Five things to do at Tramlines 2014

If you live in (or near) Sheffield, you'll no doubt have heard of Tramlines, and quite likely been. If you've not been along, I can't recommend it enough - it's the highlight of my year - but knowing where to start can still be a bit bewildering.

Here's five things to do to get the full Tramlines experience.

1. Get a wristband and the program
Wristbands this year cost £28 for the 3 days and come with a program. You don't actually need a wristband to enjoy Tramlines - it's needed for getting entry to any of the bigger venues and just having one allows you to go anywhere you like without worrying about entry. The program is useful to get a feel for what's going on, but really, there's so much on, it's a bit of a futile effort! Still, it make a good souvenir of the weekend to reminisce over if that's your kinda thing.

2. Ride the Buskers Bus
Tramlines takes place all over Sheffield - to help you get around, the Buskers Bus ferries you around the city for free all weekend. To make the journey far more of an experience, let live acts serenade you on the way round the two loops - the Ale Trail from Smoke BBQ around Kelham Island and the Uni campus around Yellow Arch / Hope works areas. 

3. Spend an afternoon in the Folk Forest
Been out a bit late and need a more laid back start to the day? Get along to Encliffe Park with a picnic and friends and sunnies and listen to folky / acoustic music in the Folk Forest whilst drinking beer from Thornbridge brewery - a wonderfully lazy way to nurse a hangover.

4. Brave Devonshire Green
The Main Stage is typically where all the kids hang out - it's noisy, busy and has all the biggest names on, this year including Ms Dynamite and Public Enemy. Security also check you bags and tend to tip any liquids that look like water down the drain.

5. Just go for a wander
Whether it's bar hopping along Division Street, blues stuff around Kelham Island, Street Theatre around the Crucible area, poster sale at the Millennium Galleries, catching some music in the gorgeously acoustic Cathedral or beneath the grand City Hall there's always loads of other stuff going on. 

Highlight for me will probably be Saturday night at iconic indie / rock venue (and a Moogaloo client) The Leadmill - local 2-piece garage-punk Bromheads, Mancunian psych-rock 4 piece PINS and LA dirty blues Deap Vally all back-to-back... but I'm sure there'll be plenty more unexpected stuff to see over the three days - there always is at Tramlines.

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