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The Fringe at Tramlines: more than a music festival
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The Fringe at Tramlines is a distributed festival programme that brings live music and performances to venues, bars, and public spaces throughout Sheffield's city centre, complementing the main Tramlines festival held in Hillsborough Park. Since launching in 2018, the initiative has expanded the festival beyond a single location, creating a city-wide experience that distributes visitor numbers and cultural activity across multiple urban areas.
Recent economic assessments valued The Fringe's contribution to Sheffield's economy at £1.86 million with approximately 45,000 attendees. Supported by Sheffield BID and the city council, the programme particularly benefits independent venues and smaller music spaces by increasing their customer footfall and public visibility, whilst establishing Sheffield's broader reputation as a centre for diverse live music and cultural activity.
In short
- The Fringe at Tramlines extends Sheffield's annual festival throughout the city centre via multiple venues and public spaces since 2018
- Generated £1.86m economic impact and attracted approximately 45,000 attendees to city-centre venues
- Provides independent bars and live music venues increased footfall and profile as part of the wider festival experience
Explained simply
The Fringe at Tramlines is a festival programme that takes live music and performances to multiple venues, bars and public spaces across Sheffield's city centre. Launched in 2018, it complements the main Tramlines festival in Hillsborough Park by turning a concentrated event into a city-wide experience.
The programme spreads festival visitors across different parts of Sheffield, which helps independent music venues and smaller performance spaces attract more customers and gain visibility. Backed by Sheffield BID and the city council, the initiative has become an established part of the city's cultural infrastructure.
The Fringe draws approximately 45,000 attendees and has helped establish Sheffield's reputation as a centre for diverse live music and cultural activity. By spreading the festival across multiple areas of the city rather than concentrating it in one location, the programme benefits independent venues and enhances the cultural appeal of Sheffield's city centre.