AUDIO EXCLUSIVE: Stereophonics gift greatest hits to get Tramlines party started

Tramlines headliners Stereophonics are promising to gift a pumped up set of greatest hits to get the festival's 10th birthday party started.
Stereophonics frontman Kelly JonesStereophonics frontman Kelly Jones
Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones

The Sheffield festival - this Friday to Sunday, July 20 to 22 - is celebrating its first decade with a new home at Hillsborough Park. For tickets visit www.tramlines.org.uk.

Stereophonics, who headline the main stage to launch the birthday bash (Friday, July 20), have revealed they will unwrap a set list full of their crowd-pleasing sing-along global hits like chart-topper Dakota (You Made Me Feel Like The One), Handbags and Gladrags and Have a Nice Day.

The rock superstars, who also hit the top spot with fellow Welshman Tom Jones duet Mama Told Me Not to Come, have 10 albums and 20-year of songs to choose from. They have sold over 10 million records, including latest album Scream Above the Sounds.

And they want fans to help them make the night historic.

Frontman Kelly Jones, in an exclusive chat, said: "We definitely feed off the audience. If they are into it, the energy they give you feeds back into your performance.

Tramlines fans are guaranteed to Have A Nice Day on Friday, July 20 - main stage headliners are rock superstars StereophonicsTramlines fans are guaranteed to Have A Nice Day on Friday, July 20 - main stage headliners are rock superstars Stereophonics
Tramlines fans are guaranteed to Have A Nice Day on Friday, July 20 - main stage headliners are rock superstars Stereophonics

" I get off on our gigs. I don't ever really zone out. It's not about the pay-cheque at the end of it, for me. I'm excited about the shows."

LISTEN: Kelly Jones gives advice to festival-goers, new bands, tells how he had to pinch himself when he heard his idol Bob Dylan was listening to the Stereophonics and reveals what's next for the Dakota hitmakers - hear his full 15 minute chat with Graham Walker - CLICK HERE.

Kelly, aged 44, the band's distinctive throaty singer, songwriter and guitarist also knows how the city likes to party.

He said: "We always used to finish one of the arena runs at Sheffield Arena. We've had a good time playing there, ever since we were kids doing the van tours, playing all the clubs like the Leadmill.

New smash hit album Scream Above the SoundsNew smash hit album Scream Above the Sounds
New smash hit album Scream Above the Sounds

"On the day of a gig for me it's pretty mellow, reserving energy for when you go on stage."

He said of the set list: "From day one the music we made seemed to work very well in a big field and in arenas. They are very anthemic songs.

"Each album had a couple of big hitters on the radio so it's been really great to pick from all that. Mainly it will be a songs people are familiar with.

"Dakota is one of those songs that we have to finish the show with. It just has that great reaction. People kind of lose themselves in it. If you had the ingredients you would write another one tomorrow.

StereophonicsStereophonics
Stereophonics

"It's a great end to the night because people walk out of a venue or a festival feeling pretty jubilant and in good spirits. It just uplifts people naturally."

His advice to festival-goers - based on personal experiences a punter - is to strike a balance between booze and the music.

He explained: "I've done it both ways, I have got sat in the bar for three days - but I preferred it when I went around to see some of the music. it's about balance I would say."

Looking back on a career that has seen the Stereophonics play the world's biggest stages, headline Glastonbury and tour with legends David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Who and U2, Kelly said he still has to pinch himself - especially when idol Bob Dylan recently revealed he was listening to the Stereophonics.

His advice to new bands starting out is to stay true to yourself and develop your own unique sound.

Kelly revealed they are taking a well deserved break from the recording studio after the current tour but says Stereophonics have no plans to call it a day.

He aid: "If there's a demand for the band, an energy within the band and we are all excited, I don't think there's any reason to stop."

Other headliners at Tramlines are Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, on Saturday, July 21 and Craig David’s TS5 to close the festival, Sunday, July 22.

Big names on the bill also include Clean Bandit, Blossoms, De La Soul, Jake Bugg, Shed Seven, Tokio Myers, Tom Grennan, local stars The Sherlocks, Reverend and The Makers, Milburn, Everly Pregnant Brothers, hotly tipped Red Faces, Bang Bang Romeo and more, with comedy from the likes of Sheffield's own John Shuttleworth and TV's self-proclaimed German comedy ambassador Henning Wehn.

For tickets visit www.tramlines.org.uk.

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