Sheffield has always had a rich and vibrant music scene, through from Def Leppard to Arctic Monkeys, via Pulp and Joe Cocker (no relation to Jarvis). Tramlines has always promoted the best the city has to offer and 2012 is no exception.

Toddla T, Reverend and the Makers and Rolo Tomassi all fly the flag, and what a united nation of artists they come to represent.

Since 2009 the festival has seen crowds of in excess of 65,000 making noise in many of the cities most revered venues, including the Bowery and Leadmill.

Ok - you've sold me - but how do I get a ticket?

You can't. It's a ticketless event, All you have to do is turn up.

Seriously? But how much does it cost?

Nothing, not a penny.

Right, this sounds too good to be true, what's the catch?

Well like all city centre festivals this event will be limited by the capacity of each venue. The Main Stage has a capacity of 7,500, but once it reaches that point, no more people. The message from the festival is simple: "With a bit of planning and a bit of patience, you should be able to see most of what you have on your hitlist."

So who should I put down on my hit list?

Alright Uma Thurman, here's Virtual Festivals' recommendations.

Future Of The Left

 
Talk of Mclusky, three pieces, four pieces, break-ups and reunions all seem a bit petty now. Andy "Falco" Falkous is fast becoming the new heir to Mark E. Smith's throne, with the back catalogue and kind of avant-garde lyrical muscle to match him, Falco is no Charles in wait though. Their latest album 'The Plot Against Common Sense' has 15 tracks of fresh wordplay, post-punk fight and now more electro beats than ever before. And if you don't like the music at least go for the possible Reverend and the Makers confrontation, as Andy Falkous once said, in a recorded live performance, he wanted to end Jon McClure's singing career, and of the Makers: "They were so shit, they created new levels to be shit on, and that's just his face."

It's no secret we like these guys. We put them down for our 2012 'Ones to Watch' list and I even caught up with them in Hoxton to find a band with plans back in December. Now it's all coming together, debut 'An Awesome Wave' has become a pet love for 6Music and Radio One alike. Read our review here, but to truly form your own opinion you have to see this live.

Swindle

Outside of any personal allegiances to my namesake, the UK grime producer, with roots in both reggae and jazz, has in a short window established himself with mixes and worked with the likes of Wiley and local hero Toddla T, and is now working on his debut album and his own production company.

Spector