DECEMBER 2023
PROUDLY SUPPORTING
YEARS OF EXPOSED MAGAZINE OTIS MENSAH // SLAMBARZ // JOSEPHINE DELLOW // XMAS EVENTS GUIDE // 2023 ROUND-UP + MORE INSIDE!
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IT’S THE ONLY PLACE TO BE AT MIDNIGHT! OPEN UNTIL 4AM! JUST £5 ENTRY AFTER 10PM OR SECURE YOUR ENTRY WITH ADVANCE TICKETS
> UPSTAIRS... NYE TAPAS FEAST!
Our New Years Eve Tapas feast is £47.50 per person and includes FREE ENTRY into the downstairs NYE fiesta. Tables available in the upstairs restaurant from 5pm (early bird prices). All dinner guests will receive a FREE glass of Prosecco to begin your evening celebration.
> PLUS LIVE MUSIC UPSTAIRS... > 6.00pm–8.00pm:
> 8.15pm-10.15pm:
> 10.30pm-12.30am:
Oscar takes you to the 1950’s and back to the present day with a varied selection of hits throughout the decades- what an amazing voice! Move aside Michael Bublé...
A cool mix of classic contemporary and popular songbook favourites from Paul Newman – why not request your favourite.
See in the new year with Shane’s feel-good piano favourites, classics spanning all eras in his soulful & unique fashion. Sit back and enjoy the one-of-a kind Leeds-based singer/pianist.
OSCAR WOOD
PAUL NEWMAN
SHANE DURRANT
> 12.30pm-2.30am:
DAN MILLSON & PIERO TUCCI
The talented Madrid based singer-songwriter Dan Millson on vocals & guitar performs with the highly accomplished saxophonist Piero Tucci – this formidable duo play a unique mix of popular covers you won’t want to miss!
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CONTENTS 22
GAFFERS
Phil Turner (MD) phil@exposedmagazine.co.uk Nick Hallam (Sales Director) nick@exposedmagazine.co.uk
FINANCE
Lis Ellis (Accounts) accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk 22: COVER 20 years of your friendly neighbourhood Exposed Magazine... who’d have thought it, eh? To celebrate reaching this significant milestone, we’ve taken a stroll down memory lane. Grab a hanky – this could get emotional!
GRAFTERS
16
16: STEP INTO CHRISTMAS ‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry! From festive local gigs to awardwinning light shows, we’ve got your guide to top-notch Christmas merrymaking in Sheff.
GI’ US A HAND PLZ
30: 2023’S BEST BITS
Olivia Warburton, Heather Paterson, Cal Reid, Mark Perkins, Maisie HonJacobs
As we close out another year on the Sheffield social calendar, we round up some of our favourite events, openings and cultural shindigs from the past 12 months.
48: A NEW CHAPTER Exposed catches up with Sheffield’s former Poet Laureate, Otis Mensah, who discusses how a move to Berlin has provided ample creative inspiration for his latest release, Winterskin.
52: BRINGING THE BARZ Last month, the third instalment of Slambarz took place at The Leadmill. We spoke to recent winner Shanti Morgan, headliner TeeWhyWho? and founder Dom Heslop to hear how this live performance event offers gamechanging opportunities for young artists across the region.
Joe Food (Editor) joe@exposedmagazine.co.uk Ash Birch (Online Editor) ash@exposedmagazine.co.uk Lizzy Capps (Content Creator) lizzy@exposedmagazine.co.uk Marc Barker (Design dogsbody)
48
THE BUSINESS STUFF
Exposed is published monthly by Blind Mice Media Ltd Unit 1b, 2 Kelham square Kelham Riverside Sheffield S3 8SD The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media Ltd and while every effort is made to ensure information throughout Exposed is correct, changes prior to distribution may take place which can affect the accuracy of copy, therefore Blind Mice Media Ltd cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific entertainment listings.
UPFRONT
HAVE A SAUCY CHRISTMAS Exposed Magazine’s sister company, Meze Publishing, have released the perfect Christmas cookbook for any Sheffielder who loves their snap. 'Hendo’s vs The World\ is a gastronomic globetrotting tour of Henderson’s Relish and all the cuisines it can enhance, complement and elevate. While Hendo’s is nothing less than perfection splashed over traditional British dishes, the aim of this book is to demonstrate the incredible versatility of this rich, spicy, delicious table sauce and cooking ingredient. Sheffield-based chefs and restaurateurs with heritages from across the globe have developed dishes that balance Hendo’s unique flavour with the hallmarks of their cuisine, from South African stew to Malaysian noodles and a bit of everything in between. “Like many of our city’s most famous exports, Henderson’s Relish brings the best of Sheffield to the world,” says Matt Davies, General Manager of Henderson’s Relish, who also wrote the foreword for their new book. “In this, our latest book, recipes from around the world are brought to the comfort of your kitchen by our talented friends and followers – I hope you enjoy them.” Recipes include Henderson’s Poached Pear from Italian restaurant Grazie; Aubergine Baklava with Hendo’s Syrup by the 2019 MasterChef Champion Irini Tzortzoglou; Atul Kochhar’s Mumbai Lamb Sloppy Joes; Prawn Pad Thai by winner of The Great Cookbook Challenge with Jamie Oliver, Dominique Woolf; and Loaded Fries with Masala Chickpeas by the bestselling author of The Roasting Tin cookbook series, Rukmini Iyer, among much more from cocktails to sweet treats. Travelling through six continents and countless countries, this book is a celebration of culinary excellence and features original recipes from more than 30 contributors. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a home bird, this unique collection has something for everyone. Happy cooking! Order your copy now at mezepublishing. co.uk.
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A FRESH CANVAS Last month, popular Sheffield artist Pete McKee was the first tenant announced for the soon-to-open Leah’s Yard, a prominent Heart of the City development based in a Grade II listed building on Cambridge Street. The venue, which is currently undergoing the final stages of a £6m renovation, is expected to open its doors in mid-2024 and will showcase a wide range of independent makers, creatives and retailers. After being based on Sharrow Vale Road gallery since 2010, the McKee gallery will be making the move across to the city centre, with the artist personally inspired by the potential of this potentially gamechanging development. Speaking about the move, Pete said: “The development team has taken great pains to retain as much of the heritage of the building as possible and it looks stunning. I’m incredibly proud of the Sheffield heritage my family, and many others over the generations, have been a part of. So, to be able to place my gallery where once the Artisans of Sheffield produced their wares was an opportunity I couldn’t resist.” Tom Wolfenden of Leah’s Yard said: “It’d be tough to think of a more perfect partner in this next stage of Leah’s Yard than Pete McKee. A true son of Sheffield, Pete’s artistic journey is a great example of the
“I believe in Sheffield and its ability to adapt and thrive and the town centre is currently going through a metamorphosis. Soon, it will be free of the cocoon of scaffolding and building sites and will be able to open its wings once more. But it won’t shine like our famous steel if we don’t support it. That’s why I wanted to move to the city centre to help be a part of our beautiful city’s new beginning – where we forge our own future and don’t look to be a poor copy of our neighbours up the M1 and over the Snake.” – Pete McKee creativity that is in the bones of this city and to be able to host the next stage of The McKee Gallery is something we’re extremely proud of.” As Leah’s Yard begins the countdown to opening next year enquiries are still being welcomed from businesses looking for retail, studio and office space. Head to leahsyard.com to get in touch. @leahsyard
UPFRONT
Sheffield Cathedral’s Lightshow to be a World First! In recent years, Sheffield Cathedral has built up a reputation for kicking off the city’s Christmas festivities in style with their spectacular lightshow. This year it’s going to be extra special, as those first through the doors at 5:30pm on 5 December to see Sheffield Cathedral Illuminated: Starlight will be witnessing a world premiere! After viewing the dazzling projections on the exterior walls of the historic building, those who purchase a ticket can then head inside for a spectacular sensory journey following the story of the three wise men. Wander around the building and soak up the festive feelings of goodwill, see the beauty of more than 40 Christmas trees each decorated by a local charity, community group or business, sample seasonal treats in 1554 Coffee and Gift Shop and light a candle next to the famous Sheffield Steel Nativity. As an early Christmas gift to Sheffield, the Cathedral will open its forecourt this year, allowing passersby to enjoy the exterior wall lightshow. You’re also warmly invited to participate in carol singing next to a 26-foot Christmas tree starting at 5pm every evening until the commencement of the lightshow, including the inaugural Family Singalong on December 9th. All of these festivities
are free of charge. The Cathedral is once again collaborating with the award-winning Luxmuralis to bring this remarkable event to the city. Peter Walker, Artistic Director, said: “We are thrilled to be returning to Sheffield Cathedral. It is a highlight of our calendar to bring art to the city at Christmas time, which it has embraced so wonderfully over the past few years. We are delighted that this year the project will also allow more people to experience the outside of the Cathedral, before venturing inside to see this sacred place come to life through a truly immersive experience.
We have a wonderful partnership with the fantastic team at the Cathedral and it is therefore fitting that we will present Starlight for the first time here in Sheffield.”
Sheffield Cathedral Illuminated: Starlight opens at 5.30pm on Tuesday 5 December and runs for five nights through to Saturday 9 December. Tickets are priced £7.25 for adults, £6 for children aged 4 to 16. Children 3 and under are free. Family options also available. For tickets go to the Cathedral website (shefffieldcathedral. org) or visit the Cathedral Gift Shop.
LOOK LOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS! Looking for a handy Christmas present while supporting Sheffield businesses? The Sheffield City Centre Gift Card, which has now received a ‘digital makeover’, could be the perfect choice! Managed by Sheffield Business Improvement District (BID), the physical card has been hugely popular in recent years, providing access to a wide range of retailers, restaurants, leisure and entertainment venues across the city centre. This year, in spirit of moving with our increasingly digtised times, the phyiscal card option will be complemented by the digital card option, which can be sent instantly, making it the perfect last-minute gifting solution. Digital wallet payments
in the UK made up around 10% of payments in 2022 and it is estimated that they will account for 21% by 2026. 61% of consumers now feel confident enough with digital wallet payments to leave their home with just their phone, with this figure rising to 77% of Generation Z (18-24). The introduction of the digital gift card comes at a time where more people are thinking about their gifting habits and increasing numbers are looking to support their local areas, in particular local businesses. Diane Jarvis, Head of Business Operations at Sheffield BID, said: “We’re really pleased to launch the digital version of our popular city centre gift card in time for Christmas 2023. It’s the perfect time to introduce this new
to buy the city centre gift card this year, whether that’s the traditional physical card, or this new digital card. Every card that is purchased is a statement of support for city centre businesses.”
product. “We’re confident it will complement the existing physical card, meaning that even more city centre businesses will benefit. “We want to see more people supporting local by choosing
The Sheffield City Centre Gift Card can be purchased via the Sheffield City Centre Gift Card website, www.sheffieldgiftcard. co.uk. Cards can be loaded with values between £10 and £500 and recipients have a minimum of 12 months to use the balance on their cards once they are activated. A full list of businesses (currently around 85) accepting the Sheffield City Centre Gift Card can also be found on the website.
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UPFRONT
THE MOBO AWARDS COME TO SHEFF The event has moved from its usual date and is now set to kick off the 2024 awards season live from the Utilita Arena Sheffield on 7 February 2024. Returning for an incredible 26th year, MOBO organisers say they have selected Sheffield as host city thanks to its unique blend of industrial history, diverse and welcoming communities, natural beauty, cultural vibrancy and a strong sense of community. MOBO Founder Kanya King CBE, said: “MOBO are excited to be kicking off the 2024 Awards season and heading to the city of Sheffield for the very first time for the 26th MOBO Awards. “For the past 14 years, the MOBO Awards have travelled to cities outside of London – including Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Coventry, and now Sheffield. Our desire to bring MOBO to different cities across the UK has always been rooted in the desire to unite massive talent from a local and global level, as well as fans, to deliver an iconic music experience rooted in celebrating Black music’s present and future, as well as elevating the culture and 10 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK
being a driving force for social change. “Now in its twenty sixth year, the MOBO Awards continues its reign as the ultimate platform to showcase creativity, culture, and excellence. As we prepare to celebrate a few cultural milestones next year, the groundbreaking work MOBO does to empower and uplift underrepresented talent beyond the stage will also be at the forefront. Prepare for an unmissable night of iconic performances and surprises as we celebrate artistic excellence, MOBO’s enduring legacy, and a game changing future.” Cllr Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “We are thrilled to welcome MOBO Awards to Sheffield
early next year and welcome thousands of people to celebrate music of Black origin at one of Europe’s biggest music award ceremonies. “With Sheffield’s rich musical history and our reputation for hosting major events, we’re proud to recognise and honour exceptional British and international talent across a range of genres.” For the fourth consecutive year, BBC One will broadcast a special behind-thescenes show, which will include exclusive backstage content, never-before-seen performances and interviews from the award ceremony. More details of the livestream and broadcast to be announced. Since its inaugural ceremony in 1996 at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms, MOBO Awards has become a calendar staple in the UK and its iconic trophy now one of the highest accolades in music.
Arena Tickets are on sale now via www.MOBO.com/tickets. VIP packages will be available soon. To find out more information, please visit mobo.com/awards
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY VERSE/MOBO ORGANISATION
It was announced last month that the UK’s biggest celebration of black music and culture will be coming to Sheffield for the first time!
THE ORIGINAL SHEFFIELD DRY GIN
Locally made, truly northern Get yours online now truenorthbrewco.uk SheffieldDryGin
Sheffield Cathedral Illuminated: Starlight 5 – 9 December 2023 Tickets on sale NOW
Visit www.sheffieldcathedral.org or the Cathedral Gift Shop Created by Luxmuralis. Supported by
Chakra Lounge brings the vibrant traditions of Indian cuisine to the heart of Buxton, Bakewell, and Sheffield. Embark on a culinary journey like no other, where the mystique of the East fuses with a modern dining experience. Innovative Indian Fusion Fresh, Locally Sourced Ingredients Zesty Street-Food to Sumptuous Main Courses Elegant Ambiance Easy Reservations BUXTON | SHEFFIELD | BAKEWELL HELLO@THECHAKRALOUNGE.CO.UK THECHAKRALOUNGE.CO.UK 12 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK
GET FUNDING AND SUPPORT TO TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL! GOT BIG IDEAS FOR YOUR BUSINESS? BUSINESS SHEFFIELD CAN HELP MAKE THEM HAPPEN! Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, they’re offering expert support and grants to help eligible businesses find creative solutions to challenges and achieve their goals quicker.
LOW CARBON BUSINESS PROJECT You could get expert support and funding to: • Reduce energy use in your business and potentially save on bills • Create a better working environment for staff and visitors • Make your business more sustainable and do your bit to protect the environment Cupola Contemporary Art, Hillsborough, upgraded their boiler through the project and installed lowered ceilings, insulation and motion sensor lighting. “The Low Carbon Advisor was personable, honest and responsive to my questions. They did what they said they were going to do when they said they were going to do it. Without support and match funding, I wouldn’t have been able to implement the same programme of improvements.” – Karen Sherwood, Founder & Owner
Triple Point Brewery applied for support to reconfigure their brewing hall, enabling them to increase brewing capacity. “The need for new drains, piping and hygienic flooring was a real barrier to us growing Triple Point and was very difficult for us to fund. The productivity grant made this possible and we are really excited about the new opportunities this has opened up.” – Mike Brook, Managing Director Businesses across South Yorkshire can access these projects too. If you’re not based in Sheffield, contact your local authority’s business support team for information. FIND OUT MORE Interested? Visit the Council website to check the eligibility criteria and get more details of the support on offer. www.sheffield.gov.uk/productivity-grant www.sheffield.gov.uk/low-carbon Call us on 0114 224 5000 or email businesssheffield@ sheffield.gov.uk
PRODUCTIVITY AND DIGITISATION GRANT Want to take your business to the next level? Are you being held back by underused space or wasted time and materials? Want to grow, become more streamlined or make your business management processes more efficient? You could get expert support to: • develop ways to drive your business forward • apply for funding to make them happen • measure their effect
ABOUT THE UK SHARED PROSPERITY FUND Both projects are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
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Frazer’s Coffee, #propercoffee Now open. Visit our new shop with its on-site roastery 203 Arundel street Sheffield, S1 4RE We also offer subscriptions How It Works • All of our subscription coffees are 5% off our usual prices • FREE UK delivery • Enter code FRAZER23 at the checkout and you’ll get your first subscription bag of coffee at half price!* *Applicable to coffee subscription orders only
Tel: 07885445315 / Email: frazerscoffeeroasters@gmail.com / Website: www.frazerscoffeeroasters.co.uk
Little Kelham’s neighbourhood bottle shop & bar BespokeOver Christmas boxes,beers gift cards and 350+gift craft subscription now. fresh frompackages aroundavailable the world
Choose from 350+ craft beers, natural wines, artisan spirits and no/low alcohol selections
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Step into ‘Tis the season to be jolly and all that, so here’s your handy guide to indulging in some serious Christmas cheer – Sheff-style. COME ALPINE WITH ME Sheffield Christmas Markets are back, with the two-floored heated Alpine Lodge again taking pride of place overlooking the Peace Gardens. The markets themselves boast a wide range of traders, Santa’s workshop, Ferris wheel, fairground rides, brass bands, an outdoor cinema showing festive films and a vast assortment of food and drink offerings. Fill yer winter boots. Open 10am-8pm every day (bars open until 11pm) VISIT A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET Gather under the gaslamps and celebrate the start of the festive season at Kelham Island Museum. With 80+ market stalls selling an array of Sheffield-made wares, quality gifts and seasonal goods, you’ll find the perfect presents and stocking fillers for your loved ones. Enjoy food and drink from traditional hog roast to woodfired pizza, relax in the Millowners Arms with a pint, or warm up with a mulled wine and watch the live band play some festive classics. 2nd-3rd December (10am-5pm / 10am-6pm) // £8 (U-16s free) sheffieldmuseums.org.uk GET YOUR DICKENS ON Join the critically acclaimed Chapterhouse Theatre Company in the atmospheric surrounds of Sheffield Cathedral, where they’ll be bringing Charles Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ to life, complete with beautiful period costume, song, dance and a magnificent musical score. 30 Nov-1st Dec // £12-£18 sheffieldcathedral.org
ATTEND A FESTIVE GIG If gigs are what you’re after, there’s plenty of local talent putting on Christmas specials at venues across the city. Before Breakfast’s intimate show at Tesla Studios unsurprisingly sold out swiftly, so they’ve popped another date on the calendar for Friday 15th December (tickets £12 from tesla-studios.co.uk). Elsewhere, the superb Kate Rusby brings back her regular shindig celebrating traditional South Yorkshire Carols at Sheffield City Hall on the 14th (£24-£37 from sheffieldcityhall.co.uk), while John Reilly’s ever-popular Christmas Festival of Music with community choirs, brass bands and more heads to the Octagon on the 16th (£25, artmusicltd.com). Finally, no festive gig circuit is complete in Sheff without the Joe Carnall & Friends Xmas Show taking place on the 23rd, featuring a range of old and new tunes from the former Milburn man, plenty of special guests and more than a few Crimbo covers (£26, ticketmaster.co.uk). WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 17
STEP INTO CHRISTMAS IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE LIGHT SHOW Sheffield Cathedral will be hosting the fourth instalment of its ever-popular Christmas Light Show, transforming the historic building inside and out with award-winning sound and lighting artwork. Created by the artistic collaboration Luxmuralis, ‘Starlight’ promises to take spectators on an uplifting journey, narrating the Nativity in immersive imagery projected onto the architecture. In a first this year, the outside projections will be available to view for free, while a ticket will allow you to venture inside to see further projections, bespoke sound compositions and their array of handsomely decorated Christmas trees. 5th-9th December // £7.25 adults, £6 children (free for 3 and under) and £5 carer. Range of family ticket options also available sheffieldcathedral.org COSY PUB CAROLS Christmas cheer, a welcoming traditional pub and some festive music – what more could you want on a chilly December evening? Renowned city centre Irish boozer The Dog & Partridge will be hosting the wonderful Stannington Brass Band for a Crimbo singalong, where the craic will undoubtedly be mighty throughout the evening. Sláinte! 21st Dec // Free @dogandpartridgesheffield
ENJOY CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRAL Sheffield Cathedral has a wide range of festive events taking place throughout the month including the much-loved Christmas Tree Festival, where you can view 40 beautifully decorated trees from a range of local organisations and vote for your favourite. There are a wide range of carol services and music events also on offer, from Carols Galore! on the 16th Dec to Grimethorpe Colliery Band’s Christmas concert on the 21st. Head to sheffieldcathedral.org/ whats-on for a full list of events, prices and timings
HAVE A BOARD GAME BONANZA Getting stuck into a decent board game is a key part of the Christmas festivities, and by paying a visit to Treehouse you can do much better than dusting off the old Monopoly set. There are over 300 games to choose from, staff to help out with rules/officiate any disputes, plus a fullylicensed bar and a menu of homemade food to keep you fuelled. treehousesheffield.com MAKE IT AN IRISH CHRISTMAS Direct from the West End after two sell-out tours, 'Fairytale of New York – Coming Home for Christmas' is the ultimate feelgood Irish-inspired Christmas show featuring an international cast of singers, musicians and dancers. Set in Central Park, New York on Christmas Eve, you can expect a heartwarming tale and plenty of singalong classics! 8TH Dec // £28.50 sheffieldcityhall.co.uk
IT’S CHRISSSTMAS! Glam rockers Slade stop by Foundry on their Xmas UK tour, bringing a bustling back-catalogue of feelgood hits to the stage (and that other tune that tends to get an airing this time of year). 16th December //£35 seetickets.com
WATCH A CLASSIC… WITH A LIVE SOUNDTRACK This time of year, is there anything better than sitting down with your loved ones and watching a festive classic? How about a festive classic scored by a live orchestra to really hit you in the Chrimbo feels? Sheffield City Hall will be doing just that, showing Love Actually and A Muppet’s Christmas Carol on 4th and 5th December respectively. 4th-5th December // £32-£75 // sheffieldcityhall.co.uk
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STEP INTO CHRISTMAS
BRING YOUR FAVOURITE TV CHALLENGES TO LIFE
Rather than spending Christmas downtime simply watching festive instalments of your favourite TV quiz shows, why not bring them to life with a visit to Gameshow All-Stars? Situated in Orchard Square, Sheffield’s newest and most exciting activity bar offers an unforgettable experience that combines entertainment, competition and camaraderie. Picture this: you and your loved ones ready to compete in original takes on your favourite game shows. From the cerebral challenge of Countdown to the high-stakes excitement of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Gameshow All-Stars brings the TV game show experience from the screen to real life! But that’s not all – while taking part you can sip on expertly crafted signature cocktails, indulge in a selection of fine wines and beers and relish the mouthwatering delights of Proove Pizza’s artisanal creations, conveniently located next door. Whether you’re a trivia master, a puzzle enthusiast or just looking for a unique night out with friends and family, Gameshow All-Stars has something for everyone. Step up, take on the challenges and – hopefully – bask in the glory of victory. gameshowallstars.co.uk
TAKE ON SHEFFIELD’S BEST ESCAPE ROOM
There’s nothing like a good puzzle to get stuck into over Christmas, eh? Why not take it up a notch and embark on an immersive journey of mystery and excitement with The Great Escape Game – Sheffield’s premier escape room company located in the bustling heart of the city centre. With an additional location in Leeds, The Great Escape Game stands as a seasoned veteran in the industry, captivating thrill-seekers with unreal adventures and mind-bending scares. Boasting six film set quality escape rooms, they offer an unparalleled experience for everyone – friends, families and colleagues alike. Each room is a unique adventure, carefully crafted to challenge your wits and teamwork skills. You can have a get stuck into a range of intriguing themes and settings: earning your magic stripes as a young wizard, piloting a submarine where everything is not as it seems and even an 18+ abduction experience. As pioneers in the industry, The Great Escape Game continues to push the boundaries of excitement. This Christmas, you can enjoy some fresh updates that will elevate the escape room experience to new heights. Enjoy cocktails, beer and shots (for those doing scary ones) at their bar, where you can also unwind by playing some retro console and boardgames with your squad. thegreatescapegame.co.uk
Quick-fire round? Scan the QR code and use the code EXPOSED23 for 20% off your total booking cost 20 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK
Ready to escape? Scan the QR code and use the code EXPOSED23 for 20% off your total booking cost.
Step into the spotlight and experience the thrill of Gameshow All-Stars, Sheffield’s newest and most exciting activity bar, nestled in the heart of the city; Gameshow All-Stars promises an unforgettable experience that combines entertainment, competition, and camaraderie.
EMAIL: HELLO@GAMESHOWALLSTARS.CO.UK TELEPHONE: 0330 0577 017 GAMESHOW ALLSTARS, ORCHARD SQUARE, (ENTRANCE ON LEOPOLD STREET), SHEFFIELD S1 2FB
EMBARK ON A JOURNEY OF MYSTERY AND EXCITEMENT WITH THE GREAT ESCAPE GAME, SHEFFIELD’S PREMIER ESCAPE ROOM SIX FILM-SET-QUALITY ESCAPE ROOMS | ENJOY COCKTAILS, BEER AND SHOTS PLAY RETRO CONSOLE AND BOARD GAMES WITH YOUR SQUAD
THE GREAT ESCAPE GAME BOOKINGS@THEGREATESCAPEGAME.CO.UK +44 (0) 330 088 3032 THE GREAT ESCAPE GAME, ST JAMES HOUSE, VICAR LANE, SHEFFIELD, S1 2EX THE GREAT ESCAPE GAME (LEEDS) ATLAS HOUSE, 31 KING STREET, LEEDS, LS1 2HL ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM, ARMOURIES DRIVE, LEEDS, LS10 1LT
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2 COURSE Per Person
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The Christmas season is the perfect time of year to let you know how much we appreciate having you at Mavi Ruya. WIshing you and all your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Address: 593 Abbeydale Rd, Nether Edge, Sheffield S7 1TA Phone: 0114 201 6820 www.maviruya.co.uk
BACK IN T’DAY… LAUNCH!
Phil Turner
OWNER AND FOUNDER
December 2003: The first issue hits the streets of Sheffield featuring Justin Timberlake on the cover. Why JT? We dunno. Probably to promote the release of his latest track, ‘I’m Lovin’ It’, a revelation that made our MD feel so old that he had to step outside the office for a moment of quiet contemplation. Anyway, despite us literally spending minutes going through the archives (a sodden cardboard box in the warehouse), we couldn’t find issue #1. Long shot, but if anyone has this rare find at home, we’ll pay good money – at least a fiver – for it back.
GETTING JIGGY WITH IT Dec 2003… Feels like a lifetime ago. Gatecrasher was very much the heartbeat of the Sheffield music scene. The Arctic Monkeys were still in short trousers and 'The Closest Thing To Crazy' by Katie Melua was top of the charts. Facebook didn’t even exist, FFS. This was the moment we chose to launch the first ever issue of Exposed with a guerilla marketing campaign (for that read ‘zero budget’) which was essentially a poster of Justin Timberlake with his eyes blanked out by the word ‘Exposed’, followed by ‘It’s Coming…’ across his chest, plastered over lampposts and walls around Sheffield city centre. Timberlake was to be our first cover star; he was gigging at the arena later that month and while we didn’t manage to secure the interview his PR company promised, we were determined to launch the magazine with a famous face. And that was very much part of our philosophy when we started Exposed. Get a big name on the cover to make sure everyone wants to pick it up. Those early issues featured Will Smith, Britney Spears and er… Peter Stringfellow. An easy mix of the Hollywood elite and anyone with a reasonable link back to the Steel City. The truth was we wanted the city to look outwards, rather than inwards, and make Sheffield folk feel like they lived somewhere exciting. It’s a mission we continue to this day. It wasn’t always easy in those early years; we saw countless enthusiastic restaurateurs and bar owners launch in flurry of publicity, only to fold within a few months with their tails between their legs and their bank accounts empty. The magazine itself was very clearly inspired by the 90s mag culture of Loaded, Select and FHM; a cacophony of local news and advertiser-led puff pieces mixed with celebrity interviews and music reviews alongside some pretty silly (but we thought funny) throwaway regular features. There was Blind Date, the comedy horoscopes and the Bus Journey Journals, which in time led to the likes of our Anchorman-inspired creation of Remington P Steel (AKA Sex Panther) and his monthly love advice column. Pretty cringe in hindsight, but at the time we were just a group of lads trying to make people laugh. Exposed has transformed plenty since then, and generally for the better. But those first few years, when I always likened us to 90s Dexter Fletcherstarring kids TV show Press Gang, was certainly chaotic but also a hell of a lot of fun. Sheffield itself has come on a bundle since then too. While I miss nights like Razor Stiletto (does Ralph still wear his sideburns in a Z?) and Urban Gorilla, there are stalwarts like Cubana, The Forum and The Frog and Parrot still going strong, and the reality is that for all its ups and downs, Sheffield is a better night out now than it was in 2003. So, while I’m 20 years older, balder and fatter, Sheffield has aged rather better. And for that, let’s all raise a glass and wish Exposed a happy 20th birthday.
September 2004: Sticking with the early theme of hobnobbing with the cream of Hollywood crop, we do have a copy of our 2k4 cover story with Will Smith ahead of the I, Robot release. Also featured in this issue are opinions from our readers on banning smoking in pubs, your chance to win a swanky DVD player from Sevenoaks Sound and Vision in Heeley and a story promoting a new niche night at The Adelphi nightclub. Wowzers.
TIED UP IN NOTTS 2005-2007: It’s a little-known fact that Exposed tried branching out to Nottingham in the early days, launching a free magazine promoting the goings-on of the city. It didn’t quite work out – probably because none of us actually lived there? – and it was later decided that we’d be best served focusing all our effort on covering the Steel City. Stick to what you know, eh?
THE EXPOSED AWARDS ARE BORN February 2006: Hosted at DQ, 400 people were in attendance for the first ever Exposed Awards (“We were worried it’d be more like 40,” recalls Phil). The premise was simple and has remained the same: an big ol’ get together celebrating the best of Sheffield. Since the first year, the event has been hosted at a range of venues including Plug, The Octagon, O2 Academy and Peddler Warehouse.
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LISTINGS? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE LISTINGS!
Joseph Food EDITOR
December 2012… Feels like a lifetime ago (technically, a third of my life has passed since then *gulp*), though at least I’m not going back to pre-social media here; Facebook was definitely a thing. That said, Instagram was in its infancy and certainly not the all-seeing social eye/evil digital overlord it is today, so there are some cultural differences to mark. TikTok? “Never heard of it, mate, but look how much better this sarnie looks when I add this unbelievably subtle and very tasteful Valencia filter.” Anyway, it was around this time that I, a 19-year-old student harbouring aspirations of becoming “a journalist, or something like that, I suppose” stepped into the old Exposed Magazine office on Milton Street. It was a clustered room with a long boardroom-style table (or, more accurately, a mishmash of tables hastily shoved together) covered in reams of magazine proofs, tangled computer wires and discarded coffee mugs. I immediately felt at home amongst the noise and bustle. 6Music was playing Alt-J, as was so regularly their wont back then; some poor soul in the kitchen was trying to keep tabs of hot drinks orders being bellowed from all corners, and if memory serves, the late, great James Eardley was lining up an effort to land a scrunched-up ball of paper into Carl’s cup of tea. I was here with a goal: to speak with Phil, bag an internship and begin building that all-important portfolio thing my lecturers would oft bang on about. I’d come prepared, dear reader; hours of rigorous interview preparation had me feeling primed and confident, while printed examples of writing were ready to be whipped out as soon as requested. After reminding Phil who I was and, indeed, why I was sitting awkwardly opposite him, I rattled off some barely comprehensible nonsense about how I’d read Exposed in my student halls (true, to be fair) and how my key strengths were impeccable organisation and an ability to thrive under pressure (palpably untrue). It did the trick, and dates were agreed for a three-month work placement starting in the New Year. I was then invited for post-work pints at The Bath Hotel. The omens felt good. What followed was an intensely enjoyable period of learning the ropes in local journalism, taking a deep dive beneath the surface of the city itself and discovering how it all came together. As someone who’s always worn an unrelenting pride in Sheffield on their sleeve, the idea that there was a grown-up job in writing about fascinating local people, places and events was mindblowingly exciting – and still is! After the initial placement ended, I continued to offer my services in any way possible, sticking around like a rather pervasive scent until, I presume, the powers that be took pity and threw a job offer my way. Very good of them, that. At some point during 2015, I was offered the editor gig, and it has been a part of my day-to-day duties ever since. There were no sweeping changes made; we kept the mantra of shouting about all things Sheff at the forefront – music, art, nightlife, culture, events, food and drink – and of course prioritised growing our social media presence (we have now succumbed to TikTok, for our sins). One shift perhaps worth mentioning is how we’ve done away with random celebrities on the cover. Instead, we make a conscious effort to make local people and stories the lynchpin of our content. Our readership today is far more interested in reading about innovative resident businesses or inspiring individuals doing great things within these seven hills, rather than a touring artist with an album to plug. I’ve loved being a part of the mag's story for the past decade. I certainly feel lucky to have a job that allows me to frequently feel inspired and excited about where I live – a blessing when you see the rampant negativity that can take hold on social media these days. I like to see Exposed as a welcome tonic to that, a place you can come to get excited about what’s going on in your backyard, and, hopefully, we’ll be promoting the best of Sheffield’s considerable offering for years to come.
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2003-2012: Listings, listings everywhere! For a number of years, the backend of each issue was wallpapered with event listings sourced from a wide range of venues across the city. Editing hundreds of the blighters when they inevitably arrived late on deadline days was not an enviable task. When it became apparent people had better things to do that traverse through 20 pages of printed listings, they were promptly ditched in favour of the leaner ‘Top Picks’ sections. Happy days.
EXPOSED IN SESSION BEGINS 2011: The beginning of one of our most popular and longest running features: Exposed in Session. Indie four-piece Volcanoes were the first band to be featured, filming three tracks at the iconic Yellow Arch Studios. From that point on, Exposed had a monthly slot interviewing and recording some of the finest talent on the Sheffield music scene. The likes of Hey Sholay, Screaming Maldini, Dead Sons, Kate Jackson, Steve Edwards, Hot Soles, Milburn, Kid Acne, Slow Club, Drenge, Reverend & The Makers. and KOG & The Zongo Brigade have all trodden the boards. Since a Covid-enforced break from filming in 2020, we haven’t managed to get this feature back up and running… yet. Keep an eye out next year for its revival!
TRAMLINES TIMES 2009-2023: Exposed played a key part in the formation of Sheffield’s biggest music festival, helping to organise the inaugural event alongside a number of key faces on the Tramlines board. A strong relationship has continued to this day (we even had our own stage in 2015) and we’ve now produced the Tramlines Times newspapers and Fringe at Tramlines programme for a number of years.
The Schoolrooms is the perfect cafe to kick start your day in the Peaks or just take a break and enjoy a hearty meal C afé & k itch en op en Mon d ay – Su nd ay, 9 am – 5 pm .
INTRODUCING
Assembly, our all new, late night, neighbourhood Bar & Bistro, working the evening shift on behalf of The Schoolrooms. With the help of our newly acquired, talented chefs, our aim is to provide a superb dining experience for all occasions, putting a modern twist on traditional British dining. Open Wednesday to Friday evenings 4pm til late Saturday 1pm til late Sunday for drinks only from 1pm - 8pm.
DECEMBER 1st James Scanlan (upbeat indie, pop & rock) 2nd Mad about Mandy (80s - 00s) 3rd HERD music quiz 8th Reyt as Rain (remastered classic hits) 9th Eloise Grace ( 70s) 15th Vyndictive (60 -80s) 16th Matthew Ferguson (acoustic solo guitar) 21st Carol singing 22nd Bethany Grace (00s) 23rd CHATFIELD (indie - own music material) 29th Tommy (rock) 30th Angela Joy (acoustic pop & 90s)
Live music every weekend throughout December Chatfield – Coming to Woodseats for one night only on 23rd December New Years Eve Party : Tickets on sale 1st Dec
FOOD, FRIENDS AND GOOD TIMES... HERD
5 HOLMHIRST RD, WOODSEATS, SHEFFIELD S8 0GU
HERD
FRESH LOOKS 2014: Over the years, the magazine has undergone numerous facelifts, with the most notable one resulting in the transformation of the larger A4 format into a more compact ‘iPad size’ edition – stylish, compact and perfect for taking along on your travels.
COVER STARS From smoking a stogie with Arnold Schwarzenegger to sharing a Guinness with Richard Hawley, we’ve had some belting cover interviews over the years. Jon McClure currently holds the record with a whopping six covers to his name, followed closely by Hawley himself on four and Sheff soundboy Toddla T on three.
DAFT FEATURES From the brilliant Bus Journey Journals to the weirdest horoscopes you’ll ever encounter, we’ve seen many features come and go as times have moved on. Organising blind dates? Yep, we went there. Photos of people blissfully half cut in nightclubs at the weekend? Those were the noughties for you. The Sex Panther love advice column? Let’s not go there.
LOOKING AHEAD! You’ve got to treat yourself sometimes, eh? So, as part of our birthday celebrations, we’ve decided to buy ourselves a fancy new website which we’ll be launching next month. Onwards and upwards, folks!
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PHOTO BY JACOB FLANNERY
2023 ROUNDUP
From mud-soaked celebrations of live music to gamechanging new openings, here are some key highlights that made 2023 one to remember in the Steel City...
Frank & Joy – A Love Story A Pete McKee hometown show is often an event to remember, and true to form, 'Frank & Joy – A Love Story' was a warm, nostalgic affair that packed a weighty emotional punch, too. Centred around the eponymous couple featured in the artist’s much-loved mural ‘The Snog’, the Sheffield artist’s latest exhibition saw the creation of a fictional pub, ‘The Buffer’s Arms’, decorated with a fresh collection of paintings charting Frank and Joy’s courtship. Paying tribute to the pubs and people that keep the Steel City turning, it was another testament to McKee’s ability to weave heartwarming narratives through his art, capturing the essence of Sheffield’s spirit with every stroke and creating a lasting impact on all who came along to see it brought to life.
Homecomings Galore!
Three of the city’s biggest musical exports played sellout gigs in the space of three months, beginning with rock legends Def Leppard performing to 30,000 at Bramall Lane in a show that reportedly could be heard all the way out to Manor Top. The following month, Sheffield’s prodigal sons Arctic Monkeys played to 70,000 across two balmy nights at Hillsborough Park while touring their seventh studio album, The Car. Completing a Holy Trinity of homecomings was the incomparable Jarvis Cocker, who led Pulp back onto a Sheffield stage for the first time in over a decade.
Giving it some welly at Tramlines! The weather threatened to rain on everyone’s parade at the 15th edition of Sheffield’s biggest bash. And rain it duly did, and then some. However, even though the infamous Hillsborough Park Mudbath of 2023 will be remembered with a shudder for years to come, we still managed to have a good ol’ Tramlines knees-up singing through the storm to Paul Heaton, cutting shapes in the mud to Sugababes and joyously bouncing in puddles with The Courteeners in S6. Amidst the elements, the fringe events flourished this year, as numerous venues generously curated their own lineups, allowing Sheffielders to enjoy the festival vibes for free. Heroes, the lot of yer. DocFest hits 30 Sheffield DocFest celebrated its 30th edition the way it knows best: six days of film screenings, live podcasts, intriguing Q+As, alternate reality installations,
special anniversary exhibitions and memorable evening social soirees. Highlights from the 122-strong film programme included the World Premiere of Paul Sng’s Tsh, Iranian filmmaker Rakhshan Banietemad as Guest of Honour and insightful talks from the likes of Munya Chawawa, David Olusoga, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Laura Whitemore and David Harewood.
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2023 ROUNDUP Exposed Awards 2023 Our annual awards ceremony took over Peddler Warehouse in May, transforming the venue into our swanky do celebrating the best that Sheffield has to offer. Each year we’re humbled by the turnout on the night, not to mention the thousands who vote to decide the winners beforehand, and the place was packed out with Sheffielders representing a range of industries: music, fashion, hospitality, culture, events and more. There were some very special guests present too! The team behind the Olivier Awardwinning musical Standing at the Sky’s Edge received the Sarah Nulty Special Recognition Award and cast member Rachel Wooding wowed the crowd with a live performance of ‘After The Rain’. Fagans Lives On It was the end of an era when longstanding custodians Tom and Barbara called last orders on their 37 years in charge of Fagans. Thankfully, the legacy of one of the city’s best-loved traditional boozers was allowed to continue through a group of Sheffielders – including Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys fame – who have kept the drinks flowing, the trad sessions swinging and the warm soul of the iconic boozer very much intact. Theatre Deli Takes Centre-Stage Following eviction from their Eyre Street venue in January 2022, it was great to see Theatre Deli open the doors to their new home on Arley Street in July. From comedy, dance and improv, to live music, immersive mystery games and poetry, there’s been the usual heady mix of live performance taking place, which will undoubtedly continue with their 2024 programme. Migrations Matters Speaks Up Now in its 12th year, it feels like the message underpinning Migration Matters Festival becomes more prescient year on year. Taking place in June, the only UK festival of its kind proudly stood up and hailed Sheffield as a place of cultural sanctuary amidst national anti-migrant rhetoric. A wide-ranging events programme covered everything from inspiring workshops and talks, to theatre, film and and music performances from global artists such as Kenyan afro pop band Sauti Sol.
Get Together Takes over Kelham It was a pleasure to celebrate the return of Get Together to Sheffield on a sun-soaked Saturday afternoon in May, this time with an new home to enjoy. After two hugely successful years at the students' union, the festival spread its wings to Kelham Island for an all-dayer boasting some of the best up-and-coming bands from around the country, as well as a headline set from noughties indie darlings Friendly Fires and parties through to the wee hours. Pearl at Park Hill Arrives The regeneration of Park Hill continues apace, with September arrival Pearl at Park Hill bringing first-rate cocktails, craft beers and natural wines to the table at Europe’s largest listed building. Since opening their ‘perfect local’, co-owners Jack Wakelin and Tom Aronica have been received plenty of deserved credit for their stunning drinks selection, small plate accompaniments (the oysters are superb) and laid-back weekend DJ sets. The beer garden also boasts one of the finest urban views that you’re likely to find amongst these seven hills.
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2023 ROUNDUP Orchard Square Gets a Spruceup The city centre retail hub revealed a suave new look earlier this year, marking 35 years since its original opening. To complement the refurb, a number of new occupants have opened up shop at Orchard Square, injecting a needed vibrancy to the open-air space. The Old Shoe now offers one of the finest craft beer, cider and natural wines selections in the region, Proove Pizza have brought their authentic Neapolitan pizza to the square, and Gameshow All-Stars now gives you the chance to try out your favourite TV challenges in a social setting. Sound as a Pound As small teaser of what’s to come from the Heart of the City development, a brand-new public space and playground, Pound’s Park, was opened on 3 April, offering families and children some welcome leisure space in a previously unwelcoming part of the city centre. More of the same in 2024, please! Off the Shelf Open a New Chapter One of the most well-known and loved literary festivals in the UK returned for its 32nd edition in October, bringing together the best of local, regional and international literary talent. Renowned figures such as Chris Packham, Jaqueline Wilson and Grace Dent graced the lineup, standing shoulder to shoulder with local authors who delved into memoirs capturing life in Sheffield. Notable among them were Catherine Taylor and Pulp drummer Nick Banks, both of whom we had the pleasure of interviewing about their captivating books. Exposed Goes The Full Monty! Twenty-five years after the iconic Sheffieldbased cult classic The Full Monty hit the screens, the cast returned to their roots for the premiere of a fresh Disney+ series that revisits the lives of the beloved original characters. Prior to attending a glamorous red carpet event, featuring an exclusive showing at the Showroom and an evening launch party at the Leadmill, Exposed had the delightful opportunity to interview the main cast for our July cover. Hot stuff, indeed!
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A quick shoutout to some ’23 arrivals that we appreciate! Best Boy Bagels Bangin’ bagels from the Deckards team on Chesterfield Road. Tenaya Wines Boutique wine shop and bottle bar, with a focus on female producers, bringing a taste of California to Crookes. The Herd S8 continues to impress with this Woodseats food hall, bustling social space and live music hotspot. John Makes a Mill! The collective heart of Sheffield was warmed when we heard the news that John Burkhill (AKA the Man with the Pram) ahead reached the magic £1m milestone in his fundraising efforts for Macmillan Cancer Support. John reached the incredible landmark after pounding the streets of South Yorkshire for over 15 years, and his efforts were rightly recognised with a Pride of Britain award. Raising a Glass at Sheffield Beer Week Sheffield Beer Week celebrated its ninth edition from March 6-12, promoting a ‘Going Back to Our Beer Roots’ theme and showcasing the best beer brewed in the Sheffield City Region. The everpopular Indie Beer Feast was a huge success at Trafalgar Warehouse and beerlovers in the city had plenty to get enjoy through the week, from tap takeover and brewery collabs to pop-up tastings and insightful talks with brewers. Sensoria Our homegrown festival of music, film and digital art was on top form this year, providing a series of unique experiences ranging from immersive events in unique spaces to impressive showcases of cutting-edge music technology. Highlights included an intriguing exhibition on brutalism taking place inside the famous Moore Street substation, a live AV performance from post-rock spectacle Nordic Giants and electronic sets celebrating the history of videogame soundtracks.
Builder’s Brew It’s a café… but you can play with Lego! Say no more. Forge Bakehouse (Kelham) For keeping the Exposed earlyrisers caffeinated and full of pastries, we salute you! B’Reyt Dough Lovely wood-fired pizza and a cracking terrace space in the lively yard at 92 Burton Road. Syn Masterchef star Reece Elliott has been given the opportunity to flex his culinary muscles at this swish new restaurant in the heart of Kelham Island. Holt Modern British restaurant on Ecclesall Road which opened its doors at the beginning of the year. Frazer’s Coffee Superb, ethically-sourced coffee roasted on-site and served with a smile at Frazer’s new gaff on Arundel Street.
I n n o vat i v e a n d c r e at i v e casual fine dining in the heart of Ranmoor We offer a seven course blind tasting menu from seasonal local ingredients and an ever changing menu with wine pairings to complement our dishes. 376 Fulwood Rd, Sheffield S10 3GD west10sheffield.co.uk
Homeware / Gifts / Candles / Coffee / Cakes Vegan Friendly Local brands include
Sheffield Brick Vases, Smith St Coffee, Birdhouse Tea and Bullion Hot Chocolate @thestylists_lifestylestore 362 Fulwood Road, Sheffield S10 3GD.
We cater for all hair types and textures, with a range of specialists in balayage, lived in colour and natural texture including curly hair, braiding, creative cutting and vivids. 944 Ecclesall Rd Sheffield S11 8TR
www.gatherhaircollective.co.uk gatherhaircollective.co.uk @gather.haircollective
If you’re looking for a special gift this Christmas, Stylists Lifestyle Store & Coffee in Ranmoor is a veritable treasure trove of unique pieces covering homeware, crafts, accessories and more.
Personal stylist Francesca Allen took over the premises last summer, turning the front of the store into a colourful boutique resembling an Aladdin’s Cave of distinctive gifts and treats, covering everything from prints and jewellery to books and crockery. The collection has been compiled with a sustainable ethos in mind; there’s a strong commitment to stocking UK brands and showcasing products made in Sheffield and across Yorkshire, many of which have been repurposed or made by hand using eco-friendly practices. Back in October, Stylists underwent a significant refurbishment which saw them adding a full coffee bar to their warm, cosy space. Customers can now browse the wares on show while enjoying stunning barista coffee and fresh bakes from the counter. There are a few seasonal favourites currently on the menu including Terry’s Hot Chocolate Orange, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Gingerbread Lattes, and you can even bring your pooch along to enjoy a Puppucino!
NEED SOME INSPO? HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE GIFT IDEAS ON OFFER AT STYLISTS 1. Sheffield Brick Vase – £36 2. Books – Varied Prices 3. Candlehands – £20 4. Ceramic Candles – £24 5. Queen Reed Diffuser – £50 6. Pillow Espresso Cups – £26
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Open for coffee, treats and more at 326 Fulwood Road, Mon-Sat, 8am-3pm. @thestylists_ lifestylestore // etsy.com: TheStylistsStudio
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DON’T MISS ORCHARD SQUARE OFF YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST THIS YEAR! Orchard Square is the perfect place to celebrate the festive season this year. Situated in the heart of the city centre, the Square is host to a range of leading national brands and independent retailers, alongside a fantastic mix of favourite food, drink and leisure destinations to suit every taste and budget. This year, the revamped Square has launched a brand-new Christmas decoration scheme, including hanging baubles, lights and an almost 18ft Christmas tree. As part of the festivities, throughout the weekends in December the Square will be host to a series of choirs and brass bands bringing the gift of Christmas music to customers as they shop, dine and enjoy. Make sure to plan a trip to our brand-new Christmas Grotto Bar this year… brought to you by Cheap Dates bar. New for this year, enjoy a mulled wine or candy cane cocktail in a covered, heated outdoor space on the terrace overlooking the Square. Open late into the night, it’s the perfect place to celebrate with friends or wind down after a long day of shopping!
ORCHARD SQUARE: THE PLACE TO MEET, EAT, DRINK, SHOP AND RELAX THIS CHRISTMAS.
Get your gifts wrapped while doing good! The Printed By Us store has teamed up with the Square to offer a gift wrapping service to all customers for a small donation, 100% of which goes directly to Archer Project, the local charity supporting the homeless community in Sheffield. Booking a last-minute Christmas do? It’s not too late to book your Christmas party with plenty
to offer from our fantastic hospitality venues this year. The latest additions to the Square include Proove, the award-winning, authentic Neapolitan pizza restaurant and The Old Shoe, offering one of the UK’s most diverse drinks list with a rotating selection of 20 draft lines, a huge range of ciders and wines, plus their own microbrewery on site! Game Show All-Stars, from the owners of Sheffield’s Great Escape Rooms, is another must-try
when visiting the City Centre - the ultimate place to get competitive and have some fun with family, friends and colleagues. With these brands, alongside Sheffield Plate, the six-vendor food hall with its own dedicated event space, as well as a fullservice restaurant and bar on our heated terrace, there are plenty of choices to book your Christmas party this year. So, whether it’s Christmas gifts, a festive pamper,
or late-night dining with family, friends or colleagues, Orchard Square has something for everyone this festive season.
Find us just off Fargate www.orchardsquare.co.uk FB: orchardsquare X: orchardsquare INSTA: orchardsquare
COM ING SO O N …
T H E U LT I M AT E S O C I A L E X P E R I E N C E AT PA N E N K A PANENKA BAR AND GRILL, OPENING MID-DECEMBER CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO A BRAND-NEW PREMIUM EXPERIENCE IN SHEFFIELD. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN AN ALTERNATE WORLD IN ONE OF OUR 4 VIRTUAL REALITY PODS OR EXPERIENCE LUXURY IN ONE OF OUR 3 EXECUTIVE BOXES FEATURING A 70 INCH SCREEN FOR OPTIMAL MATCH-VIEWING WITH EXCLUSIVE WAITING SERVICE AND DELUXE DRINKS PACKAGES.
SCAN ME TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR VR AND EXECUTIVE BOX PACKAGES, AND ENQUIRE TO BOOK AN EXPERIENCE!
FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIALS FOR BEHIND THE SCENES CONTENT, EXCLUSIVE COMPETITIONS AND VISUALS AS WE GEAR UP TO OPEN SHEFFIELD’S ULTIMATE SOCIAL EXPERIENCE
PA N E N K A S H E F F I E L D / / PA N E N K A _ S H E F F I E L D
FOOD FOOD && DRINK DRINK
THE ULTIMATE SOCIAL EXPERIENCE Open to the public this month, an exciting new bar concept has arrived at New Era Square, offering a diverse range of experiences that span from karaoke boxes to cutting-edge VR gaming. Set over two floors, Panenka is located at the entrance to New Era Square – a thriving hub of restaurants, bars and cafes situated between Bramall Lane and London Road. Inside you’ll find a whopping 35 screens and 2 separate bar areas, making it the perfect spot for watching a wide range of live sport. You can upgrade your match-viewing experience by hiring one of Panenka's 3 executive boxes, offering 70-inch screens, seating for up to 14 guests, an exclusive waiting service and facilities and premium drinks packages! If you’re feeling peckish, the Asian fusion menu contains everything from fried gyozas and bao buns to Korean corndogs and Sichuan burgers. This offering is nicely complemented by a wide selection of cocktails and beers, while Sheffield’s only ‘bento box bottomless brunch’ will be available 12:00-21:00 on a daily basis. Elsewhere, the mezzanine at Panenka will serve up a premium gaming experience – with pool tables, arcade games and exclusive Virtual Reality pods that allow guests to step into an immersive gaming world and play the latest releases in 5K resolution including The Walking Dead, The Exorcist and Hubris. You’ll also find augmented reality darts and shuffleboard to get stuck into! There’ll be daily events taking place at Panenka, including regular quiz nights, gaming tournaments and afterwork drinks offers. Head to panenkasheffield.com to see what’s on and browse the packages on offer.
SCAN HERE TO IN WITH THE CHANCE TO RECEIVE A SPECIAL INVITATION TO PANENKA’S VIP LAUNCH NIGHT OPENING HOURS MON – THURS 16:00 – 01:00 FRIDAY 12:00 – 02:00 SATURDAY 12:00 – 02:00 SUNDAY 12:00 – 00:00 @PANENKA_SHEFFIELD
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To celebrate four years of the Exposed Award-winning bar Two Thirds Beer Co., we popped down to Abbeydale Road for a chat with one third of the ownership team, Ben Stubbs, to find out more about their latest innovations and what comes next… The last five years has seen Abbeydale Road become one of the premiere drinking destinations in the city thanks to a glut of top-notch independent bars and restaurants opening along the strip. Chief amongst this fresh crop of watering holes is Two Thirds Beer Co, an independent, accessible craft beer bar boasting 16 taps of constantly rotating cask and keg options, and its own kitchen operation serving up German dogs and Bavarian burgers. Opening on the precipice of turbulent times back in November 2019, the bar’s owners, who at that time were relatively inexperienced, defiantly navigated that early period of uncertainty and used the experience to help them create the bar we know and love today. For example, table service is something that was never on the horizon when they set out, and they may never had tried it had it not been for the pandemic, but it’s now a staple part of the experience and something that customers love. This willingness to innovate, embrace change and try new things has been the key to their success. With that spirit of innovation in mind, earlier this year they made the 42 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK
decision to bring the kitchen operation in house, and enlisted chef Jack Smith to head up the food side of things. With the kitchen now locked down, their most recent addition to the line-up was weekend morning openings for an American diner-themed Breakfast menu, which Ben tells us has gone down a treat with locals. Ben said: “It’s called the Hangover Club. The idea being that, if you’ve had maybe a rough night the night before, you can come down and get stuck into a full breakfast menu. We serve everything from Full English or American pancakes, to muffins or eggs. Pints are on offer so there’s even a chance to force down a hair of the dog, or even a Bloody Mary, or a shot of Berocca! “It’s a brand-new angle for us as we’ve never done breakfast before, but it’s something we’ve always wanted to do. Jack (Smith) is a really talented chef, and it’s just allowed him to be even more creative and flex a bit. “To begin with, we worried that people might not see Two Thirds as somewhere to go for breakfast, but it’s been awesome ever since we launched it in November – it’s been mental busy! We’ve done half price breakfast for the
FOOD & DRINK first month and we’ve been fully booked every Saturday and Sunday. We’ve had to cap it because we just can’t fit any more people in, so it’s well exceeded our expectations. “We’ve got a really loyal customerbase who are always really receptive to any new ideas that we have. After being here for four years, we’ve firmly established ourselves.” That loyal fanbase has been hardearned, given the trading climate that Two Thirds opened into. “We’ve learnt so much over the last four years,” said Ben, “We opened a couple of months before the first lockdown, so the first 18-months were a massive learning curve. We’d all (owners Ben, Adam and Danny) quit our jobs to do this, and had never done anything like this before, so we learnt a hell of a lot about running a business in tough times. “Over the last year it’s felt like we’ve found some stability and been able to drive things forward. We now know what works. “We’ve tried to make craft beer accessible and made a conscious effort to have a beer offering that means we have something for everyone, not just 15 per cent mushroom stouts for bearded hipsters like me and you, instead it’s an environment where you can feel comfortable about coming down on your own, with your pals or with your other half. “We’ve always tried different things, like our supper clubs, or like the breakfast we’re doing now, and we’re finally at a point where we’ve established ourselves on Abbeydale Road. For myself and the other owners, we’ve enjoyed that side of things, kinda being masters of our own destiny. “No two weeks are the same, because we’ve created an environment where if you’ve got an idea, whether that’s the owners or the team, we can run with it. We’re not tied to any brewery or owned by any big chain, so we can do what we want – that’s the fun bit.” While continuing to keep it interesting and fun on Abbeydale Road, the lads have other big plans in the new year. Ben told us: “We’re really excited about the prospect of opening a second site next year, and we think it’s going to be wicked. The big ambition is to get to ten sites as soon as we can but done in the right way. “We think you could pick this up, move the concept somewhere else and it would work well. It’s just finding the right places. That will happen in the early part of next year.” @twothirdsbeerco
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FOOD & DRINK
A Decade of Hoppy Times Last month marked the 10th anniversary of the award-winning Sheffield-based beer shop and tasting room, Hop Hideout. Based at Kommune foodhall and one of only a handful of female-owned beer shops in the country, Hop Hideout’s owner Jules Gray had been a leading figure in championing diversity and the creation of welcoming spaces within the industry. Starting as a pop-up inside an antiques centre on Abbeydale Road, the business, often referred to as a “labour of beery love” by Jules, shifted to a nearby café space in 2015. Here, she established one of the country’s first drink-in beer shops. Hop Hideout quickly became synonymous with the city’s burgeoning craft beer scene, showcasing local breweries while stocking an extensive selection of beers from across the UK and around the world. Its popularity eventually led to relocation, taking up premises inside the Grade-II listed Kommune food hall in 2019. Today, visitors can drop by and explore over 200 refrigerated beers (expanding to 300 when including the additional storage downstairs), accompanied by a carefully curated range of draught beer, farmhouse ciders and natural wines. To celebrate 10 years in the game, Jules has launched a collaboration beer with Thornbridge Brewery. ‘Diamond Day’, named after a Vashti Bunyan song which Jules often plays to her daughter, is a ‘crowd-pleasing’ hazy pale ale full of tropical and citrus hits from Cashmere, Idaho 7 and Simcoe hops. Jules said of the milestone collaboration: “It’s a real ‘pinch me’ moment to collaborate on our tenth anniversary beer with Thornbridge. When I first moved back to Sheffield, around 2011, and before Hop Hideout started in 2013, this brewery was our goto for beer and ten years later still is!” The beer will be available regularly on draught at Hop Hideout throughout December @hophideout
The World’s ‘Wildest’ Advent Calendar Launches The Old Shoe, a craft beer taproom, modern ciderhouse and artisan wine bar in Orchard Square, boast arguably the rarest selection of drinks in the region – and they’re staying true to their ethos of doing things a little differently by launching the World’s Wildest Advent Calendar. Containing a world-class collection of wild-fermented beverages featuring 24 big-name 750ml bottles of natty wines, sour beers and funky ciders (plus a few extra suprises along the way) in a vintage Hungarian ammunition chest. We’re told that the entire package is a 54 cm x 45 cm x 42 cm in size and weighs in at over 30 kilos! Naturally, such exceptional
festive delights don’t come cheap and the world’s only advent calendar of this type will cost £699 – with all proceeds being donated to be a local charity chosen with the help of the box’s new owner. Names represented in the package include acclaimed craft breweries from around the globe like UK’s Deya, America’s Jester King, and Belgium’s Cantillon; top modern cideries like Oliver’s, Little Pomona, and Find & Foster; and renowned wineries ranging from hip English producer Tillingham to the Burgundy darlings at Dugat-Py. “I wanted to create a gift that highlights our bar’s uniquely diverse drink selection but that was, itself, also very unique,”
explains co-owner Mike Pomranz, an expert in both beer and cider and a wine enthusiast. “This advent calendar is such an incredible collection of wild-fermented beverages that members of staff were debating buying it as we were putting it together! If it doesn’t sell by the 1st of December, we’ll reveal the contents daily on our Instagram account, @theoldshoebar. Then customers can see what they missed – and come in and buy the bottles individually while supplies last.” To enquire about purchasing the advent calendar, visit The Old Shoe at Orchard Square in City Centre Sheffield or email advent@theoldshoebar. com.
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YELLOW ARCH DECEMBER '23
2024
Jan 28th TRACKS Showcase 1st Riskee and the Ridicule Jan 31st TVAM 2nd For The Record Feb 1st Ten Tonnes 3rd DJ Dads Fundraver Feb 2nd Ten Eighty Trees + Floodhounds 5th Opus Kink Feb 11th Ladyhawke 7th Hell Can Wait Feb 20th Meryl Streek 9th Sweet Beast Feb 23rd Apollo Apollo 15th Swan Feb 24th Mike Borgia 20th Nick Helm Mar 5th Talk Show 21st Nick Helm Mar 19th bdrmm 22nd Cosmic Judas Apr 3rd Brad Stank 23rd Burnt Stones 31st New Years Eve Party ft. Deaf Whip, Worm School, The Good Sun Band, Loyds Trip, For The Record, Cosmic Judas
MUCH MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED TICKETS: YELLOWARCH.COM YELLOW ARCH STUDIOS, 30-36 BURTON ROAD, S3 8BX
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JOIN THE CIRCUS The award-winning rock n roll circus is set to return to south yorkshire next summer – tickets now on sale! UK Pop queen Becky Hill is the first headliner to be announced for the second edition of the Rock N Roll Circus big top music event heading to Don Valley next summer. The ‘Lose Control’ star - known for her exuberant live shows - will headline the event on Friday 30 August. Becky will be joined by UK DJ star Joel Corry, the chart-topping internet sensation Talia Mar, rising singersongwriter Issey Cross and alt-pop artist ADMT. Launched last year, with a big homecoming show for Self Esteem alongside Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Happy Mondays, Natalie Imbruglia and many more, the 2024 edition is set to be even more impressive, featuring an extended four-day lineup that promises an unforgettable experience for attendees. It opens on Thursday 29 August at 12noon and continues through to Sunday 1 September. Organisers of the eagerly anticipated event will be announcing more
headliners and a full line-up very soon. A spokesperson for Rock N Roll Circus said: “Rock N Roll Circus is not just a music gathering, it is a multi-day extravaganza that combines the thrill of live music with the mesmerising world of circus entertainment. We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Becky to the party next year. She’s an artist that is firmly at the peak of her powers and she’s a colossal talent. “So, get ready for an unforgettable weekend of music, circus, and entertainment at the enchanting Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield. It is set to return for another sensational year, bringing together the best of live music and circus entertainment in a unique and vibrant celebration.” Featuring multiple stages, spectacular aerialists, street food, VIP areas, beers, cocktails, and much more, the festival has become a must-attend event for music and entertainment enthusiasts. Four days of incredible live music under the big top create an atmosphere like no other.
GROWING ON LAST YEAR’S SUCCESS Bigger and Better: The 2024 edition promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with more acts, more circus performances and an expanded four-day schedule. Increased VIP Offering: VIP ticket holders will enjoy extended postgig access, exclusive food vendors in the VIP area, and an elevated festival experience. More Circus, More Fire, More Acts: Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield will amplify the spectacle with more circus performances, fire displays, and a diverse lineup of acts. Longer Days, More Acts: Doors will open earlier, allowing attendees to soak in the festivities throughout extended days featuring a diverse array of performances. For more information, ticket registrations and further line-up announcements, head to www. rocknrollcircus.co.uk
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A NEW
CHAPTER Sheffield’s inaugural Poet Laureate spoke to Joseph Food about how moving from Sheffield to Berlin inspired the making of his latest release, Winterskin. When making my way through town, typically at weekends, I’d occasionally spot Sheffield’s first Poet Laureate, Otis Mensah, also taking a solo stroll through the city centre – though seemingly taking in his surroundings in a more pensive manner than my hurried trudge from A to B allowed. He’d sometimes be manoeuvring
WHEN I PERFORM THE TRACKS FROM WINTERSKIN IN LIVE SETTINGS, I’M CONTINUING TO EXPERIMENT WITH PUSHING BOUNDARIES IN TERMS OF CADENCE AND VOCAL DELIVERY, GIVING THE MUSIC A DIFFERENT LIFE ON STAGE
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down Division Street, with a pair of headphones wedged on and a characteristic bounce to his step; a distinct sway that becomes more pronounced if you watch him perform live, delivering trademark rapid-fire rap verses and emotive poetic prose. Artists like Mensah actively seek out inspiration in their immediate environments, immersing themselves in the roots, culture and experience of a place until, like osmosis, it seeps into their creative bloodstream. Since his move to Berlin earlier this year, the artist has enjoyed a fresh vein of inspiration to draw from, and the notoriously tough, grey winters of the German capital and its evergreen creative scene converge in his latest EP, Winterskin. “I’d been wanting to expose myself to a new set of artistic influences and a new environment shift for a while,” says Otis. “I love Sheffield, I’ve lived there all of my life, but I wanted a taste of something new, and the creative scene here in Berlin is amazing.” Naturally, swapping the surrounds of Kelham for Kreuzberg has clear benefits in terms of a fresh bounty of influences to feed on. However, amidst the inspiring experimentation taking place in the cafes, bars and studios of the city, there is also a parallel journey of processing the feelings of discomfort and loneliness in adjusting to a new home – and a notably unforgiving one at that. From the other end of a Zoom call, he speaks about the impact of brutal German winters finding their way into the sonics and poetry of Winterskin, also explaining how being a long way from home created a raw vulnerability to explore. “There’s such a stark contrast between the seasons here, so there was
an element of trying to deal with that, the seasonal affective side of things, and finding ways to get daylight and invigoration through creativity.” “Not having that sense of home comfort really allowed me to be at my most vulnerable, my most tender,” he continues. “But with that softness, there’s a harshness too, an abrasiveness that comes with being at your most protective and feeling estranged. That’s the sort of juxtaposition you'll find with this EP.” It’s easy to forget that Otis was only 23 years old when announced as the
MUSIC new life experiences in general.” For artists, familiarity can be stifling. When discussing his time spent moving through the city, getting under the skin of a new environment, it’s clear that Berlin provides a welcome fresh canvas for Otis. “I can project myself onto it more, without seeing myself reflected back in it, without seeing my memories and old depictions of myself in there. I can now think more clearly on the reasons I first started to create, finding new ways to champion joy and resilience in my practice. My relationship to the past is one of appreciation and nostalgia, but I also think there’s a sense of naivety there.” Speaking about specific influences on the EP itself, which numbers seven tracks or “mini stories” as he calls them, he’s keen to credit the likes of Yves Tumor, Toro y Moi and No Name (“people that were a catalayst to the idea in its rawest form”). There are a number of collaborations on there, including an inevitable linkup with Sheffield-based producer Jackie Moonbather, who Mensah has frequently worked with in the past. For their track ‘Sound of Sleep’, Mensah sings throughout the whole recording, another first for him as an artist. “It was nice to push myself out of the comfort zone on that track, finding new ways to play with my voice and change my relationship with my vocals. Jackie provided a beautiful backdrop for that. When I perform the tracks from Winterskin in live settings, I’m continuing to experiment with pushing boundaries in terms of cadence and vocal delivery, giving the music a different life on stage. With this record, I’m trying to balance the line between something that’s both extremely tender and chaotic. That’s the place I’m trying to sit in – tender chaos.” Winterskin is available to buy/ stream online now. Follow @ otismensah for the latest tour and release dates.
Steel City’s first Poet Laureate, a proud bestowment that opened many doors and opportunities for a developing artist, but one which must not have come without a sense of pressure on young shoulders. Reflecting on those early experiences, he shares how his perspective as an artist has evolved. “I was quite fixated with the idea of reaching some sort of end goal, the idea that the shows and accolades might lead to some sort of grand finale. I think I’m less consumed by the pursuit of becoming ‘known’ in the way I was
in the past. For a long time, I’d put so much weight and pressure on making my endeavours widely heard, but now I’m comfortable with being part of the ecosystem here. “I was given a lot of beautiful opportunities in Sheffield, and the Poet Laureate tenure will be part of my artistic legacy forever. But it’s refreshing now to think of new ways I can build a relationship with my creativity that aren’t so intrinsically linked to that period of time. It’s good to expose myself to a new set of artistic experiences, but also to WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 49
MUSIC OUR SHOUT
THE AMAZONS Leadmill // 13 December // £19.50 Returning six years after their last Sheffield show, the Amazons bring their anthemic alt-rock bangers to the Leadmill stage. The four-piece from Reading released their debut album in 2017 which reached the UK top ten as the highest charting rock debut album in three years. leadmill.co.uk
CRYWANK Foundry // 9 December // £14.30 Crywank are a subversive Manchester based antifolk band, heavily influenced by folk punk. They mostly write “sad songs for smelly losers” and have been told they are the worst named band in the country. foundry.com
MARTIN SIMPSON AND FRIENDS Greystones // 11 December // £20 Martin Simpson is a widely-acclaimed singer and songwriter, bringing us his individual interpretation of traditional songs. Expect an intense, eclectic and spellbinding show, along with surprise guests and festive fun. mygreystones.co.uk
WHILE SHE SLEEPS
LIFT UP YOUR SKIRT AND FLY DELICIOUS CLAM// 2 DECEMBER // 21:00-02:00 // £5 Named after a line in a Marc Bolan song – which was coincidentally banned by the BBC and also became the name of hip Sheffield fashion boutique in the late 1960s – Lift Up Your Skirt And Fly are a DJ collective who specialise in spinning underground 1960s and 1970s music from across the globe. Channelling the underground spirit of past Sheffield clubs like Brighton Beach, King Mojo and Club 60, record collectors Bobby Lee, Laura Merrill and Thomas Maxwell Shore bring their latest shindig to Delicious Clam. skiddle.com
OPUS KINK Yellow Arch // 5 December // £32.45 Opus Kink were formed in Brighton, England in 2018. Their blend of punk, jazz, sickly folk and rough country music is a unique prospect in the current musical landscape; their brass-led, darkly charged repertoire has garnered a growing cult reputation in Britain and overseas, largely due to a penchant for hectic, unpredictable live shows full of experimentation and grim theatre. yellowarch.com
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Octagon // 22 December // £28 The Sheffield metalcore and hardcore punk quintet are coming to the Octagon following 13 explosive years of their career. With their 2012 debut LP receiving best British newcomer at the kerrang, additionally receiving nominations for best albums of the year. songkick.com
SKINNY LISTER Leadmill // 3 December // £17.50 Folk rock quintet Skinny Lister present an evening of their raucous signature live show on their Sheffield return to The Leadmill. leadmill.co.uk
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all shows open to the public (14+ unless stated otherwise) tickets available from foundrysu.com box office: 0114 222 8777
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scan for tickets
BRINGING THE BARZ
PHOTOGRAPHY: HARRY O’FLINN (HOFILMS)
Last month, the third instalment of Slambarz took place at The Leadmill. The growing live performance event showcases the finest young rappers and lyricists aged 14-25 across the region. Words: Joseph Food Dedicated to nurturing the creative spirit of young urban artists, Slambarz is more than just an event; it’s a hub for music and artistic development. Passionate about providing safe and creative spaces, Slambarz serves as a catalyst for emerging talents to pursue their musical passions while connecting with other creatives, communities, industry professionals, and renowned venues on the scene. “There’s not a lot in Sheffield that gives you this sort of opportunity,” says artist and music engineer TeeWhyWho?, who headlined the Slambarz Summer Splash earlier this year. “The shows are lit and the way Slambarz look after the artists is faultless.” “I agree,” says Shanti Lorence, this year’s winner in the 18-24 category. “The night was unreal and it was a great
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atmosphere. There isn’t much here that can give you that experience.” Shanti tells me that she’s been singing for 15 years now, sometimes busking on the Moor to showcase her talents, but it wasn’t until Slambarz that she first had the chance to perform her own music. Heavily influenced by R&B and Soul, her debut track, ‘Temptations’, clearly left its impression on the judging panel consisting of renowned MC Coco, DJ/ producer TWSB, Eve Massaad from Waterbear Music College, and musician and Tracks representative Lucy Revis. “I was a bit nervous before going on,” she admits. “But I just kept telling myself to breathe, and when I came off that stage afterwards, it was a crazy feeling. That performance was my first time doing an original song live, so it was a big moment for me.”
TeeWhyWho? is another example of the raw talent that Slambarz provides an outlet for. The 22-year-old artist has been making his own music for three years now, also teaching himself how to mix and master in the process. He has a studio based at Dryad Works in Neepsend an spends a lot of time collaborating with artists like Shanti on their music. “I felt proud seeing Shanti do her song,” he says. “Once you come off that stage, the love you get off everyone is different level. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to it or not, the love is there. If you’re a young artist who’s struggling to get their music out there, Slambarz is the place you need to be. People in that building are going to follow your socials and they’re going to know you.” One of the event’s main attractions lies not only in uniting developing artists under one roof but also in bringing together a diverse array of creatives, including content creators, videographers, producers, photographers, promoters, and more. The potential for collaboration is rife, and each night helps to forge new relationships for artists to explore innovative new paths. “Our ethos is to nurture,” says Slambarz founder Dom Heslop, who organised the first event as part of Off the Shelf festival in 2017. “We bring the people together, everyone performs their own original content and we just celebrate the artistry. That’s what it’s about.” Follow Shanti and TeeWhyWho? on socials: @shanti_morgan // @ teewhywho Stay up to date with all things Slambarz: @slambarzlive
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BRINGING THE MOST AUTHENTIC A S I A N F L AVO U R TO YO U I N A F U N W O K I E B OX W AY ! F R O M T H E TA S T E O F J A PA N E S E T E R I YA K I , T O T H A I T O M Y U M , KOREAN SPICY SHIN, SINGAPORE S A T A Y, M A L A Y S I A S A M B A L , H O N G KONG XO SAUCE, SAIGON BLACK PEPPER AND MANY MORE. YO U P I C K T H E I N G R E D I E N T S & W E W O K I T U P F O R YO U, S U P E R F R E S H & F L AVO U R F U L !
MUSIC
Astrels @ Church – Temple of Fun WORDS: MARK PERKINS PHOTOGRAPHY: JACOB FLANNERY
Astrels are my new favourite Sheffield band. OK, I may have said that a few times before, but it’s a reflection of the high quality of music that we produce around here. Tonight, in Church – Temple of Fun, Astrels are playing only the second gig I’ve seen them perform, to launch their debut album, The Velvet Sea & The Afterglow. Opening up the party was a DJ set from Steve Singleton, about whom anyone with a long enough memory will immediately say, “Wasn’t he in ABC?” He certainly was, and how better to open a night celebrating Sheffield’s newest synth-heavy live sensation? After an impressive short opening set by local artist Aziza Jaye, and some excellent mixes from DJ Myna, Astrels took to the stage with the explosive ‘Hallelujah Day’, and we were off on a cosmic journey: visuals and electronics, drums, vocals and guitar all came together to take us into their retro-tinged, sci-fi world. 56 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK
As mentioned, there are a fair amount of synth-led songs in their set (well, we are in Sheffield), provided by keyboard player Joe Newman, from Reverend and the Makers. Every song has its own distinctive hook and individual sound making for a varied, highly entertaining set. Vocalist Steve Edwards may need little introduction to Sheffield giggoers, as he has been performing and recording here for quite some time, but this band really seems to be his best incarnation yet. Needless to say, his powerful, soulful voice was perfectly suited to a venue called Church. Intergalactic earworm ‘Starship Motherchild’ was an early highlight for me, with its synthesiser bass line driving it along nicely. It was an exciting sci-fi groove, as they invited us all to come aboard the mothership – and even Dr Doom got a namecheck!
Towards the end of the set, they played my favourite two tracks from the new album. The first was the epic ‘Afterglow’, which they then followed up with ‘We Are Aliens’. Swirling synthesisers and images projected behind and across the band made for a perfect ending to a night of intriguing Sheffield music, from one of our best homegrown live bands in years. See them, listen to the album (available to stream now), then see them again!
Galley Records @ Abbeydale Picture House WORDS: MARK PERKINS
Femur, Drastic//Automatic and Any Old Iron @ Yellow Arch WORDS: ASHLEY BIRCH IMAGES: @JAMBURRITO1
Increasingly, the best shows in the city are being organised by Jarred Up founder James Watkins, and a free gig (in itself, a novelty) at The Washington, followed up by a blistering Halloween do at Yellow Arch, further emphasised his credentials – he’s bloody good at this promoting lark. But what of the nights and bands themselves? Well, Thursday at The Washy was a trip, as psychedelic raag and rollsters Karma Sheen deluged the intimate venue with droning, sitar-inspired fuzz. The five-piece band, whose frontman and leader, Sameer Khan, originally hails from Pakistan, pull Classic Hindustani music into the present day with a mixture of East London experimentation and songs about stuff they heard in the garden! Think King Gizz-inflected psyche, if they found a sitar, or if Kula Shaker were any good! It’s lovely, hypnotic stuff. Psychedelia served as the entrée, then, for a mouth-watering feast of Sheffield at Yellow Arch. Sheffield post-punk outfit Any Old Iron have been around a while now, but it’s the first time I’ve managed to catch them live. Pre-gig, I tell Femur frontman, Felix Renshaw, that I’m looking forward to finally catching Any Old Iron and they tell me the band are actually doing predominantly new stuff, and it’s got a bit of a different direction. As far as I can tell, at least from Spotify, that direction mainly consists of the addition of keys so I’m not sure how this evening compares to previous gigs,
but what I saw I liked, and I wanna give it another go. On to the main support, Drastic// Automatic: we’ve reviewed the breathless three-piece a couple of times recently, and along with tonight’s headliners, Femur, they’re my favourite guitar band currently active in the city. Tonight is easily the best I’ve seen them perform. They are on it. No equipment meltdowns. No gaps in the set. Just blistering dystopic walls of noise and a pogoing, moshing audience as reward. They even manage to squeeze in a cover of ‘Where’s Your Head At’, which I haven’t seen them bring out since Get Together festival. More lovely stuff! After Drastic, Femur would be forgiven for feeling a bit of pressure to deliver. If they did, it wasn’t evident. Just a coupla songs in and we’ve got a groovetastic, snarling rendition of ‘I Don’t Like’ on the go. Felix begins to make their way up onto the speakers. Once atop the boxes, Felix delivers the ironic, “I don’t like groovy music” line, and as the instrumental drops, they kick out a leg from their dress and become a blur of gangly arms and legs. Back on the stage for a minute, the band deliver a special Halloween rendition of Ghostbusters, before Felix heads off again, this time crowd surfing. In what feels like the blink of a made-up eye, it’s all over. Kudos to the Jarred Up crew for another stunning night of live music!
There’s often something gothic and atmospheric about a night in the Abbeydale Picture House, and even more so since the live music events have been moved to the Fly Tower, due to ongoing issues with the main roof. The Fly Tower is effectively the combined stage and backstage area: a cavernous, towering space with enough room to house the scenery that would once have been hoisted aloft when the theatre staged plays, back in the day. The space has a bar, a stage, seating and the facility to project images behind the musicians, and as such is perfect for staging intimate gigs such as this one. Three Galleys Records is based around the Three Galleys recording studio on Abbeydale Road. They describe themselves as a micro-label specialising in folk, alternative and art-house releases, with artists such as ROSH, Bitten Whippet and Ellie Long on their roster. Tonight, they’re putting on three local artists under the umbrella of an evening of alt-folk. The first is solo artist Eleanor Hooper. Her music is delicate and ethereal, the end result of layers and layers of home recordings, mainly of her own voice, which she uses to accompany her solo singing in her short but lovely opening set. All the while, images are projected behind her which, while not connected directly with the songs, nevertheless provide an other-worldly focus to frame her performance. Next up is the trio Slow Galleys Drift. The three members are also the main guys behind the Three Galleys label, and as such don’t need to be asked onto the bill tonight – they own it! The group alternates between guitars, synths, bass and fiddle, creating what is, for me, the best set of the night. No two songs are alike, and they weave layers of sounds and vocals that shift and twist with each new song. Try to hunt down their album Hex Up Yrself or the EP When Darkness Comes to get more of an idea of their unique and alternative approach to what can only very loosely be called folk music. To finish the night, headliner James Green, formerly of Big Eyes Family Players, played a set of guitar instrumentals, which allowed us all to gently wind down as the evening drew to a close. My only complaint with the night had to be sound bleeding in from whatever event was on in the speakeasy bar nearby. Of, and if you venture in here any time soon, wrap up warmly. Atmospheric the Fly Tower may be, but heated it ain’t! WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 57
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LGBTQ+
SEASON’S GREETINGS!
The festive season is upon us at last, and Santa has gifted us with a month of queer joy to keep you ho-ho-ho-ing into the new year! First up, we have Glitterbomb’s high energy sugar-pop cabaret, Jingle Belles and Mistle-Hoes! (14-23 Dec) at Theatre Deli, featuring dancing and drag queens and everyone’s favourite festive hits. If gigs are more your thing, Liars and Jarred Up are back at Sidney & Matilda with An Incredibly Queer Affair (Thu 14 Dec) showcasing an impressive line-up including DearthWorms, Ming City Rockers and Cherry Seraph. All proceeds from the show will be going to LGBT charities or transition funds. For an alternative celebration of Christmas, check out O’Hooley & Tiddow – WinterFolk (22 Dec), as Belinda and Heidi make a welcome return to Sheffield’s glorious Upper Chapel for an evening of beautifully performed original, contemporary and traditional winter songs -
including a selection from their album, WinterFolk, produced with BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner Ben Walker. There will be more festive singalongs at Big Queer Carols (10 Dec) with Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ choir, OutAloud; the launch of a ‘Queer COVID’ book documenting LGBTQIA+ experiences of the pandemic; and stalls from Juno Books, SAYiT and Amnesty International. If you can afford to and want to give directly to Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ youth, check out SAYiT’s young people’s wish list on their social media (@ sayitsheffield) and add an extra gift to your basket when doing your Christmas shopping. SAYiT will also be co-hosting the Sheffield LGBTQ+ Multi Agency Network (6 Dec), bringing together groups and organisations representing and working with members of Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ communities. The Funky Beavers are back at
the OEC for their Comedy Drag Show (17 Dec) – a night filled with fun and laughter, turkey sarnies, a live drag show, DJ set and games with unforgettable prizes! Funky Beaver, Vivian Twist will also be joining forces with Emma Maezin for A Maezin Christmas (9 Dec) at the Yorkshireman, also featuring Ditzy O’Darlin and A Drag Queen Christmas (15 Dec) at the Rose & Crown. There’s more drag at Malin Bridge Inn with their fun and fabulous Christmas Cabaret Show (2 Dec) and Christmas Drag Queen Bingo (29 Dec) with your host Marie La Rae and music maker Sassy DJ Brooke. There are regular midweek happenings with Dempseys Quiz and Bingo (every Tuesday) and Diversity Fest Radio (every Thursday). Trans Active Swimming (Tuesdays) will be running at Zest Centre while Heeley Pool is closed for renovations, and this month they will also be
running a weekly Dance Class (2/9/16 Dec) at Hype Dance Studio. As part of this month’s line-up, Curzon will be showing a one off screening of Carol (10 Dec), a film following two women from very different backgrounds who find themselves in an unexpected love affair in 1950s New York. Back to gigs and the iconic Bowie Contingent (9 Dec) will be playing two shows at Dorothy Pax, performing original, passionate and inspired interpretations of Bowie’s music, with a mix of timeless classics, fan favourites and deepcuts. And last but be no means least, over at Hatch we have a brilliant gig night, Mouses + .¡Ay Carmela! + Duck [9 Dec], featuring sets from lo-fi, garage, queerpunk duo, Bristol indie/alternative trio and the SynthPunkNoisePop act. That’s your lot for this month! As ever, make sure to check out the latest event announcements at facebook.com/sheffieldlgbtevents.
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CULTURE: OUR SHOUT WHITE CHRISTMAS Crucible // 9-13 December // From £15 ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. Just like the ones I used to know.’ Former soldiers turned successful showbiz duo Bob and Phil are on the lookout for a new act. On meeting singing sisters Betty and Judy they are immediately smitten. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
JINGLE BELLES AND MISTLE-HOES Theatre Deli // 14-23 December // £17-£30 Theatre Deli presents the Glitterbomb Dancers, in a camp Christmas finanza. Spread the festive cheer with Glitterbomb’s high energy pop dances to all your favourite hits. Hosted by drag king johnny the biblical Rapper and a couple of other special guests! theatredeli.co.uk
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Lyceum // 6 December-7 January // £15 Don’t miss this year’s hilarious, fun-filled family pantomime Beauty and the Beast! Starring Duncan James as Danton and Jennie Dale as Cupid. Once again, the show will be written and directed by Paul Hendy and produced by Evolution, the same team behind last year’s fabulous panto, Jack and the Beanstalk. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
A CHRISTMAS CAROL University of Sheffield Drama School // 12-14 December // £5-£10 “Very funny, very clever, very heart-warming”. In this new musical, with original songs and a script developed from Spectrum’s 2017 adaptation of Dickens’ classic tale, Scrooge is a woman who’s had to make her own way in a world dominated by men. performancevenues.group.shef.ac.uk
A TOWN CALLED CHRISTMAS
CITY OF RIVERS The rivers that have shaped Sheffield over the centuries are celebrated in a new exhibition now available to view at Weston Park Museum. City of Rivers opened on Friday 24 November, an multi-media installation exploring our connections to the waterways that surround us through art, stories, poetry and more From vast reservoirs and cascading weirs to the brooks that trickle through our many green spaces, they also provide a home to a rich abundance of local wildlife, the exhibition will bring together a wide range of historic and contemporary artwork, stories, objects, film and photographs to chronicle Sheffield’s relationship with its waterways. Drawing on contributions from people across the city, visitors will discover over 300 pieces of art, poetry and film by the likes of Alison Churchill, Holly Clifford, Catherine Higham, Ruth Levene, Joe Scarborough, Harriet Tarlo, Benjamin Tassie and more.
Playhouse // 15-30 December // £12-£14 Perfect for young adventurers, buckle in for a rollercoaster of magic, music, and mayhem as our hero, Clementine, crashlands in a once-magical town called Christmas where only the long-forgotten fables, a cantankerous caretaker and a glitching robot remain! Can they save the day, and the town called Christmas? sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
VIVALDI'S FOUR SEASONS AT CHRISTMAS Sheffield Cathedral // 15 December // £19 The Piccadilly Sinfonietta is set to grace Sheffield Cathedral once again with their rendition of Vivaldi's enduring classic. Boasting a lineup of some of the UK's finest performers, this musical ensemble promises to immerse you in a captivating evening of classical masterpieces within the festive ambiance of a candlelit historic venue. sheffieldcathedral.org
City of Rivers will run from 24 November 2023 – 4 November 2024
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CULTURE
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE @ LYCEUM THEATRE
STANDING AT THE SKY’S EDGE GOES WEST The National Theatre and Various Productions have announced the initial casting for the West End transfer of Sheffield Theatres’ smash-hit production, Standing at the Sky’s Edge. Written as a love letter to Sheffield and the city’s iconic Park Hill estate, this 2023 Olivier Award-winning stole the hearts of thousands of Sheffielders since premiering at the Crucible Theatre in 2019. Written by local playwright Chris Bush and directed by Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director Robert Hastie, the production also features songs by legendary Sheffield crooner Richard Hawley. Joining the cast are Elizabeth Ayodele as Joy, Joel Harper-Jackson as Harry and Sharlene Hector as Grace. Further names that have been announced are Mel Lowe as Connie, Laura Pitt-Pulford as Poppy and Lauryn Redding as Nikki. Returning to reprise their roles are, Samuel Jordan as Jimmy, Baker Mukasa as George, Alastair Natkiel as Marcus and Rachael Wooding as Rose. Director, Robert Hastie said: “I’m thrilled that many of the company who created Standing at the Sky’s Edge in Sheffield and at the National Theatre are continuing to tell this important story in the West End, and equally excited that a brilliant new group of actors are joining the cast to bring new perspectives and fresh takes on Chris’s characters and Richard’s songs.” It will make its West End premiere at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London from 8 February 2024. Tickets for the musical are available from £20 at SkysEdgeMusical.com. Assisted performances are available throughout the run. 64 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK
And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie’s famous 1939 tale of suspicion and murder, follows eight strangers who arrive by invitation to a luxury hotel on the remote Soldier’s Island. The group are met by the butler and housekeeper, who inform them that their hosts won’t be joining until the following morning. As an impending storm approaches, the troubling backgrounds of the guests come to light, leading them to suspect a more sinister motive behind their gathering. Mike Britton’s inventive set does well to set the scene for the narrative. Billowing drapes and gleaming chandeliers frame the initial scenes of conviviality amongst the guests, but as the bodies pile up, the setting swiftly degrades into a chaotic and claustrophobic space. Lucy Bailey’s direction offers much to admire as well. The pacing remains consistently steady, building tension effectively at the right moments and ensuring emotional outbursts have the desired explosive impact. Additionally, the use of expository characters appearing behind veils at crucial junctures adds a cooling layer of eeriness to the production. The ensemble cast were on top form. David Yelland is commanding as Judge Wargrave, giving off the right mixture of trustworthy gravitas and grave seriousness. Bob Barrett is the very picture of unstable anxiety as Doctor Armstrong, and Joseph Beattie enjoys significant stage presence as the brash, abrasive Captain Lombard. Elsewhere, Andrew Lancel provides some small drips of comic relief as boorish detective William Blore, while understudy Louise McNulty is positively haggish in playing judgemental prude Emily Brent. The standout performance goes to Sophie Walter for her troubled portrayal of Vera Claythorne, a character who seems more unsettled than anyone by the skeletons rattling around her closet. The fall from grace is riveting to watch, culminating in an affecting final scene which confirms whether this production has gone for the novel’s dark ending or the more hopeful version Christie was asked to pen for the stage. No spoilers here – find out for yourselves which one it is. JF 4/5
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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
JOSEPHINE DELLOW Following the release of her new colouring book celebrating all things Yorkshire, the Sheffield-based illustrator and printmaker talks inspirations and creative process with Exposed. How did you get into illustration? I was pretty fortunate to get a break into the industry as soon as I finished my degree in Illustration at the University of Huddersfield. Some creative managers from Hallmark visited our degree show and offered me a two-week-long placement. I will always be grateful for that first opportunity that came my way. I was kept on as an in-house designer for them and later for UK Greetings. I worked in greetings for several years, and in the meantime completed an MA at the University of Central Lancashire and started my own business selling prints and illustrating for book publishers. At the start of 2018, I was able to leave my job in the greetings industry to work full-time on my business. I now illustrate for clients like BBC Tiny Happy People and book publishers such as Harper Collins and Hachette, along with running my online shop and working with stockists.
How do you approach the creative process when starting a new project? I often brainstorm ideas in the form of a written list or rough drawings in a sketchbook. I also tend to ‘let things bake’ for a while in my head! I’ve come to learn that it’s an important part of my process: having an idea, then allowing it to build as I go about my daily life, thinking about it while I walk or swim or cook. If I’m drawing a new print, I’ll get straight in there and draw it. If I’m creating a book, I set out the pages in front of me, on sticky notes or digitally, so I have an overview as I plan the content. I’ve been writing my own children’s stories lately, which I do in a similar way, using sticky notes to plan out the structure of the story, which leads to ideas for characters and sentences I like.
Are there particular themes or subjects that you find yourself drawn to in your illustrations? I have different themes for different parts of my business, but wellbeing has become a common one that threads through a lot of my projects. I illustrate lots of characters, parents and children for my book illustrations and things to do with mental health. For my shop, I have a huge number of architecture-inspired pieces, but my range of activity books and stationery go back to that theme of wellbeing and connection. 68 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK
How do you handle creative blocks or moments of inspiration drought? Are there any strategies you use to overcome this? I think one of the most important things is breaking the silence - just doing something gives you an easier starting point for the next thing. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to start again. If it’s recurring or long-lasting, it’s important to explore what’s blocking you, by talking to someone supportive, using a self-help book or journalling prompts. Once you figure out some of the causes, it’s easier to recognise and try to work past them when they pop up. I’ve learnt it helps to have an outlet (such as journalling) to empty your brain of busy thoughts and make room for inspiration to come in. Then carving out some time for yourself, going out with a sketchbook, or having a messy play session with materials you don’t usually use can be a jump-start back into feeling creative again.
Are there illustrators or artists who have significantly influenced your work? Children’s books have always been a huge influence on my work, more than anything else. From ones I read as a child like Shirley Hughes, Raymond Briggs and Janet and Allan Ahlberg to current illustrators who’s books I love, like Tor Freeman, Mike Lowery and Nick Sharratt. I’m a big fan of Richard Scarry too, I love the humour! I also get very inspired by animation and often think about how my favourites make me feel when I’m trying to get into the zone for my creative work. Wallace and Gromit, Bluey, Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox, Hey Duggee’s Top of the Pups series (the lyrics crack me up as well as the brilliant animation!), Studio Ghibli and Disney films - to name a few - all play a part in my process.
You’ve recently launched A Very Yorkshire Colouring Book – just in time for Christmas! What inspired you to create this book and what can people expect inside? I’ve been wanting to work on this for a long time! I created A Very Sheffield Colouring Book a few years ago and it makes me happy that people love giving it as
a gift. I’m very proud of my Yorkshire heritage and have lived, studied and worked in various places around the county. I love the character of the buildings, the friendly people and there are so many beautiful places to visit, so I had plenty of inspiration!
Finally, what are your favourite locations in Yorkshire to illustrate?
It's hard to choose, but the seasides were probably the most fun. The coast is my favourite place to visit; I can sit and stare for hours at the big blue sea - at least until my stomach tells me it's time for my fish and chips! A Very Yorkshire Colouring Book is available from Josephine’s Etsy page (etsy. com/shop/josephinedellow) and a range of local stockists now. @josephinedellow
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Sheffield, meet
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