Post by blade on Jul 21, 2012 8:12:31 GMT
This weekend sees the fourth instalment of Sheffield's "Tramlines" Festival, which has grown in four years from nothing to become the largest free music festival in Europe (so the organisers claim). It was given this name because every venue is supposed to be within a few minutes' walk of the city's tram system.
Over three days hundreds of artists play at more than 70 venues, indoors and out, in the city centre. In 2009, the first year, 25,000 attended, in 2010 it was 75,000, last year 125,000 and this year it's expected to be more. And the whole thing is free - none of the venues charge admission so you can wander in and out wherever you want, whenever you want.
The downside is that at some of the smaller venues they have to operate on a 'one out, one in' basis so they don't get too full.
One such was the Library Theatre, attached to the main library in the city, where last night I went to see this young lady:
vimeo.com/30908778
www.myspace.com/seeemilyplaysheffield/
She's called Emily Ireland and is the daughter of a friend of a friend, if that makes sense. Her stage name/act is "See Emily Play" after the Pink Floyd song, and my mate has been telling me for ages to go and see her, so we did (eight of us), and even foresook our usual Friday night boozing session to do so!
Glad I did too, as she's excellent, reminding me of Tori Amos and Fiona Apple. She's unsigned, but hopefully won't be for too much longer.
Over three days hundreds of artists play at more than 70 venues, indoors and out, in the city centre. In 2009, the first year, 25,000 attended, in 2010 it was 75,000, last year 125,000 and this year it's expected to be more. And the whole thing is free - none of the venues charge admission so you can wander in and out wherever you want, whenever you want.
The downside is that at some of the smaller venues they have to operate on a 'one out, one in' basis so they don't get too full.
One such was the Library Theatre, attached to the main library in the city, where last night I went to see this young lady:
vimeo.com/30908778
www.myspace.com/seeemilyplaysheffield/
She's called Emily Ireland and is the daughter of a friend of a friend, if that makes sense. Her stage name/act is "See Emily Play" after the Pink Floyd song, and my mate has been telling me for ages to go and see her, so we did (eight of us), and even foresook our usual Friday night boozing session to do so!
Glad I did too, as she's excellent, reminding me of Tori Amos and Fiona Apple. She's unsigned, but hopefully won't be for too much longer.