tramlines Operations Director, Timm Cleasby said: “My favourite element of Tramlines has always been the discovery of my new favourite band. Our ‘Apply To Play’ scheme gives bands and artists the opportunity to play on a big festival stage, and offers the next generation of talent the experience of playing a bigger stage while showcasing their music to new audiences”. He added: “Since the beginning of the festival, supporting emerging talent has been at the heart of the event and continues to be a big part of it.”

The Tramlines Festival that will take place at Hillsborough Park between 23-25th July in Sheffield is now sold out. To buy a ticket to the biggest upcoming festival of this year, you have to sign up to the waiting list. There is also an option for those who are not willing to go anymore and want to sell their tickets.

Organisers of the Tramlines Festival are ”super excited to bring you what I feel is one of our strongest line ups. The three main headliners have been on my list for a good while now and we’ve got some brilliant returning friends as well. All this said, we’re very serious about the public’s safety and take our responsibilities regarding Covid very seriously. We’re keeping a close eye on developments and will act accordingly should things change.”

MXDWN covered the full line up of the Sheffield festival last month and you can check here.