Tramlines Festival Announce Second Wave of Acts for 2025

Tramlines have today announced a second wave of acts for their 2025 festival and there is much to love as always for those who love Sheffield music. The announcement includes a host of additions to Friday's day curated by Pulp, Apply to Play, Pattern and Push and Slambarz artists across the weekend.

Headlining the announcement is the incredible addition of poetic punk icon Dr. John Cooper Clarke as part of Friday's offering. Clarke has a long standing affinity with the Steel City and has previously worked with local artists including Arctic Monkeys. The poet laureate has even penned a poem titled "Sheffield", a beautiful ode to this city of ours.

Joining John Cooper Clarke on Friday, artists include cult indie newcomers Spanish Horses and a return for Ed Cosens, founding member of Reverend and the Makers, Apply to Play winners Magnolia and Molly and the Dolly Shop (selected by the Tramlines team), Marples (public vote), Jetski (BBC Introducing Sheffield), and Ellie Evans (Pirate.com) bringing local talent to the fore. The bill expands further with The Second World War and Beguiling Junior. 

Pattern + Push returns to take over their usual Saturday line-up with artists that reflect the platform’s mission to empower young rappers, singers and producers to push boundaries through positive music. Their stage features Big Ang, Prido, Kaesu & Alex FB, Leo Miyagee, Nørskov, Lavelle, Kid Blu3, Josie Wray, Namywa and Kali, with DJ Kyla C behind the decks and JXK hosting.

Slambarz is back for 2025, bringing the energy of Sheffield’s grassroots hip-hop and spoken word scene to the Speakers Corner stage across all three days. Expect high-impact performances from artists like Just Jase, Tinxshe, RF, Reeko, Mitchelxonly1, KO, Kie 5, CNC, GSD, Tlarnaa, Geerai, Lex Fym, Indii and Fuego. With Slambarz regulars DJ Dylor and DJ Law on the controls and a programme that spans live rap, dance, and DJ culture, this is where raw talent meets real community.

The Apply to Play scheme once again showcases the very best of emerging UK talent, selected by tastemakers and industry heads. This year’s standout chosen acts include The Rolling People (The Rock Revival), Fear of Marko (Exposed), Montello (This Feeling), Flat Moon (WaterBear), Sacha T (The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation), Freddy Forbidden (Amazing Radio), and the overall winner Long Island—handpicked by legendary broadcaster and new music champion John Kennedy.

Also confirmed today is Queer Cxntry, an unmissable LGBTQIA+ club night fusing country music and queer joy for a celebration of individuality and inclusivity with a two-step twist. It lands in Hillsborough Park as part of a broader line-up of club takeovers, including Karaoke, Feminém, Hip Hop Karaoke, and The Leadmill’s themed nights: XCX World, Club Tropicana and Taylor’s Version. Further new additions on Sunday include a return for last year's Apply to Play winner Hannah Rowe, Cowz, Mackenzie and April Tapes, alongside festival favourites like Buffo’s Wake and Oktoberfest Band, offering up a riotous finale to the weekend.

Applications for The Tramlines Trust are now open once again. With grants of up to £500 available for local community, youth, arts, and environmental projects, the Trust continues to build on a strong legacy. Since 2022, The Tramlines Trust has awarded over £90,000 worth of funding grants to local organisations. Over 50% of total funding was awarded directly to Hillsborough-based initiatives in 2024. For those doing meaningful work in Sheffield and beyond, this is the time to apply.

Just a handful of Sunday Day Tickets remain before the final tier is released in the next two weeks. With 98% of all festival tickets already sold, don't hang about if this newest announcement moves you. For tickets, full line-up details, and information on Tramlines Trust applications, visit the Tramlines website here.