Tramlines 2012 Day 1

The weather was not looking promising for the Friday evening of Tramlines 2012, but spirits were high as the crowds headed for the centre of Sheffield. The first port of call was The Frog and Parrot for some Summer Lightning ale, a spot of rap and a chance to check the show times.

From rap to sea shanties

From here it was a short walk to the main stage, in time for Dead Sons - an excellent set of pounding anthems with a lead singer channeling Ian Astbury of The Cult.

A sort wait and time for another beer before the Friday night headliners Reverend and the Makers, playing tracks from their new album mixed in with some old favourites including Heavyweight Champion of the World and Bandits.

Tramlines 2012 Day 2

After the showers of the previous night, day 2 was warm and dry, so we headed off the beaten track to Yellow Arch studios to see some of the electronica style noodling in progress. It was a bit subdued, but by all accounts it livened up considerably in the evening.



We were still suffering from the excesses of the previous night, so took things easy in Bungalows and Bears before visiting the New Music stage for Alarm Bells, a band featuring half of Danananackroyd who I remember being one of the highlights of last year. They coped admirably with a power cut halfway through their set and turned in a solid performance.





They were followed by Esben and The Witch - a gothicky, Siouxie and the Banshees inspired sort of sound. Not bad, but not really my sort of thing.



After that, it was time for an Ostrich burger and the bus home for a (comparatively) early night!

Tramlines 2012 Day 3

The hottest day of the festival, both in terms of the weather and the music. As usual we started in the Frog & Parrot with a pint of Summer Lightning and the double bass/guitar combo of House of Charms, followed by The Ridgeways with some solid pub rock.



Next stop was the air conditioned darkness of SoYo for the Springsteen-esque Famous Villans and the utterly delightful Blessa.





Finally, the ever dependable New Music stage to see the end of Dog is Dead followed by a sausage inna bun from the gourmet food stalls across the way and then the superb Rolo Tomassi belting out some math rock with just a hint of diabolical sulphur in the vocals.

Closing off the festival were 65 Days of Static, with much guitar and keyboard noodling to sort all tastes.



Another excellent Tramlines - roll on 2013!

U srsly expect me to use dis? U jokin, rite?

Sunday Links

• humanæ People and their pantone colours - a unique photo project
• Kitten attack!
• The Lego Wire
• Bath Time for Tiny Tiger! Zooborns
• Ever wondered what it would be like to stand directly under an exploding nuclear bomb?
• Top 11 Chemistry Moments in Breaking Bad
• Making Things Fast – revisited Essential reading for the creative person in a hurry
• Google StreetviewIn the Antarctic
• Art of the Title
• 135 Shots That Will Restore Your Faith in Cinema
• Mushroom Clouds over Las Vegas Iconic Photos. Nothing says Las Vegas like giant cowboys and nukes
• 25 Outrageous Fashion Ads From The 1970s
• My 6-year-old Judges Books by the Covers, from No Exit to 50 Shades of Grey
• Dirty Laundry A Punisher short movie
• You spin me right round, baby right round