'We are the first unsigned band to headline Tramlines'

A group of four men pose together, arms around each other's shoulders. All of them wear either black hoodies or t-shirts and look directly at the camera. The two men on the left are also wearing sunglasses. The picture was taken outside, with greenery in the background.BBC/Mark Ansell

Rotherham indie rock band The Reytons will headline Tramlines on Saturday

Victoria Scheer
BBC News, Yorkshire

Indie rock band The Reytons have said that becoming the first unsigned band to headline Sheffield's Tramlines Festival will be "extra special".

The group, from Rotherham, will perform on the main stage at Hillsborough Park in front of thousands of revellers on Saturday.

Other headline acts this year include Sheffield band Pulp and Leicester rockers Kasabian.

Speaking ahead of the gig, Reytons bass player Lee Holland said: "We are going to put on the show of a lifetime".

The band formed in 2017 and released their debut album, Kids Off The Estate, in 2021.

Made up of frontman Jonny Yerrell, Holland, guitarist Joe O'Brien and drummer Jamie Todd, they scored a UK number one album with their self-released What's Rock And Roll? in 2023.

A crowd stands in front of a stage, some are clapping, others have their hands in the air and are singing along.BBC/Oli Constable

Thousands of people are expected to attend this year's Tramlines Festival

They said having been given the opportunity to headline Tramlines, which runs from Friday to Sunday, was "exciting".

"I feel like it's going to be extra special because of the struggle it's taken to get where we are," Holland said.

"There's been lots of doors shut and lots of people not on the phone and lots of emails not being replied to and we're finally here now and it's out of nothing more than absolute persistence."

He added: "We are headlining it and we're going to put on the show of a lifetime."

Reytons to headline Tramlines 2025

Tramlines Festival said The Reytons topping the bill on Saturday was "another big moment for the local scene".

Alex Deadman, festival organiser, said: "South Yorkshire is such a hotbed of creativity and music. Sheffield gets some attention but Rotherham is often overlooked.

"The Reytons have done wonders to help shed a light on this part of the world."

He added: "Their show at Clifton Park last year was spectacular and their Tramlines performance will be a real moment to remember."

Get in touch

Tell us which stories we should cover in Yorkshire

Contact form

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North

Related topics

More on this story