This weekend played host to the brilliant Tramlines festival in the heart of Sheffield. Showcasing emerging music and a few big favourites across numerous stages, Tramlines is a little gem and, given the state of the festival economy this year, the fact that it remains free is a testament to its greatness. One of the highlights was The Crookes. We sent Chris Craddock to report on the gig and he also grabbed the band for a quick chat which you can hear below.

The Sheffield boys may well be back in their hometown after playing Benicassim recently but those Mediterranean shores had nothing on this blisteringly hot gig. Despite the heat, you couldn’t have asked for a more perfect venue for such a brilliant band.

As the crowd shuffled into the tiny and sweltering room at The Shakespeare, everyone knew they were in for a night of major discomfort but also that The Crookes’ infectious tunes were the ideal combination with this intimate gig.

Within moments of the band taking to the stage, the crowd had forgotten the discomforting heat and were ready to dance the night away to hit after hit. Each song induced you to get into your groove and as you bop and boogie along, the sweat was pouring from what seems like every pore in your body.

It’s very rare that the crowd and the band can keep such a high level of excitement and enthusiasm up for so long in such a sapping venue. With songs off their new album ‘Hold Fast‘, ‘American Girls’ and ‘Afterglow’ whipping the crowd into a frenzy and then on top of that you can throw in unforgettable classics like ‘Backstreet Lovers’. Now it’s a lot easier to understand why one of the most disgusting gigs I’ve ever been to was also one of the best.