WORDS AND IMAGES DESH KAPUR
The sun was out in full force as we made our way to the Festival grounds for day two of Tramlines, and hopefully, that’s the way it was going to stay
Arriving at the showgrounds it was full. Again my list of bands and artists was pretty full for the day, The Snuts, Jamie T, Harvey J Dodgson, and Cucamaras, were just a few of the acts I was hoping to check out.
My first port of call was the Leadmill stage for Harvey J Dodgson, Hailing from Portsmouth and playing with a full band and to put it frankly he was one of my standouts for the whole weekend, with relatable lyrics and big choruses, tracks such as ‘Marilyn Rose’ and ‘Alligator’ really shine. Vocally, the voice is soulful and bluesy, reminding me of parts of Sam Fender and even Bruce Springsteen. But to be honest Harvey J sounds like Harvey J, and that is why there could be something special brewing here.
A short walk to the main stage for Indie-pop musician Nieve Ella and she put on a rocking performance, and seemed shocked and delighted at how many people were singing word for word to her songs, her catchy tunes sets the atmosphere for the rest of the day.
Up next was Balancing Act , originally from Manchester and now based in London, they play their brand of indie/alternative rock and put on a 100 miles an hour live performance, frontman Kai Roberts is engaging, delivering powerful vocals and a stage presence you can’t look away from. It’s a great set from a band that is one to keep an eye on
Staying at the Leadmill stage it was time for post-punksters Cucamaras one of Nottingham’s most exciting young bands. Their performance was fantastic, with their crashing guitars filling the tent. They performed with great energy and whilst lead singer Bowley tends to take centre stage on most songs, the use of guitarist Joshua Hart’s voice for some songs is great. Their performance was full of energy and they had the Leadmilll big top going off
Then it was time to head to the main stage for one of my favourite bands The Snuts, I’ll be honest I’m a fan, I first saw them at Skeleton Coast Festival years back and I was immediately taken with them, since then I have seen, photographed and reviewed them a fair few times now, and I’m still a huge fan. The Snuts are a Scottish indie rock band formed in 2015, originating from West Lothian, Scotland. The band consists of Jack Cochrane (vocals and guitar), Joe McGillveray (guitar), Callum ’29’ Wilson (bass) and Jordan ‘Joko’ Mackay (drums). And as expected it was another outstanding set, the band were on top form and every time I see them they get better and better. The crowd loved every minute of it and so did I, a brilliant band, a brilliant crowd at a brilliant festival. Jack Cochrane’s voice is something to behold; he is without a doubt one of the best singers I have heard in a long while. The band is tight, and they write great songs, so if you like your bands to have Indie cool, melodies, big choruses and soaring vocals then this is the band for you.
It was the Leadmill for Leeds Mercury prize nominated indie art rock four piece English Teacher, heavily tipped as one of the bands to make some big moves in 2024, Formed in 2020, English Teacher are Lily Fontaine on lead vocals, guitar and synth, Lewis Whiting on lead guitar, Douglas Frost on drums and Nick Eden on bass. And they put on a set worthy of their acclaim, edgy, bombastic, and clever is the best way i can describe English Teacher’s music and they delivered it perfectly, it was an impressive performance. check them out!
Back at the main stage it was time for Tom Grennan, the boy next door does good, and he always puts on a show right from the start, it’s like he has had 10 red bulls as he is just pure energy, bouncing from one side of the stage to the other, The setlist is peppered with new songs and the classic hits, and the massive crowd in front of the stage are loving every minute of it, now Tom Grennan’s music might not be my cup of tea, but he is hard not to like, he connects constantly with the crowd and he feeds of their energy, whilst the crowd feed of his, and he is perfect for a festival, especially just as the evening sun is getting lower.
I was staying at the main stage for Saturday headliner, indie punk trouper-dour Jamie T, walked onto the stage with his band, dressed in a strange ensemble of dress shirt, shorts, trainers and cap he played a very solid but not outstanding set of naughties indi, The highlight was definitely ‘Zombie’ and Sticks and Stones, I enjoyed Jamie T’s set, but I didn’t love it,
And that brought Saturday to an end the weather was stunning and I discovered a couple of bands/artists I want to see more of in Harvey J Dodgeson and Cucamaras, I watched The Snuts bring it yet again along with Tom Grennan, great day, bring on Sunday
Following a sun drenched 2024 edition of Tramlines Festival, Sheffield’s biggest party, Super Early Bird tickets for the 2025 edition will go on sale on Friday 2nd August at 12pm. Priced at £89.50 + booking fee, these are the best value tickets revellers can lay their hands on for Tramlines 2025 when it returns to Hillsborough Park from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 July. Historically, Early Bird tickets sell out within minutes, so to be in with the best chance of securing one, the advice is to sign up for priority access at www.tramlines.org.uk before 2nd August.
FOLLOW JAMIE T
FOLLOW TOM GRENNAN
FOLLOW ENGLISH TEACHER
FOLLOW THE SNUTS
FOLLOW CUCAMARAS
FOLLOW BALANCING ACT
FOLLOW NIEVE ELLA
FOLLOW HARVEY J DODGSON
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
