Handpicked from thousands of applicants by festival organisers and representatives from Sheffield institution, the Leadmill, the winners of Tramlines Festival’s ‘Apply to Play’ scheme have now been announced to play at the celebratory ten-year event from 20th – 22nd July at Hillsborough Park in Sheffield.

The breaking talent additions include Imi, Kadija Kamara, Little Grace, Polo, Saint Petersburg, The Golden Age of TV and Universal Tree. These complete the lineup for the milestone festival that features its biggest lineup to date including Stereophonics, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Craig David’s TS5, Clean Bandit, Blossoms, De La Soul, Milburn, Jake Bugg, Shed Seven, Everything Everything, Tokio Myers, Stefflon Don and Mystery Jets and many more.

Supporting local and emerging talent has always been key to the Tramlines Festival ethos, and today it remains as important as ever at the 10th anniversary event. The lineup already features Sheffield’s finest homebrewed talent such as Reverend and The Makers, Milburn, High Hazels, Bang Bang Romeo and comedic songwriter, John Shuttleworth. Thanks to the Apply To Play Scheme, these are now joined by a full spectrum of Sheffield and the UK’s hottest emerging acts.

Universal Tree

Universal Tree is a brand new band fronted by legendary Sheffield vocalist, Steve Edwards. Steve achieved big hits in the dance scene with collaborations with Cassius, Bob Sinclar and Axwell, and was the frontman for Lords of the Flatbush – a collaboration with former Arctic Monkey, Andy Nicholson, and Louis Carnall of Milburn. His new Universal Tree project draws influence from psychedelia, soul, funk and blaxploitation films and will be the perfect way to welcome in Sunday on the Main Stage at Tramlines.

Saint Petersburg

Also repping Sheffield in this announcement are Saint Petersburg. Another recent formation (they were previously known as The Ratells), this group have some serious momentum, their first show sold out over 1,000 tickets in just 4 minutes. Check them out on Friday afternoon at Tramlines to see what the fuss is all about!

Formed in early 2017, Saint Petersburg are an Alternative Pop/ Rock 4 piece from Sheffield. The band’s first live ever live show sold out within 4 minutes and saw over 1,000 people in attendance.

The band, formerly known as The Ratells, followed this up with a UK Support tour with Warner Music’s Alvarez Kings, showcasing their unique blend of “Pop and Roll” to audiences across the country. Debut single “Lies”, was named in BBC Introducing’s top tracks of 2017, and was described by the BBC’s Christian Carlisle as “One of the best songs I have ever heard”

Polo

Three-piece outfit, Polo, who won the hotly contested PRS ‘Women Make Music’ grant, have been selected to play at Tramlines for their unique ‘sexy indie electronica’ sound.

They might hail from Leeds, but the band’s glacial atmospherics and lush, R’n’B-tinged pop are an ethereal world away from the spit ‘n’ sawdust DIY scene that the city’s best known for. After receiving the coveted PRS ‘Women make Music’ grant, Polo released their debut EP, ‘Alice’, in March 2017, receiving coverage from Noisey, Wonderland, Stereogum, DIY and Clash, as well as multiple BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 plays, XFM play-listing and Amazing Radio play-listing.

The Golden Age of TV

Leeds quintet The Golden Age of TV have already made a huge impression with their razor-sharp , whip-smart and perfectly crafted alternative indie-pop. With only three singles to their name, they have quickly been turning heads and already gaining support from Radio 1 with Huw Stephens playing every song so far. They’ve received praise from 6 Music, Radio X, Amazing Radio, The 405, DIY and Clash as well as performances at Reading & Leeds Festival. They have also supported bands like Fickle Friends, Toothless, Marsicans & Alex Cameron.

Imi

Also hailing from Leeds is Imi, a female solo artist who mixes dark brooding synths with her own soaring vocals described as ‘rich and luxurious like royal velvet’ by Electronic North.

Her sensual and dynamic performances have seen her emerge from the BBC Music Introducing show in January 2018, and onto supporting artists like Let’s Eat Grandma and Ghostpoet later this year.

Kadija Kamara

Image credit: Garry Carbon

Showcasing hot new talent from further afield comes London-based performer, Kadija Kamara, with her totally unique ‘alt-soul’ style that includes 60’s and 70’s analogue sounds. She has won the MTV Iggy Artist of the Week poll and been funded by PRS for Music. Her collaborations include Joey Negro and Zed Bias of the dance music elite, and she currently holds down a residency at a popular North London music venue, The Finsbury.

Little Grace

The final addition chosen from the Apply to Play acts is Little Grace. This trio have a modern yet nostalgic sound, merging Motown, 80’s synth pop and post-2000’s electronic R&B and have appeared on Robin Schulz’s LP, ‘Uncovered’.

Find them at Tramlines on the Library Stage on Saturday, alongside a mix of other contemporary and emerging stars.

Tramlines returns bigger than ever

Year on year, Tramlines remains one of the largest and most popular inner-city music festivals in the country. Its new home on Hillsborough Park – set to attract around 30,000 people – is just 13 minutes from the city centre by tram meaning it remains as accessible as before.

The larger space will accommodate four stages, an expanded Into The Trees area for kids and family fun, pop-up cinema, and a debut comedy lineup. Even more music lovers than before will be treated to a wider range of world class headliners as well as plenty of exciting emerging acts and lots of great entertainment to boot.

Tickets for the 10th Tramlines Festival have been selling fast. They’re now on sixth release costing £79 plus booking fee for a weekend ticket, covering all three days and are available from www.tramlines.org.uk. Keep an eye out for further announcements by following Tramlines on social ‘@tramlines’.