Tramlines 2026: Our Writer's Tell Who They're Most Excited to See

Tramlines 2025, photography by Steel City Snapper

It's Tramlines week finally! The weekend that everyone in the Steel City looks forward to is soon to be upon us and, as is tradition by now, some of our writers have put our heads together to deliver our most anticipated acts on this year's lineup.

Matt - The Royston Club

T'Other Stage, Sunday @ 18:00

Returning to Hillsborough Park for the second year in a row after a triumphant headline set at The Leadmill Stage last year, the Welsh indie heroes are set to go bigger and better this year on the larger T'Other Stage. Since their performance last July, the band have released their second studio album, Songs For The Spine, which hit number 1 in the UK Independent Album Charts, and embarked on a sell-out UK tour. The Royston Club bring massive energy and heartfelt ballads in equal measure, with an army of devoted fans that are sure to get T'Other tent rocking.

Meisha - Fatboy Slim

The Sarah Nulty Main Stage, Friday @ 20:15

Get me some glitter, a halo and a pair of light-up angel wings so I can be in the field waiting for Fatboy Slim, Derry Girls style. Friday is full of excellent acts, but the artist I’m most excited for is definitely him. Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim, is a Grammy and Brit Award winning musician and legendary DJ whose career spans 4 decades. Starting off as an indie-rock bassist in the Housemartins, Norman eventually left the band and moved to Brighton to pursue electronic dance music, where Fatboy Slim was born in 1996. You’ll most definitely have heard one of his good vibes, energy fuelled hits in your lifetime. Whether it’s his number 1 hit ‘Praise You’, or you’ve seen the dance off in iconic teen movie She’s All That to ‘Satisfaction Skank’. He’s got an absolute powerhouse of hits that are perfect for the opening night of Tramlines. I personally can’t wait to be surrounded by friends and dancing to ‘Right Here, Right Now’, it’s the kind of song that makes you feel buzzing with life, I hope they’ll be a lot of lasers.

Jack - Rick Astley

The Sarah Nulty Main Stage, Saturday @ 17:00

Yes, we all know Rick for the classic, almost-two-decade-old Internet prank - but 'Never Gonna Give You Up' aside, he's had a solid career full of soul-infused electronic dance pop hits. When he first burst onto the scene in 1987, people were astonished at the incredible voice that came out of this 21-year-old Lancashire redhead, and even now at 60 years old, you simply cannot beat that voice. His 1987 debut LP, 'Whenever You Need Somebody', remains an absolute classic of slick '80s pop production.

Dave (Steel City Snapper) - Reverend & The Makers

The Sarah Nulty Main Stage, Sunday @ 16:00

Sheffield’s Reverend and the Makers are currently riding the crest of a wave after the release of their eighth studio album to both critical and commercial success. Is This How Happiness Feels? was the bands’ most successful album since their debut, topping the Official Independent Album and Vinyl Album charts. “The Rev” (aka Jon McClure) wears his heart on his sleeve and this will be a homecoming to remember. The band’s lineup has changed considerably over the last couple of years, but founder members Jon and Laura McClure have assembled a really tight band. Anyone who attended their 20th anniversary Rock N Roll Circus headline set last year, or the album launch show at the Foundry in May, will attest that this a band firing on all cylinders at the moment. Expect all the old classics like 'Heavyweight Champion of the World', 'Bassline', and 'Silence Is Talking' (one of the songs of the World Cup!), along with newer hits like 'Late Night Phonecall', 'Haircut' (a duet with Vicky McClure!) and 'F*cked Up' (a duet with Robbie Williams!). It’ll be banger after banger, and a set you definitely won’t want to miss!

Maisie - Blossoms

The Sarah Nulty Main Stage, Saturday @ 18:45

Blossoms are an indie band hailing from Stockport, as you probably already know. The band have played Tramlines multiple times and are frequently the favourites of Tramlines regulars. They are set to return this weekend, and just like last time will take the sub-headline slot to Courteeners on Saturday as they did in 2023 (hopefully with better weather). Everyone I know who has seen them live say they put on a cracking show and are the epitome of a Summer festival sound. If you're a fan of funky basslines and songs about 8ft tall gorillas, this is the set for you.