The multi-cultural event was last staged in 2000 and now a group that includes former world boxing champion Johnny Nelson is reviving the weekend gathering and hoping to secure some of the city's major new breed of stars to head the line-up on August 2 and 3.

Talks are ongoing with key artists but Dee Warburton of organisers the Non-Stop Foundation says multi million-selling artist Shaggy and reggae star Maxi Priest are among those being firmed up along with a DJ set by Arctic Monkeys.

"Nothing has replaced Music In The Sun since," says Dee, managing director of new company Non-Stop Events, which is also hoping to revive Devonshire Green's 3DOM festival in 2009. We want to show people what Sheffield has got to offer and has achieved as an international city. But there's a lack of a platform for people to showcase their talents so this festival will also be giving up and coming artists a chance to perform on a credible stage."

The festival began life in the car park behind the SADACCA Afro-Caribbean centre on The Wicker and was forced to move to the grass bowl beside Sheffield Arena to accommodate more music styles and a larger audience.

But Sheffield has been without a regular major open air music event since the last Music In The Sun in Attercliffe, while most cities around Sheffield have nurtured successful outdoor festivals. While thousands poured through its gates, previous Music In The Sun events regularly clashed with major festivals or carnivals aimed at a similar audience.

Dee, whose community-based organisation helps young people to further their education and employment in the cultural and creative industries, said: "This time there is little else happening that weekend on a national scale."

Boxer and TV presenter Johnny Nelson is on board as a patron and Sheffield City Lettings.com have signed up as a major sponsor, but Dee says part of the success of the festival relies on attracting other sponsors as well as the right acts.

Headliners and supporting acts should be announced by the end of May when tickets will also go on sale. Artists hoping to play and potential sponsors should contact Dee and the team via info@musicinthesun.co.uk or by writing to PO Box 247, Sheffield.

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