Exposed Magazine December 2025

RAISING THE BARS

K DOT ON A MASSIVE YEAR –AND AN EVEN BIGGER ONE LOADING

JOE CARNALL // MADE BY ATELIER // STEVE EDWARDS // LUCY REVIS // CINDER PATH // SAM SCHERDEL // NEW, REVIEWS & PREVIEWS

NEW YEARS EVE 2025!

!NYE Fiesta LATINA!

!NYE Fiesta LATINA!

THIS YEAR’S NYE FIESTA IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL, AND WE THINK WE’VE GOT A PACKAGE OF ENTERTAINMENT TO MATCH!!

DOWNSTAIRS...

We will have a true Latin indulgence with our usual mix of the latest and popular Latin rhythms from Reggaeton, Brazilian Samba, Salsa and Latin House for one amazing NYE celebration – on the decks, will be Cubana favourites DJ EBO (Baila Reggaeton UK) and DJ CKASTLEY (El Rey de Zongue)

IT’S THE ONLY PLACE TO BE AT MIDNIGHT! OPEN UNTIL 4AM

JUST £5 ENTRY AFTER 10PM OR SECURE YOUR ENTRY WITH ADVANCE TICKETS

UPSTAIRS... NYE TAPAS FEAST!

Our New Years Eve Tapas feast is £52.50 per person and includes FREE ENTRY into the downstairs NYE fiesta. Tables available in the upstairs restaurant from 4pm (early bird prices). All dinner guests will receive a complimentary glass of Prosecco to begin your evening celebration.

PLUS LIVE MUSIC...

6.00pm–8.00pm: KATIE BOSWORTH

Katie performs a wide variety of music ranging from RnB, Soul, Pop and many wellknown classics for you to dance and sing along to - Amy Winehouse, Jorja Smith and Stevie Wonder and more

8.15pm-10.15pm: OSCAR WOOD

Oscar performs at Cubana and takes you all the way to the 1950’s and back again with a varied selection of hits throughout the decadeswhat an amazing voice! Move aside Michael Bublé

10.30pm-12.30am: PAUL NEWMAN

A cool mix of classic contemporary and popular songbook favourites from Paul Newman –why not request your favourite.

12.30pm-2.30am: DAN MILLSON & PIERO TUCCI

Madrid based singer-songwriter Dan Millson (guitar & vocals) performs a unique mixture of popular covers with pop/rock and folk influences. From Bill Withers to The Police and Bob Marley to The Beatles. Dan is joined by highly talented and accomplished saxophonist Piero Tucci – a formidable duo you won’t want to miss.

JOIN US FOR OUR NYE FIESTA LATINA AND FOR WHAT IS SURE TO BE A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT

OPENING

PALM - CARIBBEAN GARDEN BAR

BOTTOMLESS

20. JOINING THE DOTS

Steel City Bassline icon K Dot reflects on a huge year – from Tramlines shutdowns to brand-new bangers – while gearing up for an exciting 2026. He chats to Exposed about finding his form and why he’s now pushing the scene harder than ever.

10.

CITY VIEWS

From early cello lessons on a council estate to setting up a gamechanging youth music charity, Lucy Revis has carved out a life rooted in community and creativity. Now firmly woven into the fabric of Sheffield, hear how she’s helping others find their place too.

26.

THREADS OF RESISTANCE

We dropped in to see the Made by Atelier team in their new home – a new events space and creative hub where fashion, music, activism and art collide.

40.

BACK WITH BELLS ON

15 years deep, Joe Carnall’s Xmas shindig is still packing them in – this time at the Octagon. Exposed grabs a mulled wine with the main man to chat festive singles, surprise guests and what else is in the stocking.

74.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

If warped portraits, shadowy figures and soul-swirling dreamscapes do it for you, read about the inspirations behind Glen O’Neills psychedelic works of art.

GAFFERS

Phil Turner (MD) phil@exposedmagazine.co.uk

Nick Hallam (Sales Director) nick@exposedmagazine.co.uk

FINANCE

Lis Ellis (Accounts) accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk

GRAFTERS

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)

IsobelO'Mahony, Max Hayward, Lowri Rennick

MONKEY BUSINESS // @marcabarkerphotography

Last month, Exposed popped down to the opening of I Bet This Looks Good On Your Coffee Table – an exhibition by former Arctic Monkeys bassist Andy Nicholson, promoting the release of a photobook of the same name. Focusing on the band’s rise to fame between 2005 and 2007, the show featured everything from candid touring shots to displays of the band’s first instruments.

CITY VIEWS

STORIES FROM THE HEART OF THE STEEL CITY

LUCY REVIS

My parents and most of my family are from Leeds, but I grew up in Northampton. Up until the age of about six, I did have a Yorkshire accent, but it went when I started school, so now everyone around me thinks I’m posh!

Yorkshire has always been important to me and we’d be up visiting friends and family and watching Leeds United on TV without missing a game. I started playing the cello when I was eight, and growing up on a council estate, no one brought a cello home, but I’ve got brilliant parents who were like, ‘I don’t know what it is, I don’t know what you do with it, but we’ll work it out.’ That opened doors for me to go to university.

When it came to choosing a uni, I came up to Sheffield for an open day and as soon as I landed I thought it was the place for me. That was it. I couldn’t believe the hills. The hills blew my mind – I grew up somewhere totally flat, so the way everything rolled around with all the greenery was beautiful. People said hello in the street, which I thought was just a weird thing my mum did. But here, it’s just how people are. Friendly, welcoming. I felt really at home.

That was back in 2007, and I’ve been here ever since – longer than I’ve lived anywhere else. I knew pretty quickly that I wasn’t going anywhere, and I’d already heard the rumours that people never leave. As a musician, there was always that pull of places like London or Manchester, but something about Sheffield just made sense.

I was always a bit of a hustler, so I got stuck in straight away. I got a job at the Blue Moon Café and had the best boss in the world. Bill was a proper legend who

WE’VE GOT AN INCREDIBLE DREAM TEAM – NOT JUST BRILLIANT MUSICIANS, BUT PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE AND DEEP EMPATHY. SOME OF US ARE FOSTER CARERS, SOME HAVE SOCIAL CARE TRAINING, MANY OF US ARE WORKING CLASS AND KNOW EXACTLY HOW HARD IT CAN BE.”

looked after all of us students, sending us home with big pack-ups from work. Bill and his wife are brilliant people and that was an amazing part of Sheffield. This complete stranger, with no ulterior motive, was just behaving with complete kindness.

He was also a big music fan so we started doing gigs in the café – and set up a string quartet to do weddings with my pals. I started doing session work too, met Alan Smyth and recorded on his Omnicord Album, which was my first recording session in Sheffield. That led to more stuff with people like Reverend and the Makers, Ed Cosens, KOG and others in the local indie scene. I played wherever needed strings –basically strings for hire – sometimes doing little tours, all while doing a master’s in performance at Uni of Sheffield and travelling to London once a week for cello lessons – it was intense.

For eight years my main creative outlet was Before Breakfast, where I got to make music with my best mates and be part of a band trying to do things a little differently. It showed me what creativity can be, and we shared a genuine connection.

Even then, though, I didn’t feel like I was in the community properly. I lived around Crookes and S11 for a while, taught music, played gigs, but it felt a bit like a bubble of music and uni people. That changed when I started volunteering at a conversation club for refugees. That was the first time I really connected with a broader part of Sheffield – having lunch with people from all over the world, hearing their amazing stories. I did a fundraiser for them, and somehow it kept them

going for over a decade. When they shut recently, they gave the last of their money to TRACKS. That meant a lot.

From there, I did more charity work – my mum has MS so I did fundraisers for the MS Society. I realised how much I loved organising and I got a lot of joy out of that.

During lockdown, I was living on the Manor, and for the first time, I felt completely at home in a neighbourhood. People would tell me not to move there because my accent doesn’t reflect my background, but I actually felt way more at home. Immediately, I felt like something lifted. I lived there for five years and I loved it – it was a special time.

My partner – now husband – moved in with me eventually. He’s Sheffield born and bred, but he’d see these beautiful sunsets on my Instagram and think I was living somewhere posh. I think he was a bit disappointed when he found out!

Despite amazing neighbours and beautiful sunsets, the reality of living in the flat was that it was cheaply made and full of mice, and not that great, so not long after, we moved up to S5, because we needed a house as we wanted to start fostering. That changed my life again. It opened up a side of Sheffield I hadn’t seen – the lives of young people who often go unseen. Fostering changed the way I live, the way I work, and deepened my understanding of the city massively. There’s a whole hidden community of young people here who deserve better support.

TRACKS grew out of that same awareness. I taught the cello for many years, which is a very privileged instrument and I’m very privileged to play it, but I often felt I was teaching the ‘haves’: it was just one thing for kids from families from certain socioeconomic backgrounds who could access everything – cello, piano, singing, sports, all of it. But for some children it was the one thing they had. It was everything. They didn’t have the same choices.

I was working for The Sheffield Music School, and it felt like it was time for us to fill the gap for another group of children. We started with some Healthy Holidays funding and realised quickly that it wasn’t enough to see kids for a week every half term. They needed somewhere consistent. So we changed everything. We made it free. We fed them. We hoped people would donate, and slowly we built that up and it became TRACKS.

It now runs six days a week. We’re in

schools, we run clubs, we’re out in the community, popping up in places where there’s nothing else on offer. We don’t expect people to come to us – we go to them. You can’t do everything from the city centre and expect people to come – you’ve got to get out there into communities. You have to build up trust.

We’ve got an incredible dream team – not just brilliant musicians, but people with lived experience and deep empathy. Some of us are foster carers, some have social care training, many of us are working class and know exactly how hard it can be. Sometimes it feels life-saving, because if everything is going wrong but you’ve one space where you feel safe, then that’s hugely important to these children.

And the music is amazing. These kids are talented. They’re writing songs, performing, recording. They shouldn’t be

underestimated because they don’t find mainstream school easy. If you give them the right support, they can succeed.

Earlier this year, Ed Sheeran visited and backed what we’re doing. That was massive. Not just because he’s Ed Sheeran, but because it gave everyone involved – staff, kids, families – a sense of validation. Like, yeah, this matters. Sheffield has changed since I first came here. There’s more tension these days – more fear, more division. But what hasn’t changed is the fight. People here still care. Still try to put Sheffield on the map creatively. We don’t shout as loud as other cities, but we should. We do things properly. It’s one of the best cities in the country, but you sometimes have to know it to know why – and that’s kind of cool as well. You have to dig a bit to get to the good stuff, and I love that. As told to Ash Birch

We are a local Sheffield Pilates studio based on the border of S10/S11 on Nethergreen Road. We offer group classes and private sessions in Reformer, Mat and Tower Pilates. We are experienced instructors with over 14 years experience combined and our studio is a welcoming and supportive environment – whether you have never done Pilates before or are an experienced practitioner. Come along and feel the benefits yourself –you’ll leave feeling stronger, healthier and more connected.

Follow us on Instagram@Reformer.Inc or drop us an email at info@reformerinc.com

A LOCAL LOVE LETTER

From cosy pubs to indie shops – The Little Book of Sheffield celebrates all that makes this place special.

We’ve been keeping this one under wraps for a bit, but now we can finally shout about it. Over the last couple of months, we’ve teamed up with our lovely sister company, Meze Publishing, to put together something special – a brand new book that celebrates the very best of Sheffield’s thriving independent scene.

The Little Book of Sheffield is exactly what it says on the tin – a pocket-sized guide to the city’s cafés, pubs, bars, shops, makers and cultural gems, lovingly pulled together by yours truly to showcase the people and places that give our seven-hilled home its unique charm. It’s a whistle-stop tour of the Steel City, packed with stories, recipes and conversations with some of the brilliant folk keeping Sheff creative and community-minded.

Whether you’re into exploring what’s on tap at real ale boozers, always on the hunt for your next favourite brunch spot or just love discovering the lesser-known

corners of our city, this one’s for you. We reckon it makes the perfect stocking filler too – especially for anyone who’s passionate about supporting local.

The book’s a tidy 176 pages, crammed with gorgeous photography and proper heart. Best of all? It’s now available to order just in time for Christmas – and it’ll only set you back £12.50 a pop. Just scan the QR code to grab yours while they’re still going.

Go on, treat yourself – or someone who loves Sheffield as much as we do.

SCAN TO ORDER YOUR COPY

Throughout December, TravelMaster are partnering with local businesses to give exclusive offers to their customers. Rather nice of them, eh?

Their #ExploreSY campaign highlights an area where passengers can explore exciting destinations with their TravelMaster ticket or smartcard, which can then be used to pick up offers in the following venues:

Meze Publishing – Use the code ‘TRAVEL’ at www. mezepublishing.co.uk to buy a Little Book of Sheffield for £10.

Shaanti Town – 10% off thalis

True Loves – 10% off pizzas

Unit Headford Street and Unit Centretainment – 10% discount

Caffe Tucci all sites – 15% discount

Search #ExploreSY for more details and head to sytravelmaster.com to download the app and grab tickets.

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW

Tramlines Festival has announced the first wave of acts for its 2026 edition – and it’s already shaping up be another memorable bash down in S6.

Taking over Hillsborough Park from 24 to 26 July, next year’s festival will be headlined by dance music legend Fatboy Slim on Friday, indie stalwarts Courteeners on Saturday and Mercury Prize winners Wolf Alice on Sunday.

Joining them across the weekend are Kaiser Chiefs, Blossoms, Wet Leg, Gabrielle, The Vaccines, Rick Astley and Reverend and the Makers, among others. Sheffield’s uketoting cult heroes The Everly Pregnant Brothers also return, while Day Fever – the daytime disco run by Vicky McClure, Jonny Owen and Jon McClure –will make its Tramlines debut.

The announcement follows a record-breaking wave of demand, with over 20,000 fans signing up for early access. More than two-thirds of tickets have already been snapped up, marking the fastest sales in the festival’s history.

Friday will see Fatboy Slim bring his big-beat classics –including ‘Praise You’ and ‘Right Here, Right Now’ – to the Tramlines main stage for what will be his first major outdoor festival appearance in Sheffield. Indie crowd-pleasers Kaiser Chiefs return with their usual arsenal of singalongs, while The Vaccines, The K’s and Vanessa Carlton round out the Friday

line-up.

Saturday welcomes the longawaited return of Courteeners, one of the most requested acts by fans, bringing huge choruses and northern swagger to Hillsborough Park. Blossoms are set to support, fresh off a string of hits and a Mercury Prize nomination. Also performing are viral favourite Rick Astley, local legends Everly Pregnant Brothers and R&B icon Gabrielle.

Sunday sees Wolf Alice take

top billing, closing out the weekend with their signature mix of grunge, ballads and soaring alt-rock. They’re joined by Wet Leg, Reverend and the Makers, The Enemy and Lottery Winners, promising a highenergy finale with plenty of hometown pride.

In true Tramlines style, the announcement came with a playful twist. As part of its ‘Spill the Beans’ teaser campaign, S6 Foodbank received support through donations in exchange

for limited-edition tins leaking the lineup news. The campaign reinforced Tramlines’ ongoing commitment to local causes.

Timm Cleasby, Operations Director, said: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to our amazing Tramlines community who have helped make this a record-breaking year. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Hillsborough Park for another huge weekend.”

Ticket info at tramlines. org.uk

Nomad Masion

GATHER, GIFT AND GLOW

Design, culture and community come together under one roof at Nomad Maison – a warm, welcoming space tucked just off the Wicker, not far from Kelham Island. Founded by Jake and Yasemin, the shop is shaped by their African and Turkish roots, with every rug, ceramic and mirror carefully sourced from artisans they work with directly. Profits go back into the communities behind the craft, supporting village economies and keeping traditional techniques alive.

This Christmas, they’re getting into the festive spirit with a line-up of feelgood experiences, workshops and creative happenings –plus a gift collection full of beautiful, meaningful finds. We’ve pulled together the highlights so you don’t miss a thing.

GIVE WITH MEANING

Every piece at Nomad Maison is sourced directly from makers in the Atlas Mountains and beyond. Their ceramics are crafted by a single family they work closely with, using colours derived entirely from nature roots, fruits, flowers and rocks. Every purchase helps reinvest back into their craft, community and future.

SIGNATURE VASES AND POTS

Unique silhouettes + Nomad Maison glazes = standalone art pieces. Perfect for flowers or as sculptural accents. Pots perfect for tea, coffee, sugar, cotton pads and more.

FOR THE COMFORT SEEKER

Soup Souk Mug

This iconic pint-sized mug is designed for cosy moments. Perfect for hearty soups, oversized teas, or that extragenerous morning coffee.

HAND-THROWN WITH OUR SIGNATURE GLAZES.

Medina Mug, Standard Mugs & Espresso Cups

Everyday ceramics elevated. A family made collection of mugs and espresso cups dipped in our signature glaze palette, each one uniquely expressive.

FOR THE HOMEBODY WITH STYLE

Handmade Candle Holders

Available in multiple sizes and shaped in the most beautiful earthy tones. Mix and match for a warm, natural tablescape.

FOR THE INTERIOR LOVER

Rugs From Around the World

A curated selection from Turkey and North Africa. From bold patterns to earthy minimalism, each rug is handmade and deeply rooted in regional craft.

FOR

THE

COLLECTOR OF TEXTURES

Antique Donkey Blankets & Kilim Cushions

Rich in history and character, these pieces bring rustic North African heritage into modern homes. Each textile tells a story.

Mini Rug Coasters

Tiny, charming, and irresistibly giftable miniature versions of traditional rug designs.

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

The Chrismas Cracker

A festive dining experience 19 December

Celebrate the season with a four-course festive menu featuring cheese, fish, meat, and sweet –each course paired with a surprise wine, revealed only as it arrives… just like the delight of pulling open a Christmas cracker.

Wreath Making 4 December - 6:30pm

Craft your own winter wreath with seasonal foliage, mulled wine in hand and a relaxed, candle-lit atmosphere.

Nomad x Groundation Homecoming 7 December - 4pm

Christmas can be a tender time, especially for the global diaspora. Nomad Homecoming is a gentle gathering with yoga, meditation and live dub, honouring cultural warmth, spirit and festive connection.

FOR THE EXPERIENCE

GIFT GIVER

Nomad Maison Gift

Vouchers

Let them choose something beautiful or give the gift of time and connection. Redeemable for:

• Wellness events

• Supper clubs

• Live music nights

A perfect option when you want to gift memories, not things.

Bauble Paint & Sip 11 December 6:30pm

Get creative with your Christmas décor this year – no experience needed, just festive spirit.

Festive Pilates 14 December 9:30am

Stretch, breathe and reset before the holiday chaos!

Nomad Maison

Unit 3

AS THE HOME OF BASSLINE, IT'S ONLY FITTING THAT SHEFFIELD HAS PRODUCED THE COUNTRY’S SHARPEST BASSLINE MCS. STEP FORWARD K DOT, THE MAN WHO’S BEEN SHELLING DOWN RAVES ROUND THESE PARTS SINCE THE NOUGHTIES, FLYING THE 0114 FLAG ON THE LORD OF THE MICS SERIES AND LATER PROVING HE COULD BULLY ANY BEAT PUT IN FRONT OF HIM WITH A STANDOUT FREESTYLE ON CHARLIE SLOTH’S FIRE IN THE BOOTH.

KYLE LEWIS HAS NEVER STOPPED GRAFTING, BUT A RESURGENCE IN BASSLINE, A RUN OF STRONG RELEASES AND SOME STANDOUT LIVE SHOWS – INCLUDING 7,000 FANS TURNING UP TO WATCH HIM SHUT DOWN THE TRAMLINES T’OTHER STAGE –HAVE PUT K DOT BACK ON THE SCENE IN A BIG WAY.

WITH FRESH SINGLES LANDING, MORE COLLABS IN THE PIPELINE AND A HUGE 2026 ALREADY TAKING SHAPE, EXPOSED CAUGHT UP WITH THE ARTIST TO REFLECT ON A MASSIVE YEAR AND SEE HOW HE’S PLANNING TO PUSH THINGS EVEN FURTHER.

INTERVIEW: JOSEPH FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: @LILI_TAKESFLICKIS

We’re coming towards the end of 2025 and it’s felt like a big year for you. What have been your highlights?

Live shows wise, it’s got to be Tramlines. The amount of people that turned out for me, and the excitement before and after, it were crazy. They told me that if the tent was filled it’d be seven thousand – and there were still people spilling out of the tent.

Surely that’s a main stage slot sorted for next year?

We'll see! I’d love to play Tramlines again on an even bigger stage – I’m just going to keep

working, I know it’ll happen sooner or later.

On that note, it feels like you’re riding the crest of a wave at the minute. The output’s been consistently strong and there’s a real buzz around what you’re doing. Has anything changed in your approach, or have you just hit a run of form?

I’ve completely changed my whole life approach – everything. It started with sorting out my personal life. I lost a lot of weight – I’d been quite overweight my whole life and it got to a point where I was partying all the time, dealing with depression, beating myself up.

I THINK IF I WOULD’VE STAYED CONSISTENT, I’D BE A FEW LEVELS UP

FROM WHERE I AM NOW, BUT IT’S BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.”

But I got to a place where I thought: I’ve got to do something about it. I started gymming, eating healthily and I’ve lost nearly ten stone. My brain’s completely different now. If I haven’t got ten things to do at one time, I don’t feel right. So it started with the personal stuff and that’s had an impact on the music.

I’ve just seen you’ve released a new single with Kav, a remix of the Dexplicit Dubz ‘Might Be’ tune. How was it jumping on such a nostalgic one? Absolutely, that’s why I did it. I grew up on the original and I think 1st Born did it justice with the remix. The beat is so sick, still to this day. It just took me right back.

Talking about big releases, the link-up earlier this year with TeeDee on ‘Outside’ seemed to capture people’s attention and have a similar impact to the ‘Get Milli, Get Mad’ release back in the day. What’s the secret sauce behind making those bangers that stay in

people’s heads?

When you try and overthink it too hard, that’s when you won’t do it. The one with TeeDee, we just went to his studio – no pressure – and just started making music. We made like three or four songs before we did ‘Outside’. I must be a nightmare for producers as I’m very specific about melodies and don’t want a melody that’s been done before, so I’m always

asking to change bits here and there. TeeDee can make beats in five minutes just as good as anyone out there – I left to make a phone call and heard it coming together as I came back in. As soon as I heard it, I knew it was the one.

Did you instantly know the opening bar ‘Get feral, all girls allowed including Cheryl’ would be a winner?

Yeah! Listen, it’s nowt new –that’s my thing. But you know when you’ve got one that’s gonna resonate. It’s so simple, one of those ones where people are thinking, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ And obviously, Cheryl is like a national treasure, so it works.

important is it to have these platforms for younger artists so the scene can grow?

Absolutely essential. I recently became an ambassador for TRACKS because I came out of a youth project – we’d be taken out of school every Friday, probably about 13 years old, and we started by spitting our favourite rappers’ lyrics. They got some funding, we got a studio bought for us and we ended up performing. That’s when we started taking it seriously, formed a little crew and took Sheffield by storm in that day and age.

NOW KIDS ARE GROWING UP WANTING TO BE BASSLINE MCS STRAIGHT OUT OF THE GATE AGAIN.”

It feels like Sheff is finding its voice a bit. There are artists like yourself and TeeDee making big moves, events like Slambarz providing a platform for MCs and TRACKS bringing Ed Sheeran and some of the biggest grime artists to Fargate so they could showcase local talent. How

There’s always a lot of chat about the guitar bands coming through in Sheffield during the mid-noughties, but if you were sat on a bus in 2005, chances are kids were playing bassline and niche through their phones, not Arctic Monkeys.

Yeah! You’re right – at that time people weren’t playing them on the bus; it was the MCs like Shinobi, Tezz Kid, myself, Remz and Coco and all the Sheffield

crews. The scene back then was so competitive – everyone was an MC. There were loads of crews and we all put in a lot of work, whether it was doing sets, tracks or clashes – we were active. Shoutout all the crews from back then: Scumfam, Regiments TRZ, Youth Camp, JD and AOK, to name a few.

Over the last couple of years, bassline seems to be booming again as a genre. What do you think’s behind that?

I think a whole new generation – and I don’t know how they got on to what we did back then – are growing up on it and it’s becoming their number one music now. This is how I knew it had changed again – back in the day there were loads of bassline MCs and when all the grime MCs saw there was money to be made they wanted to do bassline. Then it kind of died off and we saw years and years with no new MCs, and now kids are growing up wanting to be bassline MCs straight out of the gate again.

But I don’t really know what happened to cause that. I think there are a few key players including myself and some fresh faces breathing new life into it, like Denon [Reed] and TeeDee bringing new bangers into it, and once it catches… it’s like wildfire. This younger generation have gone and educated themselves on everything we did, then there are new guys bringing the fire, and with how social media is now it’s one of the biggest genres in the UK on TikTok.

I was walking through town the other day and these kids were walking past playing ‘Get Milli, Get Mad’ out of some speakers. They must’ve been 13 or 14 years old, tops. They probably wouldn’t even have been born when it came out! It’s mad.

That’s probably the tune you were best known for, but it must be nice to have dropped new bangers like ‘Outside’ that people are now just as familiar with when they come to shows.

Yeah, there’s a few that’ve gone down really well, but it feels like ‘Outside’ is gonna get as big as ‘Get Milli, Get Mad’. That tune was before the streaming era – actually [DJ] Q messaged me the other day to say it had only just passed a million streams – and it never even got a proper release; it was on the Sound of Bassline compilation album.

Those albums were just iconic back in the day, weren’t they?

That’s how everyone got switched on to these artists.

That’s it. It was a different time for consuming music and they were a big way of getting our tunes in everybody’s cars and around the country. It wasn’t like now where you put a tune on TikTok and can watch it fly overnight.

How are you planning to build on a big year – what’s coming in 2026?

I’m working on a solo project

as we speak and there are gonna be some really big features on it. I’m dropping another single in December and jumping on DnB a bit too.

I’ve got some tunes with big players in that genre coming out and I genuinely think they’re gonna shut the country down. The solo project’s everything I’ve done genrewise – a UK melting pot.

Things are looking good, but where would you like to be in five years?

I’m not really bothered about being the most famous. But as for goals, I do want to do Glastonbury at some point. I’m not really looking as far ahead as five years – it’s more the here and now, trying to be bigger and better. I’m thinking more about what I’m going to make tomorrow.

@kdot0114

QUICKFIRE WITH K DOT

A producer or artist that you’d most like to collaborate with?

That’s a hard one. I’d love to get something done with D Double E.

One bar that you wish you’d written?

A Dot Rotten freestyle dissing Wiley on Logan

Sama has one of the best grime bars ever written: Think you can beat me and test me? No chance

Try meet me in E3

I pull out the streezy and make Eskimo dance

If you could tell yourself one thing when starting out in music, what would it be?

Stay consistent. I think if I would’ve stayed consistent I’d be a few levels up from where I am now, but it’s better late than never.

After the likes of Billie Eilish and Fontaines DC were seen proudly showcasing their garms, Sheffieldbased brand Made by Atelier continues to grow – transforming a new warehouse into a bold DIY space where fashion, music, art and activism collide.

In a repurposed warehouse just off Earl Street, an exciting new venue is flying the flag for cutting-edge fashion, art and music in the region. Made by Atelier – the Sheffield-based brand founded by Morgan Sidle – has transformed its new home into more than just a production space. It’s now a multi-use creative workshop, showroom and DIY venue that embodies the ethos of the brand itself: raw, independent and fiercely authentic.

After starting in Barnsley back in 2021, with just a screen print set-up bought off Facebook Marketplace and a garage space, things have

steadily grown from a one-man operation into something bigger, bolder and more collaborative. “It’s felt like a natural progression,” Morgan tells Exposed. “This year it’s just been quite phenomenal, really – we’ve been able to take on staff for the first time. We have someone to come in to do e-comms stuff, and we’ve got someone on the sewing machine. It’s not just me anymore, which is exciting.”

Having moved out of a smaller retail unit at Leah’s Yard, the new Earl Street premises offer everything under one roof – from design to production, and now, live

events. “That was always the end game,” Morgan says. “Just bring everything into one, which is what I’ve always wanted to do.”

The first big test comes on Saturday 29 November, when Made by Atelier hosts a full-day DIY event in collaboration with events collective One To Another. Featuring live sets from Stone, Humane the Moon, Free Party, Gelder and Only Omar, the night also includes live merch sales and a pop-up Black Friday sale. “It’s not just music – it’s a collaboration,” Morgan says. “Upstairs, we’ll be printing merch for the night, for the bands performing, which is cool.”

Jess, promoter at One To Another, describes their involvement as a natural fit. “I’ve been putting on events for a while, mostly here in Sheffield, and the focus is always the same – it’s about music, community, and tying in art and activism. This was the perfect chance to bring those things together.”

Morgan and Jess go back a few years – they first met when she modelled for the brand – and she saw the potential in the warehouse space as soon as it opened. “This could definitely become a cornerstone for fashion and music in the city. You’ll find a lot of places like this in Manchester, where people go every weekend for events, and there’s the potential for this to grow into that.”

Things levelled up fast once major artists – from Fontaines D.C. to Billie Eilish – began wearing their clothes. But it’s not celebrity co-signs that define the brand – it’s values. “We’re not afraid to be political,” says Morgan. “A lot of fashion brands don’t really seem to have a voice anymore. Everyone’s just doing the same stuff. It’s really tame. No one really speaks out.”

That refusal to water things down is core to the label’s appeal. One of its most iconic designs to date is a T-shirt bearing Margaret Thatcher’s face with the slogan ‘British Scum’. “Why not just put it on a shirt?” he shrugs. “Literally wearing it on your sleeve –that’s what I believe in.”

Despite its national and international following, the brand has long had an interesting relationship with its hometown. “We’ve always been more popular in London and Manchester than Sheffield,” Morgan admits. “It’s a bit of a weird one but hopefully that can change a bit.”

And this space might just be part of the solution. With ideas brewing for screenings, exhibitions and fringe stages for next year’s Tramlines, the hope is that the warehouse can become a cultural hub for the city’s people – not just a clothing brand HQ.

The long-term vision? Keep moving, keep challenging. “I always take it day by day,” says Morgan. “You never know who’s gonna pop up and be like, ‘Do you want to do this?’ At the minute I’m working on some commissions for Soft Play, which is cool, and there are always things in the pipeline. But for the next three or four years, this place is a good stepping stone.”

Web: sculpt-studio.uk

WELCOME TO SCULPT WELLNESS STUDIO

At Sculpt, we believe in making Reformer Pilates accessible to everyone. Perfect for newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts alike, our classes are designed to challenge, inspire and support you on your wellness journey. Whether you’re in our Reformer Room or Mat Room, you’ll meet our friendly instructors and become part of a community that prioritises physical and mental wellbeing.

Reformer

| Pilates |

Hot Pilates

Yoga | Hot Yoga | Barre

Insta: @sculptwellness.pilatesstudio

Follow us on Instagram@Reformer.Inc or drop us an email at info@reformerinc.com

Facebook: Sculpt Wellness Studio

LOCATION:

Dronfield - Unit 1, Willow House, Stubley Hollow S18 1PA

Halfway - Unit 1A, Holbrook Green, Holbrook Industrial Estate S20 3FE

ScandiBox Saunas is a mobile, wood-fired sauna based in Dronfield and serving Sheffield and the Peak District. Inspired by Scandinavian sauna culture, we believe in the power of heat, nature, and community to support wellbeing

Our handcrafted sauna can be hired for private gatherings, corporate wellbeing days, retreats, and events, offering a unique experience wherever you need it.

We also run communal sauna sessions, creating space for people to slow down, reset, and connect.

You can now find us weekly at the J. G. Graves Woodland Discovery Centre in Ecclesall Woods, where the warmth of the sauna meets the tranquility of the woodland.

Whether you’re looking to relax, socialise, or explore the benefits of sauna culture, ScandiBox brings the warmth to you

BOOK HERE: www.scandiboxsaunas.co.uk

Insta: @scandibox_saunas // Facebook: ScandiBox Saunas

Redefining Reformer Pilates, Sculpt Wellness

Studio combines professional instruction with a community-focused approach that welcomes everyone – regardless of ability.

culpt offers lowimpact yet highly effective ways to build strength and fitness, focusing on flexibility, posture and core strength. With locations in Dronfield and Halfway, both venues offer more than just a fitness space. They’re health and wellness hubs –places where visitors can enjoy expertly guided classes, then unwind with a coffee afterwards.

The Dronfield studio features two distinct areas: the Reformer Room, home to state-of-the-art maple wood Pilates machines, and the Mat Room, equipped with infrared heaters for hot mat Pilates, hot yoga and barre classes. Whether you’re after the dynamic support of the Reformer or the intensity of heat-based mat workouts, there’s something here for you to explore.

The business was founded by Paige Allwood, who turned to Pilates as part of her own rehabilitation journey with rheumatoid arthritis. Alongside fellow instructor Rachel, the pair draw on their shared experience to create regular wellness events shaped around themes suggested by their clients.

Exposed caught up with Rachel, who explained the main purpose behind Sculpt:

“We have been trying to build a community, and that is exactly what we have done. Over the past year, we’ve built a close circle of people who love to come to the studio, do their classes and meet new people.”

The offering is built on core values. At the heart of everything is inclusivity – a space where everyone is welcome, no matter their background or ability. The team is committed to building connection and growth, helping clients

develop both physically and mentally. Every class focuses on balance, offering a holistic experience from start to finish.

Each instructor is highly trained, ensuring teaching is delivered to the highest standard – whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned Pilates enthusiast. Sculpt also offers private oneto-one sessions as well as private group sessions, along with monthly wellness workshops.

Over at Halfway, Sculpt’s studio is based within the female-only Redefine Health gym. This space focuses solely on Reformer classes but also features a cosy on-site café – the perfect spot to relax and recharge post-workout.

For those nervous to try something new, Rachel has a reassuring message: “We make sure that everyone feels comfortable and that nobody feels inadequate. It is for all experience levels and body types.”

Not only do the classes offer collective enjoyment, but the physical benefits are numerous – from enhancing body awareness to helping reduce the risk of injuries through controlled, focused movement.

If you’re after a space to strengthen both mind and body, look no further than Sculpt. With good energy at its core and a focus on genuine connection, the studio offers an experience designed to help you improve in the way that suits you best.

LOCATION:

Dronfield - Unit 1, Willow House, Stubley Hollow S18 1PA

Halfway - Unit 1A, Holbrook Green, Holbrook Industrial Estate S20 3FE Web: sculpt-studio.uk Follow: @sculptwellness. pilatesstudio

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF A STEEL CITY INSTITUTION

It’s not every day a local independent hits the 25-year mark – and does so with as much colour, character and flair as Cubana. From its modest beginnings on Trippet Lane to its current home in the heart of Leopold Square, this vibrant spot has become nothing short of a Sheffield institution – serving up Latin flavour, live music and latenight dancing since 2000.

Founders Adrian Bagnoli and Brad Charlesworth launched Cubana with a simple ambition: bring a slice of Havana’s joy to the Steel City. Yet the early days were anything but smooth. A frustrating delay in securing the licence meant they couldn’t serve alcohol for the first few weeks. Rather than grind to a halt, they invited customers to bring their own wine. As it turned out, the hiccup became a blessing. With drinks off the table, the focus shifted naturally to the food, planting the seeds for Cubana’s future reputation as one of Sheffield’s great dining spots.

“When we started, we just wanted to bring a bit of Cuban sunshine to Sheffield,” Adrian says. “We never imagined Cubana would weave itself into the fabric of the city in the way it has. The real soul of Cubana comes from the people – our incredible staff over the years and the customers who’ve supported us from day one.”

Adrian’s fascination with Latin culture began long before Cubana existed. Back in the ‘90s, while living in Florence, he became a regular at a Brazilian nightclub called Maracana. The atmosphere stuck with him: the rhythm, the movement, the sheer sense of release. When he returned to Sheffield, he channelled that energy into creating Viva Salsa – the city’s first Latin club night, launched at Club Uropa in June 1995. The debut event pulled in 700 people and made it clear that Sheffield was ready for something different.

“The debut event was packed to the rafters and made it clear that Sheffield was ready for something different..”

When Cubana opened five years later, those influences flowed straight into the venue. The original Trippet Lane site was small, lively and informal, quickly gathering a loyal following. For nearly 14 years, it was the setting for countless nights out fuelled by mojitos, tapas dishes designed for sharing and a buzzing music scene that gave the place its unmistakable character.

“Customers still fondly talk about our time at Trippet Lane – it holds a special place in many people’s hearts. We made so many fabulous memories there. One of the highlights has got to be hosting members of the Buena Vista Social Club and having some of their musicians perform live at Cubana following their City Hall shows.”

By 2014, Cubana had outgrown its

original four walls. Opportunity knocked when the two-floor former Platillos unit in Leopold Square became available. After some creative plotting with Sheffield artist Paul Staveley and architect Paul Brady, Adrian and Brad transformed the space into a bigger, bolder version of the Cubana identity. In true Cubana style, the move was executed at pace – the new venue opened just four days after the final night on Trippet Lane.

Today, Leopold Square is the perfect stage for what Cubana has become: a vibrant meeting point of food, music and cultural expression. The decor is warm and atmospheric, drawing on Latin influences without feeling like a theme park. It’s a restaurant, a cocktail bar and a live music venue, all under one roof, and all working together to create that famous sense of escapism.

The food offering is still central to Cubana’s appeal. Tapas dishes blend Spanish classics with South American flair, showcasing everything from slowcooked meatballs and seafood favourites to smoky grilled meats and plenty of thoughtful plant-based options. The menu is built for sharing, reflecting the communal spirit that keeps the place buzzing from lunchtime until late.

Then there’s the rum collection – more than 300 varieties from around the world, praised by global rum ambassador Ian A. V. Burrell as one of the finest anywhere. Cubana even made national headlines for selling Havana Club 1519 at £250 a shot, becoming the first venue outside Cuba to stock it. The cocktail menu continues to evolve, pulling in flavours from across Latin America while holding space for classics.

Music, though, is where Cubana’s heart beats loudest. There’s live music most nights, showcasing local talent and international guests alike. Styles shift from Cuban son to salsa, jazz and Latin fusion, but the constant is the energy. Their flagship event, Salsa in the Square, now takes place three times a year and draws hundreds into Leopold Square for

WE’VE SEEN NEARLY THREE GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES FROM SHEFFIELD ENJOY CUBANA, AND THAT’S REALLY SPECIAL.”

open-air dancing and live bands. It has cemented itself as a fixture of Sheffield’s cultural calendar and a highlight of the city’s bank holiday weekends.

The guestbook over the years reads like a pocket-sized cultural history. Aleida Guevara – daughter of Che – visited and was glowing in her praise for the food, decor and atmosphere. Legendary Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán has stopped by, as has British icon Ricky Hatton, alongside a host of sporting celebrities who treat Cubana as a regular pit stop.

Despite the accolades, Adrian is clear about what keeps Cubana going strong after a quarter of a century.

“To still be here after 25 years in hospitality really means something. It comes down to hard work, shared values and the strong bond Brad and I have built. But above all, it’s the good fortune of having very many fantastic staff members work for us and be part of the Cubana family over the years.”

“Cubana has always been about having fun – that uplifting holiday feeling, live music, good food, friendly people and a bit of escapism that just makes people smile and de-stress as soon as they walk in. We’ve seen nearly three generations of families from Sheffield enjoy Cubana, and that’s really special.”

Twenty-five years in, Cubana remains as vibrant as the night it opened its doors. It is a celebration of culture, community and sheer joy – a little slice of Havana, rooted firmly in the heart of Sheffield.

After a quarter of a century, Cubana remains as lively and loveable as ever. It’s the kind of place where you pop in for tapas and end up dancing to a live salsa band at midnight. It’s Sheffield’s little slice of Havana – and long may it continue.

Cubana, Unit 4, Leopold Square

S1 2JG

@cubanatapasbar cubanatapasbar.com

SHAAANTI TOWN’S SPICY STARTS

EACH MONTH, EXPOSED TUCKS INTO SOME OF THE BEST SCRAN IN SHEFFIELD AND FINDS OUT WHAT MAKES IT SO GOOD. THIS MONTH, FORGET LIMP HASH BROWNS AND HALF-ARSED AVOCADO, NEW SHARROW VEGGIE AND VEGAN RESTAURANT SHAANTI TOWN’S INDIAN-INSPIRED BREKKIES WILL WAKE UP MORE THAN JUST YOUR TASTE BUDS. WE PULLED UP A SEAT WITH OWNER BALLY JOHAL TO FIND OUT WHY INDIAN BREAKFAST DESERVES ITS MOMENT IN THE SHEFFIELD SUN.

Alright, so what’s the deal with an Indian breakfast?

It’s not curry, but we’re doing proper spicy breakfast –traditionally it’s paratha dipped in chilli or lime pickle and yoghurt. That’s across India, but every family’s got their own take. Same with chai – we’ll have our own blend on all day. Then we’ve got our version of masala beans on sourdough, and spicy scrambled eggs or tofu with paratha noodles. That one’s banging – got a good kick but still feels like brekkie.

So it’s not gonna blow your head off at 9am?

Nah, not at all. It’s authentic, has spice, but I’ve kind of anglofied it. I’m Anglo-Asian, so it’s about finding that balance. I like a fry-up as much as the next guy, but there’s nowhere really offering this kind of thing

– and it’s all veggie or vegan by default.

You didn’t set out to open a vegan place though, right? No, but most Indian food’s already vegan – always has been. The only non-vegan bit is butter, so we just use vegan butter. I’m not into fake meat. If you want sausage, eat sausage. Don’t eat a sad fake one. There’s loads of banging food that

doesn’t have to pretend to be bacon.

Tell us about that tofu scramble – sounds like it’s stealing the show. It’s the vegan version of our scrambled masala egg and paratha noodles. We did them side by side – you couldn’t tell which was which. Tofu’s spiced and scrambled, the paratha gets cooked on the hot plate, sliced

into strips to give it that noodle texture. It’s seriously good.

So it’s just weekends for now? Yeah, Saturdays and Sundays – breakfast from morning till mid-afternoon. We’re still building things up organically. There’s a lounge upstairs, sunny courtyard, and we’re going on Uber Eats soon. But yeah, weekends is where the breakfast buzz is at.

And beyond breakfast – what kind of space are you building here?

It’s more than just food. We’re doing wellness workshops, a coffee spot, baked goods, even a tenner deal for people working remotely – chai, Wi-Fi and a fresh bakery item. The idea’s to create a proper hangout. It’s coming together. Big courtyard, good vibes, and loads of potential.

Follow: @shaantitown

Pop in: 1 Cowlishaw Rd, Sharrow, Sheffield S11 8XE

KAROBAR KITCHEN @ THE YORK

A LONGSTANDING FIXTURE OF THE BROOMHILL PUB SCENE AND BELOVED BY STUDENTS AND LOCALS ALIKE, THE YORK EARLIER THIS YEAR SWAPPED PIES FOR PURI AS THE TEAM BEHIND KAROBAR – AN INDIAN KITCHEN WITH VENUES IN WAVERLEY AND HORSFORTH – TOOK OVER THE CULINARY OFFERING AND LATER THE WHOLE OPERATION AT THE FULWOOD ROAD ESTABLISHMENT.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MARC BARKER

Since the move, the pub’s focus has shifted. As manager Eva puts it, it’s becoming “more of a food-based place than a pub first, food later” as they reshape The York into a new kind of neighbourhood fixture – where the taps and the tandoor feel like natural companions.

The concept of good beer paired with Indian plates in a traditional pub didn’t need selling to us, and with both the festive menu and a selection from their Sunday offerings on offer, we went to see how Karobar’s kitchen holds up at the heart of this much-loved S10 local.

If you’re heading there hungry, the smart move is to start small. Karobar’s sharing plates are built for passing round a table, though you might quietly regret sharing once they land. The Chicken Wings 65 arrive first, crisp and spicy with that south Indian heat that sticks around just long enough to make you reach for your pint. It’s the perfect pub finger food.

The Beetroot Tikki patties were warm, earthy and gently spiced, but it’s the tadka yoghurt that gives them lift. The huge Crispy Masala Dosa is the standout of the opening round

– the shattering crispness, the soft potato masala tucked inside, and the trio of sambhar, coconut chutney and roasted tomato chutney dips give us plenty to go at.

For the mains we move to the Sunday side of the menu, where Karobar leans fully into the Anglo-Indian mash-up. You might think that a tandoori chicken with Yorkshire pudding shouldn’t work, yet it absolutely does. The chicken is tender on the bone, marinated in ginger, garlic and Kashmiri chilli, carrying enough warmth to cut through the roast potatoes and carrots without overpowering them. The salmon baked in banana leaf is even better. Soft, fragrant and lifted by a silky Moilee sauce, it’s another winner from a kitchen that clearly knows what it’s doing.

We also try a curry from the main line-up, the chicken makhani. It’s everything you want from a makhani: rich tomato depth, that unmistakable cashew creaminess and chicken tikka that tastes slightly charred. We take it with naan, which turns out to be the right call for mopping every last bit from the bowl.

Dessert seals the deal. A warm chocolate fondant with a molten centre might sound like pub-by-numbers offering, but pairing it with saffron kulfi and gulkand turns it into something more interesting. The perfect residual spice-killer and creamy, floral and rich all at once, it draws a neat line under a meal that proves Karobar isn’t here to just borrow space in a Sheffield institution. It’s here to elevate it.

Vibe check in, and it’s a resounding yes from us. Book yourself in at theyorksheffield. co.uk and see if you agree.

Kitchen Hours  Mon – Thurs: 16:00 – 21:00 Fri – Sat: 12:00 – 21:00 Sunday: 12:00 – 20:00

@theyorksheffield 243-247 Fulwood Road S10 3BA

Karaoke upstairs every night.

Free entry always.

Open till 3am every night.

Christmas Thrills at Owlerton Stadium!

This year, forget the same old festive night out and head over to Owlerton Stadium on Penistone Road and celebrate in fullthrottle style.

Right from the heart of the trackside bars, you’ll be in the thick of the greyhound racing action – close enough to feel the rumble as the dogs sprint past at lightning speed. Every Friday and Saturday evening from 28 November onwards, Owlerton shifts into high gear: live greyhound racing, a late bar until 1am and a buzzing atmosphere that takes “festive night out” to a whole new level.

Whether you’re after fast-paced fun with mates, entertaining colleagues or gathering a large crew for a proper festive blow-out, Owlerton Stadium delivers for groups who want more than just a meal and a drink.

The 6 Pack package is the perfect combo of party and racing excitement and a must for big groups. Owlerton’s trackside bar package includes admission, racecard, crispy chicken strips & fries, a couple of bets and a drink, all for just £16 per person. You’ll

get to cheer on top-tier greyhounds and watch every photo finish unfold right in front of you. When the final race wraps up, the night’s just getting started and the bar comes alive with our live DJ and drinks flowing right through ‘til 1am.

If you and your partygoers are looking for something a bit more refined, then book into the Panorama Restaurant at Owlerton Stadium. With glass-fronted views over the finish line, live racing becomes the backdrop to a delicious 3 or 4-course festive dinner. Packages here start from £22 per person and includes admission and racecard, your set menu,

live racing and table betting service. Sunday lunch options are also available. Whether you’re after trackside thrills, somewhere to dance the night away, amazing food and service or just a fresh take on festive fun, Owlerton Stadium ticks all the boxes. Book early, gather the gang and get ready to celebrate with momentum.

From low-key knees-ups to sold-out singalongs at some of the city’s finest venues, Joe Carnall’s annual yuletide bash has become a beloved staple of Sheffield’s social calendar. With a new festive single and a debut musical under his belt, plus the promise of more surprise guests and raucous covers on the night, we caught up with the man himself to chat prep, pals and why this Christmas gig will be a particularly special one.

WORDS: JOSEPH FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY:

It’s almost that time of year again, Joe. We’ve now reached fifteen years of festive chaos – did you think you’d get this far?

Absolutely not. It started out as a gig upstairs at the Shakespeare, basically to have a laugh and raise a bit of beer money. I had no idea how it was going to go down, but I played a couple of tunes, people started going mental – so much so, the landlady ran upstairs to tell everyone to stop bouncing around as the ceiling was going to cave in. And it was then – that moment – I knew I was onto something special.

How’s prep going for this year’s event – any surprises in the stocking?

Regarding preparation, I’ve learned that it really helps my life out if I start doing it a little earlier, like mid to late November. So I’ve been trying to get ahead of the game –you lose a yard of pace at my age, you know? We’ve been on it, trying to make it as good as possible, especially with the 15th year tag on this one. I can’t tell you too much, obviously, but if people want to come and belt out a few tunes ranging from Milburn to Wham! and hug their mates while having a great time, they’ll enjoy it as much as me.

You’ve had some incredible surprise guests over the years – does anyone actually say no to you, or are you just very persuasive by offering a rider of Stones Bitter and mince pies?

It’s usually just a case of bumping into people earlier in the year, having a nice chat, and hitting them up later on to see if they’re up for it. As it’s got more established, people know they’re going to do a tune in front of a great crowd – Rebecca (Self Esteem), for example, knows she can come down and just have fun – there’s no journo from The Guardian there stroking his chin. It’s the same in the dressing room: no judgement, everyone letting off steam, enjoying their Christmas time. Christmas is a bit mad, isn’t it? Sends everyone a bit loopy… in a good way!

It’s been a big year for you, especially getting your debut musical How Could I Forget? off the ground. Will there be a chance for anyone who missed out to see it next year – and are there more stage projects in the pipeline?

Yeah, it’s been amazing and I’ve never done anything that’s had such an impact on people. Of course, Well Well Well still resonates and gives me an audience, but the emotional connection we’ve had with that show has been incredible – so much so, and without saying too much, we’re booking a tour for next autumn and there will be a few Sheffield dates to front it up at a very reputable theatre. It’s universal subject matter and I think it holds a mirror to a lot of people’s experiences – which good art should do!

Here’s an idea – a stage show documenting the rise of the Sheffield band scene in the early to mid-noughties, back when The Boardwalk was buzzing and bands like

PEDALO

Milburn, the Monkeys and Reverend & The Makers et al were all coming through the ranks. Do you reckon that’s got legs, or shall we file it under ‘proper naff’?

Right, I have thought about this. But only because my old manager said I should do it. It’s got to be done right, though. If it’s done badly, it can make a situation ten times worse. Maybe a day will come where I’m feeling very nostalgic and looking back, but I’ll have to get to that space first. A stage set up as The Boardwalk would look very cool, however…

Back to the Christmas gig. What do you think keeps people coming back for more every year?

Great bloody question. It’s at Christmas – and Christmas is home, innit? It’s your mates, your local pubs and your family. I think I’ve benefited from the fact that people look for any excuse for a party and it’s snowballed (no pun intended) and I sometimes feel like I’m just there in the background. It’s not my gig, it’s their gig. That sounds proper naff, doesn’t it? But it’s true – I’m the jukebox; they’re all cuddling each other and singing. I think it’s a time of year where, especially as we get a little older, we get a bit more reflective and it brings all these emotions to the boil. That’s why I’ve written the Christmas tune.

Excellent segue opportunity! On that note, in a bit of news that falls under the ‘kind of makes sense but wasn’t exactly on our 2025 bingo card’ category – you’ve got your very own Christmas single out! Could you tell us about ‘All My Friends Are Coming Home (For Christmas)’?

I had the first verse rolling around in my head for a while, and this year I thought I’d finish it. For the 15-year show, I wanted something to say. I wanted something that was mine that I could play. So I thought, who better to write a song for than the people that turn up to the shows each year? Personally, I’m at a point in my life where I need an excuse to see my pals for a night out, something to book in the diary, and I’ve got mates – as we all do – who moved to London and I won’t usually see these people until Christmas. So it’s about making time for your friends at this time of year, and how special that is.

We’ve had a sneak peek, and it’s a bit like Bernard Sumner, James Murphy and Chris Rea all started jamming after a few Snowballs. Fair

comment – or has Exposed been at the mulled wine a bit early?

Inspiration-wise, it’s kind of all those things. I started writing after watching the Dylan biopic, so it began as a bit of a Dylan tune, with an acoustic and an organ and a folky feel. But then I sent it to Ed Cosens, who suggested we go down the LCD Soundsystem lane. For me, LCD mashed with a bit of Talking Heads is right up my street – especially at Christmas, because there are a lot of bad Christmas songs. So we got rid of the sleigh bells and all of that, and just focused on writing a good tune about this time of year.

While putting the song together, where did you go for festive inspo – locked in a dark room with Bublé, or wandering round Wentworth Garden Centre with a notepad?

No, very little festive inspiration in that respect. Totally intentional because, like I said, a lot of Christmas songs are a bit rubbish, aren’t they? The inspiration for this was more ‘World in Motion’ – a tune that can hold its own any time of year. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s better during a World Cup, but you can hear it outside of a tournament and think, yeah, still a banger.

Finally, the gigs have become just as beloved for their cover songs as they are for the surprise guests. I know they need to stay under wraps, but can you give us a little clue as to what you might be belting out… be as vague as you like?

I feel like this year’s more of a reflection of the 15 that have gone before. I’m not saying it’s a ‘best of’, but more of a looking at what worked well and trying it out again. Stuff that was hilarious or had a good vibe will be back. But it’s not all about the guests; it’s about the people who turn up. But what I will say to give you a little tidbit is that the ‘friends’ element will be emphasised with the song choice and it’ll have a link to Sheffield. So, it’s not particularly cryptic, but if you think about it, you can find the answer.

Joe Carnall Jnr & Friends XV heads to the Octagon Centre on Tues 23 December. Tickets (£25) available from sheffieldoctagon. com

monday 1 dec 2025 wheatus

£27.50, Doors 7:30pm

thursday 4 dec 2025 inspiral carpets

£28.50, Doors 7:30pm

friday 5 dec 2025 bad manners

£27.50, Doors 7:30pm

SATURDAY 6 dec 2025 808 state ex:el live

£30.00, Doors 7:00pm

wednesday 10 dec 2025 the slow readers club

£27.50, Doors 7:30pm

friday 12 dec 2025 the clause

£15.00, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 13 dec 2025 indiepalooza

£26.00, Doors 7:00pm

sunday 14 dec 2025 shack

£35.00, Doors 7:30pm

friday 19 dec 2025 badly drawn boy

£32.00, Doors 7:00pm

friday 19 dec 2025 perfectly george george michael christmas special

£31.00, Doors 7:30pm

friday 23 jan 2026 Arctic numpties

£18.50, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 31 jan 2026 vukovi

£22.50, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 7 feb 2026 the lilacs

£14.00, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 14 feb 2026 good neighbours

£14.00, Doors 7:00pm

friday 20 feb 2026

manchester calling

£20.00, Doors 6:30pm

friday 27 feb 2026 elvana

£29.50, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 28 feb 2026

calum bowie

£17.00, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 7 mar 2026 the feeling

£35.00, Doors 7:30pm

friday 20 mar 2026

the cribs

£30.00, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 21 mar 2026 uk foo fighters

£20.00, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 28 mar 2026

unknown mortal orchestra

£27.20, Doors 7:30pm

friday 10 april 2026 m60

£16.00, Doors 7:30pm

friday 17 april 2026

seb lowe

£14.00, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 18 april 2026

the denabys

£10.00, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 25 april 2026

the britpop hour

with marc burrows

£18.00, Doors 6:30pm

saturday 25 april 2026

one night in nashville

£24.00, Doors 7:30pm

friday 1 may 2026

just radiohead

£17..50, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 2 may 2026

the smiths ltd

£20.00, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 9 may 2026

fleetwood bac

£20.00, Doors 7:00pm

friday 15 MAY 2026

LIVEWIRE AC/DC SHOW

£20.00, Doors 7:00pm

THURSDAY 21 MAY 2026 la rumba x foundry present NUBIYAN TWIST

£22.50, Doors 7:30pm

friday 23 OCT 2026

THE

UNDERTONES

£32.50, Doors 7:30pm

friday 30 OCT 2026

COLDPLACE

THE WORLD’S LEADING TRIBUTE TO COLDPLAY

£24.00, Doors 7:30pm

friday 13 NOV 2026

THE

TUMBLING

£25.00, Doors 7:30pm all shows open to the public (14+ unless stated otherwise) tickets available from foundrysu.com box office: 0114 222 8777

PADDIES

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

MIRROR THUR

6.30PM | OCTAGON CENTRE

18 A FESTIVE FEAST OF SHEFFIELD FOLK THU DEC’25 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE

7.30PM | FIRTH HALL 6 SAM CAMPBELL, LUCY BEAUMONT, RHYS JAMES, SARAH KEYWORTH: LIVE AT CHRISTMAS

19 EVERLY PREGNANT BROTHERS FRI DEC’25 8PM | OCTAGON CENTRE

The Everly Pregnant Brothers return for a third year to the Octagon Centre bringing their annual Christmas extravaganza. 21 CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC 2025

6.15PM |

8PM | OCTAGON CENTRE

Doves hit the road for their highly-anticipated UK tour fronted by Andy and Jez Williams – celebrating the release of their upcoming sixth studio album.

23 JOE CARNALL JNR & FRIENDS XV TUE

In what has become something of a Sheffield tradition, the milburn frontman brings his show to the Octagon for the very first time.

13 SUEDE FRI FEB’26 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE See the visceral Brit-Pop legends tour their 10th studio album ‘Antidepressants’!

3 AN AUDIENCE WITH MARK AND LARD TUES MAR’26 6.30PM | OCTAGON CENTRE

6 BEN FOGLE: WILD FRI MAR’26 6.30PM | OCTAGON CENTRE

20 SHANE TODD: HOLD ME BACK

A GRAND DAY OUT

Rock N Roll Circus returns to Sheffield’s Don Valley Bowl across the 2026 August Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 28 – Sunday 30 August), and organisers have confirmed the first headliner: The Streets, who will perform their landmark 2004 album A Grand Don’t Come for Free in full on Friday 28 August.

The announcement follows hot on the heels of The Streets’ newly revealed 2026 UK tour, which will see Mike Skinner and his band play the album in its entirety live for the very first time – an event nearly two decades in the making.

Originally released in May 2004, A Grand Don’t Come for Free is widely recognised as one of the most influential British albums of the 21st century. A concept record that follows the everyday highs and lows of a down-on-his-luck narrator, it includes hit singles like ‘Fit But You Know It’, the chart-topping ‘Dry Your Eyes’ and ‘Blinded by the Lights’. The album topped the UK Albums Chart, sold over a million copies, and has since become a cult classic – praised for its vivid storytelling and sharply observed lyrics about love, loss and launderettes.

Speaking about the upcoming shows, Skinner said:

“A Grand Don’t Come for Free was a moment in time, for me and for everyone who grew up with it. I wrote it as a story from beginning to end, and bringing that whole journey to life on stage is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Sheffield’s Big Top is going to be one for the books.”

Held under a spectacular Big Top, the event brings together world-class live music with jawdropping circus entertainment – from aerialists and fire shows to interactive workshops and roaming street performers. It’s an immersive experience that has helped put Sheffield’s Don Valley Bowl firmly back on the festival map.

Festival Director Ali O’Reilly told Exposed: “We’ve listened to fans and brought Rock N Roll Circus

Sheffield back to the August Bank Holiday weekend – the perfect way to see the summer out in style.

The Circus has always had something special in Sheffield. The crowds, the energy, the welcome – it’s electric every single year. To have The Streets opening the weekend under the Big Top is going to be incredible. It’s one not to be missed.”

Tickets on sale now at rocknrollcircus.co.uk.

SHEFFIELD’S EXCITING LIVE MUSIC COLLAB POWERED BY EXPOSED AND JOE GREEN

EACH MONTH, WE INVITE LOCAL ARTISTS TO GREENY’S REHEARSAL SPACE TO LAY DOWN A STRIPPED-BACK LIVE SESSION. ONE TAKE. NO DO-OVERS. THIS MONTH FEATURES STEVE EDWARDS – LEGENDARY HOUSE MUSIC VOCALIST, GRAMMY-NOMINATED SONGWRITER AND ONE OF SHEFF'S MOST QUIETLY PROLIFIC EXPORTS.. WATCH THE FULL VID OVER ON THE EXPOSED INSTA (@EXPMAGSHEFF).

STEVE EDWARDS

He’s topped charts across the globe, collaborated with French house royalty and written dance anthems that have soundtracked countless club nights. But back in his hometown, you might not even clock him in the queue for a pint.

For his Red Light Session, Steve linked up with a Sheffield supergroup featuring members of Reverend and the Makers, Milburn and a former Arctic Monkey (go watch the session over on our Insta to see the full line-up) to put a fresh spin on The Specials’ ‘Ghost Town’. It’s bold, brassy – and it slaps.

“We’d done one rehearsal and I said, let’s just smash into it,” Steve told us. “And we did. No messing. I think you can feel that in the energy –it’s loose, but it’s real.”

“There’s a version we did in Jamaica with Sly and Robbie – me and Bob [Sinclar] made a record out there – so we leaned into that feel a bit,” Steve explained. “It’s probably quite apt at the minute, something like that. ‘Ghost Town’. What’s going on, eh?”

Steve was so happy with the session that they’ve decided to release it as an EP in January 2026, via brand new label Sound Gas Records. “I was listening back and I thought, we could release that,” he said. “Just as a thing, you know? A live version. Sheffield band. It’s got legs.”

They also ran a live take of World, Hold On –the global smash he wrote with Bob Sinclar back in 2006. The original soundtracked beach clubs and big rooms across Europe, but the Red Light version brings it back to basics.

“I did ‘World, Hold On’ as well, just to see what it sounds like live, stripped-back like that –and it really worked, man,” he said. “It’s a proper band version, not just a DJ thing. It gave it a new feel.”

With a track record like Steve’s, it would’ve

been easy to fall back on polish and precision. But the spirit of this series – raw, immediate, unfiltered – fits him perfectly. He’s someone who’s always backed himself, even if it meant taking risks and moving away from Sheffield to make things happen.

“I wasn’t afraid to get on my bike and go find it,” he said. “Even though it was tricky here, I just didn’t wait. I made my own thing happen.”

That self-made ethos runs through Steve’s story. After cutting his teeth in Sheffield studios like Axis and Fon, doing session vocals and playing with live bands, he spotted a gap in the house scene – a space where UK vocalists weren’t being heard.

“You’d see all these featured artists on records – all American divas or gospel singers. No British voices. I thought, why not me? So I just started putting myself out there.”

He landed a breakthrough with Charles Webster as part of the deep house collective Presence, touring a critically acclaimed album across Europe and playing early dance festivals alongside Leftfield and Faithless. From there, his phone didn’t stop ringing.

Within a few years, he was in Paris working with Cassius, swapping demos with Daft Punk and writing what would become the chorus for ‘The Sound of Violence’ – a single that went to number one on the US dance charts.

“There was just something about that time,” he said. “It was like... this is different. I knew this was an opportunity. And it was. Everything changed after that.”

Now, with a new solo album on the way next year, there’s more to come. But whatever happens next, this Red Light Session captures a unique artist in his element. One of the city’s finest – still exploring, still pushing, still sounding like no one else.

Cinder Path is a brandnew band, but it’s full of familiar faces from the Sheffield music scene.

As they prepare for their debut gig in Yellow Arch Studios on 5 December, singer- songwriter Dan Whitehouse hinted spoke to Exposed about what to expect and how the band came to be.

WORDS: LOWRI RENNICK

The post-punk trio consists of Dan Whitehouse (formerly of Fights, Rossmann Frister, and Mabel Love), bassist Angela Holland (of Silent Age and Via Holland) and drummer Dave Timmons (of Rossmann Frister and Fallen Trees).

Dan told Exposed: “Dave and I were in Rossman Frister together, and he’s always been my go-to guy for the drums. It was natural to ask him to be in the band - he adds so much energy and really drives the sound live.

I met Angela through her project, Via Holland, and recorded their EP.

The full album is due to be released next year with 11 tracks, but a single is also due to be dropped on 28 Nov to give people a taste of what is to come.

IT’S GOT REALLY DRIVING TEMPOS, BUT PROPER STORYTELLING TO IT AS WELL.”

She’s a fantastic musician, and I needed somebody who was really good and reliable, and Angela just left a lasting impression on me as a mega person.”

With all three members already well established across the local and wider music scene, it’s safe to say that, whilst the band may be unknown, the quality of their musicianship as individuals is in no doubt.

Cinder Path was founded when Dan recorded an album at Sheffield’s Broadcast Recording Studio with his close friends, Matt and Lucy Board of Pale Blue Eyes, and realised he would need a live band to bring the content to life.

“The album is about renewal, starting again, pushing and moving forward,” explained Dan. “I’m really influenced by artists such as Doves and Interpol, but I also wanted to utilise my new production skills and make the sound a little more Shoegaze. It’s got really driving tempos, but proper storytelling to it as well. It’s the proudest thing I’ve ever achieved, I’m super chuffed with how it turned out.”

The band plans to play several of the unreleased songs from the album at the Yellow Arch show, and Dan spoke a little more about his plans for the evening:

“It’s more of a celebration really. I’m ultra nervous about it, but in a good way – I’m excited to put a show on. It’s going to be quite a high energy set, and we have a big sound for three people.”

The event has been facilitated by funding from the Music Venue Trust and Marshall, who have also sponsored two other local artists, Maximilian Tanner, and Mayfield, to play the night.

Cinder Path play Yellow Arch on 5 December. Tickets are £10 and available from fatsoma.com.

@cinderpathband

JAN 31: LIFE AQUATIC BAND

Sheffield stalwarts LAB sold out the Music Hall for Independent Venue Week, debuting a new sonic direction. Frontman Ben Allen held the riveted crowd in the palm of his hand as the throng cathartically danced the evening away.

FEB 14: WINGS OF DESIRE

It’s been a year of euphoric highs, tearjerking goodbyes and plenty of sweat on the walls at the Hallamshire Hotel. From intimate folk sets to rowdy Tramlines madness, the Hally’s Music Hall has hosted some of Sheffield’s most unforgettable gigs in 2025.

At the centre of it all is events manager Jack Hardwick – part curator, part chaos coordinator – who’s had a front-row seat for every drop, mosh and encore. We asked him to pick out a few of his highlights from a packed calendar of live music moments that hit the spot.

One for the lovers! The Leadmill team brought a beautiful Valentine’s gift in the form of the anthemic Wings of Desire, who wowed a packedout Music Hall with their tender but hugely powerful performance.

WINGS OF DESIRE

PHOTO: THE LEADMILL

BOWIE

PHOTO: MORGAN ROSSER

MARCH 22: SPEED FOR LOVERS

Following the heartbreaking closure of the beloved Pax, the musical community came out in force to support the Pax staff. The crowd sang, danced and cried together to a lineup headlined by Sheffield dance group Speed for Lovers in an evening that reminded all that community is stronger than anything.

APRIL 3: KING NO-ONE

Independent, punchy and poetic, King No-One just about tore the roof off the Music Hall in April, turning the bar into a stage while they went.

MAY 1: THE HALFWAY KID

A packed crowd held their breath as the beautiful musical folk stylings of The Halfway Kid washed over their ears in May. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when all was sung and done.

JULY 25 – 27: THE FRINGE AT TRAMLINES

This year’s Tramlines Fringe was incredible from start to finish. Highlights included Liverpool’s Bonk! throwing out their psychedelic jams to a full-to-bursting Music Hall and Ten Eighty Trees getting the pit opened up mere minutes into their riotous set. Other notable highlights included the last ever show from Sheffield’s The Bowie

NOW, ENOUGH OF THAT TEARYEYED NOSTALGIA… WHAT’S COMING UP?

FREE ENTRY CLUBNIGHTS

Contingent and an ethereal Sunday performance from Sheffield’s Blue John.

SEPT 19: CUCAMARAS

Nottingham-based Cucamaras have had a stratospheric rise in recent years and their set at the Hally in September only served to demonstrate why. From start to finish, their Strokes-esque indie rock masterpieces hit the enlivened audience with rawness.

OCT 29: JUNK

Sheffield’s shoegaze sweethearts Junk are going from strength to strength. Supported by a trio of drag performers, they sold out the Hally Music Hall at the end of October and enthralled their costumed audience with melodic, sensitive, yet sometimes abrasive music.

NOV 1: WE HATE THE SHARKMAN

The final ever We Hate the Sharkman show was a fitting tribute to a band that has made a unique contribution to the Sheffield music scene over the last few years. The crowd were immediately up to show their appreciation for the seven-piece, jazz-infused ensemble, chanting and dancing the night away – surely doing enough to keep that bloody Sharkman away.

Looking ahead, the Hally crew are keeping the energy high right through December with a run of free entry clubnights in the Music Hall. These bonus parties will run alongside the usual DJ sets downstairs, meaning two DJs across two spaces on selected Fridays and Saturdays. Expect an eclectic mix built to pull in a broader crowd – from UKG and Afrotech to Amapiano, 90s rave and everything in between. Dates listed below.

Friday Dec 12: UK Garage VS Afrotech with Native Sonics Collective

Saturday Dec 13: Afrohouse VS UK Funky with Native Sonics Collective

Friday Dec 19: Higher Level

- Revisiting the golden era of UK club culture with with a room of pure 90s House, Dance and Rave classics

Saturday Dec 20: Amapiano VS Funk/Soul/ RNB/Afrobeat with Native Sonics Collective

THE MIDDLE MAN

From viral TikTok clip to life-changing single, ‘Somewhere in the Middle’ has struck a chord far beyond South Yorkshire – and Sam Scherdel is just getting started, with names like Rag’n’Bone Man and Bieber now courting his songwriting talents. Exposed’s Lowri Rennick caught up with the artist to reflect on a gamechanging end to 2025.

‘Somewhere in the Middle’ was fully released last month. What has the response been like since? It’s probably changed my life. We recorded this record in Sheffield at Yellow Arch in June, and the plan was to start releasing it at the beginning of next year. I was messing about on TikTok last week (because I got told you have to use TikTok in this day and age) and I tried a bit of that song. Now, I’ve created a monster.

What do you think has made this single so well received?

A lot of people can relate to what the lyrics are about. It’s about two people having to make compromises and digging deep to make something work. I think a lot of people are in relationships where that’s very applicable. If you love somebody, you have to be willing to put that effort in. That’s the message. My songs are very candid – all the stuff that you don’t really see on a surface level with

me, if you meet me as a person, kind of spills into the emotion of the songs.

Was there a moment when you knew you’d created a hit?

I knew I’d captured something special when we recorded that song. We did the demo in my home studio, and my little boy was in there with me. It was a magical moment – it was the first time he’d taken an interest in our music. I had about 20 demos for the EP and we were releasing four songs on it, but ‘Somewhere in the Middle’ was the one that the producer and everyone picked out, saying ‘we’ve got to jump on this’.

How does it feel to be sought after by the same songwriter behind Bieber and Rag’n’Bone Man?

It’s one hundred percent a turning point. I mean, no one’s taken any notice of us for years. I didn’t really put my foot back on the gas until three years ago but,

since I started again, I’ve been relentless. I’ve approached it full time, and I’ve approached it with the respect it deserved. It just feels like me and the team have been banging and banging on doors and we’ve finally opened them.

You’ve built this platform for yourself from the ground up, and it must be so gratifying to see your hard work paying off. What would you say are the main factors that enabled your success?

I mean, I went out with my drummer last night, just to get out of this bubble for a bit of normality. There were so many moving parts to this happening. I’ve been having so many meetings with people preparing for this moment so, when it happened, the infrastructure was there. I had the right contacts. Since ‘Somewhere in the Middle’ blew up, we’ve had to cancel everything. We’ve just been moving at a million miles an hour. The whole team is absolutely buzzing – we haven’t got a clue what comes next, but we’re ready to take it on.

Your upcoming EP, Boy Who Fell to Earth, has been described as ‘songs exploring the spaces between love, loss and hope’. Can you tell us some more about the record?

There’s a serious, serious beauty in that record. ‘The Boy Who Fell to Earth’ is a song that I wrote about my little lad when he was born. It’s a beautiful song – when I first heard the strings in it, it nearly brought me to tears. I’ve never trusted anybody with that song. I never wanted to release that song until I trusted the producer with it, and when I worked with Colin Elliot on the record, I trusted him. I’d heard his work before and I knew he could bring out the beauty in it. The record is really cinematic – there’s a lot of stuff in four songs on that record. @samscherdel

IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE & STEVE EDWARDS @ FOUNDRY

On a pretty depressing day in Sheff, where a (thankfully paltry) number of UKIP supporters marched through the town, the chance to spend an evening in the company of Ibibio Sound Machine and Steve Edwards felt like a welcome, inclusive and joyous antidote to the racist rhetoric that preceded it.

Now it might sound naïve, but there was something genuinely heartening about seeing a multicultural crowd packed into the Foundry on Saturday night, holding up a positive mirror of irony to the afternoon’s hate. For me at least, watching everyone moved by the same uplifting vibe ended the day with a glimmer of optimism.

A big part of that return to optimism came from the relentlessly upbeat set delivered by bona fide Sheffield royalty Steve Edwards, who kicked off the evening with a solid serving of Steel City soul.

Backed tonight by his five-piece band – complete with natty sax lines and even the odd flute flourish courtesy of Kent Roach – the effortlessly cool and impossible-not-to-like Steve worked

his way through a selection of tunes from his formidable back catalogue. Highlights included a strippedback ‘World, Hold On’, ‘Watch the Sunrise’ and ‘The Sound of Violence’.

Steve probably doesn’t get the props he deserves in this city. Quietly, he’s up there with Sheffield’s most successful musicians; you just might not realise the breadth of his influence across so many genres. And even if you do know he was the featured singer on, say a Bob Sinclar dance behemoth, you might not know he actually wrote the lyrics.

But up on stage, Steve smiles. You smile. It’s all good.

Following Steve, Ibibio Sound Machine have come to party. From ‘Electricity’, through classics like ‘The Talking Fish’, and into newer tracks ‘Fire’ and ‘Pull the Rope’, the electronic Afro-funk masters are bringing every bit of it tonight.

Inevitably, the first thing you notice as they take to the stage is singer and bandleader Eno Williams’ outfit: a bold splash of bright pink topped with a magisterial headpiece that screams queen energy. She, in turn, proceeds to rule the room.

Then, there’s time music. ISM have a reputation for being even better live than they are on record, and it’s hard to argue with that. The musicianship is mesmerising at times. The performances are big and bold, and the fusion of Afrobeat, funk, and electronic music is a purely happy place to be.

There’s hope and positivity running through every beat and, by the end of the show, everyone – and I mean everyone – is dancing.

Given the day we’d had, that’s a lovely place to finish.

BACK IN THE GROOVE

Get Together festival returns to Sheffield on Saturday 16 May 2026, following three years of sold-out editions – and organisers have now announced the first wave of artists set to appear.

Topping the bill are electro-punk pioneers Fat Dog, gothic garage icons The Horrors, and electronic DJ Erol Alkan, fresh from a recent set with Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter, Fred Again.., and Pedro Winter.

Joining them throughout the day will be post-punk collective DEADLETTER; ‘wonk pop’ quartet Lime Garden; Brighton-based Lemonsuckr, who blend dance music with Middle Easterninspired guitar work; fantasy techno-pop duo Silver Gore; and Scottish alt-folk outfit Curiosity Shop – with many more still to be announced.

Festival Director Kieran Crosby told Exposed:

“It’s great to be able to share the first few artists that will be playing at Get Together in 2026. We’re looking to widen the scope of the music you can experience at the festival – I can’t wait to share even more soon!”

The independent, all-day music festival is set to be bigger and better than before, having expanded across Kelham Island and Neepsend. The new footprint allows for higher capacity and earlier performance times, meaning fewer clashes and more opportunity to catch standout sets.

A medley of independent and artisanal food and drink will also be on offer, with a wide selection of street food curated by Peddler, and Kelham Island Brewery once again hosting some of the best beer makers in the country for the return of The Kelham Beer Mile.

The Artist in Residence Programme will also return. Last year, cult photomontage satirist Cold War Steve invited the people of Sheffield to collaborate on a large-scale mural – and more creative surprises are expected for 2026.

Tickets are on sale now at gettogetherfestival.com

BLACK GRAPE

4 DEC // NETWORK // £32.50

Shaun Ryder’s Black Grape hit the Leadmill to celebrate 30 years of It’s Great When You’re Straight...Yeah. Expect big tunes, wild energy and a night of pure hedonism from one of the UK’s most distinctive voices. A fitting tribute to a genre-bending debut that still packs a punch. seetickets.com

KATE RUSBY

14 DEC // SHEFFIELD CITY HALL // £44.50

Kate Rusby marks 20 years of her beloved Christmas tour with Christmas Is Merry – a festive staple for many. Expect South Yorkshire carols, winter folk and Christmas classics, all delivered with her unmistakable voice, a stellar band and brass boys. Heartfelt, magical and full of warmth, it’s Christmas wrapped up in song.

sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

JARRED UP XMAS PARTY

19 DEC // SIDNEY & MATILDA // £5 Festive cover show featuring some of Sheffield’s most exciting DIY acts, coming together to emulate icons and raise funds for the Archer Project. Garage rockers Any Old Iron and fuzz punks Nervous Pills become Nirvana. The Pearl River Band join forces with Life Aquatic Band to take on the Beatles, while Juke, for one night only, morph into the White Stripes. DJ set afterwards. jarreduphq.com

RICHARD HAWLEY

15-17 DEC // SHEFFIELD CITY HALL // £49.50

To celebrate 20 years of Coles Corner, Richard Hawley returns to Sheffield City Hall for a landmark hometown show. Honouring the iconic album in the city that inspired it, fans can expect timeless songs, rich nostalgia and Hawley’s signature banter and dry wit sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC

21 DEC // OCTAGON CENTRE // £29.50

Now in its 13th year, John Reilly and Lewis Nitikman lead a festive night with Stannington Brass Band, Janine Dyer, Sheffield Community Choir and special guest Paul Pashley. Expect swing, soul and seasonal magic – all in support of Cavendish Cancer Care. performancevenues.group.shef. ac.uk

THE UK’S FIRST & ONLY INDOOR STREET FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE

INSPIRED BY SPENDING EVERY MINUTE PLAYING OUT IN THE STREETS OF THE ESTATE WITH A FOOTBALL, YARD BALL IS A PLACE TO LOVE THE GAME AGAIN.

WHAT IS YARD BALL?

ALL THE STUFF YOU GREW UP LOVING - BROUGHT INDOORS, FOR A NEW GENERATION. CROSSBAR CHALLENGE, SPEED SHOT, ICE SCREAMER, GARAGES, KERBY, RETRO ARCADES, LICENCED BAR, GREAT FOOD & MORE

WHAT ELSE WE GOT?

KID’S PARTIES / GROUPS & CORPORATES / GRASSROOTS OFFERS / SCHOOL VISITS / NETWORKING EVENTS / LITTLE UN’S SESSIONS / CLASSIC FOOTY ON THE TELLY / LOTS OF NOSTALGIA

for Christmas Queens (Sat 13 Dec) – a camp and colourful night of live singing, lip-syncs and classic drag humour. If dancing is your festive outlet, Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ club nights deliver the goods. The Foundry hosts Grapefruit (Thu 4 Dec), a high-energy queer club night packed with dance, chart and disco bangers. The vibe is inclusive, the decor is vibrant and there’s even a photo area for you and your mates to pose with pride. Later in the month, Mandala Bar hosts Sheffield Sapphics for Disco Divas – Festive Edition (Fri 19 Dec), a night especially for women and minority genders, where I’ll be behind the decks playing feel-good pop, dance classics and floor-fillers in an inclusive space, raising money for SAYiT – Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ youth charity. Just a few days before Christmas, Gut Level brings you Dirty Funking Queers (Sat 20 Dec), a pre-Christmas party with DJs HausKlown and ik0nixx infusing the room with techno rhythms, acid beats and dirty basslines. As always, Gut Level operates as a members’ club with a safer spaces policy and a focus on keeping things welcoming for all.

December in Sheffield is filled with LGBTQ+ events to close out the year in style. Whether you’re into wild club nights, drag shows, karaoke sessions or cosy community meetups, the Steel City’s queer scene has something for everyone. It’s all about celebrating diversity and a whole lot of festive fun, so wrap yourself in the rainbow and dive in.

Midweek offers a slew of regular quiz and karaoke nights. At Dempsey’s, drag queen Ivabollocoff hosts the Skint Tuesday Quiz (every Tue), a raucous evening of trivia, bingo and cheeky games fuelled by great drink deals. She’s back leading Karaoke Night (every Wed), inviting everyone to belt out their favourite tunes. For even more karaoke, at Maggie May’s, Emma Maezin brings her famous Dragoke (every Thu) to the bar with an inclusive, friendly vibe. Emma also takes over The Ball Inn for Drag Karaoke (Fri 12/Sat 20 Dec), a night filled with pop hits, queer anthems and dance-ready classics. For something different, mark your calendar for Sadaoke (Thu 11 Dec) at Gut Level – a one-nightonly “sad karaoke” evening. It’s a cheeky, melancholic spin on the usual singalong, with downer ballads all night to celebrate the birthday of local DJ Telyn. It’s free, open to all and kicks off at 7pm. Tissues

might be a wise accessory. December wouldn’t be complete without a strong helping of drag and cabaret to add sparkle to your nights out. Malin Bridge Inn transforms into a glitterdrenched wonderland for Christmas Drag Queen Bingo & Cabaret (Fri 5 Dec) with the Saturnos. Expect outrageous games, naughty prizes, snow machines and a live cabaret show followed by a Disco Diva DJ set. The next night, they keep the party going with The Christmas Cabaret Show (Sat 6 Dec) starring Jupiter and Minerva – a double act filled with festive songs and cheeky comedy. Over at the OEC, you’ll find their Festive Comedy Drag Show (Sun 7 & Sat 20 Dec). Expect glammedup queens, jokes that push the boundaries and some bonus bingo games to start the season with a bang. To round off the drag calendar, Emma Maezin joins forces with Jenny Anne at the Trades & Labour Club

Of course, not everyone wants to party till the early hours, and Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ community has plenty of gentler spaces to offer. Gut Level also hosts a Folk Session (Thu 4 Dec) led by Lucy and Rosie Huzzard, with a focus on traditional music and inclusive participation. It’s especially welcoming to women, marginalised genders and LGBTQ+ folk. Bring an instrument, your voice or just come to listen. It’s about celebrating the joy of folk together in a space where everyone’s encouraged to join in.

Rainbow Minds (every Wed) provides a warm, friendly LGBTQ+ café space at the Wellbeing Centre on Sharrow Lane. Come for conversation, tea and sometimes a fun activity or guest speaker. Weston Park Museum hosts the Over 50s LGBTQ+ Group (Thu 11 Dec) – a dementia- and neurodivergent-friendly peer group for connection and support. Trans Safety Net (Mon 1 Dec) hosts its regular drop-in at Gut Level, offering one-to-one advice around blood work, hormones and community-led care. And to close out the month with something relaxing, Rainbow Gamers (Sun 28 Dec) returns on Sunday 28 December at Treehouse Board Game Café.

That’s your lot for this month –make sure to check out the latest event announcements at www.facebook.com/ sheffieldlgbtevents.

If you’ve already eaten your way through the first tub of Celebrations and Mariah has entered the chat, fear not –Isobel O’Mahony is here to guide you through the glorious chaos of Sheffield at Crimbo. Markets, murals, mulled wine, musicals, Muppets – she’s unearthed the lot so you can keep spirits high and stress levels low.

THE BIG’UN

You’ve probably spied them, but Sheffield Christmas Markets are back and bigger than ever. Now spanning Fargate, Barker’s Pool, Peace Gardens and the Moor, expect local more than 50 traders (80% based locally), delicious treats, iconic rides and the ever-popular Lodge for a few festive tipples.

13 Nov–24 Dec (open from 10am daily)

sheffieldchristmasmarkets.co.uk

LIGHTING

UP THE CITY

‘Light Up Sheffield’ brings festive light-projections to three major landmarks, animating street artist Peachzz’s Rêverie in Pounds Park and unveiling a new hand-painted Pete McKee mural in Sheffield Cathedral. McKee’s art will also illuminate the Cathedral and Central Library, with the library hosting an exhibition of his work inside. Now that’s what I call a glow up. 5–14 Dec sheffieldcathedral.org

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS

For the ‘born in the wrong generation’ crowd, Kelham Island Museum’s annual Victorian Christmas Market returns. Explore more than 80 stalls for last-minute gifts and enjoy family activities, live music, food and the odd festive tipple at the Millowners Arms.

6–7 Dec (10am–6pm / 10am–5pm) // Adults £8, Children (5–16) £2, Under-5s free sheffieldmuseums.org.uk

FESTIVE FILMS IN CONCERT

City Hall will come alive with live orchestras performing alongside beloved festive blockbusters. A Muppet Christmas Carol (2nd), Love Actually (7th), Home Alone (9th)

and The Holiday (18th) will all be in concert to ease Sheffield into the cosy Christmas mood.

2, 7, 9, 19 Dec / Ticket prices vary sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

JOE CARNALL JNR & FRIENDS XV

A Steel City gig-goers tradition, Milburn frontman Joe Carnall returns for his 15th Joe Carnall Jnr & Friends Christmas show. Previous guests have included Richard Hawley, Tom Grennan and Self Esteem, so this year’s celebration at the Octagon is bound to be another standout.

23 Dec / £25+ leadmill.co.uk

A FESTIVAL OF MUSIC

For their 13th year, singer-songwriter John Reilly and Musical Director Lewis Nitikman front A Christmas Festival of Music in support of Cavendish Cancer Care. They will be joined by a range of guests, including Sheffield’s own Paul Pashley, for a feel-good festive show.

21 Dec / £29.50+ artmusicltd.com

ON STAGE THIS SEASON

Sheffield Theatres have festive entertainment covered, with the Crucible staging a new A Christmas Carol and the Lyceum presenting pantomime Aladdin. For younger audiences, the Montgomery offers new musical The Elves and the Shoemaker, and the Playhouse brings Christmas Lights for a touch of crimbo magic. Shows throughout December / Ticket prices vary sheffieldtheatres.com

CRAFT & CREATE

The Millennium Gallery is ideal for handmade gifts this season, with

its Crafted selling showcase open right up to Christmas Eve. Expect jewellery, ceramics, art and more –perfect stocking fillers or a treat for yourself.

25 Oct–24 Dec sheffieldmuseums.org.uk

FOUR SEASONS AT THE CATHEDRAL

Classical music lovers can celebrate Christmas in style as the Cathedral becomes the candle-lit setting for Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Performed by the acclaimed Piccadilly Sinfonietta, it’s a uniquely atmospheric way to mark the season.

16 Dec / Tickets from £20 sheffieldcathedral.org

A SWINGING SHEFFIELD CHRISTMAS

The West End show The Rat Pack –Swingin’ at the Sands brings a taste of Vegas to City Hall. Produced by long-time Dean Martin performer Mark Halliday, it promises a night of timeless swing and festive sparkle. 12 Dec / £30+ sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

NETHER EDGE FESTIVE MARKET

A seasonal edition of Nether Edge Market returns with live entertainment and more than 80 stalls. Browse an array of locally sourced food, crafts and gifts at one of Sheffield’s best-loved community events.

7 Dec (12pm–4pm) netheredge.org.uk

POLLEN MARKET GOES INDOORS

Inner-city flower market Pollen Market celebrates the season with its usual mix of more than 30 traders, live music, local produce, art and street food – all with a festive twist. This edition relocates to Peddler Warehouse, so no need to worry about the cold.

21 Dec (10am–4pm) pollenmarket.co.uk

HAGGLERS AT CHRISTMAS

Hagglers Corner’s annual Christmas Market returns with its trademark warmth. With donations split between Music Venue Trust and local scout group Oak Street, expect handpicked stalls, handmade crafts, live music and a festive dram or two.

14 Dec (12pm–6pm) hagglerscorner.co.uk

ORCHARD SQUARE: THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE THIS CHRISTMAS

Orchard Square, located in the heart of Sheffield city centre, is the perfect place to meet, eat, drink, shop and hang out this Christmas.

The Square offers a leading line-up of national brands and independent retailers from TK Maxx, Waterstones, House of Cavani to jewellers, hairdressers, barbers, tattoo artists, and an array of craft workshops – all alongside a range of favourite food, drink and leisure destinations, to suit all tastes and budgets.

On Thursday 20th November, the square officially launched into the Christmas season, in partnership with Classical Sheffield,. Everyone is invited, expect festive music from local choir groups with fresh mince pies and mulled wine, plus pop-ups stalls and other festivities taking place. It’s not to be missed!

Their popular Christmas makers’ market is back by

ORCHARD SQUARE: THE PLACE TO MEET, EAT, DRINK, SHOP AND RELAX THIS CHRISTMAS.

popular demand on 29th & 30th November, where you can shop local traders, deli stalls, crafts and so much more from 12pm – 4pm.

Back by popular demand this Christmas is The Terrace Grotto Bar, part of the terrace venue, Cheap Dates, offering customers a range of festive tipples and cocktails as well as music and snacks from outdoor heated comfort.

Game Show All-Stars, is another must-go when visiting the Square - the ultimate place to get competitive and have some fun with family, friends and colleagues.

And it’s not too late to book your Christmas party with plenty on offer from a range of fantastic hospitality venues, including Proove, the award-winning,

authentic Neapolitan pizza restaurant, The Old Shoe, offering one of the UK’s most diverse drinks list and Sheffield Plate, Sheffield’s friendliest independent food hall.

And for our younger friends, the North Pole post boxes will be stationed in the Square this year, with letters and envelopes available from participating retailers.

So, whether it’s Christmas gifts, a festive pamper, or late-night dining with family, friends or colleagues, Orchard Square has something for everyone this festive season.

Find us just off Fargate www.orchardsquare.co.uk

FB: Orchard Square X: orchardsquare INSTA: orchardsquare

THE LAY OF THE LAND

Unquiet Landscapes at Persistence Works, Yorkshire Artspace 5 December 2025 – 24 January 2026 | Thurs–Sat, 12–5pm | Free Entry

Curated by Sheffield-based artist Joanna Whittle, Unquiet Landscapes invites visitors into a deeply reflective exploration of our emotional and psychological relationship with the natural world. Showing at Persistence Works, the exhibition features over 50 works by 38 contemporary artists – a rich mix of nationally recognised names and painters from Sheffield and the North – and continues Yorkshire Artspace’s ongoing celebration of contemporary British painting.

The show takes inspiration from Christopher Neve’s influential 1990 book Unquiet Landscape, which explored how artists used the natural world as a metaphor for inner life, especially during periods of conflict and change. These themes – grief, solitude, resilience and retreat – feel especially resonant now, says Whittle, who wanted to explore how landscape remains relevant in a world shaped by global uncertainty.

“The landscape becomes a place of metaphor and reflection,” she explained. “Some of the works are lyrical and beautiful, others are more abstract

and unsettled – all offer an emotional engagement with place.”

Artists were selected using the chapters in Neve’s book as thematic lenses –psychology, loss, theology, archaeology – and the result is a varied yet cohesive exhibition that captures the complexity of human experience. While painting takes centre stage, the show also includes work that challenges the traditional frame, welcoming other forms of mark-making and material.

Among the works on display are Night Trip by Lisa Ivory, a haunting, dreamlike journey through moonlit trees, and Graham Crowley’s Orford Ness Study, which quietly echoes the remnants of conflict within a coastal landscape. Each piece contributes to a wider narrative of memory, place and emotion.

Unquiet Landscapes is free to attend and most works are for sale. Whether you’re drawn by beauty, nostalgia or a need to pause and reflect, it offers space to feel, think and connect.

Persistence Works, 21 Brown Street, S1 2BS @yartspace

THE ART OF THE LANDSCAPE

Exposed’s Lowri Rennick spoke with Joanna Whittle, curator of the Unquiet Landscapes exhibition, to get a glimpse into the inspiration and deeper meaning behind the collection.

What first sparked the idea for Unquiet Landscapes?

It was inspired by the book Unquiet Landscape by Christopher Neve, which I was reading around the time I was asked to curate the exhibition. I wanted to explore the themes in the book and relate them to artists’ work today. Christopher wrote about painters working during the wars, and connected their practices to the psychological and emotional themes that many landscape painters are still exploring now.

One of the themes Christopher Neve discusses is that of people who have experienced trauma seeking solace through the natural world. Are you hoping the exhibition might bring attendees a similar sense of comfort?

We’re going through dark times at the moment and there’s a lot of conflict, so it’s really about how we interpret that, and how the landscape is still relevant in a metaphorical sense. There’s a huge range in the exhibition – some works are beautiful, lyrical landscapes, and some are more abstract. It’s different interpretations of emotional engagement with the landscape. It presents the landscape as metaphor, and as a place to retreat to.

How did you go about selecting the artists for the show? Was there something specific you were looking for in how they work with landscape?

The show is a brilliant collaboration between Contemporary British Painting and Yorkshire Artspace, bringing together the work of 21 painters from the organisation and nationally selected artists, including those from Sheffield and the North. The book is broken into chapters covering themes such as archaeology, theology, war, psychology and loneliness – all the things we experience as humans. I selected artists using those lenses,

looking for those whose work held that emotional pitch.

Landscape painting has a long history – how do you see contemporary painters reimagining or challenging that tradition today?

Landscape originally emerged as something to be looked at – something romantic, lyrical and picturesque. Painters today still engage with that dialogue but relate it to a contemporary world. We also include nonpainters in the show, with works that sit outside the frame of the canvas, which adds another layer to the conversation around tradition.

With over 50 works on display, were there any recurring themes or moods that emerged across the exhibition?

A lot of artists responded to the chapter on F. L. Griggs called Lost England, which is about looking for something that no longer exists. There’s a strong sense of loss – visually and environmentally. We also see themes of melancholy and loneliness that landscapes often

THERE’S A STRONG SENSE OF LOSS – WE ALSO SEE THEMES OF MELANCHOLY AND LONELINESS THAT LANDSCAPES OFTEN DRAW OUT. THIS SENSE OF LOSS FEELS ESPECIALLY RELEVANT NOW, WITH THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

draw out. This sense of loss feels especially relevant now, with the climate crisis.

How do you hope visitors will respond to the exhibition? Is there a particular feeling or thought you’d like them to take away?

The most important thing is recognising the relevance of painting and art in how we interpret the world. I hope it opens up conversations – about what we’re going through as individuals psychologically, but also globally. But also, simply, to find the work beautiful – to experience that sensual pleasure you get from looking at paintings.

Is there a particular painting in the exhibition that really resonates with you?

No – I’ve enjoyed curating this show so much that every piece feels perfect. There’s so much beauty and psychological terrain that it’s impossible to pick one. It’s been constructed as a whole, so all of the works sing together. It’s a beautiful, lyrical, emotional, uplifting and inspirational show. @jowhittleart

JOANNA

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Psych-swirled dreamscapes and surreal scenes – we speak to the South Yorkshire artist about his colourful, chaotic work.

GLEN O’NEIL

How did you first get into art – was there a moment when you realised this was what you wanted to do?

I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember really. My family are very creative – my mum’s an artist and my dad’s a potter – and that influence got me making early on, which I’m very grateful for.

It’s less something I’ve thought about doing, more something I’ve just always done. I’m riding the wave in a way. It’s been an invaluable form of expression throughout my life.

I studied art in Bristol and, while I was probably a pretty frustrating student at the time, the art scene there definitely had an effect on me in seeing it as something I could actually do. It’s been the same here in Sheffield. People have been very generous and supportive here and in Doncaster, where I’m from, which I feel blessed about.

There are some amazing artists in Doncaster, especially in the graff scene. There are so many creative people around – wherever I’ve been I’ve met people that inspire me.

Your work has a distinctly psychedelic and surreal quality – what first drew you to that style, and what keeps you coming back to it?

It was a natural process to be honest, but I think the freeness of it is what drew me to this way of working. There are no rules or boundaries to how far you want to go – you can just unleash.

It’s a good way to explore states of consciousness, and bits slip out through the brush or pen or whatever in a sneaky way you don’t notice until after the fact, and I love it. It definitely feels like there’s something alive about it.

My personal work is usually a lot wilder than commissioned work, but I love to do both. I just love making stuff, really –putting something from inside your head into a physical space.

My earlier art was a bit more abstract than it is now, but you can still see echoes of it – like a crystallisation. Also, I love the different interpretations of my work that people tell me. I enjoy that people get their own things out of it. Like, I have an idea, but

once it’s made and in the world, it’s not mine anymore. You can decide what it means – like a Rorschach or something.

What inspires you the most – people, places, music, something else entirely?

I draw from a lot of things in my work, but I’d say just the world around me and the relationships between people and things is what inspires me the most. The weirdness of life in general.

I’ve always viewed life through a bit of a dreamlike lens I guess – a bit fantastical and exaggerated, especially when I was younger – and I think that comes through in what I make.

Leonora Carrington and Varo were big visual inspirations for me. Also Moebius, Francis Bacon, Jodorowsky’s films, Haeckel’s Art Forms in Nature, ancient art from all different places, endless album and gig poster art.

At the moment I’m obsessed with some illustrations of the Book of Kells I got in Mull – they’re so intense and otherworldly.

Are there any recurring themes or motifs in your art that you keep coming back to?

I guess connection is a big theme in my work, and there’s a kind of mystic wonderment to it. My work usually takes the form of otherworldly scenes dotted with abstracted entities or warped portraits – using the term ‘portrait’ as loosely as possible there!

They’re kind of a sensory overload. You can’t take it all in at once – you’ve got to inspect it for a little while to see what’s happening inside. It can spin me out while I’m making it.

There are definitely a lot of recurring motifs in my work – like morphing smoke, strange anthropomorphic flora and fauna of the mind’s eye, souls emerging from bodies or candles or orbs, little figures in utero.

Sometimes I feel a bit like a mad scientist mixing test tubes. I make my work intuitively to start, and then build in more details as I go. Sometimes I’ll have a loose idea of what it will be – like depicting a certain scene – and other times I’ve got no idea at all until it’s done.

The end product is a kind of ordered chaos. It does feel a lot of the time like it’s developing itself in some way. It’s definitely meditative for me.

At the moment I have these little shadow people rocking about in my work that are quite reminiscent of cave paintings, which I quite like.

You’ve worked with a range of creative mediums – do you have a favourite? Oils have always been my favourite medium since I was a teenager. I love the viscous

gooiness of it and it’s perfect for the way I work. I don’t know if that came as a product of oil painting or vice versa though. I’ve been doing a lot of digital work lately, especially for commissions, but I’m erring away from that again now. And painting walls is always massive fun.

I love trying out new mediums and tend to jump around a lot. I’ve got the kind of mind that gets bored quickly and they all give a different personality to what comes out at the end.

Finally what advice would you give to emerging artists trying to find their voice?

I’d say follow the things that make you excited and that you’re naturally drawn to in your work – and do it for yourself first. Then you’ll always end up in the right place because you’ll be loving what you do, and that’s the most important thing. Trust your gut, essentially.

@glenoneil_art

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O’ LITTLE TOWN OF SHEFF-LEHEM

A McKee twist on the nativity scene – new festive artwork will be revealed at Sheffield Cathedral this December.

A special artwork by Pete McKee is set to be unveiled at the Sheffield Cathedral on 5 December – a nativity scene with a distinctly local flavour. Commissioned specially for the festive season, McKee’s nativity painting is a warm and typically humorous reimagining of the traditional biblical scene, set instead in a modernday local primary school. It draws inspiration from the Cathedral’s School Singing Programme, which supports music education across Sheffield.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been commissioned by a church,” Pete said. “I’m really pleased that Sheffield Cathedral approached me and asked me to do it. There is a lot of humour and warmth in the painting – it also has a message of unity and acceptance. There is something different in each character.”

The six-by-four-foot painting will be on display inside the Cathedral throughout the Christmas period and will be available for the public to view through to the 30 Jan, with free admission. A full range of exclusive merchandise – including prints, mugs and tote bags – will also be available from the 1554 Cathedral gift shop.

Visitors during the festive season can also enjoy the return of the popular Christmas Tree Festival, running from 2 December. Featuring more than 40 trees decorated by local businesses and organisations, the festival raises money for good causes and is also free to attend.

For Dean Abi Thompson, bringing Pete on board was part of a wider ambition: “The question that runs through everything we do is: how do we be a Cathedral for everyone in Sheffield? Pete is the loveliest man and we’ve had the most wonderful conversations – together we’ve worked out the ingredients for the very best kind of school nativity painting.”

She added: “I’ve never commissioned art in my life but I thought, let’s have a go.”

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

29 NOV-10 JAN // CRUCIBLE // £15-£47

On a cold Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by ghosts who lead him through his past, present and future. Faced with the cost of his choices, he must decide whether to change or remain alone forever. Featuring Sheffield Carols, this timeless tale glows with heart, redemption and festive spirit. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

CONCRETE DREAMZ

1 DEC-12 DEC // BETHEL CHAPEL // FREE ENTRY (DONATIONS WELCOME)

The Archer Project will present Concrete Dreamz in the old Bethel Chapel on Cambridge Street, now brought back into use as part of the Heart of the City development. Styled as a mattress showroom filled with concrete beds, the installation exposes the stark reality of rough sleeping and the daily hardships faced by people experiencing homelessness, especially in winter. archerproject.org.uk

THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER

4-7 DEC // MONTGOMERY // 4-7 DEC

Kind-hearted shoemakers Mr and Mrs Cobblestone give away their last pair of shoes, leaving them unable to pay the rent. But their generosity sparks magical help from some mischievous new friends. With festive characters, music and plenty of Christmas cheer, this new family musical is perfect for all ages. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

ALADDIN

5 DEC-4 JAN // LYCEUM // £15

Join the Lyceum for this year’s fun-filled family panto, Aladdin, starring Kevin Clifton, CBeebies’ Evie Pickerill and Sheffield favourite Damian Williams. Written by Paul Hendy and produced by Evolution Productions, the team behind award-winning Snow White, it promises dazzling sets, fabulous music and big laughs. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

MADE IN KELHAM ISLAND

13-14 DEC // GAGE GALLERY // FREE

Beautiful gifts while supporting the local arts scene? Count us in. Kelham Island Arts Collective will open its studios alongside a group exhibition and a festive market. Artwork from residents will be available to buy, from originals and sculptures to cards and prints. kiac-sheffield.org