How was it the third and final day of Tramlines 2026 already? This years festival seems to have flown by, but in the best way possible.
We’d had a pretty good run with the weather, but we were greeted with grey clouds over Hillsborough Park, but that wasn’t going to dampen the spirit, I was looking forward to the last day and I started it with a set from Leigh’s own, The Lottery Winners…
Now, it was really coming down at this point, but that didn’t stop the crowd coming down early for them, they were Sunday’s special guests for the festival, which Lottery Winners frontman Thom Rhylance really giving it a grilling, but all in banter – Thom is easily one of the most entertaining frontmen I’ve ever seen, the humour and witty banter just seeps out of him naturally, when he wasn’t singing, he was breaking mic stands and pretending to be Freddie Mercury (his words) or just telling the crowd stories about tracks and general band life and it was all incredibly entertaining.
But it’s not just Thom, Kate, Robert and Joe all add their own flair to the stage presence, even if it’s just laughing at Thom’s literal “thomfoolery” – but they’re all incredibly talented musicians.
Thom Rylance and Katie Lloyd of The Lottery Winners on the Sarah Nulty Main Stage at Tramlines 2026
Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
It was a short but sweet set, that included their hit “You Again” – sadly with no Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers (he was on later that day, but as Thom said “he’s not here yet!”), but they also did a cracking cover of Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and the Beatles “Hey Jude” – whilst also somewhat potentially starting beef with Paul McCartney – no idea, but all the same, hilarious.
They could have easily done a longer set later in the day, they pulled in a really impressive crowd for an early slot and I hope to see them higher up the lineup in years to come!
SEE WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE LOTTERY WINNERS WORLD HERE
Next up I ran up to the Leadmill Stage for a local band that have really had a comeback after a short hiatus and from the crowd’s reaction, I wasn’t the only one who was pleased to see them back, it was Matilda Shakes…
James Hallam of Matilda Shakes on the Leadmill Stage at Tramlines 2026 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
The Sheffield four-piece brought a decent crowd into the Leadmill tent and received a good reception as they stepped onto the stage, the band lineup has had a couple of shakeups the last 18 months or so, but this is the most comfortable I’ve seen them on the stage in a long time, they were all smiles and incredibly energetic, it was probably a mix of excitement and adrenaline, along with some loyal fans singing along to their songs.
Frontman James Hallam used the stage well and took every opportunity to bond with his bandmates throughout the set, and also interacting with the crowd, which was well received.
Their latest hit “Little Chicago” seemed to go down well, along with some of their more well known hits, this set was the best I’ve seen them in a while and I think the only way is up from here for the group.
CHECK OUT WHAT MATILDA SHAKES ARE UP TO HERE
From one South Yorkshire band to another, this time, heading back over to the Sarah Nulty Main Stage, it was The Rosadocs…
Keelan Graney and Myles Henderson of The Rosadocs on the Sarah Nulty Main Stage at Tramlines 2026
Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Firstly, I want to say how proud I am of these lads, they’ve played Tramlines Fringe and Tramlines Festival so many times, having played the Library Stage multiple times and the Leadmill Stage and to see them getting a place on the Main Stage felt like a full circle moment as a fan, so I bet it felt incredible for the lads themselves.
They walked onto the stage to cheers from the crowd, thankfully, by this point, the rain has subsided and the sun had come out, so the mood was instantly boosted all round!
The lads opened with “At Your Door” which is the perfect opener, and whilst I do believe they’re working on some new music, it was a set full of their best bangers, if I do say so myself.
The highlights for me were “Settle Down” and of course fan-favourite “Run Away Instead” which absolutely went off.
It’s the most confident I’ve seen the lads, not that I’ve ever seen a bad performance, but I could really see how much they’d grown together and how much they’d bonded, they looked like they enjoyed every single second and it was just one big party, which was bloody lovely to see, Tramlines, get them back on Main Stage next year or at least T’Other stage high-up – thank you xo
FIND ALL THINGS THE ROSADOCS HERE
It’s been a bit of a South Yorkshire affair for day three, but for my penultimate act of the day and the festival, there was absolutely room for one more – Sheffield’s own Reverend and the Makers.
Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure on the Sarah Nulty Main Stage at Tramlines 2026
Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Teasing ahead to the performance, Jon McClure said he had a surprise for the Tramlines crowd, and that he did, the first one, once Adam, Antonia, Laura and Tom bounced onto the stage, K Dot appeared, hyping up the crowd and introducing Jon McClure himself, much to the crowd’s delight, then on he walked.
Now a few days before, the Reverend had a small scooter accident (as you do!) and being his raw and unapologetic self, told the crowd what happened, even referencing some media taking it way out of context, but his injuries didn’t stop him jumping around, opening the set with the infamous “Bassline”.
There was a touching tribute from Jon to his family, including his wife, Laura, his mum, brother and kids who were stood to the side of the stage, and his dad, Jon McClure Snr. – who sadly passed away last year, it was clear that Jon’s family are a big part in everything he and Reverend and the Makers does, so that was a very classy touch.
To be honest, the only criticism that I have is that the set wasn’t long enough, I could have easily watched another hour of the band, I’ve never seen a bad performance, but they just ooze charisma, charm and make everyone feel involved.
The second and final surprise was the appearance of another Sheffield legend, in the form of Richard Hawley, who came on for their final tune “Silence is Talking” (a banger by the way) – and it was a brilliant way to round off the set.
I genuinely hope Reverend and the Makers continue to be for years to come, there would be a very big hole in not just my life, but I think Sheffield’s and beyond too.
SEE WHAT REVEREND AND THE MAKERS ARE UP TO HERE
And after running between interviews, refuelling on loaded tots (yes really) and quenching my thirst, it was time for the Sunday night headliner, in the form of Wolf Alice…
Wolf Alice headlining the Sarah Nulty Main Stage at Tramlines 2026 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
A very strong finale on the Sarah Nulty Main stage, closing out both the Sunday and Tramlines 2026 itself, Wolf Alice had a sea of fans congregating towards the stage, with lead vocalist Ellie Rowsell simply taking it all in, before yellow confetti blasted into the atmosphere and they broke into the set with “Bloom Baby Bloom”.
Rowsell also projected her love for Sheffield, fondly reminiscing and saying that she had one of the best nights out ever in the city, much to the crowds delight.
The set was electric from start to finish, the fans really seemed to enjoy “The Last Man on Earth” and “Don’t Delete the Kisses” but to my surprise, two absolutely cracking covers of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and to end the set, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Whilst the band did their bows and finished off Tramlines 2026, Ellie Rowsell did do a really classy thing, coming off the stage into the pit and chatting to fans, rather than just a swift exit, that was a bloody lovely touch and just resonated with what Tramlines is all about.
FIND ALL THINGS WOLF ALICE HERE
And with that, Tramlines Festival 2026, comes to an end, it was an absolute blur of a weekend but in the best way possible, the weather held out, there was some great company, on stage and off and a huge thank you to the Tramlines team who simply go above and beyond year in and out, it really is one of my favourite festivals to attend for this reason and to be honest, festival blues have hit and I cannot bloody wait to be back in Hillsborough Park for the festival again, roll on Tramlines 2027!
FIND ALL OF THE RGM TEAM’S FESTIVAL COVERAGE HERE
KEEP AN EYE ON ALL THINGS TRAMLINES FESTIVAL HERE