Music city aims to turn up the volume
SHEFFIELD hopes to stage a big outdoor festival next summer to help boost its reputation as 'music city'.
Talks are being held with a national promoter with a view to a weekend event featuring top names at a location on the edge of the city.
It would be the first time Sheffield has held such a large outdoor festival, but the council is keen to build on a growing awareness of the city's importance as a hotbed for music talent and creativity.
In particular, it was encouraged by the success of the Sheffield Music City festival that was held across the city centre last July, especially taken by a radio description of an emerging 'urban Glastonbury'.
It was confirmed this week that the city centre festival will be repeated next year, including the return of the Tramlines festival to Devonshire Green.
Once again, bands and musicians will play in places such as the Peace Gardens and Barkers Pool, and pubs and other venues in the city centre will be encouraged to stage live music over the weekend.
The scale of civic ambitions is reflected in the moves towards pulling together a month of concerts and other events next July, with the chance of a big outdoor festival being pursued as a centrepiece.
With no deal yet confirmed with the promoter, the council is keeping the possible location under wraps at this stage. After a number of possibilities were examined, it is thought that attention has settled on a spot on the outskirts on the city, away from housing.
At the same time, there is an awareness of the need to tread carefully if and when a licensing application is made. Extensive public consultation is being promised.
Sheffield's musical stock has rarely been higher thanks to the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Richard Hawley, Jarvis Cocker and Reverend and the Makers, who topped the bill at the Tramlines festival on Devonshire Green last July.
Council strategy is to work with and encourage local promoters and organisations to use their expertise to help produce a range of entertainment that generates a vibrant atmosphere for music fans and the public alike.
Council leader Paul Scriven said the aim was to showcase Sheffield's creative musical talent and to raise the city's profile nationally and internationally.
"It would be good for local businesses, good for jobs and good for the feel of the city. It is something that the council is prepared to back in terms of money and making sure we get bigger and better acts than last year.
"We are looking at the possibility of a month of events around the city - the one on the outskirts of the city as well as the events in the city centre. We want to provide a unique setting for music that creates a buzz."
Coun Scriven added: "As a vision this is really exciting.''
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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