Hundreds of free performances will take place across Sheffield this weekend as The Fringe at Tramlines returns to venues and public spaces throughout the city.
Running from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26, the citywide event will bring live music and entertainment to more than 50 pubs, bars, clubs, courtyards, gardens and cultural venues.
Supported by Sheffield BID and Sheffield City Council, The Fringe runs alongside the sold-out Tramlines Festival at Hillsborough Park and is expected to attract thousands of visitors into the city centre.
Organisers say the programme will include brass, soul, reggae, folk, dance, world music, DJs and community performances, with one of the weekend's main attractions returning to Devonshire Green.
For the first time in many years, the Devonshire Green Main Stage will open on Friday evening. The opening programme has been curated by Open Decks FC and will be hosted by award-winning broadcaster Dixie.
Acts appearing across the weekend include Kiziah and the Kings, Jungle Lion, Malachite, Solar Love Society, Tavira, Blue Street Brass, Disco Choir, Chekere Dance, Shanghai Treason, Soul Battalion and Sparkle Sistaz.
The programme will also feature a special presentation of Jamaican Carifolk Dance from Ripton Lindsey.
Another major development for this year's event is the reopening of WaterBear Green Room following an extensive refurbishment.
The venue has reopened in time for Tramlines weekend and will host performances on Friday and Saturday from artists including Disarray, Harvey Higgins, SHUGACOMA, Hell Yeah Brothers, Poison Dart, Cato, Niall Butchart and Lilly Hill.
The weekend will also begin with the first Music + Wellbeing Conversation at The Workstation on Friday from noon until 4pm.
Hosted by Tickets for Good, the event will bring together figures from music, research, culture and public life to discuss how live music can support wellbeing and strengthen communities.
Speakers will include Stephanie Pitts, Neil McSweeney, Safiya Saeed, Liam O'Shea, GΓ©rΓ΄me Vanherf and Rick Blaskey. A European panel will be led by Henk Schuit, while internationally acclaimed violinist Iskandar Widjaja will give a live performance.
Venues participating in the wider Fringe programme include ALDER, CADS, Corporation, Delicious Clam, Frog & Parrot, Hagglers Corner, Hallamshire Hotel, Hop Hideout, Kapital, Maida Vale, Network, Plot 22, Sidney & Matilda, The Washington, The Forum, The Four Leaf, The Leadmill, Yellow Arch Studios, Woodseats Community Garden and Triple Point Brewery.
Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of Sheffield City Council's Economic Development, Skills and Culture Committee, said it was "fantastic to see this much loved festival return to the heart of Sheffield".
He highlighted the event's role in supporting local businesses, creating a vibrant city centre atmosphere and remaining "open and accessible to all".
Diane Jarvis, chief executive officer at Sheffield BID, said The Fringe "brings people into the city centre at scale" and "drives footfall for our pubs, bars and venues".
She described it as "a signature event for the BID" that continues to deliver for local businesses.
The Fringe at Tramlines was launched by Sheffield BID, Sheffield City Council and Tramlines Festival in 2018 to extend the festival atmosphere into the city centre.
It has since grown into one of Sheffield's largest summer cultural events, attracting around 40,000 visitors each year and generating an estimated Β£1.86 million for the city centre economy during its most recent delivery.
