Lauren Hague

Tramlines co-founder Timm Cleasby gives Sheffield festival-goers five tips for the event weekend, covering the Tramlines app, road closures, public transport changes, the fringe festival and Hillsborough businesses to visit.

Tramlines prepares to welcome large crowds as organizers unveil the main stage and outline the advance planning involved in securing headline acts. This year’s lineup features Fatboy Slim, Courteeners and Wolf Alice, with an emphasis on strong female representation across stages including the largely female SlamBarz lineup. Daily attendance at Hillsborough Park is expected to reach 40,000, alongside an estimated 60,000 attendees at the free city-centre fringe events.

Tramlines co-founder and organiser Timm Cleasby discusses the Tramlines Trust, which provides grants of up to £500 to Sheffield charities and grassroots groups. The festival raised £58,000 in 2025, supporting organisations including Under The Stars, Sheffield Mind and Sheffield Young Carers. Under The Stars will also give learners opportunities to perform at the 2026 festival. Tramlines additionally operates a residents’ parking scheme and offers free or discounted tickets to people living near Hillsborough Park.

The Star received behind-the-scenes access to Hillsborough Park as organisers prepared for the 2026 Tramlines Festival in Sheffield. Joint-founder Timm Cleasby discussed the festival’s origins in 2009, including Matt Helders’ involvement, and its growth from a small city-centre event into a major national music festival. The festival continues to support Sheffield’s independent music scene through its free fringe programme and local venues.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski said he would examine his party’s support for Sheffield proposals to build more than 3,500 homes across 14 greenbelt sites. He emphasized that local councillors are not subject to national party whipping and must act in the interests of their residents. The Sheffield Greenbelt Alliance criticized the local party for supporting development it says would damage farmland and wildlife and conflict with Green principles, while Sheffield City Council said the issue is currently being considered by the Planning Inspectorate.

Sheffield band Reverend and the Makers celebrated the release of their new album, Is This How Happiness Feels?, with a three-day pop-up shop at Meadowhall featuring signings, merchandise and acoustic performances. A collaboration with local condiment brand Henderson’s Relish, including limited-edition vinyl and physical bottles, sold out quickly. Jon McClure also discusses the band’s album, the Sheffield collaboration and the forthcoming 2026 Tramlines festival.