Finally got to my first ever tramlines.didn't bother with a ticket for the main stages as the plethora of bands and acts playing the fringe stages was top class.there were some amazing line ups at pubs and bars all around the city.some clashes were inevitable and hard choices would have to be made.I have to say in all my thirty plus years of going to gigs this was easily the best I have ever been to.Only made it to 2 days,Saturday & Sunday but was gobsmacked at the quality of venues & bands,the organisation & general feel good factor on the streets surrounding all the venues.next year I will be doing all 3 days without a doubt.first up for me was Scarlett & Saffron at the Rocking Chair on Furnival Gate.great little venue this.downstairs into a pitch black basement,small & sweaty.probably holds about 50 or 60 max,top stuff.these guys hail from Cleethorpes/Grimsby area and have loyal band of followers every where they go,all nutters too.the shouts of 'we're the Scarlett & saffron' before during & after each song bringing a smile to my face.good tight rocking sound in the style of bands like Green Day.Singer Rob really belts em out & they have a great sound.after this I had a walk up to Carver street & a visit to Crystal past all the (what seemed like) thousands of happy smiling festival goers.This was also my first time in Crystal and the bar itself and the stage set up were superb.this place also had the weekends best line up with more great bands than you could shake a stick at.Massive thanks must go to Neil Hargreaves at Aggressive Management for pulling all these bands together and making it all work.was also good to see legendary band photographer 'Trust A Fox' at both days here and the shots I've seen so far are amazing.First up here for me was 'Dirty Sterling' from Scunthorpe.top indie band with some great tunes and more attitude than a bag of Gallaghers.their set was well received by all,especially their travelling band of fans,The Dirty Army'.even the fact their drummer wasn't with them and they had to draft in a late replacement couldn't spoil the party.top stuff.back to Rocking Chair after this for Doncaster's 'Kavaliers'.love this band.indie with a lean towards Stone roses at times.vocalist Tom,Matt on guitar and Jordan on drums have recently changed bassists but you can't tell to hear them.seamless and extremely talented.theres something very good going on with these boys and I can't wait to hear the upcoming e.p.Once more back up to Crystal for another Cleethorpes/Grimsby band.this time it was the Psyche Rock Gods who go by the name of 'Kismet Ryding'.this is one helluva great band with singer Mike having a ball on stage,always dancing about with a big grin on his face.their recently released e.p. 'look,see,don't,trip' is well worth a listen.they are also really nice lads and always up for a chat,as are the next band up 'The Darlingtons' who played Crystal on both days,such is there popularity.these guys have some of the best songs around at the moment but their live show is something else.Dark & atmospheric,soulful but full of thrashing guitars and crashing drums.and when they start to throw themselves around the stage you are hooked.Kiran's voice will reel you in and keep you wanting more.make sure you get to see them soon.Last band of the day for me was 'The Sherlocks' at 'Plug'.there is a buzz around this band at the moment and they always put on a good show.they are one of the hardest working bands around and this gig was their third of the day,all at different venues and towns.the band consists of brothers Kieran and Brandon Crook (vocals and drums) and Josh and Andy Davidson (guitar and bass).This was the biggest stage & setting I've seen them on and they really looked the part and had the 'Sherlocks Army' bouncing from the off.they played all the crowds favourites and even threw a couple of new songs in for good measure.its easy to see why these boys are talked about so much with their sound being so accessible to all.check em out on all the usual spots or go on iTunes and get their e.p. 'first bite of the apple'.this was the perfect end to my first day of Tramlines and left me eagerly anticipating the next days fun & games.madferret.