THIS WEEKEND SHEFFIELD HOSTS THE TRAMLINES FESTIVAL. IT’S A CHANCE TO ENCOUNTER NEW FRIENDS AND OLD IN A CITY-WIDE MUSICAL SHINDIG WHICH HAS FAST BECOME ONE OF THE CALENDAR’S ESSENTIAL EVENTS.

For power-pop indie quartet The Crookes this year gives opportunity to try out a new line-up (there has been a change of drummer during the last six months) and test new material in front of a home crowd. Shortly after soundcheck just a couple of hours before taking the stage at a semi-secret warm-up show a couple of days before their prestigious Tramlines spot, frontman George Waite sat down with The Mouth Magazine to chat. He talks about how the change in the band’s personnel since 2014 album SOAPBOX has affected the writing of The Crookes’ fourth album (due later this year or early next), looks back at high praise from DJ Steve Lamacq and sage advice from Richard Hawley, and reflects on Sheffield’s special qualities. He also looks ahead to Tramlines…