Exposed Magazine January 2024

JANUARY 2024

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

SHEFFIELD ARTIST MELVILLE HEADS UP OUR NEW YEAR SPECIAL

2024: THE YEAR AHEAD // TOM HUNT // JOE CARNALL // BROMHEADS JACKET // REECE PINCHES // EVENTS

TA PAS

R E STAU R A N T

& CUBAN BAR

New Culinary Tapas Delights on the Menu @ Cubana TA PAS

R E STAU R A N T

& CUBAN BAR

We are very excited to announce the launch of Cubana’s latest tapas menu. Our new menu offers over 40 tapas dishes combining the timeless charm of classic Spanish tapas with an abundance of Latin American favourites. Our menu is packed with flair and flavour that also offers a delicious selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes for a perfectly balanced menu to suit all tastes.

SIMPLY DELICIOSA!

BOOK YOUR NEXT TAPAS FEAST!...

C U B A N ATA PA S B A R . C O . U K

Cubana recently celebrated 23 years in business.

Throughout our journey as an independent tapas restaurant and bar, we feel that our food has left a lasting influence on the culinary scene, receiving local and national acclaim for our scrumptious offerings. We truly believe that our latest menu takes us to the next level.

Pulpo a la Gallega – Cubana’s new, popular grilled Octopus dish

One of the highlights of our latest tapas menu is the emphasis on fresh seafood. Newbie delights include the ‘Pulpo A La Gallega’ – succulent grilled octopus accompanied by marinated sliced new potatoes, smoked paprika and olive oil.

You’ll want to try our ‘Buñelos de Bacalao’ – crispy, deep fried salted cod and potato fritters served with a refreshing side of lime and coriander mayonnaise. And there’s the ‘Pescado Rojo’, Pan roasted red mullet served on a warm potato salad and finished with a cucumber and lime salsa.

Pescado Rojo – delicious fresh Red Mullet served on a warm potato salad

These three new fish dishes perfectly complement the ever popular ‘Paella Mariscos’, our seafood paella expertly prepared and served in a traditional pan at your table, and has become a true favourite among our local Latin community.

For those who savor rich, slow cooked flavours, ‘Res y Frijoles Negros’ offers tender beef and black beans infused with cumin onions and garlic. And two new lovely vegetarian additions our menu are the ‘Empanada de Champiñones y Queso Feta’, Empanada pastry, filled with wild mushroom, feta cheese and spinach, deep fried and the ‘Burrata y Tomate’ - soft creamy cheese made from Buffalo milk, mozzarella and cream finished with cherry tomatoes and a basil emulsion.

It’s early days, but the verdict appears to be in – our new tapas dishes are already an instant hit with our cherished regulars and set to become Cubana’s signature specialities. Don’t worry though, our beloved homemade ‘Albondigas’ (meatballs) will continue to grace our menu and will no doubt remain a firm favourite for many of our loyal customers.

Paella Mariscos – our expertly prepared seafood paella

Empanada de champiñones y queso feta – filled with wild mushroom, feta cheese and spinach

Burrata y Tomate – our rich and creamy, new indulgent edition to the menu

CUBANA’S CULINARY DREAM TEAM FROM LEFT IS: Josana Periera, Ryan Christian, Erkland Xhaja and Stuart Berry.

Cubana’s beloved Albondigas – our infamous homemade meatballs

TO make a reservAtion CALL 0114 2760475 Or visit www.cubanatapasbar.co.uk to enquire about availability

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CONTENTS 24

GAFFERS

Phil Turner (MD) phil@exposedmagazine.co.uk Nick Hallam (Sales Director) nick@exposedmagazine.co.uk

FINANCE

Lis Ellis (Accounts) accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk 24: COVER Kicking off 2024’s series of cover stars is Melville, an enigmatic Sheffield-based artist who produces hard-hitting, evocative collages inspired by the underbelly of society. He spoke to Exposed about how growing up on a Sheffield council estate provided him with some of the positive and negative experiences often reflected in his art.

GRAFTERS

16

16: 2024 VISION As 2023 fades into the rear-view mirror, we’ve got a big old round-up of everything in the pipeline for the Steel City this year. We preview some exciting developments with the Heart of the City project, hear from Sheffield Council leader Tom Hunt about his plans for the year and round up some key dates for the diary.

28: CLAMS IN THEIR EYES The Delicious Clam team are back with Clams in their Eyes, their renowned night featuring plenty of local talent and all manner of debauchery. We got the scoop on a new date and venue for the much-loved event this year.

40: HEADS UP One of the crop of Sheff bands that lit up the national music scene in the midnoughties, Bromheads Jacket have reunited for a special gig at Yellow Arch Studios. We sent fellow ‘New Yorkshire Wave’ alumni Ash Birch to discover what was behind the comeback.

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)

GI’ US A HAND PLZ

Olivia Warburton, Heather Paterson, Cal Reid, Mark Perkins

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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.

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UPFRONT

ABBEYDALE PICTURE HOUSE AT RISK OF COLLAPSE Although only seven years into a 25-year lease, local charity CADS are close to exhausting all avenues in their attempt to save an iconic building.

Sheffield arts charity CADS (Creative Arts Development Space) has reached a crucial point in the quest to restore the Abbeydale Picture House building. two years after the devastating news that the ceiling was unsafe and the roof was leaking water, parts of this iconic building are now at risk of immediate collapse.

The significant issue lies in the current state of the space, including the Grade II listed auditorium, as it is deemed unsafe and unusable. This is causing a huge financial drain, with minimal returns from the remaining areas of the building.

Earlier this year, an agreement was made for CADS to purchase the building with a mortgage approved. However, CADS have been unable to find the additional funds to secure the building.

The Music Venues Trust, The National Trust and The Theatres Trust have all supported CADS with advice and consultation but two unsuccessful bids to the Community Ownership Fund (COF) from the UK Government have left CADS with limited options.

This has led to a huge risk that the building will fall into further disrepair and dereliction, including a potential ceiling collapse, it requires a minimum of £160k spending to ensure it is safe with further funding needed to fully restore the building.

CADS board director and founder Steve Rimmer said: “The CADS team has worked tirelessly to ensure the future of this prestigious building. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us over the last seven years to try and make the building work, especially more recently, whilst the ‘main hall’ became unsafe.

“We are having supportive conversations with the Sheffield City Council regarding available support and exploring many different business models and bidding opportunities, but sadly, without significant funding, we’re becoming unable to continue our vision of saving this piece of Sheffield history.”

The CADS team has promised that there will be a significant update soon. @abbeydalepicturehouse

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MOBO AWARDS ANNOUNCE NOMINEES FOR SHEFFIELD SHOW The MOBO Awards, renowned as the UK’s premier celebration of black music and culture, have unveiled the nominees for their 26th edition, scheduled to take place on February 7, 2024, at the Utilita Arena Sheffield. Breaking new ground, this marks the first time the prestigious event will be hosted in Sheffield.

While firmly rooted in music, the MOBO Awards are expanding their scope to encompass all facets of black culture in arts, sports and media.

The event will not only feature electrifying live music performances but also honor outstanding contributions with special awards.

In addition to the familiar Paving the Way and Lifetime Achievement Award, the ceremony will also introduce the MOBO Impact and MOBO Pioneer Award.

This year’s nominations showcase a notable presence of female artists and groups, dominating key categories such as Album of The Year, Song of The Year, and Best Newcomer. Among the contenders is PinkPantheress, the 22-year-old sensation, aiming for Best Female Act and multiple other awards

after securing victory in the same category in 2022. RAYE, celebrating a monumental year with a praised debut album and a Royal Albert Hall performance, is also in the spotlight with nominations for Best Female Act, Album of The Year and Song of The Year.

Leading the nominations with four each are acclaimed artists Little Simz and Stormzy, the UK’s prolific artist who has clinched a recordbreaking six MOBO Awards. Simz, previously a joint winner in the Album of the Year category, seeks recognition in Best Female Act, Album of the Year, Video of The Year and Best Hip Hop Act. Central Cee, J Hus, PinkPantheress, and RAYE closely follow with three nominations each, demonstrating the breadth of talent in the UK music scene. The Best African Act category recognises emerging acts like Tyla, Rema, and Ayra Starr, while the Best Dance/ Electronic Act is dominated by female artists.

Tickets for the muchanticipated ceremony are already available on mobo. com/tickets

UPFRONT

AWARDS SEASON ARRIVES The South Yorkshire business community came together towards the end of 2023 to make the very first unLTD Business Awards a huge success.

The glittering event organised by our sister company was held at Peddler Warehouse in Sheffield and hosted by comedian and Chaser Paul Sinha. The night saw hundreds of people gather together to honour the companies and individuals making waves on the regional business scene.

Attendees had the opportunity to let their hair down in style and enjoyed a fun-packed night of entertainment, including live music, circus performers and mouth-watering food from Sheffield-based caterers PJ Taste.

There were more than 120 applications submitted in the run-up to the event, with each category whittled down to a shortlist of the three best entries and the overall winners announced on the night.

The awards themselves were judged by a number of highprofile businesspeople and experts from across the region, who said the quality of applications was extremely high and made for some close-run results.

Phil Turner, MD of Exposed Magazine and publisher of unLTD, added: “A huge well done to everyone shortlisted and of course, our fantastic winners. It was a wonderful evening celebrating the very best of South Yorkshire business, and in particular, the SMEs. “It was brilliant to see a collection of forward-thinking, innovative businesses rewarded for their hard work this year.”

Find out more about the work unLTD do at unltdbusiness.com

PETE MCKEE COLLABORATES ON NEW DISPLAY WITH SHEFFIELD YOUNG CARERS Artist Pete McKee and Sheffield Young Carers (SYC) have collaborated on a new display to celebrate 25 years of the charity.

The display, which opened on 19 December, is on show at Weston Park Museum in Sheffield and is free for all to view. The display hopes to raise awareness of the challenges young carers face and of the work SYC do to help support them.

The pictures in the exhibition are a powerful portrayal of what it means to be a young carer in the city. They show the positive experiences as well as the difficulties they face.

Pete McKee said: “I originally came across a news story while working on my ‘Don’t Adjust Your Mindset’ exhibition which outlined the huge number of young carers there are in the UK. While these young people

see all the great work they do. It is important we acknowledge the hard work of everyone involved in this special charity and what they have done to support young carers in our city over the last 25 years so I’m really pleased to be involved.”

SYC offers support to children and young people aged 8-25.

Being a young carer means they provide care for one or more family members who have disabilities, long-term physical illnesses, mental health difficulties and /or drug or alcohol misuse. Young carers provide physical, personal, financial and/or emotional care.

do amazing work looking after family members I couldn’t help but feel that this wasn’t right that they had to do this and that we should do more to try and raise

awareness.

“That is when I decided to paint ‘Self Catering’ and since then it has been fantastic to work with Sheffield Young Carers and

The display is on show until the end of March at Weston Park Museum in Sheffield.

Entrance to the museum is free. To find out more about Sheffield Young Carers, please visit www. sheffieldyoungcarers.org.uk

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FREELANCE SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS 1 IT’S Some people might say it’s not a ‘real job’ or it’s just scrolling

through Instagram all day, but it actually involves a plethora of skills such as photography/videography, copywriting, editing, analytical skills, marketing, community management, PR, design, sales, etc. While you don’t need to be the next Shakespeare, you do need to be able to write well, as you are responsible for representing your clients. And then you have to think about filing your own tax return and scaling your business on top of that!

CLIENT IS YOUR TEAMMATE/ 1 EVERY COLLEAGUE

Sure, you could just do your own thing, use stock images, and use AI to write generic captions. But better content and engagement comes from getting to know each of your clients properly, as though you’re part of their in-house team. I try to chat with everyone involved with the business so I’m kept in the loop for any news or updates, and I regularly visit the venues I’m working with in person to capture my own content. Immersing myself into their world helps me understand their brand story, values and goals intimately. This connection allows me to tailor content that not only resonates with their audience but also aligns seamlessly with their brand identity.

WORK EVEN WHEN YOU’RE ILL OR 1 YOU ON HOLIDAY

Being a freelancer means you get to decide when and how long you work for, which is bloody great. But it also means that taking time off is not that straightforward, even when ill. Understanding clients will, of course, allow you to take it easy for a couple of days, but it can be a tricky situation if you’re out of action for a longer period, as social media is something that needs to be regularly updated. I try to schedule content in advance when I know I’m going away, but part of being a social media manager is keeping on top of comments and direct messages, so I’m often working whilst on holiday. It sounds inconvenient, but it’s well worth the trade for

the freedom you get most of the time – work doesn’t feel like work when you’re sat on a sun lounger with a cocktail in hand!

ALGORITHM IS NOT YOUR FRIEND 1 THE One day, your post might be a huge success and go viral;

the next, you try the same strategy and it absolutely flops. Staying updated on algorithm changes across various social media platforms can be useful, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. It’s the unpredictable and constantly evolving rat race, and sometimes it’s not worth sacrificing creativity or authenticity for a few extra clicks. In my opinion, the ability to adapt, trend spot and experiment is more important for success.

IS KEY 1 ORGANISATION Balancing multiple clients and keeping on top of numerous

social media platforms whilst maintaining your own social (not media) life can be overwhelming. Things can easily get out of hand, and you might find yourself working from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep which can lead to burning out. Utilise tools/apps to schedule posts in advance, create reports and plan your content calendars. Also, sticking to a routine and developing self-discipline and practicing time management helps. This is probably my weakness, but nobody’s perfect, eh?

Kerre has been a freelance social media manager for 5+ years. Her niche is working with independent foodie businesses based in Sheffield. She also runs her own business, Independent Sheffield, and a food blog on Instagram, @theinsatiablefoodie.

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WEAR YOUR PYJAMAS

FOR SHEFFIELD CHILDREN’S ALL DAY FRIDAY 9 th FEBRUARY

Help raise money for Sheffield Children’s by sporting your favourite pyjamas, slippers, or onesie for a whole day!

Find out more and sign-up on our website tchc.org.uk/pyjamas

DOING THEIR BIT

OUR MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT ON A SHEFFIELD-BASED ORGANISATION MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLE’S LIVES…

CAUSEWAY Could you tell us a bit about your organisation and what you do?

Causeway is a charity headquartered in Sheffield, that exists to create lasting change for marginalised and vulnerable people. This includes survivors of modern slavery and those caught in cycles of exploitation and crime.

We have been supporting thousands of individuals to make progress and thrive for nearly 20 years, and currently work with over 1,200 services users each year.

We offer a person-centred approach to trauma support, so that those on their recovery journeys feel seen and heard, but not judged or defined by their experiences.

Services we provide include, but are not limited to, safe houses, one-toone specialist support, holistic crisis support interventions and community connection groups. We also signpost service users into counselling, training courses and volunteering or employment opportunities.

We are committed to raising awareness of modern slavery, human trafficking and crime reduction across the UK, as we advocate for a fairer and more understanding society. We do this through investing in research, national campaigning, strategic partnerships, community and corporate fundraising, training courses, and collaborating with local authorities, government officials, media and influencers.

Causeway is one of the largest providers of modern slavery support in the UK, and are experts in the field of survivor recovery. We recognise the deep trauma survivors of modern slavery have experienced, and believe in empowering them to live free and meaningful lives.

What projects or programmes are you working on at the moment?

Survivors: Life Beyond Exploitation is a new modern slavery campaign from Causeway. The campaign provides a platform for modern slavery survivors to tell their own, often unheard, stories in their own words. This is with the aim of challenging stereotypes, getting to the real people behind the statistics, and empowering survivors to show there is life beyond exploitation. Three brave survivors made films for the campaign, which can be viewed on our website, along with the films for our films.

Breaking Cycles: Building Lives is Causeway’s latest crime reduction campaign, which aims to educate the public about the effects of trauma (particularly adverse childhood trauma) on people going on to commit crime. At the centre of the campaign, Causeway’s own Head of Criminal Justice Services, Stu Otten, made a film to bravely share his own story of being trapped in cycles of trauma and criminality.

Hidden Men of Modern Slavery is a new campaign from Causeway that raises awareness of men’s increased risk of modern slavery. Currently three quarters of those identified as modern slavery victims in the UK are male, and the majority of victims of labour exploitation, criminal exploitation and organ harvesting are men and boys.

19 male celebrities have joined forces with Causeway to create a film to shine a spotlight on this, including national treasure Stephen Fry, TV presenter Dr Ranj Singh, darts champion Bobby George, fitness guru Mr Motivator, and EastEnders’ actor Rudolph Walker.

How can people get involved with or donate to Causeway?

Causeway needs to raise critical funds each year to continue to deliver our life changing work to modern slavery survivors and those caught in cycles of exploitation and crime. Any amount you are able to donate would be gratefully received, and you can do so via the following methods: Online Donations – causewaycharity. enthuse.com/profile Text Donations – To donate £3, text GIFT23 to 70331 // To donate £5, text GIFT23 to 70970 // To donate £10, text GIFT23 to 70191

You can follow Causeway on social media (@CausewayCharity) and subscribe to our free newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest news, projects and campaigns across out modern slavery and crime reduction work. www.wearecauseway.org.uk // @ causewaycharity

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To me, 2023 felt like Sheffield was beginning to shift up through the gears. Things naturally felt stiff and cautious for a while in the wake of the pandemic, and we sadly lost some fantastic businesses during an unfathomably challenging period.

But over the previous 12 months, we’ve loosened up, puffed out our chests and – dare I say – an air of optimism has taken hold as the much-lauded Heart of the City project takes shape.

Development work in a major city centre is a tricky one. The cranes, construction fences and scaffolding aren’t nice to look at of course. But what you sacrifice in temporary aesthetic appeal, you gain back ten-fold when the job is done. We’ve already had a flavour of the potential benefits it can bring with unquestionably successful regeneration of places like Furnival Gate, Pounds Park and Orchard Square.

A mere taster of things to come, then, and 2024 looks ready to serve up the tantalising main course.

Highlights on this year’s menu include a 27,000 sq ft food hall meets community hub, a lovingly renovated listed building housing the city’s finest makers, and a swanky flagship hotel overlooking the Peace Gardens.

As well as shiny new buildings and venues to explore, there’s plenty else to get excited about in terms of the usual mix of top-notch events and cultural gatherings that keep Sheffield turning. We’ve rounded up a few dates that are set firmly in our diaries – and should really be in yours too!

Onwards and upwards, eh? Let’s make 2024 the year Sheffield truly finds its voice.

Joseph Food, editor.

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From brand-new clothing stores to historic buildings reimagined as live venues, here’s what we’re getting excited about this year!

NEW BUSINESSES!

While the final details are being ironed out, we can share that the beginning of the year is poised to see numerous retail, leisure and food & drink businesses arrive at the Heart of the City. These additions will a number of recently revealed operators, including the leading independent menswear retailer Yards Store, Swedish fashion brand Fjällräven and the esteemed Sheffield artist Pete McKee, who is preparing to open a shop at Leah’s Yard.

CAMBRIDGE STREET COLLECTIVE

Sheffield’s food scene is set to receive a huge boost with Cambridge Street Collective, a 27,000 sq ft food hall under construction at the intersection of Cambridge Street and Wellington Street in the city centre.

Spearheaded by Blend Family, the brains behind the city’s renowned food and drink venue Cutlery Works, the new venture aims to become a cultural epicentre within the Heart of the City development.

Cutlery Works, currently the North of England’s largest independent food hall, has played a pivotal role in the revitalisation of Kelham Island and Neepsend, featuring 14 vendors across two floors in its 15,000 sq ft space. Now, Blend Family is in the final stages of fitting out Cambridge Street Collective, envisioning a dynamic space spread over three floors, housing more than 24 kitchens, a cookery school and a rooftop bar.

Hoping to open for spring/summertime, Matt Bigland, co-founder of Blend Family, has emphasised the importance of curating a diverse selection of kitchens that embrace authentic and traditional cooking. The aim is to bridge culinary gaps, inviting people to explore and enjoy a variety of cuisines without the constraints of a traditional restaurant setting.

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LEAH’S YARD

Things are progressing nicely with the revival of Sheffield’s historic Leah’s Yard on Cambridge Street. The building itself was topped out (the extension reached its highest point) in September 2023 and in November they announced renowned local artist Pete McKee as the first official tenant.

The Grade II* listed building, which previously housed some of Sheffield’s ‘Little Mesters’ workshops, was removed from Historic England’s ‘Building at Risk’ register last year following significant structural renovations.

Further efforts include the construction of an additional extension to enhance public accessibility and provide additional commercial space.

Scheduled to open in spring/summer this year, approximately 20 independent working studios will occupy the first and second floors, reviving the building’s rich heritage of craftsmanship and innovation. Additionally, the boutique retail outlets will showcase local makers, creators and traders selling a range of wares.

SHEFFIELD FC X SHEFFIELD EAGLES

RADISSON BLU

The eight-story flagship Radisson Blu development site is scheduled to open by the end of summer. Nestled between Burgess Street and Pinstone Street, the 154-room high-end hotel will intergrate a contemporary design with the preserved Victorian façade along Pinstone Street.

The hope is Radisson Blu’s arrival will elevate Sheffield’s business and leisure profile, contributing to the city centre’s appeal for new business opportunities.

Plans for the hotel also include an upscale rooftop bar and terrace offering panoramic views of the Peace Gardens, contributing to the city’s social scene.

BETHEL CHAPEL

The historic 15,000 sq ft Bethel Chapel building on Cambridge Street, dating back to the 1800s and formerly John Lewis toyshop, is undergoing refurbishment to join Sheffield’s vibrant live music and performance spaces.

Featuring a ground-floor live entertainment space, a first-floor bar and café area, and an external roof terrace and balcony on the top floor, it promises to be ideal for a variety of events and goings-on. Additionally, a new outdoor space at the rear will provide seating areas for both Bethel Chapel and the adjoining Cambridge Street Collective.

The Council and Queensberry are actively seeking an exceptional operator to lease the building, tasked with curating live music, comedy, and other arts events in the venue. We can’t imagine it’ll be long before the vacancy is filled.

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CANNON BREWERY

Cannon Brewery is part of social impact developers Capital&Centric’s plans to deliver a new urban district in Sheffield’s Neepsend area. Earlier this year, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board allocated £11.67m to underpin transformation of the former Cannon Brewery, a sprawling derelict site off Neepsend Lane where the last pints were poured in the 90s.

Capital&Centric say they are planning a design-led district – with hundreds of new homes, workplaces and spaces for shops, delis and café-bars with a heavy focus on independents. Their vision also includes a lush, green urban park surrounding the existing water tower on site, as well as a new public square surrounded by shops and cafes, with spaces for pop-up events.

The plan is to retain some of the most interesting existing buildings on site and combine with standout new builds.

It’s anticipated that enabling works and remediation will start in 2024, with the team working up more detailed plans for the site.

In late 2023, Sheffield FC, recognised as the World’s First football club, and Sheffield Eagles, the city’s professional rugby league club, jointly revealed detailed plans for a 5,000-seater stadium at the former Sheffield Transport Sports Club site in Meadowhead.

This collaborative venture envisions a multifaceted facility, encompassing professional football and rugby league spaces, a cricket pavilion, a football museum and an indoor community sports hall. The proposed stadium aims to attract international football and rugby league enthusiasts, offering insights into the rich history and heritage of both clubs.

Excitingly, sources at Sheffield FC have told us they are confident that work will begin on the build this year, with aspirations that the project will be fully complete and ready for the start of the 2025-2026 season.

FARGATE

Thanks to a successful bid, backed by the University of Sheffield, Sheffield secured £15.8 million from the Future High Streets Fund, a government initiative designed to revitalise and reshape the UK high street, and the aim is to transform Fargate into a vibrant social hub in the city centre.

At the heart of this initiative stands Event Central, a six-storey community hub, where a diverse array of talent will take centre stage, uniting entertainment, culture, art, performance, co-working, exhibitions, workshops, talks and events.

To make the street a more appealing prospect for shoppers and potential businesses, new landscaping, planting, lighting and seating areas inspired by the Grey to Green scheme on Castlegate will soon also be added.

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Exposed’s Ash Birch spoke to Sheffield City Council leader Tom Hunt, who provided insights into the council’s plans for the upcoming year and discussed the long-term vision for the city centre as a whole.

How do you reflect on 2023 in terms of the city centre’s development? Can you provide an update on the current status of the Heart of the City project and any significant milestones?

Firstly, Sheffield is a city on the up. In 2023, we’ve seen the Heart of the City development really come into its own. We’ve seen buildings go up, scaffolding come down, and people are getting excited about what they’re seeing.

We opened up Pound’s Park, which is just a wonderful space; we’ve seen the work around Cambridge Street beginning to come to fruition, and we’ve had exciting announcements like Pete McKee being the first tenant at Leah’s Yard.

I think another significant milestone is the council’s decision to name Urban Splash as the preferred developer to take forward the redevelopment of the Cole Brothers building, which is going to breathe new life back into a much-loved building right at the heart of our city.

Looking ahead to 2024, which projects and developments are you excited about seeing come to life?

Within the Heart of the City, I’m looking forward to seeing more shops opening. We’ve just announced that Fjällräven and Yards Store will be moving into the development, and there’ll be more announcements coming soon.

I’m also looking forward to seeing the new flagship Radisson Blu hotel open up on Pinstone Street, along with Leah’s Yard.

A little bit further away, I’m really pleased that we’re going to be breaking ground on the new park and public space at Castlegate early in the New Year. Following on from the success of Pound’s Park, I think that’s going to give a real different perspective on a part of the city centre that needs a bit more investment.

It’s going to deculvert the River Sheaf, so there’ll be more access to the water down there, and that’s going to allow us to retell the story of Sheffield.

The field where the Don and the Sheath meet is 20 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

the field where the castle used to be, the birthplace of our city.

As well as there being plenty to be positive about, have there been lessons learned with regards to some of the more controversial projects such as the Fargate Container Park?

The containers were an attempt to bring footfall back into the city centre after the pandemic when a lot of businesses in the city struggled, and I think it’s right that the council is willing to try new things to get more activity in the city centre.

We are already learning the lessons from that, but I think we need to now be focused on looking forward.

We’re also seeing that on the site of where the containers were, there’s now redevelopment work going on to improve the public realm around Fargate to make sure that it’s an attractive shopping street in the way that lots of people have fond memories of.

Sustainability is a hugely important area when it comes to urban planning. How is the development addressing sustainability and environmental concerns?

It’s a really important question, and it’s fundamental to our thinking. Elshaw House, one of the office developments next to Pound’s Park, is Sheffield’s first zero carbon workspace and it’s in the top one per cent of sustainable office buildings in the UK. That’s an example of how we’re taking sustainability seriously.

We’re also currently redeveloping the whole area around West Bar to make sure that there are good walking and cycling routes between West Bar and the bottom end of the city centre through to Kelham Island and Neepsend, creating sustainable, active travel routes up from Broad Lane.

That’s going to be accompanied by Grey to Green style planting. The thing that does so brilliantly is not only provide great landscaping but also sustainable urban drainage.

One of my key long-term priorities is to make sure that we build on our tram network and expand it because we’ve been fortunate to have the tram network for 30 years, but it’s only had one minor extension into Rotherham.

Could you tell us a bit more about how building on the tram network might look?

I feel that this is now the time to make sure that we have a modern, low carbon, sustainable mass transit system to move people around our city.

We want to open up disused rail lines through to Stocksbridge in the northwest but also through to the southeast of the city, linking up the tram to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and also curling right around through to Chesterfield.

Fundamentally, the tram and bringing buses into public control are central to significantly reducing our carbon emissions. We now have an opportunity to work with the Combined Authority to make this happen. We’re doing a joint piece of work with the MCA to develop a new tram vision for our city. The government has decided not to go ahead with HS2 and to make money available for local schemes, so we’ll be making our case for that.

Are there plans to attract further businesses and investments to the area, and if so, what sectors are being targeted?

We’re currently developing the West Bar scheme, a big £300 million regeneration scheme, which came with £160 million of investment from Legal and General, so there are significant growth opportunities here in the city for both office and residential.

We have also just taken a big step forward by approving our Draft Local Plan, which recognises that we need 36,000 new homes to meet the needs of a growing population in Sheffield. 20,000 of those new homes will be built in and around the city centre, and we’re developing master plans for new city centre neighbourhoods to make sure that we’re developing high-quality places where people have not only got great homes but also great facilities.

It’s a top priority of mine to make sure that we are doing significantly more by way of affordable housing. We haven’t been building enough affordable homes for some time and, working with our housing growth team, we’re doing all we can to create as many affordable, new homes as possible.

I want to make a great city centre, but for me, it’s all about changing people’s lives for the better.

What would you say is your overall vision for Sheffield city centre? What sort of space would you like to see it become?

I want to make sure that the city centre is a great place to live, to work, to shop, to relax, and to socialise, but I also want it to be a great place for everyone. Somewhere everyone can come and enjoy themselves, and that everyone is proud of.

I think we’re beginning to see that. We’ve got a history of being a bit too shy and modest about our positive strengths and even worse than that, sometimes talking ourselves down. I’ve been really clear: there’s lots of great stuff happening here and frankly, we’re not talking about it enough. If we don’t, who else is going to?

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DATES FOR THE DIARY

SOME OF THE BIGGEST BASHES HEADING OUR WAY IN 2024

MOBO AWARDS

7 FEBRUARY A hugely exciting end to the year saw the announcement that the UK’s biggest celebration of black music and culture will be coming to Sheffield for the first time. The 26th instalment of the MOBOs will be heading to Sheffield Arena in Feb, bringing with it the likes of Lil Simz, Stormzy, J Hus and many other stars.

Keep an eye for a number of celebratory build-up events taking place across the city. mobo.com

SHEFFIELD BEER WEEK

4-24 MARCH The 10th Sheffield Beer Week promises to be a special milestone event. This city-wide celebration will feature the usual heady mix of beer-centric activities, including the much-loved craft beer festival Indie Beer Feast, and a particular highlight will be the launch of a new report exploring whether Sheffield still holds the title of the best beer city in the world. sheffieldbeerweek.co.uk

GET TOGETHER

18 MAY After two successful years at the students’ union, Get Together expanded to Kelham Island for a 2023 all-dayer featuring some of the best up-and-coming bands from around the country, plus a headline set from Friendly Fires and festivities that extended into the wee hours. The event will be returning to S3 once more this year, and you can grab yourself an early bird ticket now! gettogetherfestival.com

MIGRATION MATTERS

JUNE Now reaching its 13th instalment, it feels like the message underpinning Migration Matters Festival becomes more prescient each year. Returning to Steel City this summer, the only UK festival of its kind will again promote Sheffield as a place of cultural sanctuary with a wide-ranging events programme covering everything from inspiring workshops and talks, to theatre, film and and music performances from global artists. migrationmattersfestival.co.uk

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DOCFEST

12-17 JUNE Last year, 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. This year’s event promises more of the same, with a key programme announcement due later this month.

sheffdocfest.com

TRAMLINES

26-28 JULY The grandest party Sheffield has ever witnessed will make its return to Hillsborough Park, featuring the customary lineup of outstanding music and comedy acts. Attendees can anticipate over 80 artists across five stages, special bar areas, a pop-up cinema, and much more. Fingers crossed for better weather, eh?

tramlines.org.uk

OFF THE SHELF FESTIVAL OF WORDS OCTOBER Off the Shelf is one of the largest literary festivals in the UK and will celebrate its 32nd edition this year. Now well established within the Sheffield cultural calendar, the event brings the biggest names in literature (and a wide range of famous people with books to discuss), making the arts accessible to all corners of the local community.

offtheshelf.org.uk

SENSORIA

3-6 OCTOBER A hugely successful instalment of Sensoria in 2023 saw a wide range of immersive events taking place, from exhibitions on brutalism inside the famous Moore Street substation to and electronic DJ sets celebrating the history of videogame soundtracks. Expect more innovative, intriguing events heading your way sensoria.org.uk

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

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

The Sheffield artist shares a range of insights into hometown influences, evolving creative styles and the unique process behind their hard-hitting collage method.

Could you tell us a bit about your background and how your artistic journey began?

From an early age, I’ve always loved being creative.

This led me to study graphic design at Sheffield Hallam. I had some of the best and worst moments there, but I really didn’t enjoy the course and the lecturers. Unfortunately, it killed my passion for creating art. I flitted in and out, doing odd bits, but for the next eight years, I didn’t practice anything art-related. After lockdown, I had a few lifechanging moments which made me realise that I needed to do something creative again and give it another go. Even through the period of not doing any art, I’d still been scrapbooking. Subconsciously, I probably had been using this as my creative outlet. So when I started again, the collage work was an easy progression.

Your collage method is an interesting, often quite visceral way to present your work. What first attracted you to this medium?

COMING FROM A SHEFFIELD My artwork is definitely very instinctive. Although COUNCIL ESTATE, MY I do usually have a plan or subject matter in mind HOMETOWN HAS HAD A when I’m creating my collages, it does have this unpredictability which I really love and it takes on MASSIVE INFLUENCE ON a life of its own. I’ve always been a fan of collecting MY WORK. GROWING and scrapbooking throughout my adult life. It’s more of a visual diary for me as I’m not good UP AS A KID ON YOUR with words. The scrapbooks would include gig tickets, club flyers, artwork from other artists, and AVERAGE CITY ESTATE, YOU anything that meant something to me. The visual diaries were inspired by Pete Doherty’s The Books USED TO SEE ALL SORTS OF of Albion.

SITUATIONS HAPPENING – Are there specific themes or messages you aim to convey through FROM DRUNKEN FIGHTS, your art?

JOYRIDERS, POLICE My aim in all my work is to show the realities of society, to portray everyday life in towns and cities. HELICOPTERS, TO POLICE I’m inspired by the underbelly of society. In a way, my work is just a social observation of life. I love DOGS SEARCHING IN YOUR to visit new countries and learn about the culture, BACK GARDENS history and icons of those places.

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Do you have any rituals or routines that contribute to your creative process?

Routine is always a big part of my working process. Because most of the artwork is made up of my own photos, I make sure I allow myself time every weekend to explore the different parts of our cities. This is so that I’m able to gather enough material for future works and projects. I always make sure I note down any ideas straight away, as I’ll often forget things. Also, a good way to get into a routine of photographing ideas and images is in everyday life. For instance, a quick trip into the city centre, walking to your little shop, if you’re meeting friends for a few drinks at the weekend.

Every time you go out, it’s an opportunity to get new material.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Has your style grown or shifted over time? If so, how?

My style has definitely grown a lot in the last few years. I believe that working hard and dedicating yourself to your craft inevitably brings changes to your creative practice. Having had the chance to work on some amazing commissions for the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, While She Sleeps and Popular Front, your confidence gains a massive boost, and that reflects in the artwork you’re creating.

Being a Sheffield-based artist, how has the city itself influenced your work?

Coming from a Sheffield council estate, my hometown has had a massive influence on my work. Growing up as a kid on your average city estate, you used to see all sorts of situations happening – from drunken fights, joyriders, police helicopters, to police dogs searching in your back gardens. As a kid, it was kind of exciting to witness it all going off from the safety of your bedroom window. I’m aware that’s probably where my social observation began. It wasn’t all negative things, though, as where we lived had a real sense of community spirit.

What are you working on at the moment? Are there any goals that you’d like to hit in 2024?

I have a couple of ongoing projects that will hopefully be finished soon, so I can achieve one of my first goals of the year – having my first solo exhibition. It’s something I’ve put off for a while, but I think now’s the time to take the plunge. This will include a load of original works and photography from me, along with an accompanying video with my videographer mate (@ bloodshotincorporated). The other goal is to carry on working with other creatives, as that’s what I enjoy the most.

Finally, what advice would you give to emerging artists who are just starting their creative journey?

I’d say stick with it, put all your effort into what you’re doing creatively. At the same time, if something’s just not working, don’t be afraid to start again and pursue another creative outlet or project. The main thing is you’ve got time on your side. With hindsight and life experience, it took me a long time to realise this. I think most of all, your work ethic and motivation are the most important things. @melville_the_third

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all shows open to the public (14+ unless stated otherwise) tickets available from foundrysu.com box office: 0114 222 8777

foundry, sheffield students’ union western bank, s10 2tg foundrysu.com - foundry@sheffield.ac.uk @foundrysheffield

scan for tickets

NIGHTLIFE

PHOTOGRAPHY: REECE PINCHES

CLAMS IN THEIR EYES IS BACK The much-loved ‘talent show with a twist’ returns with a new date and venue!

Delicious Clam are back with Clams in their Eyes, their infamous night of local talent and all manner of debauchery. This legendary event has gone from strength to strength over the last five years, from humble beginnings in their intimate DIY space in Castlegate to reaching new heights with their latest instalment, poised to be their biggest one yet.

Trust us – it’s way beyond your average talent show. This unique event, a side-splitting parody of the beloved TV classic ‘Stars in their Eyes’, is set to take over FØRGE Warehouse, turning the stage into a a playground for local talent.

However, you can forget about polished celebrity impersonations; here, it’s all about unleashing your inner star with a touch of madness. Picture this: ordinary folks transforming into their favorite music icons while embracing the chaos – it’s a night that promises unexpected surprises and laughter galore!

What sets the night apart is its commitment to bringing the community together for a night of shared joy and amusement. Whether you’re taking the stage or cheering from the crowd, everyone is in for a treat as local talents reveal their unique and entertaining alter-egos.

There’ll be a ton of fake glass, clouds of smoke and plenty of sparks flying. You can expect surprise guests, challenges – and maybe even a touch of Pro Wrestling.

So, grab your spot, don your most outrageous ensemble and you might just steal the spotlight in more ways than one!

Tickets (£27) are available now and applications to perform are still open. Find out more at www. deliciousclam.co.uk.

When: 30 March 2024 Where: FØRGE Warehouse, Effingham Road Socials: @clamsintheireyes // @ deliciousclamstragram

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24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE PLOT 22 // 31 Dec – 1 Jan The Castlegate venue is set to deliver a marathon of dance music featuring sets from residents and special guests from across Sheffield’s underground scene.

At Plot 22, one of the city’s finest DIY rave shrines, they pride themselves on doing things differently, and this year’s NYE/NYD parties serve as a testament to that commitment. As 2024 unfolds, the challenges for grassroots music and nightlife spots have intensified, grappling with escalating costs and shrinking audiences that impact the entire scene. The team behind the venue have organised a one-off party for Sheffield’s underground community, providing an affordable and high-quality taste of 24-hour club culture.

Naturally, you can anticipate the usual high calibre of underground dance music, spanning across genres such as house, bass, garage, drum and bass, as well as delving into jungle, hardcore, techno, and everything in between!

Across the 24-hour event, attendees will have the option to choose a time for their arrival when selecting tickets. This will help the venue better track the numbers inside and does not imply denial of entry if you arrive outside those hours – although they do encourage you to stick to your selected time as much as possible!

There’s no last entry policy; all ticket holders will receive a stamp allowing re-entry throughout the event. Whether you plan to attend other events or head home for a disco nap, you’re welcome to return during the event period.

Plot 22 is based on Exchange Street in the Castlegate area of the city centre. Beyond hosting some of the finest underground DJ talent in the region, the venue also serves as a focal point for the important work RiteTrax do to support vulnerable adults and aspiring creatives in the community.

For more information on upcoming events and the community work and projects they undertake, head to their socials, @plot22 @ritetrax.

Tickets for the 24 Hour Party People event (£10) are available in advance from skiddle. com and a limited selection will also be available on the door.

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YELLOW ARCH 2024

Jan 15th Restraining Order Jan 28th TRACKS Showcase Jan 31st TVAM Feb 1st Ten Tonnes Feb 2nd Ten Eighty Trees + Floodhounds Feb 3rd For The Record Feb 11th Ladyhawke Feb 13th Schizophonics Feb 20th Meryl Streek Feb 23rd Apollo Apollo Feb 24th Mike Borgia Mar 5th Talk Show Mar 19th bdrmm Apr 3rd Brad Stank Apr 12th Bromheads Jacket Apr 13th Bromheads Jacket

MUCH MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED TICKETS: YELLOWARCH.COM YELLOW ARCH STUDIOS, 30-36 BURTON ROAD, S3 8BX

TOPPING UP

An in-depth 2016 report which pronounced Sheffield as the best city in the world for beer is currently undergoing a comprehensive update, ready for a fresh unveiling at the 2024 instalment of Sheffield Beer Week.

Renowned beer writer Pete Brown, hailing from Barnsley and a recipient of numerous prestigious awards for his work, has resumes his role as the report’s author. He took the time to have a quick chat with Exposed last month about the city’s thriving beer scene and what goes into pulling together a report of this nature.

Hi Pete, thanks for talking with us.

Eight years after your first report on the Sheffield beer scene, what are you expecting to find this time around?

I’m hoping a lot of it stayed the same!

Obviously, the last report was a hugely positive thing for the city to use in a tourism sense and the beer scene remains a key reason for people to come and visit Sheffield. As you said, the data is eight years out now, so it’ll be good to update it.

I’m anticipating that Sheffield will still be really strong in terms of concentration of breweries, the vibrancy of the beer scene and how many good beers you can get on the bar at any given time. In terms of change, I suppose the whole industry across the country has been through difficult times. We’ve definitely got to the end of the craft beer boom, whatever that was, and there’s no reason to suspect that Sheffield would be immune to that. We’ve definitely had some closures, but at the moment, I think, it’s looking like there have been more openings than closures as a whole, which is great.

Another thing from a Sheffield point of view. There was previously a slight criticism that while there was plenty of great breweries doing great beer, they were often in a fairly narrow set of styles.

But I think that’s changed quite a lot, and you’re now getting much greater diversity in the city. You still get your

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Pale Rider-style 4% session pale ales on cask, but there’s much more out there too.

To pick you up on the point you made about us moving past the craft beer boom. Could you explain that in a bit more detail?

So, there were seeing a lot of new brewery openings happening each year and that started to decrease, followed by an increased number of closures.

Journalists are often very keen to point towards ‘the end’ of something, and a lot of people claimed it was down to an over-saturated market. I don’t think it’s that. There’s a lot of proof that there’s plenty more scope out there for growth in terms of the number of people who want to drink interesting, well-made beer.

For me, it’s more about how tough the market conditions are. The price of practically everything a brewer needs has soared: energy, grain, aluminium, basic cardboard packaging. You name it, it’s gone up in price. Add the cost of living crisis facing consumers and there’s no surprise there have been closures.

Logistically, how do you pull something like this report together?

Basically, what have you been up to?

A lot of different things!

It’s about doing some good research and getting input from every brewery in South Yorkshire. We then go a bit deeper, do a number of in-depth interviews with people from the industry, and we’ll also take a broader look

at the business trends in the city, the regeneration going on in certain areas of Sheffield, Kelham Island for example, and how that could be linked to the beer industry. You can often make the case that opening a good craft brewery or pub in an area can be a step towards regeneration. That’s just a small taste of what we’ve doing.

Has anything specifically impressed you about Sheffield so far?

What I love about Sheffield’s beer scene is how many small-scale operations are producing great stuff. Sometimes, it’s just one or two people going for it.

It links back to the industrial tradition of the city’s little mesters in the small workshops.

Another thing that sets the city apart is just the number of great breweries and great pubs that combine to sell an amazing range of local beers. I’m looking forward to delving into that even further!

The report will be launched at the next Sheffield Beer Week, taking place from 4–10 March 2024.

THE 2016 SHEFFIELD BEER CITY REPORT FOUND THAT: • The Sheffield city region could claim the title of birthplace of the UK craft beer revolution.

• Sheffield had one brewery for every 23,991 people – 4.7 times more brewers per capita than Greater London.

• On a typical day 400 different unique beers were available in the city’s pubs.

• The city region’s breweries turn out over 1,000 different beers each year.

• As well as the report, in 2024 there’ll also be a series of podcasts and other online materials that will dive deeper into some of the issues explored in the report.

FOOD & DRINK

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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

FOOD & DRINK

SHEFFIELD CROWNED ‘FOODIE CAPITAL OF UK’ Hospitality company Accor have curated an exhaustive list of the best foodie locations in the UK (outside of London) scoring each one out of 100 based on Google reviews, Michelin guide ratings, social data and sentiment.

And what d’ya know? Sheffield comes out on top with a whopping 99/100!

Accor’s website explains: “Our data crowns Sheffield as the foodie capital of the UK after achieving a weighted score of 99.“This city distinguishes itself as a hub for food festivals and markets. Following a thorough evaluation of Google reviews and social media engagement, Sheffield garnered an impressive score of 99 for its food festivals and a solid 71 for its food markets.

“Additionally, securing a place among the top three sought-after destinations for food tourism, this city, boasting a foodies’ population score of 54, can rightfully be dubbed a paradise for food lovers.”

With four Michelin Guide listed venues, the Steel City beat off competition from Edinburgh (2nd with 86) and Newcastle (3rd with 77).

This new accolade comes after Time Out named Sheffield one of the best places in Europe for a city break earlier in the year and, after banging Sheffield’s drum for 20-odd years now, it feels a bit like everyone else is catching up.

Gatsby's Last Dance Well, it’s the end of an era! The owners of the longstanding Division Street party bar, Gatsby, announced last month that following a New Year’s Eve celebration, the venue will cease to be the Gatsby as we know it.

Over the last 13 years, the venue has been home to countless pints, pals and parties, but its Sheffield owners now feel it’s time for a change and are busy cooking up something new to take its place. For now, however, they are keeping plans for the new venue firmly under wraps.

James O’Hara, co-founder of Gatsby and other Rockingham Group venues Public, Picture House Social and Ambulo, told Exposed: “We’ve had some of the best times of our lives at Gatsby, I even lived upstairs in the flat at one point which was less than ideal. Sheffield is a very different place from when we started, and we think it’s about to have an amazing few years with so much going on in the city centre in 2024. It’s time for this building to grow up!

There’s a lot of history on this corner of Division St and Rockingham St, and we’re looking back to the past to take us forward into the future. We look forward to unveiling it early next year.”

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MUSIC

JOIN THE CIRCUS! A HAWLEY HOMECOMING AND MILBURN REUNION ARE ON THE CARDS AT THIS YEAR’S ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS

With preparations fully underway for its second year, Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield is cranking up the volume even higher with its latest line-up announcement.

Legendary Sheffield crooner Richard Hawley has become the latest headliner confirmed for Rock n Roll Circus, next summer’s circus themed spectacular taking place at Don Valley Bowl.

The four-day live music event – now 36 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

in its second year in the city – will kickstart with Hawley on Thursday 29th August 2024 for what will be his biggest ever hometown show.

Hawley will be joined by Northern Irish baroque pop icon The Divine Comedy, Merseyside rock ‘n’ rollers The Coral, plus more special guests yet to be announced.

This follows hot on the heels of the news that Milburn are set to perform

their first show on native soil in years, with a special one off return to Don Valley. The Steel City favourites will headline the Saturday 31st August leg of the four-day event, while pop queen Becky Hill and friends will take to the stage on Friday 30th August.

Milburn have handpicked their day’s lineup themselves and will be joined on the Saturday-themed circus gathering by award-winning singer-songwriter Jake Bugg, ska pioneers The Selecter, indie rock commandos The Rifles, the beat architect himself Seb Lowe, and the ethereal songbird that is Gia Ford.

The band's frontman Joe Carnall told Exposed: “Don Valley has a special place in our hearts and to return at the top of a bill which has so many great artists on it, is an honour.

“Last time we performed at Don Valley it was really wet, so we’re chuffed that we’ve got a big top to play in this time. But not even the great British weather can stop this being the crowning glory for a band who have a place in so many people’s hearts. Roll up, roll up!”

Featuring multiple stages, spectacular aerialists, street food, new and improved VIP areas, beers, cocktails, and much more, Rock N Roll Circus has become a must-attend event for music and

entertainment enthusiasts with four days of incredible live music under the big top creating 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, tickets and further line-up announcements, head to: rocknrollcircus.co.uk

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STRAIGHT OUTTA SHEFF

SHEFFIELD BEATLES PROJECT @ THE OCTAGON

Just some of the Steel City sounds we’ve been listening to lately…

Astrels - The Velvet Sea & The Afterglow Now, who doesn’t love a good old sci-fi concept album? With the Velvet Sea & The Afterglow, Astrels have created a dystopian, futuristic vision of Sheffield, which sits somewhere between Blade Runner and War Of The Worlds.

Steve Edwards, a well-established Sheffield singer, and Joe Newman, the synth wizard from Reverend and the Makers, first worked together in Lockdown. It was a time when we all felt the world was heading somewhere we weren’t comfortable with, and this is reflected in the tone and feel of these tunes. Throw in some George Clinton’s Mothership vibe, plus a bit of prog and dub sounds, and you’re maybe halfway to knowing what sort of material they came up with. The Velvet Sea And The Afterglow is a collection of 10 songs as exciting as anything to come out of Sheffield in recent times.

It is intended to be just the first instalment in a trilogy of albums, following the fate of our hero as he fights to survive, somewhere in the future, despite what aliens and Sheffield City Council, circa 2123, are doing to him. The songs are cinematic and ambitious to the point where it would provide the perfect soundtrack to a film that hasn’t actually been made yet (any takers?). Highlights are varied and plentiful, but if pressed I’d go for two tracks, ‘Starship Motherchild’ and ‘We Are Aliens’. They both show off Edwards’ powerful vocal talents and how they fit perfectly with the futuristic sounds created by Newman. MP

DIMITRI – Probably a Metaphor Something exciting is happening on the local synth scene as we head into the New Year. The enigmatic DIMITRI recently released a six-track album of electronic music to set the pulse racing for anyone interested in the kind of music Sheffield is famous for. Fittingly, it was mastered in Dean Honer’s Bowling Green Studios, located in Nether Edge – a place where many an innovative piece of music has been forged. DIMITRI, a former local nightclub owner we’re told, must have imbibed the electronic sounds of Sheffield dancefloors across the decades.

Two of my favorite tunes on the record are the openers. The first is the title track, ‘Probably A Metaphor,’ with its hypnotic drums and deadpan vocals, all the while accompanied by spinning synth lines. It lies somewhere in the space between Kraftwerk and the Human League. This is followed by what could be a great club dance track, ‘My Blessed Device.’ The last track on the album, ‘Yes To An Antique Ghost Reading,’ is the one I found myself playing on repeat the most. It is an instrumental, built out of electronic sounds, with an underlying treated vocal input. While totally original, it wouldn’t have sounded out of place on an early Warp Records release, from the days when they started here in 1989.

It manages to pull off the trick of being retro and futuristic all at once. MP 38 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

WORDS: MARK PERKINS PHOTOGRAPHY: CALVIN MERRY PRODUCTIONS

For the past six years, there’s been a Sheffield tradition that I look forward to more and more each Christmas, and no, it’s not the Lyceum pantomime. What started as a one-off show at Tramlines has become the Sheffield Beatles Project – a collection of our finest musicians who come together with one aim: to perform the magical, timeless and superb music of the Beatles.

Or so it seemed, because this year, they’ve gone somewhat off-message. They played the entire Sgt. Pepper album back in 2017, so this year, to enhance what most of us knew would be a fabulous night, they delved back into the history of the album. In January 1966, with Rubber Soul ringing in his ears, Brian Wilson entered a studio in California with the Beach Boys to record what he hoped would be the ‘greatest rock album ever made’. Five months later, in London, Paul McCartney listened to the result, Pet Sounds, and was blown away by the musical invention and wondered how to rival it. Even George Martin admitted that this record inspired the group to reach even greater heights. So, as if to set the scene for the second half of the show, the SBP played the entire Pet Sounds album, along with a couple of bonus tracks.

The performances of the singers and musicians were astonishing, and it was easy to appreciate how the scope and ambition of the album matched the Beatles’ eighth LP. But of course, the most fun was to be had in the main event: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band being played live, in its entirety, by what was at times a 30-piece ensemble. Nothing needed introducing as the entire audience knew every word and note emanating from the stage. From the excitement of the opening title track to the long, single note fade at the end of ‘Day In The Life’, we were all transfixed by the music which, at the time it was released, would have been impossible to hear performed live. Off they all went, and then back on for an inevitable encore. How to follow that? Well, for starters, ‘Now And Then’, their ‘new’ single and number one song, followed by one giant singalong session of ‘Penny Lane’, ‘All You Need Is Love’ and ‘I Am The Walrus’. Special mention must go to the five singers up front: Sarah Carroll, Teah Lewis, Jack Weston (aka Kid Conventional), Jaz Kelly and Ad Follett. The two dozen-plus musicians on stage with them performed faultlessly, led by their phenomenal musical director Ben Eckersley, without whom this astonishing evening just would not exist. One of the biggest cheers of the night was when they announced the date for next year’s show, and my advice would be to book early!

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One of the crop of Sheffield bands that lit up the national music scene in the mid noughties, Bromheads aren’t ready to jack it (or should that be jacket?) in just yet and will return for one final trip to the Golden (well, Yellow) Arches next year.

PHOTOS BY MARTIN COTTON

Nearly 18 years after the OG line-up parted ways, Tim Hampton and Jono West have reunited and welcome Milburn’s Joe Green behind the skins for two special nights in April.

Ash Birch caught up with Tim and Greeny down at the former’s swanky Crystal Ship Studios for a chinwag about what’s behind the comeback.

Alright lads, so it’s been nearly two decades since the original Bromheads Jacket line-up disbanded. Why have you decided to resurrect the band now?

Tim: When Liam [Bardell] got Yellow Arch, he started chipping away at me about us doing a charity gig as Bromheads Jacket, but at the time I was definitely done with music for the rest of my life.

After Bromheads finally finished around 2013, my mental health crashed massively. I felt like I’d given it everything I could, and approached it almost like labour, but I didn’t see a great deal of return. I was just a lot of drama. Like many people who were in bands around 40 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

that time, I went on this massive period of self-loathing, trying to figure out what I wanted to do. They’re lost years.

I hid away from a lot of people because my mental health was so shit. I disappeared from Jono’s life. But when I came back up to Sheffield, I was like, I miss my mate. We started meeting up at lunchtimes every Friday, and we did that for twelve months before anyone even mentioned the words Bromheads Jacket.

Jono had a really nasty bike crash about six years ago, which has left him with permanent concussion. He can’t do any sports anymore, but one of the things he can still do is play bass, so when my daughter started writing music, I asked him to come and play.

So I’d reconnected with one of my best mates, and we’re having such a good time being together. Then I’ve got Liam still asking us to play, and I thought, I just wanted to make music with my best mate again.

And I’ve always wanted to play with this c**t [looks at Greeny], so let’s fucking do it!

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How did this *ahem* drummer become involved?

Greeny: Knowing what Jono had gone through, and always admiring him, it just felt like the right thing.

Being around all that music scene, we always looked up to Bromheads. You’re always taking influences and I loved Dan [Potter]’s playing. I always thought I’d love to do that. As soon as Tim asked me, I was like, “I’m in.”

Me and Al [Turner] watched Tim giving it some underneath the City Hall, and we wanted to do it too. It inspired the Milburn and the Monkeys thing. It galvanised us as teenagers.

In the back of my head, I always thought I’d love to see Bromheads Jacket again, and now I get to actually be involved. Knowing everything that Jono had been through, I wanted to do it for him too. It’d be nice to get him playing music again and playing the songs that he loves and helped create.

Tim: When I mentioned this idea to Jono, he was fucking stoked. His whole face lit up.

Greeny: And that’s a big face to light up!

How has the reaction been to the comeback news?

Tim: I didn’t realise we made so many people happy! The messages we’ve had from everyone, or people driving down from Aberdeen, it makes it feel really nice to do it for other people.

Were you worried about bringing Bromheads back after all this time?

Tim: In my head, I’d already locked it away as not good enough. It’s taken a long time, and I make no secret of this – therapy literally saved my life.

Before we decided to do this gig, I actually decided to go back to therapy because I wanted to make sure that when we only sold 20 tickets I didn’t have a full fucking breakdown! When those tickets went on sale, I was nervous as fuck. I can’t help it. We sold out the first show within two days.

Is the plan for just the Yellow Arch shows?

Tim: It was definitely just asking Jono to play one gig in the beginning. People keep telling us we could do more gigs, but Jono is very committed to the charity that he runs [Mobile Power, who are helping provide energy solutions in 42 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Africa] and because of his condition, he can’t really travel, so it was always one in the beginning.

Because of the reaction and the tickets that we’ve sold, we suddenly realised there’s people that still care about our band, which for me is still pretty unbelievable. I just saw it as a bunch of idiots, writing a load of nonsense! I still sort of think that now, but I see it more as a big ball of fun.

For Jono, it’s allowed him to speak to his company and they’re really supportive of him doing some more shows. It won’t be a massive tour or anything, but to do a few shows and release an album would be great!

IN MY HEAD, I’D ALREADY LOCKED IT AWAY AS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. IT’S TAKEN A LONG TIME, AND I MAKE NO SECRET OF THIS – THERAPY LITERALLY SAVED MY LIFE.

What can people expect from the Yellow Arch show?

Tim: The reason that the Bromheads Jacket second album, and everything after that, was a huge mistake, was because I tried to be a pretentious rock star. I was like, ‘we’re much more than a tongue in cheek, silly little punk band, we’re artistes’. That’s where it all went tits up, because we weren’t thinking about making music for the fans, or for fun, and everyone said, what are you fucking doing? People like that your band is silly and funny, but I didn’t listen.

I feel like I want to apologise to everybody for letting them down, but 18-years later, we’re going to put it right. That’s the idea for this gig, that we remember the music and the tunes from 2004 to 2006. It’s gonna be great fun and heavily inspired by that first record.

Have rehearsals started then?

Tim and Greeny (in unison): No! Greeny: I’ve been mapping it all out in my head, listening in the car. I’m loving it! I listened to a lot of Bromheads, so I know where the songs go. I’m very familiar with it, so it’s a comfortable way of learning. Even though I’ve not been behind the kit, I’m already there.

Will there be new tunes at Yellow Arch?

Tim: One hundred per cent! I’ve got some ideas already. Watch this space.

Bromheads Jacket play Yellow Arch Studios on 12 & 13 April 2024.

Tickets available from fatsoma. com.

PHOTO: PEDALO PHOTOGRAPHY

44 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

MUSIC In Sheffield, there a few noticeable things that signal Christmas has arrived: a big tree on the top of Fargate – check; Belgian Blue on draught in your local – check; a well-known Milburn frontman announcing his festive singalong with a selection of hand-picked musical muckers – ho, ho, Joe, and Happy Holidays to all!

Just a couple of days before the first of his two annual live shows at Network, Joe Food grabbed a mulled wine with the main man, reflecting on the year gone by and previewing some exciting projects, including a second Good Cop Bad Cop album heading our way in 2024.

Great to catch up, Joe. How has 2023 treated you?

Like a box of Celebrations. There have been some really lovely moments with the birth of my daughter and third child (Galaxy Caramel - that’s an analogy, not a name) and watching Wednesday pull off heroics in the playoffs (Malteser), but, quite frankly, there’s been a couple of real Bounty moments too. I’ll not go into more detail. So 2023 has been quite a Forest Gump affair for me.

Has the year taught you any big life lessons that you could share with us Savour the small, seemingly insignificant moments. They often tell you more about life than the so-called big ones.

Namaste.

Namaste, pal. Now let’s get down to business. After an enforced change of venue, Network will now be hosting the annual Joe Carnall Christmas Show, plus a warm-up event the night before. What sort of treats are in the stockings this year?

This year is proper jam-packed. We have the very talented Harriet Rose opening the show on both nights. There are still some tickets available for the first intimate acoustic show. That should be a really nice singalong vibe.

On the Saturday my old cockney mucker Joel (The Rifles) is coming up to take a Liam Gallagher-esque stride down memory lane. I also have a little festive treat in the form of Stannington Brass band doing a turn. That’s an exclusive right there. Oh, and maybe another brand-new special guest will be jumping up for a tune...

On that note, the guest appearances and covers have become a highlight of these festive gigs. Over the years we’ve seen you belting out Donna Summer with Self Esteem, Iggy Pop with Jon McClure and Amy Winehouse with Tom Grennan. Could you give us a clue for this year?

Not really because that would spoil it now, wouldn’t it?

Anyway, a few red herrings keep it fun, don’t they?

Fair do’s. The second Good Cop Bad Cop album is available for pre-order now, with the release date set for February 2024. The first album saw you jetting off to LA to record with Matt Helders, but this one has been put together in Sheffield with Andy Nicholson (Gold Teeth) on production duties. How has this influenced the sound and feel of the record?

Andy operates in a much more hip-hop-orientated world, a lot less traditional indie than me. I wanted this to influence how we made the record and the sounds we used. I just wanted to experiment with a new palette whilst staying true to the GCBC concept.

The album’s called Welcome to the Marble Zone. I'm intrigued... what is the Marble Zone to you?

The Marble Zone is an introspective place where you reflect and think about what’s going on in your life.

Sometimes that’s a nice thing; sometimes it’s not. Either way, there’s a lot less lava than Sonic’s version.

The pre-release single ‘Does It Get Any Easier?’ is a lovely bop. There’s that retro-futuristic vibe which has become a trademark of the GCBC sound but with some squelchy, electro-hip-hop-style beats carrying it along nicely. Can we expect more of the same with the remainder of the album?

Yeah, the whole record has taken a lurch in that direction.

I love the playfulness of ‘Does It Get Any Easier?’ despite it being quite a heavy subject matter.

It’s been announced that Milburn will be headlining the Rock n Roll Circus at Don Valley next year. It must feel nice to be in a place where you can celebrate past achievements with fans but also forge ahead creatively with Good Cop Bad Cop. I suppose it could go too much one way or the other, so that balance is important to strike?

The Milburn thing is crazy and a real blessing. We, the band, have all got to a place where we take it and enjoy it for what it is. Every few years it’s just nice to go back to the start and play some tunes which mean that much to people. It sets the GCBC stuff up perfectly for me; there’s no pressure to play in front of large crowds or sell records.

It scratches a completely different itch.

Speaking of new creative routes, you mentioned at the start of the year that you’d been writing a play/musical.

Appreciate it’s still early days, but could we tease a bit more out of you on that?

I’ve been working on something for a couple of years but it’s so difficult to get it off the ground. I’m really proud of it though. It delves into Alzheimer’s and a granddad’s life story told through the living room piano. Whether it ever makes the stage is another matter. But sometimes it’s about the journey, right?

Welcome to the Marble Zone is out 2 Feb and available to pre-order now from gcbc.com.

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MUSIC OUR SHOUT LOTTERY WINNERS NETWORK // 13 JAN // £14 The Lottery Winners, a dynamic UK band, crafts infectious indie-pop anthems that resonate with upbeat melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Known for their energetic stage presence, the Lottery Winners captivate audiences with their spirited performances, establishing themselves as a rising force in the contemporary British music scene.

NETWORKSHEFFIELD.CO.UK

PORIJ LEADMILL // 19 JAN // £10 Porij (as in porridge) is a British four-piece band that blend house, garage, new wave and lo-fi pop. Marked as ones to watch, this Manchester band are guaranteed to see you throwing a few shapes with their rave-infused stylings.

LEADMILL.CO.UK

BLEACH LAB SIDNEY & MATILDA // 28 JAN // £12.50 With more than a hint of Mazzy Star and The Smiths about them, you can expect plenty of gorgeously gloomy soundscapes from this London-based band who’ve set the festival circuit alight over the last couple of years.

SIDNEYANDMATILDA.COM

THIS IS THE KIT CROOKES SOCIAL CLUB // 31 JAN // £14 This is the Kit is the musical project of Paris-via-Bristol singer/songwriter Kate Stables who sings and plays banjo and guitar, sometimes solo and other times in other guises: duo, psychedelic rock-formation, 4-4-2, unplugged acoustic gigs, choir workshops, home shows, busking etc. If you thought you didn’t like the banjo, they’ll prove you wrong as Kate rips forward with a hypnotic twang pattern and a voice of rare beauty.

FIXR.COM

TVAM

FOOTPRINTS JAZZ FESTIVAL SADACCA // 27 JAN Footprints Jazz festival will bring a dynamic local lineup to SADACCA, offering a captivating evening and night filled with jazzorientated bands and DJs. Franz Von, the high-energy hip-hop and afro-fusionist, also the frontman of the nationally renowned afro-fusion group TC and The Groove Family, promises a performance packed with serious heat.

Jazz-fusion, funk, and afrobeat collective The Lemur Conspiracy draw influences from around the globe, creating a diverse and engaging musical experience. Fusion quintet Fuji Speedway brings an eclectic mix of jazz, funk, dub, and electronic flavours to the stage, while Kali, a neo-soul and jazz singer, Kali presents a repertoire of improvised original material.

A number of talented local selectors such as Angela Kendall and Wow & Flutter will keep the party going until late.

YELLOW ARCH // 31 JAN // £12 The project alias of Manchester-based musician/producer Joe Oxley, VAM blends intricate sonic capabilities and mechanical rhythms, melding neo-psychedelia, shoegaze, electronica, ambience, Krautrock and alternative rock.

YELLOWARCH.COM

THE DEEP BLUE SIDNEY & MATILDA // 16 FEB // £11 The Deep Blue are quietly outspoken with an air of rebelliousness and punk attitudes fused with hypnotically beautiful harmonies and intertwined instrumentations.

Their lyrics range from small, detailed vignettes and musings to anthemic calls to arms, with strong elements of storytelling throughout.

SIDNEYANDMATILDA.COM

Tickets are available at skiddle.com, £8-£15.

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MUSIC NIGHT DAY FEVER! Looking for a night of fun without the morning-after regret? How about enjoying the best parts of a night out, only to be back on the couch in time for Match of the Day? What if it was all soundtracked by a party jukebox curated by the likes of the Reverend Jon McClure, Vicky McClure MBE and Jonny Owen?

If this sounds like the ideal social gathering for you, you’re not alone! The initial Day Fever event in Sheffield was a quick sellout in under 48 hours, and due to its overwhelming popularity, it’s making a comeback this month.

We caught up with co-founders Vicky and Jon McClure (no relation!) to hear about the party that has just four key rules: over 30s only, last entry at 4pm, wear your gladrags, and absolutely no dickheads allowed!

The first Sheffield Day Fever event sold out in less than 48 hours. You must be onto something here! Tell us about the inspiration behind the event?

JM: Well, the idea was all our down to our pal and Vicky’s husband, Jonny Owen. He obviously doubles up as an actor, radio presenter, filmmaker and football director.

But not content with all of that lot, he was like, “We’ve gotta start a daytime disco together. I’d love to go to summat like that.”

It all snowballed from there…

The City Hall Ballroom has some pretty special partying memories for people of a certain vintage. Events like Drop, Brighton Beach and Hotpants were all staple nights out in Sheff. What are your memories of the place and did they partly influence the decision to hold it there?

JM: Aye, I’ve got some great memories in the City Hall Ballroom. We used to go to loads of nights out in there. I fondly remember Milano’s on a Friday night. But then there’s also the history of hosting things like Jive Turkey and the famous Pulp ‘Disco 2000’ video. Steeped in history, isn’t it ?

Going back to event itself, what can people expect tune and vibe-wise?

JM: That’s a pretty straightforward one: people can expect a drink, some nostalgic tunes and a good time. You know what?

I think people need that right now, more than ever. Plus, if you can go out at 2pm, then be home by 9pm with a curry and

Match of the Day about to start on the box, you’ve pretty much completed life, eh?

You’re not wrong. So, you’ve kicked back on the settee after a day of Day Fevering and you’re scrolling through Uber Eats. The big question: what’s the Rev ordering?

JM: Hmmm. I like a bit of Urban Choola these days, me. I’ll be going there for my birthday. That Chilli Paratha… mate… forget about it!

One of Day Fever’s co-founders Vicky McClure bagged a well-deserved MBE this month (congrats from Exposed) and you’ll be throwing an extra bash in London to celebrate. Is there a plan to go nationwide with this?

VM: Thank you! And yes, we would love to see this go nationwide! For those that love to dance, enjoy some the classic anthems from 70s onwards and be home in time for a takeaway, this is the one!

Finally, with this being the first issue of 2024, could we get a New Year message from yourself to the Exposed readership?

VM: My message is music is medicine! I see this with Our Dementia Choir all the time but it applies to us all, whether it’s to kick-start your day or help you get through tough times. Play your favourite music and let it hit your soul!

Day Fever will throw its second bash at Sheffield City Hall next month on 20 Jan. Tickets (£13) are available from sheffieldcityhall.co.uk.

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MUSIC

FOR THE RECORD EXPOSED MUSIC WRITER NICK HARLAND PREVIEWS SOME OF THE BIG RELEASES HEADING OUR WAY… THE VACCINES

PICK-UP FULL OF PINK CARNATIONS – 12 JAN Although Vaccines hit worldwide fame in recent years, things haven’t quite hit the same heights yet for the South London four-piece. Maybe 2024 will finally be their year, as they return with their addictive brand of radio-friendly indie bangers. Expect killer riffs and catchy choruses – but sadly still no vaccine-based songs. It’s never too late to reference a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies in one of your songs, lads.

FUTURE ISLANDS

PEOPLE WHO AREN’T THERE ANYMORE – 26 JAN It’s almost 10 years to the day since Future Islands appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, where frontman Samuel T. Herring delivered one of the most staggering/amazing/ terrifying performances you’re ever likely to see on live TV. It led to overnight success for the Baltimore group, and three albums later their soulful synthpop is no less enticing than ever.

THE LAST DINNER PARTY

PRELUDE TO ECSTASY – 2 FEB Arguably the most famous dinner party since Jesus Christ, The Last Dinner Party were catapulted to fame off the back of debut single ‘Nothing Matters’, and now their debut album will follow in early 2024. Expect theatrical choruses, baroque stylings and more than a nod to a certain Kate Bush (y’know, that person who had a song on the Stranger Things soundtrack).

HELADO NEGRO

PHASOR – 9 FEB Things don’t get much more chilled out than Helado Negro’s blissful blend of hazy electronica and acid-fuelled psychedelia. The Ecuadorian-American will return in 2024 with ‘Phasor’; his 8th album of a prolific 14-year career.

It’ll be the perfect pick-me-up to the self-loathing you’ll inevitably feel after reneging on all of your new year’s resolutions by February.

54 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

IDLES

TANGK – 16 FEB It’s not the best name for an album, and I’ve never been overly keen on the name Idles either. But don’t let that put you off – TANGK was co-produced by Radiohead collaborator Nigel Godrich, and features guest contributions from LCD Soundsystem. Judging from early singles ‘Dancer’ and ‘Grace’, it should make for a fascinating departure from IDLES’ well-established post-punk fury.

YARD ACT

WHERE’S MY UTOPIA? – 1 MARCH Leeds quartet Yard Act aren’t messing about, following hot on the heels of their breakout year in 2023 with sophomore album ‘Where’s My Utopia?’ Early indications suggest it finds the band questioning whether that rock’n’roll life is all it’s cracked up to be. But before your eyes start completely glazing over, check out pre-album single ‘Dream Job’ to get an idea of Yard Act’s clever spin on age-old lyrical tropes (with a devilishly funky backing track thrown in for good measure).

THE LIBERTINES

ALL QUIET ON THE EASTERN ESPLANADE – 8 MARCH An album name with a not-so-subtle reference to a literary classic? Check.

Songs with England or Albion in the title? Check. Esteemed indie producer at the helm? Check. Look: all I’m saying is that you probably shouldn’t expect a massive departure from The Libertines’ playbook here. And I’m absolutely fine with that. All aboard the good ship Libertine!

CHANCE THE RAPPER

STAR LINE GALLERY – TBA It has been a quiet few years in the music biz for Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, who has shifted his focus from music to TV since the release of the genuinely dreadful ‘My Big Day’ in 2019. But he’s back next year, and although details remain scarce, if Chance hits the heights of 2013’s ‘Acid Rap’ and 2016’s ‘Coloring Book’ then you can expect one of the year’s finest releases. Just don’t quote me on that (unless it actually turns out to be one of the year’s finest releases).

DUA LIPA

TBA – TBA You can never predict who’s going to headline Glastonbury, but I am going to (fairly) confidently predict that a certain Dua Lipa will be top of the bill at Worthy Farm in 2024. She has a new album in the pipeline before then, with first single ‘Houdini’ suggesting a shift away from the disco and club-infused sound of her previous album ‘Future Nostalgia.’ And since I’m now in the business of making potential-egg-on-face predictions, I also predict that it will be a total banger.

ANTONY SZMIEREK

TBA - TBA Given that Antony Szmierek hasn’t actually announced a new album, this one is more out of hope than expectation. The Manchester poetcum-spoken word artist had a stellar year in 2023, going from underground word-noodler to appearing live on Jools Holland and being named as one of BBC 6 Music’s artists of the year. I’m desperate to hear more from him - let’s hope he also reveals how to pronounce his surname when his first full-length finally arrives.

WWWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 55

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FILM: EDITED BY CAL REID LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024 FIVE RELEASES VERY MUCH ON MY RADAR THIS YEAR…

DUNE: PART TWO Coming in March, the next half of Denis Villeneuve’s epic adaptation sees the conclusion of Frank Herbert’s seminal sci-fi classic.

GODZILLA MINUS ONE If there’s one word best suited to describe the King of the Monsters’ return to the big screen in 2023, it must be this: biblical. Triumphant would do just as well, especially following the toxic rectal discharge of Legendary’s last two MonsterVerse movies.

Like all long-lasting cinematic icons, Godzilla has remained popular with audiences across the world for almost seventy years thanks to his adaptability. There isn’t another famous character that’s been successful as both the embodiment of utter destruction and a child-friendly saviour of the world.

Godzilla has frequently swung back and forth between these two extremes across the Shōwa (1954-75), Heisei (1984-1995) and Millennium (1999-2004) eras, to say nothing of his appearances in various media forms outside Japan. My first exposure, which sparked a lifelong infatuation, was the merchandise for the 1998 Roland Emmerich remake and its underrated animated spin-off/sequel in 1999.

Godzilla appears relatively briefly in a film over two hours, but when he’s onscreen his presence is at once frightening, gripping, and harrowing. The sequence where he unleashes his atomic breath upon Tokyo hits like a freight train, to say nothing of its aftereffects.

There’s no pleasure here in seeing model cities being trashed and set ablaze by giant rubber beasties. The destruction, at times, is downright distressing. Godzilla’s atomic breath is something fans look forward to seeing, but in my case, whenever the spinal fins began to glow their radioactive blue, I was filled with dread. No other Godzilla film has managed to make this ludicrous feature seem so terrifying.

For Minus One, director Takashi Yamazaki has returned Godzilla to his roots, and in doing so has given us perhaps the most horrific version of the monster thus far. Taking place in the years immediately after the end of World War Two, the story is anchored to former kamikaze pilot Kōichi Shikishima, tormented by an incident on Odo Island which left him the sole survivor. More than anything else, Minus One is a film about survivor’s guilt. The original presented Japan as the crippled victim of the most devastating form of warfare, but Minus One frequently highlights Imperial Japan’s wasteful attitudes towards life, and misplaced sense of honour which led to the downfall and despair depicted in the film’s first third. Shikishima’s relationship with his adopted family, Noriko Ōishi and the orphaned baby Akiko, whom Noriko rescued makes for deeply moving human drama. The beating heart of Minus One is the theme of overcoming despair and embracing the value of life.

There are numerous nods back to the classic era. Godzilla’s distinctive roar is identical to that of his 1954 incarnation. The iconic theme by Akira Ifukube is there amongst the hauntingly grand music by Naoki Sato (a contender for Best Original Score surely). There’s a terrific nail-biter of a sea chase that pays deliberate homage to Jaws. The climactic battle with Godzilla eschews the typical throw-everythingat-him tactic usually employed by the military, and instead owes more to the emotionally charged finales one would associate with Christopher Nolan at his best. 5/5

DEADPOOL 3 Summer sequel with Ryan Renyolds back once again as the Merc with a Mouth, joined

by Hugh Jackman reprising his role as Wolverine.

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX October will see the highly anticipated follow-up to 2019’s Joker. Joaquin Phoenix is joined by Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn.

GLADIATOR 2 Slated for a November release, Ridley Scott returns to Ancient Rome with Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Derek Jacobi.

KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Taking place nearly three hundred years after the events of War of the Planet of the Apes, this new ‘Apocalypto with Apes’ has a planned release of May.

WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 57

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PHOTO: CRYPTID QUEERS

LGBTQ+

RETURN OF THE KING So, a new year is upon us, and this month I had the pleasure of meeting up with the iconic drag monster, King Confuza, to chat about his exciting plans for the year ahead. King Confuza has built a reputation for inclusive creative performance in Sheffield and beyond with their sell-out avantgarde celebration, Cryptid Queers.

Known for its fusion of alternative music, drag performances, and commitment to inclusivity, it is now gearing up for his biggest event to date: King Confuza’s Cryptid Queers #7: Go Big Or Go Home! [Sat 17 Feb] at their new home at FORGE Warehouse.

Set against the backdrop of Sheffield’s dynamic nightlife, Cryptid Queers promises a night of unparalleled entertainment and unapologetic self-expression.

This popular event is evolving into a larger, fully accessible venue to accommodate its growing community. Now featuring two distinct rooms of music curated by acclaimed DJs Kohl, Gillywoo and L8N, the event boasts an enchanting mix of contemporary and classic alternative genres,

curated by resident and guest DJs, each with their own signature style.

At the heart of the night’s allure lies the spellbinding performances by some of the UK’s most exhilarating drag monsters.

From rising talents to established figures within the UK monster and alt cabaret scene, Cryptid Queers proudly showcases a diverse spectrum of drag artistry, celebrating individuality and creativity. Confuza tells me, “We aim to create an environment where everyone feels embraced, accepted, and free to express themselves authentically. Our goal is to foster a sense of belonging within the queer and goth communities in a space that is welcoming and friendly.”

The event commences at 9pm, with floor shows scheduled at 10pm and 11:30pm, offering a seamless blend of metal, alternative, goth, industrial, EBM and techno floor fillers between drag shows. Accessibility is a key focus, with free seating reservations for individuals with disabilities or health concerns.

Additionally, optional tip

add-ons are available, directly contributing to supporting the guest performers and DJs, acknowledging their talent and dedication. Get ready to immerse yourself in an evening of creativity and unparalleled entertainment.

Cryptid Queers invites you to embrace your uniqueness and join this celebration of individuality. For further inquiries and updates, follow Cryptid Queers on Instagram (@ cryptidqueerssheffield) or engage with the community through social media platforms.

If you can’t wait until then, while January is typically a quiet month, we have a few offerings to tempt you out of the house from your New Year recovery. Electric Blue will be hosting a special one-off show, Beat The January Blues [Sat 6 Jan], at Malin Bridge Inn, jam-packed with comedy, audience participation and live hits, including all your favourite blue numbers. And there will be more drag from Emma Maezin’s Hunday Service [Every Sunday] with an afternoon and evening of games, fun and karaoke at The Three Tuns, and Sheffield’s

longest-running LGBTQ+ venue, Dempseys, will be hosting their popular Quiz and Bingo every Tuesday.

For those of you whose New Year’s resolution is to be more active, Trans-Active Swimming [every Saturday] returns to Heeley Pool, and for those of you not quite ready to leave the house yet, Trevor will be back on Sheffield Live with Diversity Fest Radio [every Thursday]. If you want to get involved in this year’s festival, you can also head to the Diversity Fest 2024 Planning Meeting [Sun 21 Jan] at the Showroom Cinema Bar. And last but by no means least, if you want to improve your LGBTQ+ knowledge, then check out SAYiT’s LGBTQ+ Awareness Training [Wed 31 Jan], a CPD accredited online training session that explains all, from the difference between sexuality, sex, and gender to the UK laws that protect us.

That’s your lot for this month.

Make sure to check out the latest event announcements at www.facebook.com/ sheffieldlgbtevents.

WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 61

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CULTURE

ENGLAND AND SON @ SHEFFIELD THEATRES’ PLAYHOUSE WHITE CHRISTMAS @ CRUCIBLE THEATRE

WORDS: MARK PERKINS

WORDS: CAL REID IMAGE: JOHAN PERSSON

You’ll no doubt know Mark Thomas as a stand-up comedian and political activist, veteran of the hardhitting Mark Thomas Project on Channel 4, and someone who’s never afraid to flag-wave his left-leaning views. But exit the old Mark Thomas stage right, and enter, stage left, Mark Thomas the actor. And a pretty good one he is too.

England and Son, a one-hour play, written by his friend, Ed Edwards, called at the Playhouse recently as part of a national tour, and it was a powerful and moving piece of theatre. The play tells a tragic story that both exhilarates and shocks, as Mark brings to life characters – some real, others perhaps less so – but all of them inspired by the writer and actor’s life experiences.

The story’s saddest and most upsetting aspect is how it all starts with a young, innocent boy, filled with hope, ambition and a desire to be loved. Tragically, he grows up neglected, abused and brutalised, and the horrors he experiences are later inflicted upon those around him.

The staging of England and Son is as stark and empty as the character’s existence, beginning with him about to meet his end, after spending the night in a skip at the back of Wetherspoons. It’s so easy these days when we are encouraged to give simplistic and divisive explanations for criminality not to see what has led someone to the depths of addiction and crime. Without getting preachy, Edwards addresses the issue of toxic masculinity, the inequalities in society, and explores the underlying violence and contradictions of our colonial and recent military past.

It’s also worth mentioning the first act, which didn’t exist until what was once an Edinburgh Fringe show transformed into a touring theatre piece. By necessity, it had to be divided into two halves (after all, those interval drinks and ice cream tubs won’t sell themselves, you know). Separate from the play itself, but acting as an appropriate scene setter for the second half, it allows Thomas to talk about the work he and Edwards currently do with recovering addicts in Manchester.

They work with them on writing and performing and as a companion piece to the main event, Thomas performs some of their material. Both halves made for a superb evening, which managed to find elements of comedy to punctuate the unremitting tragedy of lives blighted by addiction.

As something of an immovable Scrooge around this time of year, it says much that Sheffield Theatres’ production of Irving Berlin’s 1954 Paramount classic White Christmas has injected me with so strong a seasonal stimulant I’ve been humming its tunes non-stop since stepping out of the theatre into the chilly night air.

The Bing Crosby vehicle (and Paramount’s first feature in VistaVision) has long been a favourite viewing for many in December. Despite encapsulating everything magical about classic Hollywood musicals, I’ve always been inexplicably immune to its contagious charms. It gives me great pleasure to say the Crucible was where my defences crumbled within seconds. I was totally won over.

The cast, including the ensemble, deliver nothing less than pure excellence from beginning to end. George Blagden and Stuart Neal as Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, have the daunting task of performing in the shadow of Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, the two stars indelibly tethered to White Christmas. Both have physical attributes that channel classic stars perfectly, in mannerisms as well as looks.

Blagden matches Crosby’s smoothness but is a considerably warmer presence, and Neal has the same springy jovialness one associates with Kaye, to say nothing of his dancing prowess!

They are matched perfectly with Grace Mouat and Natasha Mould as Betty and Judy respectively, their chemistry palpable. Mouat’s rendition of ‘Love, You Didn’t Do Right by Me’ and Mould’s skilful dance in the first half with Neal were particular highlights.

Sandra Marvin provides great comedic value and classy vocals as Martha, hiding the mounting bills from Ewen Cummins’ staunch but soft-hearted Waverly.

Each member of the ensemble performed their routines with jawdropping panache. The complexity of performing across the theatre’s thrust stage with several moving parts is no small feat!

A collective mention must be made for director Paul Foster, designer Janet Bird, choreographer Alistair David, lighting designer Richard Howell and musical director Alex Parker who have transported their audiences back to the glamour years of classic Hollywood. It felt as though we were behind the cameras on a studio lot. A long-gone aesthetic that’s rarely recaptured today, even in contemporary Hollywood.

An undiluted delight from beginning to end, and a huge thank you Carrie Askew for securing excellent seats at the Crucible for Exposed.

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WISH YOU WEREN’T HERE PLAYHOUSE // 24 JAN – 10 FEB // £22 After all those extra shifts, all Lorna wants is a night out on the town and time to reconnect with her daughter. All 16-year-old Mila wants is for the world to stop burning. And for someone to take down that ‘Beach Body Ready’ poster. Wish You Weren’t Here is a hilarious and heart-warming exploration of family relationships, the agony of growing up, and how to find your way in the world when you can’t help thinking you’re just not good enough. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

THE NATURE OF FORGETTING

TERRY HIGGINS MEMORIAL QUILT GOES ON PUBLIC DISPLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME A new memorial quilt to celebrate the life of the first named person to die of an AIDS-related illness in the UK went on public display for the first time at Sheffield’s Millennium Gallery last month.

When Terrence Higgins – known as Terry – died on 4 July 1982, his death sparked the creation of a charity in his name that would alter the course of the HIV epidemic and save countless lives.

But until now there wasn’t a quilt to remember Terry and celebrate his life, legacy and character. The quilt is being displayed in Sheffield as part of a new Ruskin Collection: Hand, Head and Heart exhibition, which celebrates the positive power of making by hand. The exhibition explores the contemporary legacy of Victorian writer and artist, John Ruskin, who believed in the potential for handmaking and handcraft to make people’s lives better.

The making of quilts has a rich history in the context of the HIV epidemic starting in the 1980s to celebrate the lives of those lost to AIDS and ensure they were never forgotten. Quilt-making was used to memorialise and draw attention to the HIV response, but also to bring together those grieving through communal making.

The Terry Higgins Memorial

Quilt and panel 21 from the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt go on display at the Millennium Gallery alongside a range of artworks made in education settings, produced as part of therapy pathways or created to raise awareness, as well as over 60 highlights from the Guild of St George’s Ruskin Collection.

Visitors will see contributions from organisations including Fine Cell Work, Combat Stress and the Freeman College, as well as an array of beautifully crafted drawings, watercolours, manuscripts, plaster reliefs, textiles, metalwork and more.

Dr Claire Dewsnap, Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I’m thrilled Sheffield is the first place in the world to see the Terry Higgins Memorial Quilt right in our city centre. As a doctor, I specialise in sexual health and see for myself how many taboos there still are around HIV and sexual health. I hope the quilt engages people far and wide in the past, present and future of HIV, including the knowledge that you can live a long, healthy and happy life with HIV. What a way to keep Terry Higgins’ legacy going.”

Ruskin Collection: Hand, Head and Heart continues until spring 2024 at Millennium Gallery

CRUCIBLE // 31 JAN – 1 FEB // £15-£25 Following more than 170 performances in soldout venues across the globe, Theatre Re brings its explosive, powerful and joyous piece about what is left when memory is gone, back to the UK. Tom is living with young onset dementia. We meet him as he prepares for his 55th birthday party and past memories come flooding back. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

MANOR OPERATIC SOCIETY PRESENTS: ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY MEN SHEFFIELD CITY HALL // 27 DEC – 7 JAN // £14-£26 Sheffield’s iconic theatre group are back with the biggest amateur pantomime production in the country! This year, you can follow Robin Hood and his hilarious band of Merry Men on a magical adventure through Sherwood Forest. Expect brand new script packed to the brim with laughs, amazing music, spectacular special effects and dazzling dancing. sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

GUZ KHAN LIVE SHEFFIELD CITY HALL // 22 JAN // £30.50 Don’t miss the expanded comedy tour of Guz Khan, the BAFTA-nominated comedian known for his big-screen charm. You’ll be in good hands as the creator and star of BBC’s Man Like Mobeen mixes personal anecdotes with biting modern-day social critiques. sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

VERY BRITISH PROBLEMS LIVE LEADMILL // 28 JAN // £14 Enjoy a live tongue-in-cheek journey through the quirks of British social etiquette with Very British Problems. This uproarious show, featuring standup and sketches by top UK comedians, explores the absurdities of apologising excessively and navigating tea time intricacies, amongst other very British problems. leadmill.co.uk

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CULTURE

THROUGH THE LENS

REECE PINCHES

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you first discovered photography? What motivates you to pick up a camera?

I’m a photographer in my final year at Sheffield Hallam University specialising in live music, tours and press! I have always been surrounded by music since a very young age, with my dad first getting me into learning guitar and also going to countless gigs with my mum. Attending a music college before university helped me develop my musical skill; however, this is where I started to get more into photography too. With bands playing around York every week, I would go

down to the venues and get in with my camera, which in turn started to create and develop my network of bands, promoters and managers.

When I started university during Covid, there were no gigs I could get up and go to, which really put a stop to my motivation. But during this time, I worked with the Leadmill and opened up my own photography studio with my friend, Tom, called Studio Six where we created our own business. This had a great start and regenerated and expanded my network, reigniting my passion for taking photos. Once gigs started to come back, I ended up working as an in-house→ WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 67

CULTURE → photographer for a venue, working with over 100 bands. Being exposed to so many different band from around the world, and from so many different genres, helped me to expand my knowledge on music even more. Since then, I have worked for a number of big clients including Red Bull, Porsche and Hugo Boss. Capturing the essence and vibe of the show is my main motivation.

Are there any photographers or artists that inspire you creatively?

There are so many photographers I am inspired by from all over the world! The best way I get to see their work is over on Instagram. Everyday, I see their photos, from small pub gigs to the huge arena and stadium shows. Recently, I have been really admiring Jay Whitehead’s work (@ jay.mov); her photography and experience of touring with huge bands really inspires me.

Another person is Sam Corcoran (@samcorphotos), whose press and clubnight photos are amazing! The bold, contrasting colours married with the subtle haze of the venue really stand out.

Has your style evolved much since starting out?

Definitely! The results from the first shows I photographed were rubbish!

Over time and through university I have managed to find my own unique style and eye for how I want my photos to be. I love bold, contrasty colours as they really document the vibe in the room at the time. A little bit of motion tops it all off to show the speed and energy from the artists.

Live photography is a big part of your repertoire. What is your favourite type of gig to shoot?

My favourite type of gigs are big venues with huge lighting rigs. I’ve been working lots with Albert Hall in Manchester for the past year or so; the artists that come to that venue have some incredible lighting shows. I recently shot Bakar there and, even though it was only him on stage, the lighting was amazing. I also shot one of my favourite artists, EDEN, there in February and it was the best produced live show I have ever seen!

How do you adapt your approach to accommodate various photography genres, such as transitioning from portrait sessions to live shoots?

I approach each shoot differently, observing the surroundings of wherever I shoot. I try to find something unique to add to the photos, whether it be a spotlight behind the artist at a gig or a 68 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

multicolored wall on a location press shoot. It’s always really hard to take photos in the same places, but everyone has different personalities and energy so I try to focus on capturing that instead of the background.

You’re releasing a book this year, ICYMI (In Case You Missed It), showcasing your documentary photography. Could you tell us a bit about what you tried to explore with this collection of images?

The idea of this book originally came from a university project last year. As I do quite a bit of photography with music, I decided to not work with the music side of things for my university projects and challenge myself with some genres out of my comfort zone. ICYMI is a collection of documentary photos taken in London, Paris, Brussels and Krakow.

These photos document my time there and act almost as a group of postcards to show others who have not visited these locations before, giving them a “wish you were there” feeling. I really like working physically with my images so printing them and getting them in my hands feels so much better rather than seeing them on Instagram once and never seeing them again.

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who are looking to refine their craft and find their own style?

I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without talking to people. Talk to absolutely everyone (even if it’s a merch seller at a gig!), you never know who has links with who and who might find you in the future. I would also very much start with working with new bands and small venues as, again, you never know what will come of it. The band may get a huge support slot and ask you to go with them, or the venue may have a world famous artist do an intimate show there and you might be invited back. I can’t stress how talking to everyone has helped me develop not just my photography skills but my life skills in general.

Also, print your work! I have been able to look at my own work in a new way and develop it more from holding it physically in my hand. I absolutely hate it when my photos end up on Instagram and nothing else, so I print as much as I can, even if it’s just a little postcard size print I keep in a box. It just holds so much more than a single digital copy. @reece_pinches_ // www.reece. photo // hello@reece.photo

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