Words: Josh Parsonage
Defying veteran competition from Jake Bugg, Chloe Slater packed out Tramlines’ T’Other Stage, claiming the spotlight as Saturday’s standout act.
The Bournemouth-born rock and roll superstar’s brazenly political indie anthems have catapulted her onto festival lineups and magazine covers over the past year, and with short sets as memorable as this one as well as new music on the horizon, Slater is unquestionably one to watch.
True to her unapologetic principles, the South Coast singer took to stage displaying a Palestinian flag, and what a better way to open than with ‘Sucker’, a track that takes aim at the music industry’s “suits” and their disconnect from working-class life in Britain. The song comes off 2025 EP ‘Love Me Please’, which itself toils with superficiality and the industry’s entrenched gender hierarchy. Our review can be read here.
Slater has previously pulled out of shows in line with boycotts of the Israeli state.
With energy to match their conviction, the young quartet powered through a set bursting with joy. Their infectious spirit extends beyond the music itself – genuine connection is the true hallmark of a Chloe Slater set: not a band performing at an audience, but with them.
Their friendship was unmistakably on display, charming the crowd and making them impossible not to love. Slater’s appreciation for her band is palpable, grounding her and adding another layer of authenticity to her music.
Any future star needs that rare blend of substance and spark, and Chloe Slater has it. Her lyrics, though touchingly personal, resonate with working-class audiences, while each melody carries the punch, unmistakably stamp of her sound. And in her live shows, her earnest trademark is what truly sets her apart.
The early evening Tramline set showcased each of these traits, and with the unreleased tale of jealousy and heartbreak, ‘Harriet’, proving there is no sign of letting up, you can bet Chloe Slater will be climbing the lineup in years to come.
Rockstars HQ 
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