EXPECTATIONS SUBVERTED AND EXCEEDED | TRAMLINES DAY 2
REVIEW | TRAMLINES FESTIVAL – DAY 2 by Gracie Erskine
Whilst Friday revelled in its glorious return of Sheffield royalty Pulp; Saturday paved way for a new descent of rowdy (but friendly, remember we are in North) Reytons fans. Cascades of chaos-hungry, football shirt wearing, bucket hat crowning fans swarmed the field, congregating with the nearest look-alike to form some new interaction.
Within this genre of fan, their crossover lies in rising Merseyside quartet, The K’s. And while the world may not be crying out for another Northern indie four-piece, the field was certainly begging for it. Start to finish, the crowd assumed cult, their assembly-like recital of their set proved certification for the band. Lapping upon excitement before you could even get in a round, the triumphant set launched the standard for the day. The ‘K’s’ carnage prolonged beyond their set, as their post-show album signing queue at the merch tent stretched beyond the peaks.
In opposition to the indie-eager threat of the day, superstar starlet Heather Small took everyone back in time for a set that had the pegs coming out of ‘T’other Stage’ tent. How can hips not be shaking, arms not be swaying and lungs not be bursting when you’re opening a set with M People classic ‘One Night in Heaven’? Unfortunately, Small’s set leaves you asking a big question; how does she do it? Vocally astounding, chronically breathtaking and putting us all to embarrassment with her physique. Alongside her incredible ability to maintain the latter all whilst hyping up the crowd more than a holiday tour rep in Tenerife.
Back on the main stage, perpetual festival player Jake Bugg, chunked his half an hour with fan favourites and simplicity. The man rarely deviates, but you would never really want him to. The consistency in playing ‘Two Fingers’ and ‘Lightning Bolt’ will always receive a warm reception, as present this weekend. Though his set doesn’t invite much bone shaking thrill, it’s a checkbox exercise and a pleasant one at that.
Scottish indie veterans Franz Ferdinand brought a showstopping delight to the evening. Adorning an incandescent orange varsity jacket and a whole lot of confidence, frontman Alex Kapranos daggered the stage with his vibrant jolts, flying legs and wafting of whatever else hadn’t been flung across the stage already. An overheard comment likened Kapranos to Brandon Flowers, determining utter truth in the statement. His theatrical ways still play rock and roll. Despite the extra mile the band goes sonically and visually, rooted in their excellence is the pure crowd pleasers from indoctrinated songs like ‘Take Me Out’ and ‘No You Girls’.
Come 8pm, mind rattling with the conflict of noughties nationals Rizzle Kicks or marmite locals The Reytons clutching their headline status, a choice must occur. Whilst a mockery may be made on The Reytons cheap wit and borderline gimmick approach at times, their set was no joke. In what world one suspected four lads from Rotherham would bestow a 10ft Trojan horse in Hillsborough Park- no one will ever know. However, the rioting ninjas that hurled themselves from it before an army shielded with batons and blowtorches invaded the stage, truly set the tone for the rest of the evening.
With your jaw on the floor, the Rotherham rangers took stage, arms wide, heads strong and with a tinge of disbelief at the mass before them. A kinetic stampede erupted; the crowd united at opening title ‘Red Smoke’ ironically about going off your rocker at a gig. And whilst the sky filled with every colour from a technicolour dreamboat in flare form, the band burst through the set. Undoubtedly, the phenomenon of their set is two fingers to the ridicule, but no more than the affinity between the band and their fans.
If the Friday at Tramlines hadn’t evoked a local pride, then the Saturday sure did. Tramline’s applaud will always be in it’s unity. The festivals skills in maintaining environments for all demographics alongside a sterling lineup that values its roots deserves no aversion for its granting of The Reytons headline set, when they proved what makes a Sheffield crowd.
