Five Small Artists You Won’t Want To Miss At Tramlines This Year

Words: Josh Parsonage

This summer’s Tramlines Festival lineup is a stomper with each day stacked from morning till late evening, but just who are the unmissable small artists bringing their A-game to Sheffield’s Hillsborough Park.

Chloe Slater

Standout Track  – ‘Fig Tree’

Unapologetically political, undeniably a great time. Having begun producing her cutthroat social commentaries from the comfort of her bedroom, Chloe Slater personifies what it means to be indie. 

Her raw talent remains intact in her latest EP ‘Love Me Please’ which explores superficiality from a refreshingly young, feminine, and English perspective, touching on the music industry, beauty standards, and capitalism more broadly.

Slater’s live shows are about as authentic as they come, with the seaside rockstar flawlessly maintaining a uniquely wholesome rapport throughout. If you enjoy an indie dance-along with far more than a hint of political substance, then Chloe Slater at T’Other Stage on Saturday is the set for you.

Luvcat

Standout Track – ‘Lipstick’

Catch her before she explodes – Luvcat is on the up. Hailing from Liverpool, Sophie Morgan is redefining baroque pop with a distinctly British sensibility. Her softly spoken lyrics are rich in detail and metaphor without ever become convoluted, and she knows exactly when to turn up the intensity. 

While being harsh in all the right moments, Luvcat is musically steeped in melancholy with a vast and often cinematic sound. Morgan’s phenomenal vocal range allows her to command any stage she steps onto, making every performance feel both intimate and grand.

Certainly anyone who finds themselves excited for The Last Dinner Party later on should be in the crowd for Luvcat at T’Other Stage on Sunday afternoon.

She’s In Parties

Standout Track – ‘The Man’

Indie-rock influenced She’s In Parties carve out a space somewhere between dream-pop and shoegaze. Their ethereal soundscapes recall the likes of Slowdive and NewDad, shimmering with both nostalgia and fresh energy.

Irish-born Katie Dillon brilliantly fronts this Colchester grouping, her far-reaching vocals carrying the soft guitar riffs far beyond their musical starting point. On stage, the band conjure a raucous atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive.

She’s In Parties are in demand, landing coveted support slots with artists across the country. If so many bands want them on their tours, you should want to see them too. Catch them at The Leadmill stage on the Saturday.

Cliffords

Standout Track – ‘Sleeping Ghosts’ 

Reminiscent of ambient 2010s indie Cliffords offer a twist on one of the shining lights of a disappointing decade for rock music which carries far more emotional depth than previous efforts.

Originating in Cork the five-piece are fronted by the magnificent Iona Lynch who’s off-beat vocals are as charming as they are haunting. They are perhaps the most lyrically talented outfit on this list cementing themselves within a wave of Irish bands grabbing the industry by the scruff of the neck.

Their dreamy Irish sound can be found at The Leadmill stage on Sunday 27^th July.

The Second World War

Standout Track – ‘Concealment’ 

Scottish punk outfit The Second World War bring their confrontational garage-rock tunes to The Leadmill stage on Friday.

Perhaps contrasting the evenings headliners Pulp, and despite being the newest artist on this list, The Second World War are by no means to be missed. Their debut EP was put into the world of streaming last year and contains a collection of rough, raw, bass-led night-out tales that are delivered with nothing but thunder. 

The Edinburgh four-piece have a live presence which sees your jaw dropped and mouth wide open, leaving absolutely nothing behind them. 

Punk music is making a comeback, and The Second World War are the next in line to show what they’ve got to offer.