'Bigger and better' music festival planned for city

Last year's inaugural event saw more than 35,000 people gather for the free music festival, which included performances from Little Boots, Pixie Lott, Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster and Sheffield-based Reverend and the Makers.

A total of 30 venues of varying sizes across the city took part, and there also were five outdoor stages hosting both local acts and big names.

Chris White from the Tramlines bookings team said: "We're looking to get around 50 venues involved this year.

"We've already added the Leadmill, the Student's Union - Octagon, Fusion and Foundry - and Corporation to the list and things are looking pretty exciting."

Organisers say they are expecting more than 50,000 people to attend this year's Tramlines festival, which will have an expanded main stage on Devonshire Green capable of hosting 8,000 music fans. New aspects of Tramlines, which is part of the wider Sheffield Music City event, will also include a "New Music" stage on Tudor Square and a new Youth Music Festival.

Alan Deadman, who is leading the Youth Music Festival, said: "One thing we learned from last year was that there was a real need for more activities for 11 to 18-year-olds. That's why we've developed the Youth Music Festival element."

Sheffield Council chiefs said that, after the success of last year's five-day-long festival, this year's Sheffield Music City event would return "bigger and better than ever." Council leader Paul Scriven said: "Sheffield Music City really did show the city at its best. The city centre was buzzing throughout the five days."