PROUDLY SUPPORTING
PRIDE OF PLACE
LISA O'HARA ON BRINGING LIONS TO LIFE AND THE CITY THAT INSPIRES HER WORK
MAXIMILIAN TANNER // JUNK // KIZIAH & THE KINGS // NORSKOV // THE ARCHER PROJECT // FOUR FOUR TUNE
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12:
CUE THE LIONS
To celebrate the roaring success of the Pride of Yorkshire sculpture trail, we caught up with local artist Lisa O’Hara, whose snooker-loopy, proginspired designs have been turning heads in the city centre. As well as big cats, we chatted with her about early inspirations, getting settled in Sheffield and why the city's creative scene is in rude health.
20: ROOM FOR CHANGE
For over 30 years, The Archer Project have been providing vital support to people experiencing homelessness in Sheffield. But with demand continuing to rise and their ageing centre no longer fit for purpose, they're being held back at the moment they're needed most. We went to find out how that could change.
40:
FESTIVAL SEASON
Right then. Sheff's biggest bash is back, and we've got just the thing to get you in the Tramlines mood: our top picks from the festival, listings for the Fringe at Tramlines and chats with local artists playing everywhere from Hillsborough Park to Devvy Green.
74:
THAT’S A WRAP
Six days, dozens of documentaries and one very sleep-deprived Mark Perkins. Fresh from his 15th Sheffield DocFest, our resident Dochead rounds up the standout films, biggest talking points and moments that made this year's festival another belter.
GAFFERS
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FINANCE
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GRAFTERS
Joe Food (Editor) joe@exposedmagazine.co.uk
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Marc Barker (Design Dogsbody)
US A HAND PLZ
Deakin, Heather Paterson, Mark Perkins
PARTY TIME
Yup, it's that time of year when Sheffield's biggest bash rolls around again. The 17th edition of Tramlines Festival returns to Hillsborough Park from 24–26 July, with more than 100 artists playing across its stages. We've also pulled together a cheeky preview of the best Fringe at Tramlines action from page 41 onwards. Grab yer poncho, a warm tinny and get stuck in!
PHOTO: Giles Smith
TRAMLINES IN NUMBERS
2009
The year Tramlines was founded as a free citywide festival.
40,000
Attendees expected at Hillsborough Park each day.
350
Local artists have been programmed to play the festival since 2018.
Located next to Steel Yard in Neepsend, Hangr launched on Saturday 13 June, transforming a 4,000 sq ft warehouse space into what organisers described as a cutting-edge venue designed for largescale electronic music events.
The venue had been five years in the making and Hangr's founders said they hoped the project could play a role in reinvigorating Sheffield's events culture.
"This journey has been long, testing, but all the while worth it, and now we've created a venue for the love of music and Sheffield," the team said in a statement shared on social media.
A raw industrial space equipped with state-of-the-art production technology, the venue features 30 metres of overhead LED screens alongside a FunktionOne Evolution X soundsystem, which organisers claim is among the highestspec audio installations in the region.
"We've been in the process of creating a monster," they added. "Whilst clubs and bars are closing daily, we've invested our
A brand-new warehouse venue opened its doors in Sheffield last month, with the team behind the project promising a major boost for the city’s nightlife and events scene.
all to give you all a special experience. We won't let it fade away, that's a promise."
The opening party was hosted by Sheffield promoters Kargo, with Bristol house heavyweight Eats Everything topping the bill. Support came from Ella Knight, Andy Wadlow and a selection of local talent as the venue began what its founders hope would usher in a new chapter for the city's electronic music community.
The arrival of Hangr came amid growing concerns over the future of UK nightlife. Recent industry reports suggest that a significant proportion of new venues fail within their first few years, making the opening of a large-scale independent venue an increasingly rare occurrence.
With ambitious production, a sizeable warehouse setting and a packed launch event, Hangr has set out its stall. For more information and upcoming events, follow them on socials below.
@hangrwarehouse
FROM PUB TO RECORDING HUB
Sheffield Live, the city’s community radio and television operation, has acquired a former pub, the Tap and Barrel, on Castlegate, to transform it into a live arts and community media centre.
Sheffield Live's offer is set to be transformed with new radio, TV and podcasting studios, a public café and bar and a performance space for local artists, as the surrounding area undergoes major urban redevelopment, including a new park due to open next year.
Steve Buckley of Sheffield Community Media said of the move: “Acquisition of the former Tap and Barrel meets our long-held ambition to find a space for live performance, community arts and social enterprise that can integrate with our broadcast media facilities
“We are inviting people to get involved and we welcome expressions of interest in use of the space and contributing to the project.”
Sheffield Community Media, which hosts Sheffield Live, has purchased the former pub with the support of social investment lender, The Key Fund. It plans to raise further investment from a community shares issue to improve the bar and performance spaces
Sangita Basudev, co-founder of
Sheffield Live! said: “We are excited to be moving to this iconic location, on the site of Sheffield’s former castle and opposite Lady’s Bridge, the first bridge across the River Don.
“With Castlegate now part of the city centre conservation area, we look forward to developing our role in promoting local heritage and connecting communities.”
Castlegate’s cultural scene is growing fast, with estlabished grassroots projects like RiteTrax and Delicious Clam joined by major incoming facilities including the S1 Artspace gallery and Harmony Works music education centre.
Tchiyiwe Chihana, director of African Voices Platform, a partner in the project, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to build on our work with Sheffield Live! and to contribute to a new space for community arts that will showcase our city’s diverse talent and enterprise.”
Interested parties can get in touch at info@sheffieldlive.org.
CURTAIN CALL FOR CURZON
After 11 years, Sheffield’s Curzon cinema has announced its permanent closure.
The three-screen cinema opened in the former Sheffield Banking Company building on George Street in 2015, and is known for showcasing arthouse, independent and international films as well as popular new releases.
The Curzon team made the difficult decision to close the cinema due to admissions falling “below the level required to remain profitable.” The closure of the Sheffield branch will leave 16 Curzon cinemas across England, with the only northern venue located in Knutsford, Cheshire.
In a statement published on social media, operators thanked visitors as well as past and present employees for their support and dedication to the venue. “You made Curzon Sheffield such a vibrant, welcoming community,” it said. “It has been a privilege to share great cinema with you.”
The refurbished Grade II listed bank building made the cinema a unique venue, mixing old architectural features with modern additions like its summery rooftop bar and cosy lounge. Last year, the team invited visitors to explore the rarely seen 19th century bank vaults housed beneath the building as part of the Sheffield Heritage Open Days event programme. In recent years, Curzon Sheffield has also served as a location for Sheffield DocFest, the UK’s leading documentary festival.
The cinema is widely celebrated by locals for its dedication to accessibility and community focus. Each week, ‘relaxed’ screenings with lower volume, increased lighting, designated quiet spaces and other sensory-friendly features are hosted to create an inclusive experience for people on the autism spectrum and their families. The venue also provides captioned films as well as weekly dog-friendly screenings with reduced sound.
The cinema’s final screenings will be held on 29 June.
NO BOUNDS ANNOUNCED PIONEERING LINEUP FOR 2026
No Bounds returns this October, bringing together a host of South Yorkshire trailblazers, immersive events and community-led projects across Sheffield and Rotherham.
No Bounds Festival has unveiled the first wave of artists for its 2026 edition, with South Yorkshire innovators such as Mark Fell, Blawan, The Black Dog and Kid Acne leading a programme that spans music, art, technology and community projects across Sheffield and Rotherham.
Returning from 9-11 October, the festival will once again take over independent venues and cultural spaces across both boroughs, bringing together internationally renowned artists alongside grassroots organisations and emerging local talent.
A major highlight of this year’s programme is the return of Rotherhamborn electronic music pioneer Mark Fell. Widely regarded as one of the UK’s most influential experimental composers and sound artists, Fell will premiere new work as part of a festival that places a strong emphasis on celebrating South Yorkshire’s contribution to contemporary culture.
The opening night will see acclaimed electronic composer and audiovisual artist Max Cooper bring his immersive 3D audiovisual show to Peddler Warehouse. Featuring material from his latest album Feeling is Structure alongside favourites from across his catalogue, the performance is set to be one of the festival’s biggest draws.
Across the weekend, festivalgoers can also expect headline appearances from Barnsley-born techno innovator Blawan, dubstep legend Mala, bassline favourite Oppidan, Copenhagen’s Main Phase and XL Recordings artist KAVARI
Sheffield electronic pioneers The Black Dog will make a particularly poignant return, presenting a special edition of Loud Ambient in what will be the group’s first No Bounds appearance since the death of founding member Ken Downie in 2025.
The festival’s local roots remain firmly intact throughout the programme. Sheffield rapper, artist and all-round creative force Kid Acne will premiere material from his forthcoming album, while a new collaboration between Toddla T’s Steeze Factory, Pattern + Push, Slambarz and Tracks will spotlight emerging talent from across South Yorkshire.
No Bounds has also confirmed a UK debut performance from Gyrofield, alongside major new projects from long-time festival affiliates 96 Back and Rian Treanor. Treanor’s contribution includes a new music and dance work developed with young Roma participants in Rotherham, as well as performances connected to his ongoing Electronic Music Club initiative.
Community collaboration has long been central to No Bounds, and this year’s edition continues that tradition with contributions from local collectives including Gut Level, Wub Club, The Beatriarchy, Bass Off, Unity Underground, La Rumba and Funky Drummer.
Away from the live programme, audiences can explore a series of exhibitions across Sheffield and Rotherham. Highlights include a showcase of writer Daniel Dylan Wray’s work documenting Sheffield’s
independent music history, an exhibition linked to Kid Acne’s forthcoming publication and a presentation reflecting on three years of Rian Treanor’s Electronic Music Club project.
Looking ahead to the festival’s tenth anniversary in 2027, No Bounds will also introduce a new symposium and discourse programme designed to bring together artists, audiences and communities to help shape the future direction of the event.
Festival director Liam O’Shea said: “No Bounds has always been about creating space for new ideas, new collaborations and new ways of experiencing music, art and technology. As we look ahead to our tenth anniversary, it felt important to return to the grassroots energy that shaped the festival in the first place.”
Weekend and individual event tickets are on sale now from noboundsfestival.co.uk
More recently, the artist's creations have been turning heads as part of the Pride of Yorkshire trail. Her pair of lions – a vibrant collision of Crucible snooker and the prog-soaked world of Steve Davis’s Spotify playlists – have proved some of the trail’s most talked-about additions since they arrived last month.
With the region’s biggest sculpture event fully up and running, we grabbed a natter with Lisa to chat about her creative journey, finding a home in Sheffield, the joys of painting big cats and the folk tales, spaces and communities that continue to inspire.
Let’s start at the beginning and growing up in Scunthorpe. Were you creative from an early age?
I was. I’d say it was my dad and my grandma who really got me into painting and stuff like that. My parents came from nursing and steelwork backgrounds, but because my dad was creative as well, he really encouraged me. I learned to draw with him.
How did that creativity develop as you got older?
I’ve always been into music as well, so whenever there was an opportunity to do a poster for something, I’d be doing those things for mates, usually for free entry into gigs and things like that. That was my first way into that sort of work in Sheffield following university.
How did Sheffield become home?
I went to Leeds for uni and then spent my final year living here with some pals. I found my people and I stayed. It’s one of those things where suddenly you realise it’s been 15 years. I came here in 2010 and just never left. So I started out doing gig posters and other things like that, and it's something
Graphic designer, illustrator and tubthumper for local psych-rockers Sister Wives, Lisa O’Hara has become a familiar name on the city’s creative circuit. Her distinctive style channels a trippy, Brothers Grimm-inspired energy, blending folklore, musical influences and a playful touch of the macabre. Lisa’s work can often be seen adorning city walls and social feeds, advertising the latest cultural happenings at DIY spots across Sheffield and further afield.
WORDS: JOE FOOD PORTRAIT: MARC BARKER
I've consistently kept on doing ever since.
Gig poster art is very much a subculture in its own right. Who were the artists you looked up to in that sphere?
I’m honestly not sure whose work I was looking at back then. It always comes back to Bonnie MacLean, Robert Crumb and Aubrey Beardsley. They’re not specifically Sheffield contemporaries, but of course, Martin Bedford’s a really big name in that world. There’s this amazing
poster for Magazine from 1980 that I can’t get enough of. That whole world has always been aligned with DIY; it’s a massive draw for me.
This year, you’ve been part of the Pride of Yorkshire sculpture trail. How was that experience?
Oh my God, I’ve been banging on about it since the first day I went in to paint. I’ve loved every minute. It honestly has been my favourite job to work on.
I was eking out the process because
I didn’t want it to end. I’d tell myself, “I’ll just do a little bit more,” or “I’ll definitely varnish this week,” and then I’d go in and spot another little thing I wanted to perfect.
Being in that creative environment was the most joyful thing. All the artists would be working together in a space off the Moor, I was constantly meeting new people and seeing familiar faces. I got to hang out with people I hadn’t seen in ages, including Rob Lee, who used to be my manager at the Showroom Cinema. But I also got to meet so many new artists who I could speak with and learn from.
It’s the polar opposite of the way I normally work. If my housemate’s away, I’ll sometimes realise I haven’t spoken to someone for 12 hours or something mad like that. It’s often very solitary.
The difference with working on the Pride was amazing in that respect. I absolutely loved it.
Your snooker-themed lions have had a fantastic response from people doing the trail. How did the design come together?
After submitting my designs, I got a phone call asking whether I’d be interested in directing it into something more snooker-inspired. When I used to work in town, I absolutely loved it when the snooker came to Sheffield. I’d sit on the steps by the Winter Garden and watch the crowds of people going in and out – it was always such a positive atmosphere. I’ve also got a lovely pal, Simon, who used to come to the snooker every year with his sister.
September. Find out how you can get inolved at prideofyorkshire. org.
At first, I wasn’t sure where I’d take it, but then I started thinking about the connection between the things I’m interested in and snooker. As mentioned, I’m really into music and there’s a strange link there with Steve Davis being a big prog DJ.
So mine is very music-inspired; I was listening to loads of 1970s prog while working on it. I kept thinking about Steve Davis being a prog DJ and in a band with Kavus Torabi from Gong – and suddenly it all started making sense.
Do you know if Steve has seen it?
I don’t think so! I think they tried unsuccessfully to get it in front of him. I was very hopeful, but he’s a busy man. Maybe one day, if I ever meet him, I’ll show him myself.
Was working on a sculpture a completely new experience?
In this way, totally. I’ve painted walls before, but there’s nothing like painting a big cat. It’s completely different and a bit mad.
The Pride of Yorkshire trail is live until 8
MEET THE ARTIST: ZOE GENDERS
Firstly, we love the lion! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind A Little Birdie Told Me and how the concept first came together?
all heard. For me, it conjures up an image of the phrase being used playfully at work with your friends and colleagues, with whom you might spend many hours.
I had originally done a plant based design for the open call, but was asked if I would be interested in painting a lion specifically for the Children's Hospital and NHS, which I was more than happy to do!
I just thought it should be cheerful and very bright! Those who work for the NHS and at the Children's Hospital do a bloody good job and should be celebrated. The gold love heart eyes are a reflection of the care and heart they bring to the job. Gold for the win!
As well as its eyes, your lion is bursting with colour, shapes and hidden details. What story were you hoping visitors would take away from the design?
Who doesn't love a bird in a party hat? They are there to make you smile, but they are also a nod to the community of workers who get on with the job in hand with a smile on their face every day.
How did you approach translating such an important message into a visual artwork?
I hope the staff and support workers feel celebrated and honoured. I can't offer them a pay rise, or better hours, but I can shower them in colour and gold leaf.
The nose is also gold to emulate the bronze statues that people rub for good luck, a safe return or fulfilling wishes. This one is for good health.
What's the meaning behind the name, and how does it connect to the design itself?
The name came from a conversation with the fantastic Ellie from The Children's Hospital Charity and it just stuck! I love featuring birds in my work and 'A little birdie told me' is a saying we have probably
How do you feel about the finished piece? I love him! I'm not sure I ever want to paint a mane again...
As someone with strong ties to Sheffield, what does it mean to be involved in the trail, and what do you hope the lion raises awareness of during the event? It's a great honour to be part of the trail and the fundraising for the new Emergency Department. I've been in Sheffield for 18 years and am pleased to have been able to support the hospital with my artwork in various ways over the years. I'm hoping the trail raises awareness of the fantastic work the Children's Hospital and the wider NHS do in Sheffield – and that we make LOADSAMONEY!
Finally, where can people find out more about your work and follow what you're doing?
People can check out my work on Instagram (@zoe.genders) and my website www.zoegenders.co.uk.
You spend all day getting into ridiculous positions. You think you’ve done loads and then you step back and realise you’ve missed the whole underbelly. There was a lot of crawling underneath lions and contorting yourself into strange angles.
At the varnishing stage, Zoe [Genders] and Sian [Ellis] helped me think through the practical side of things. We found some pallets and the volunteers helped lift the lions onto them so I could get underneath properly. It made everything much easier.
The funny thing is I only discovered that right at the end. I’d spent weeks twisting myself into impossible positions before realising I could have had them on pallets the whole time!
This will be the third event of its kind by the Children’s Hospital Charity. What do you think makes these sculpture trails so successful?
You can’t really pass the sculptures and not feel some kind of response. There are so many of them around that you’re bound to encounter one somewhere. It automatically makes you feel part of something.
Even if people don’t know anything about the project, they’ll go away and look it up. Then they’ll start asking other questions: "What’s going on here? What’s
it for? How can I take part?"
The trail inspires curiosity and it makes people feel part of a community, which is powerful. I’ve had photos and messages from people I don’t know, showing me their kids with the lions. It’s been really sweet.
Your work has a very distinctive visual identity. How has your style evolved over the years?
It’s always been developing. When I first started, I was very black and white. That was partly down to the means I had available. I was making zines all the time, using pen and ink, photocopying things and occasionally adding colour through pastel paper.
Colour has become much more important in recent years. With the lions, for example, I limited myself to the colours of the snooker balls. Every colour on there came from that palette.
That was really useful because I often get choice paralysis. If I’ve got a huge palette available, I’ll spend forever tweaking colours and adjusting things. If I’ve only got a specific set of paints, then those are the colours I use and I get on with it.
That’s one of the things I love about murals and large paintings – I’m limited by what I’ve got and can’t endlessly fiddle. I am noticing patterns in the colours I
choose now, which means my style is becoming more consistent.
There’s often a folkloric, slightly creepy quality to your work, which is also mirrored in the music you create as part of Sister Wives. Where does that come from?
My brothers were both into really creepy stuff and I was always watching along. I watched every episode of The X-Files and The Outer Limits. I also spent a lot of time reading myths and legends from their books.
I got handed all sorts of things I wasn’t initially interested in, but then became completely fascinated by. I was always making myself feel uncomfortable.
I love folk horror – there must be some kind of macabre fascination there. Watching The Evil Dead at a very young age was probably quite life-changing. What I love about that film is it’s silly as well as unsettling. Sometimes something is so scary that it becomes funny, and I think that’s what really appeals to me.
My creative ideas nearly always tie back to music. Even when I’m away from my desk, music makes me think of things I want to draw. If I’m actually sat down working, it often starts with lines. I tend to gravitate towards certain kinds of marks and shapes.
The storytelling and inspiration side
is there, but it’s probably happening slightly further back in the process. The beginning is often quite physical and line-based.
As a supporter of and contributor to Sheffield’s DIY arts scene, what does that community mean to you? Honestly, it’s the reason I live in Sheffield.
There’s just so much going on. I’ve always played in bands and historically I’ve often found myself in spaces that were dominated by men. When I came to Sheffield, it suddenly opened up. Through things like Sister Wives and the wider scene, I met loads of women who were involved in the same things I was interested in.
Once you’re part of that community, you start feeling more comfortable. I’ve met so many amazing people through it.
I’m part of Delicious Clam and we practise there. They’ve let me loose on the walls to do some painting as well. If you want to put a gig on or help a touring band, there are always people here willing to get involved.
Outside those creative spaces, are there other places around Sheffield that inspire you?
I do a lot of running through Cat Lane Woods.
I love it because it’s a bit mad. It’s like
every time you go through it you can take a different route. There are still parts where I find myself thinking, “Have I been here before?”
You don’t really appreciate the scale of it until you’re inside it. I love that about Norfolk Park too, and the woods around there. You’ve got views, you’ve got wildlife, you’ve got everything you need.
A lot of the time I’ll be wandering through the woods listening to music and suddenly think, “That would be a fun thing to draw.” It helps that the light is usually amazing whatever the weather.
Also, the fact it’s called ‘Cat Lane Woods’ is great.
You work across graphic design, illustration and murals. Do you have a favourite medium?
I love to be covered in paint all the time. That would be the dream.
My bread-and-butter process is still sitting with a tablet or a pen and paper because it’s practical and it’s the easiest way to get work done. If I’m designing a logo, that’s usually how I’ll approach it.
But I’m happiest when I’m painting. I’d love to just be let loose on a huge wall somewhere. If I could do one big painting a month, that would be ideal.
Finally, what’s the best creative advice you’ve ever received?
There was an artist called Matthew the Horse who came in for a talk when I was studying in Leeds. He shared some advice he’d been given himself, which was that you have to define success for yourself rather than measuring it against anybody else.
If you can get that straight in your head, you’ll feel much more confident. Set your own goals and be really clear about what you want.
Although, having said that, my favourite piece of advice is probably still the Troy McClure quote from The Simpsons: “Get confident, stupid.” lisaohaha.com // @lisaohaha
MEET THE ARTIST: JAMES BRUNT
Hi James, how did you first get involved with the Pride of Yorkshire project and what appealed to you about taking part?
I first saw the initial call-out from Sheffield Children's Hospital online and, like many people, was reminded of how many times I'd sat in there with my own kids. Delving further into the details, I was keen to see how I could adapt my work to translate onto the lion and lioness templates. Once I'd submitted my designs, I'd kind of forgotten about it until I got the email inviting me to work on the sculptures. It was so exciting because it would be a very different kind of opportunity for both me and my work.
For readers who might be discovering your work for the first time, how would you describe what you do and the ideas behind it?
Most of my work takes place outdoors, creating temporary arrangements and designs using foraged natural materials –leaves and twigs in the woods, and pebbles on beaches, for example. The work is very fleeting and returns to nature as soon as I've finished and documented the results.
We love your Pride of Yorkshire sculptures. Could you talk us through the design process and how the final pieces came together?
Thank you. I tried to keep the process as close as possible to the way I work outdoors. I took two key elements of my work – pebble spirals and leaf arrangements – and based the designs around them.
I love the connections spirals have with the natural world: fossils, snail shells and the way fern fronds unfurl. The leaves I based the lioness design around were beech leaves – often described as the queen of the forest – so I loved the connection they shared with the lioness.
Did you approach the lions differently from your usual work, or were there elements of your existing style that translated naturally to the project?
The location was different and the lions presented a very unfamiliar canvas to work on, but no – I approached them as if I was turning up to a beach or woodland setting. Once I'd started each sculpture, I settled into a process that continued until the entire surface area was filled.
I noticed that most of the other artists working in the space at the same time approached things very differently. They had their initial designs in front of them and transferred them onto the lions' surfaces. I didn't even have my original designs with me because I knew it would be the process of repetition that determined the outcome.
How did you find working on the sculptures themselves? Were there any particular challenges or learning curves along the way?
I really enjoyed it. Creating what would normally be a flat image on an unpredictable 3D object meant there were lots of unknowns and, at times, I had to trust the process and see what came out the other side.
I also had to deal with a bit of imposter syndrome, being surrounded by so many fantastic painters and designers, all with wonderful, detailed ideas for their sculptures. What emerged at the end was a lion and lioness that were distinctly my work, I hope, so trusting the process paid off.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work and follow what you're doing?
People can follow my work on Instagram (@jamesbruntartist) or Facebook (James Brunt Artist), where I share workshop opportunities and details of public sessions.
SPOTLIGHT THE ARCHER PROJECT
From hot meals and healthcare to counselling and housing support, the Archer Project helps more than 1,200 people a year. But can it continue to do so from a building that no longer meets the needs of those who rely on it?
WORDS: JOSEPH FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: MARC BARKER
“The main problem is that this building was opened over 20 years ago,” says Joe Logan, Head of Fundraising at the Archer Project, “but our service and approach have entirely changed in that time. The quality and breadth of support we offer is simply not in sync with the space we’re in.”
Joe has buzzed Exposed through the front door of their Campo Lane centre, a vital hub for the thousands of people in Sheffield affected by homelessness. In 2025 alone, the charity supported 1,201 individuals – and they’re certainly not expecting that number to drop anytime soon.
While the building provides a temporary haven for its beneficiaries, a place where they offer what Joe describes as "a wide-ranging service that understands the root causes of homelessness", the immediate surroundings feel anything but compassionate.
A tight entranceway pens you in before leading to a cramped reception room. Cracked walls, peeling paint and a very uninviting fixed metal bench greet between 100 to 120 individuals at lunchtime. It’s a narrow squeeze from there to an equally tired lounge room, and space remains at a premium through to the canteen area where last year they served over 23,000 free meals. A 2017
survey confirmed what many already suspected: the centre was operating above capacity – and by some distance.
A lack of room and strained facilities are difficult to navigate for any organisation. But when you’re dealing with an issue as complex as street homelessness, such challenges are magnified tenfold. “The people who come through our doors are often experiencing the effects of trauma and all have unique experiences,” says Joe. “For example, one person might be loud, distressed and highly agitated, while another struggles to make eye contact or feel comfortable around others. We're trying to help both of those people, but we don't have the private areas needed to provide that level of support.”
He explains that the redesigned building will include dedicated spaces for private conversations, therapeutic assistance and de-escalation when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. Ageing shower facilities will be modernised, while an expanded canteen will replace the warehouse space that still bears the scars of a 2020 arson attack. Additional areas for activities, skills development and one-to-one support will also be created.
Taken together, the changes will allow the Archer Project to better address individual needs and help more people
progress away from what Joe describes as "entrenched homelessness".
But, as ever, there is a catch. And it’s a big one. To get to where they need to be, the Archer Project have launched their largest fundraising campaign to date: £2m to rebuild the entire centre.
For a charity whose annual running costs already exceed £1m, it's an ambitious target. Yet Joe and the team know that standing still is no longer an option.
"The reality is that homelessness is one of the most complex issues in society,” he says. “The only thing a lot of the people who come through our doors have in common is that they don't have a house. Beyond that, you might be dealing with abusive relationships, undiagnosed neurodivergence, addiction, acquired brain injuries and all sorts of different life experiences. It takes time and the right environment to help people move forward."
Rather than a traditional public appeal, the campaign is focused on securing support from businesses, particularly those involved in construction, plumbing, electrical work, fixtures and fittings. They are also seeking donations of materials and expertise to help reduce costs. Encouragingly, a number of local firms have already stepped in to lend a big
WE'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT SHARING EXPERIENCE AND BRINGING NEW PEOPLE INTO THE INDUSTRY IN A POSITIVE WAY.”
hand. Forgemasters has joined the steering group and is helping connect the project with suppliers, McLaughlin & Harvey is providing pro bono project management and headline sponsor Homes by Honey has committed £100,000 towards the appeal.
However, there remains a long way to go before the vision can be realised. Whereas some charities can appeal directly to people's lived experience, the difficult fact remains that homelessness is still a deeply stigmatised and often misunderstood issue. Seen by some as an eyesore, The Archer Project has even faced questions over why its centre
SPOTLIGHT THE ARCHER PROJECT
should remain in the heart of central Sheffield rather than using the money to relocate to the fringes or away from higher-footfall areas altogether.
I put this to Joe and he's happy to tackle it head on. "Yes, we have had some comments asking why spend this money here rather than move somewhere else. But we're in the city centre because people experiencing homelessness are in the city centre. If we moved elsewhere, homelessness wouldn't disappear in town. The people would still be here, but they'd be further away from the support they need."
“We also have a hugely important relationship with Sheffield Cathedral,” he adds, “without whom we wouldn’t be able to do what we do."
Another response to such views is explaining how the redevelopment is not solely about helping those who access the service. In fact, data shows that an improved Archer Project hub will benefit the city as a whole, reducing pressure on public services from healthcare to policing and creating more opportunities for people to rebuild their lives.
“Research suggests that every pound donated to us returns four pounds to the public purse,” says Joe. “If we weren’t here, that’s money the council would be spending. A new building will further help alleviate pressure on healthcare services, probation services and other public organisations.”
That sentiment is echoed by Mark*, a former Archer Project beneficiary who now volunteers at the centre after finding stable housing.
When he first arrived, Mark recalls having “basically shut down” and largely keeping to himself as a result.
“Luckily it wasn't quite as busy then as it is now,” he tells me. "I’d just come in and sit quietly at the start. People probably thought I was doing nothing, but actually I was healing. I don't think I'd be able to do the same now because it's that busy. I wouldn't be able to get that bit of peace.
"I originally came because I needed food, but it turned out to be much more than that. Everything was here – medical services, support for drugs and alcohol issues, help in contacting the council. It brings it all into one space.”
With lived experience of using the centre and seeing today’s increased demand first-hand as a volunteer, he believes that redevelopment is essential.
“It’s really important. Something's got
to happen because there are more and more people becoming homeless. They just won't be able to cope otherwise.”
Mark is one of many examples of what can happen when people are given the time and space to recover before engaging further with the support available. Continuing our tour of the centre, we're met with evidence of wear and tear at almost every turn. But beyond the aesthetics lies a more structural issue: a multitude of services and activities competing for the same cramped spaces and, all too often, getting in each other’s way.
As we’re shown back out onto Campo Lane by Joe, he makes clear that much of it ultimately comes down to dignity.
“A huge part of what we try to do is centred around helping people believe they're worthy of something better. Our staff are saying, 'You're worth more than this,' but the building at the moment is saying, 'No, this is what you're worth.' That needs to change, and we can't bridge this gap without Sheffield getting behind us.”
Businesses interested in supporting the appeal through financial contributions, construction services or gifts in kind can email joseph@ archerproject.org.uk.
*Name changed at the interviewee's request.
The Baby Ultrasound Clinic
Ultrasound Clinic Sheffield are offering ANY scan for just £30 for a limited time, including reassurance scans from as early as 7 weeks, gender scans from 14 weeks, and beautiful 4D scans to capture those unforgettable moments.
Based on Ecclesall Road, this brand new Sheffield clinic is giving expecting parents something really special — whether you want peace of mind, that magical first glimpse, or to finally find out if it’s a little boy or girl earlier than most places offer.
The Baby Ultrasound Clinic 965 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8TN 0333 444 0174 www.babyultrasoundclinic.co.uk
Wildfire Agency /
FOOD & DRINK BARKS WINE
Charles Cornelius took a gamble on a city centre wine shop. A year later, we hear how Barks is thriving in a much bigger home.
WORDS:JOSEPH FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: MARC BARKER
Exposed arrives at Barks Wine during the Great Sheffield Heatwave of '26 and, for a brief moment, we could've sworn we'd landed in a Lisbon square or a trendy corner of Bordeaux. Their sun-soaked terrace overlooks the crowds tucking into lunch outside Cambridge Street Collective, while Pound's Park adds a welcome splash of greenery to the right. All around, glasses clink with Vinho Verdes, Chenin Blancs and all manner of delicious grapey goodness from across the globe.
It’s moments like these where you think to yourself, “Just when did Sheffield get this cool?”
After quickly outgrowing its original 'Baby Barks' unit in Leah's Yard, owner Charles Cornelius took on a larger space
in the same development, which opened back in April.
Even by his own admission, it was a big move. "Five times the size, you know, it's a risk no matter which way you put it. I've got practically no business experience at all. To be quite honest, I opened up Barks pretty much on a whim."
That opportunity first presented itself in early 2025. After being made redundant from a job selling spirits, Charles was tipped off about a vacant unit in the yard. He did his research and one thing stood out immediately.
"There were no wine shops in the city centre, but wine culture was on the up" he explains. "It persuaded me to make the move and open Baby Barks in April last year."
The timing couldn't have been much better. A strong first summer and the addition of more outdoor seating at Leah’s Yard helped turn curious passersby into regulars, with Barks building a loyal following that now feels less like a specialist retailer and more like a friendly neighbourhood local.
In fact, someone recently described it as "a wine pub" – a label Charles is more than happy to embrace.
"I really love that description. Everyone talks about making wine accessible or demystifying it, and there are always going to be some barriers, but we just like providing a space for people to come and enjoy wine as they see fit. We’ve built a really lovely community in the process.
"You can come here and get a £5 glass
AT BARKS IT'S ABOUT HAVING THAT EXPLORATORY CONVERSATION... AND SHOWING PEOPLE WHAT ELSE IS ON OFFER.'
or spend £20 on a glass. We've got £12 bottles and £60–£70 bottles. Moving into a bigger Barks allowed me to expand both sides – the more affordable end and the more premium stuff."
That broad, welcoming approach feels like one of the reasons Barks has become such a fixture in the city’s growing wine scene. Whether you're after an interesting orange wine, a crisp Portuguese white or kalimotxos (red wine and Coke – don’t knock it, etc.), there's zero sense of pretension waiting for you at the bar.
It also helps that Charles is something of a larger-than-life, naturally social character. His deceptively simple pairing videos – matching wines with famed Sheffield scran like Beres pork sarnies (beaut with a rich brut, apparently) and China Red's Szechuan prawns (grab a fruity Portuguese rosé) – have become a bit of an online hit, cementing Barks' place among the city's ever-growing food and drink scene.
It's also part of a much bigger picture. Rather than seeing the city’s growing collection of wine bars and bottle shops as rivals, Charles sees collaborative potential, and he’s keen to tip his hat to the teams at The Old Shoe, Not Open; Don’t Come, Gill & Co, Starmore Boss, and Tenaya Wines who he sees as friends as opposed to rivals.
"We all go to tastings together, we all organise bits for the wine events together, we all meet up and have social drinks,” he says. “There's plenty of wine to go around for us all and crucially, we
all are good at specialising in certain niches within wine. That’s what makes a strong scene."
The bigger space has naturally allowed them to expand their range, with around 300 bottles on the shelves and an everchanging by-the-glass list that sees 22 of its 27 wines rotated every week. It's also opened the door to one of the shop's most exciting new additions: Experiences at Barks. Running Tuesday to Friday, these bookable two-hour tastings pair five wines with everything from artisan cheese to ice cream, depending on your tastes.
"It's just a fantastic way to have a bit more of an informed Barks experience," says Charles. “But it’s still very much a laidback and social atmosphere at the heart of things.”
Alongside that are themed weeks celebrating everything from Spanish wine and rosé to, yes, Scampi Fries. There are winemaker evenings, seasonal events and plenty more planned, all delivered with the same relaxed, inviting ethos that has made Barks such a winning addition to the city centre.
"People often fall into a comfort zone in wine, which is understandable," Charles adds, as a new group of punters come through the door. "But it’s about having that exploratory conversation, showing them what else is on offer.
“What’s really important to me is getting people to try as much wine as possible,” he concludes with a laugh. “That’s my mission."
@barks.wine
QUICKFIRE WITH CHARLES
Red, white, rosé or orange?
I'm going to throw a controversial one out there – I'm a beer guy, really! I love talking about wine and selling wine but if you ever see me out, I'm probably drinking a beer. I love a hazy DIPA. But if we're talking wine, I'm a rosé man at heart.
Most underrated wine region?
The Txakoli region in the Basque Country. Think Vinho Verde, but more concentrated and powerful. They're making some amazing reds too.
Best wine under £15? Vinho Verde. It's probably the most consistent style you'll find under that price point, especially in summer.
FOOD & DRINK THE CANARY
Exposed pays a return visit to The Canary after an award-winning first year of business.
WORDS:JOSEPH FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: MARC BARKER
Less than a year after pulling its first pint, The Canary has been named Best Micropub at the Exposed Awards 2026. With strong competition across the city, it's an impressive accolade for any independent venue, but even more so for one sitting on the fringes of Sheffield as part of a growing neighbourhood development in Waverley.
For bar manager Niall, hearing the bar's name read out on the night was a genuine surprise, particularly given the strength of the competition.
"There were some really wellestablished names in the category, so it was almost a bit intimidating being up against them," he says. "When they actually announced us onstage, it made
me realise how hard we’ve worked since opening.”
Since collecting the award, he says the bar has welcomed an increasing number of visitors from across Sheffield and the wider region, many of whom are discovering both The Canary and Olive Lane for the first time. The development, which was still very much in its infancy when Exposed last visited in winter, now boasts several new food and drink venues alongside other amenities, with just one unit left to fill.
Opposite the bar sits small plates restaurant Mono Malo, which opened earlier this year alongside brunch and cocktails spot Serve. Next door, Indian restaurant Karobar completes a small but perfectly formed day-to-evening crawl, with the independent businesses working together through shared offers and collaborations that encourage visitors to explore.
“We all support and help each other out – if you want this type of development to work, you have to,” says Niall. “There’s a great feel around the place now it has filled up, and there’s now things on offer whether you’re wanting breakfast and coffees or an evening meal and cocktails.”
Back to bar itself, and he explains that at the heart of is a simple philosophy. Awards, rotating beer lists and putting on interesting events all matter, but service comes first.
"I think micropubs are big on atmosphere and friendliness. Because you’re a bit smaller, the welcome people
receive is even more important. The community here have really taken to us and are happy we’re here for them, and the staff are also happy to come in and work here. We’ve laid some important roots down here in Waverley.”
The Canary may focus solely on drinks, but that doesn't mean visitors are short of food options. Regular street food traders bring everything from artisan pizzas and stacked burgers to the hugely popular Yamas Greek slinging out gyros wraps.
Outside, the spacious suntrap terrace has become one of the area's most popular places to spend a warm afternoon, while inside there's always something happening. Bring Your Own Vinyl evenings have built a loyal following, DJ nights regularly fill the room and the events calendar has quickly become one of their biggest selling points. Acoustic sessions, tap takeovers, whisky tastings, magic shows and bustling summer street festivals have all taken place over the past month alone.
That sense of momentum is only set to continue over the summer. The World Cup games have been popular on their big screen inside, a cocktail menu refresh is on the way and plans are in the offing for an 80s and 90s-themed celebration inspired by Stranger Things, complete with retro arcade machines. Families will be able to enjoy the games during the day before the venue shifts into a more nostalgic evening atmosphere for adults. Winning the Best Micropub accolade
may have brought wider recognition and increased footfall, but there's little sense of a venue resting on laurels. Niall is already talking about returning to defend the title next year, while continuing to build both the pub’s offering and the community around it.
And anyone who's yet to venture down to Olive Lane, his message is fairly straightforward.
"Just come over and try it out. From Sheffield city centre, you can be here within 15 minutes in a cab. It’s a buzzy place and you might just find your next favourite bar – so surely that’s worth the short trip out?"
We fully concur.
@the_canary_olive_lane
FOOD & DRINK ASSAJE
At bustling Italian cafe Assaje, Sicilian baker Dani is winning fans one tray of freshly made focaccia at a time.
PHOTOGRAPHY: MARC BARKER
There’s a point most days outside Assaje when people walking along Glossop Road suddenly stop in their tracks.
The reason is usually sitting in the window. Freshly baked focaccia, golden and still warm, has a habit of catching the eye. For co-owner Dani, that reaction never gets old.
“People see it in the window and you can see it takes their eye,” he tells Exposed. “Many people will come straight in after that, and some ask me if I sell focaccia on its own.”
While the Italian café and deli has built a loyal following since opening, Dani is keen for more people across Sheffield to discover what has become its signature offering. And after spending time talking to him, it’s clear that focaccia is more than just another menu item – it’s a craft he has spent years perfecting.
Born and raised in Sicily, Dani grew up surrounded by baking. Before moving to the UK at the age of 24, he worked as a baker and pizza chef in his hometown, learning culinary skills that would later serve him well as the city’s focaccia maestro.
Unlike many cafes and sandwich shops that rely on bread delivered from elsewhere, Dani makes his focaccia fresh every day. It’s baked specifically for service, meaning customers arriving around lunchtime are often getting bread that has come straight from the oven only moments earlier.
It’s one of the reasons Assaje’s focaccia sandwiches have become the café’s bestseller. Customers returning from holidays in Italy regularly tell him they are surprised to find something so authentic in Sheffield.
The menu itself has evolved over the past year. They originally focused on a build-your-own format, allowing customers to customise every sandwich. While that option remains, the café now also offers a selection of traditional combinations for those wanting a quick lunch without having to make lots of decisions.
The emphasis throughout is on quality ingredients and generous portions. Dani is particularly keen to challenge the idea that authentic Italian food must come with a hefty price tag.
“Some people might think it’s expensive,” he says. “But you can build a £7 or £8 focaccia that has no comparison with other products you’ll find around here because it’s always freshly made and top quality.”
And despite appearances, queues move quickly. One thing Dani wants readers to know is that even freshly prepared sandwiches are assembled in minutes, making Assaje a popular option
for the local students, hospital staff and workers grabbing lunch during a busy day.
The food offering extends well beyond sandwiches too. Alongside Italian coffee made using Caffè Vero beans, there are classic Sicilian treats including cannoli, as well as homemade cheesecakes and other desserts prepared in-house. An alcohol licence means customers can also enjoy a beer or spritz while taking a break from the bustle outside.
The name Assaje means “a lot” in Italian, and in many ways that reflects the generosity behind the business. Dani now runs the café alongside his wife, Chiara, who helps with everything from social media to management and design. Together they have created a family-run venue built around the sort of hospitality Dani grew up with in Sicily.
“There aren’t many places run by family owners,” he says. “When it’s a family-owned business, you are at the centre of the attention. Warmth and
welcome is the main thing here – you will never be just another number coming into the shop.”
That personal approach has helped Assaje earn a devoted customer base and an impressive run of five-star Google reviews since Dani took over the business. He takes pride in remembering regulars, learning their orders and making sure nobody feels like just another transaction.
“I’ll get to know you,” he says. “It doesn’t matter if you’re the 50th customer of the day.”
The café’s future remains firmly rooted on Glossop Road. While some business owners dream of multiple sites, Dani tels Exposed he is more interested in continuing to build what he has created here. There are incoming plans for occasional Italian food evenings and aperitivo-style events, but the focus for now remains the same: good food, warm service and focaccia made properly @assaje_sheffield
RAFTERS
For years now, Rafters has been quietly proving that exceptional food doesn't need to come wrapped in white tablecloths, whispered conversations and silver cloches. Long before Sheffield found itself on Michelin's radar, the Oakbrook Road restaurant had already begun challenging perceptions of what modern dining could look like.
When owner Alistair Myers brought Head Chef Dan Conlon and Restaurant Manager Ben Ward into the business, the ambition wasn't simply to preserve Rafters' reputation as one of Sheffield's premier special occasion restaurants. It was to evolve it.
The food remained every bit as ambitious, but the experience became less formal and stuffy. A reputation that has, at times, been hard to skae. As Dan explained in an interview with Exposed: "People think we're this stiff, old-school restaurant. But we want people to feel comfortable. We don't want people to sit there in silence. We want them to come with friends, dress how they want and enjoy it."
That philosophy has quietly become one of the defining characteristics of Sheffield's restaurant scene.
Today, many of the city's most celebrated independent restaurants share that same outlook. They may differ wildly in cuisine, interiors and personality, but they all place genuine hospitality alongside exceptional cooking.
Earlier this year, the movement received its biggest moment of national recognition when Jöro became Sheffield's first Michelin-starred
restaurant.
For Luke French and Stacey Sherwood, it was the culmination of more than a decade spent building one of the country's most distinctive restaurants. For Sheffield, meanwhile, it felt like validation that the city's dining scene had quietly been heading in this direction for years.
Ironically, while a Michelin star –courtesy of everyone's favourite French tyre company – remains the industry's ultimate seal of fine dining approval, many of the restaurants driving Sheffield's culinary rise, Jöro included, don't see themselves as fine dining at all. Instead, they're part of something that has emerged organically across the city over the past decade: what many operators now simply call modern dining.
As Stacey Sherwood explains:
"We just say 'Modern Dining' and stay as far away as possible from using Fine Dining in any context as it isn't us. It's taken us 10 years of crafting a unique identity and finally that break in tradition is being recognised. Not that there is anything wrong with fine dining either. Ultimately though it's just about sticking to your identity – whatever that is – and success always follows."
The distinction matters. Traditional
fine dining has long been associated with ceremony and exclusivity. Modern dining takes a different approach. The standards remain uncompromising, the ingredients exceptional and the cooking technically accomplished, but the atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming and shaped by the personalities behind each restaurant.
Across Sheffield, that philosophy has flourished.
Bench has earned widespread acclaim for its ingredient-led small plates and carefully curated drinks programme. No Name has built a loyal following for inventive neighbourhood cooking. Native has become one of the city's standout destinations for seafood, while Orange Bird combines bold South African flavours with warm, approachable hospitality.
WORDS: ASH BIRCH
HEAD CHEF DAN CONLON AND RESTAURANT MANAGER
BEN WARD, RAFTERS
What unites them isn't a shared style of cooking but a shared confidence in doing things their own way.
As Rafters owner Alistair Myers puts it:
"What's exciting about Sheffield is that nobody's trying to copy anyone else. Every restaurant has its own identity, whether that's Jöro, Bench, Native or us. Diners here really respond to authenticity. They want incredible food, but they also want to feel relaxed and looked after. That's pushed all of us to think differently about the experience we're creating, and I think that's one of the reasons Sheffield's food scene is getting the recognition it deserves."
Of course, the story stretches well beyond the restaurants most commonly associated with modern dining.
From the contemporary Italian cooking of Domo, Borgo, Grazie and
North Town Kitchen to Japaneseinspired menus at Guyshi, acclaimed Indian restaurants including Ashoka, 5Tara and Lavang, Turkish favourites such as Mavi Ruya and Envers, alongside a thriving vegan scene and some of the country's most underrated Ethiopian restaurants, Sheffield has quietly assembled one of the UK's most diverse independent food cities.
Jöro's Michelin star may have made the headlines, but it wasn't the beginning of Sheffield's story. It was recognition of a dining culture that restaurants like Rafters have helped shape for years – one built on creativity, individuality and the belief that exceptional food should feel exciting, not intimidating.
Or, as the people behind it would probably prefer to call it: modern dining. @raftersrestaurant
BENCH
NATIVE
ORANGE BIRD
Leahs Yard, Cambridge St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield
HAT-TRICK HEROES TUCCI PULL OFF THE TITLE TREBLE
Winning an Exposed Award is one thing. Winning three in a row? That's the sort of achievement reserved for true Steel City icons.
And it’s exactly the situation Caffe Tucci now finds themselves in after being crowned Best Café for the third consecutive year. Three straight wins means they're ineligible to defend the title in 2027, with brother-owners Salvatore and Stefano Capasso instead graduating into the Exposed Awards hall of fame.
It's a fitting end to a remarkable run for a business that's gone from a single city centre cafe on Surrey Street to two thriving sites, with Ecclesall Road now firmly part of the Tucci family. However, expansion has never come at the expense of what got them there in the first place.
"The secret?" says Salvatore. "Consistency in the way we approach and treat people. Every year we're trying to improve ourselves. The competition is always really good, so it's never something we expect."
It sounds simple, but spend ten minutes inside either cafe and you'll see what he means. Regular customers aren't just familiar faces – they're greeted by name, their coffee orders are remembered, conversations pick up where they left off and there's every chance the pair will ask after your other half, your job or how your football team got on at the weekend.
"We love what we do," adds Stefano. "It’s just who we are – we make that effort because it makes coming to work a better place to be. Why wouldn’t you?"
The Capassos are quick to point out that the trophies aren't just theirs. Behind every frothy cappuccino and crunchy sfogliatella is a team that's helped maintain the same standards day in, day out.
"We're all working very hard," says Stefano. "Not just me and my brother. My wife, Salvatore's wife and all our staff. They're brilliant and keep it all going –we are just the faces!"
Quality is another key factor. Bread arrives fresh every morning, ingredients are delivered daily and only the finest Italian produce is sourced for their famous panini sandwiches.
But what's next now they've completed the hat-trick?
Well, apart from extending the outdoor space at their Surrey Street site, Salvatore already has a few ideas.
"Maybe next year, we can hand out the Best Café award, a bit like handing down the torch," he says. “Or maybe you could create a Sheffield Legends award we could go for? Or what about Best Brotherly Business?”
You have to concede the latter has a bit of a ring to it.
Failing that, however, one thing is for certain: despite a clearly effective business model, don't expect Caffe Tucci to start appearing in city centres across the country. Sheffield is home and, for the Capasso brothers, that's where they want the story to stay.
"The most difficult thing in hospitality is finding and keeping the right staff. It has to be right – and we would rather keep two places keep going properly then lose that ethos," says Salvatore. "Anyway, the heart and soul of Tucci is here in Sheffield. It always will be. "
WORDS:JOSEPH FOOD
THE
HEART AND SOUL OF TUCCI IS HERE IN SHEFFIELD.”
Come along and check out the new menu at Caffè Tucci – same passion, fresh Neapolitan flavours and the kind of big-hearted hospitality that comes through in every single mouthful
Come and see us at 49 Surrey street or 655 Ecclesall road Find us on Insta: caffe_tucci_sheffield Facebook: Caffè Tucci | Sheffield
TURN IT UP!
OOOOH AYE, YOU KNOW WHAT JULY MEANS – SHEFFIELD'S BIGGEST PARTY IS BACK, BABBEH.
Tramlines Festival returns to Hillsborough Park 24-26 July and, as always, the Fringe at Tramlines will take over the city centre and beyond, filling pubs, bars, cafés, record shops and all manner of gaffs with wall-to-wall live music.
To celebrate, we've pulled together a whistle-stop guide to the weekend, packed with listings to help you navigate hundreds of free gigs, plus interviews with some of the local artists playing across both Tramlines and the Fringe stages. Whether you're heading to the main festival, sticking to the free events or trying to squeeze in a bit of everything, we've got you covered.
We'll also be keeping our listings up to date on exposedmagazine. co.uk, alongside a free app. Just search 'Fringe at Tramlines Clashfinder' on the App Store or Google Play. It's all part of your friendly neighbourhood mag's service.
So have a flick through the listings, make a plan – or don't. Having a wander, following your ears and seeing where you end up is half the fun. With so much South Yorkshire talent on show alongside artists from further afield, there's never been a better excuse to spend a weekend hopping from venue to venue. Take it steady. Keep safe. And viva la Tramlines!
IN NUMBERS:
Around 40,000 visitors attend the Fringe at Tramlines every year.
The most recent event generated an estimated £1.86 million for the city centre economy. The Fringe at Tramlines was launched in 2018 by Sheffield BID, Sheffield City Council and Tramlines Festival.
FRINGE FEVER
The Fringe at Tramlines is back from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July, with hundreds of live performances taking over venues across Sheffield city centre – and an extra day of live music at the Devonshire Green Main Stage.
Supported by Sheffield BID and Sheffield City Council, The Fringe at Tramlines once again transforms Sheffield into a city-wide stage, with pubs, bars, clubs, independent venues and outdoor spaces hosting live music throughout the weekend.
This year, the Devonshire Green Main Stage will open on Friday evening for the first time in many years, extending the celebrations into a full festival weekend in the city centre. Curated by Open Decks FC, the Friday night programme will bring together some of Sheffield's best loved DJs and presenters for an evening of feel-good music spanning the decades.
The line-up includes award winning broadcaster Dixie, who will host and headline the evening, alongside international DJ Kavita Varu and Sheffield favourites Jesus Hairdo, bringing a soundtrack of pop classics, dancefloor favourites and festival anthems to kick start the weekend.
The weekend programme has been
curated by legendary Sheffield promoter Papa Al of The JuJu Club and brings together artists spanning brass, soul, folk, ska, reggae, dance, world music and community performance.
Saturday's programme culminates with Sheffield favourites Kiziah and the Kings, whose blend of reggae, soul and Caribbean rhythms has made them one of the city's most loved live acts. They are joined by rising Sheffield artists Malachite, genre bending collective Solar Love Society, folk influenced duo Tavira, the soaring sounds of Blue Street Brass and community performers including Disco Choir and Chekere Dance.
Sunday belongs to some of The Fringe's most celebrated names. Closing the weekend are Jungle Lion, regarded by many as Fringe at Tramlines royalty after years of crowd-pleasing appearances across the event. They are joined by folk punk favourites Shanghai Treason,
soul collective Soul Division, community performers Sparkle Sistaz and a special presentation of Jamaican Carifolk Dance from Ripton Lindsey.
Diane Jarvis, Chief Executive Officer, Sheffield BID said: “The Fringe at Tramlines brings people into the city centre at scale, drives footfall for our pubs, bars, and venues, and creates the kind of trading conditions businesses depend on. It’s a signature event for the BID, and one we’ve helped shape from the start with our partners.
“For us, the focus is always on making the city centre work well for the businesses who trade here. Extending the Devonshire Green Main Stage across the full weekend strengthens a festival that delivers clear economic value for the city centre. This partnership continues to deliver for local businesses, and we’re focused on ensuring The Fringe brings another strong weekend for Sheffield’s economy this July.”
LISTINGS
WHAT’S ON
Here’s what we’ve managed to cobble together before July's print deadline. The full listings will keep growing at exposedmagazine.co.uk and in our app, but this is more than enough to get your weekend off to a flying start. Have a flick through, plot your route and get stuck in.
THURSDAY
23RD JULY
DELICIOUS CLAM
INDEX FOR WORKING MUSIK
Fantastically inventive, stylishly strange, driving experimentalist post-punk straight outta the Capital City UK.
BEAU MEC
Manc scratchy layered hypnotic no-wave, from the DUDS school of thought, you dig?
DEARTHWORMS
Like someone announcing a platform change at a train station over the darker side of Flying Nun Records. Endlessly entertaining.
FROG & PARROT
THE FALSE FLAG NASA PARKA ANYA GOEL THE KELLOWS
HOP HIDEOUT
12:00 – 20:00
EM REDFEARN ART EXHIBITION LAUNCH
Sheffield based designer, animator and illustrator Em Redfearn showcases her colourful, joyful, character driven artwork at Hop Hideout, in Leah's Yard. This new exhibition launches over Tramlines weekend.
THE WICK AT BOTH ENDS
19:00 – 02:00
DJ SET
A mix of the best music from every genre, keeping the dancefloor packed from start to finish. Expect everything from R&B, hip hop and house to garage, bassline, dancehall, pop and chart favourites.
FRIDAY
24TH JULY
ALDER
17:00 – 17:30
BEDWORM
Fuzzy lo-fi slowcore from Wakefield, built around home recordings mixed to 4-track cassette.
18:00 – 18:30
TROUTFLIES
York-based experimental indie act on the Private Regcords orbit, with a strange, homespun, cassette-discovered feel.
19:00 – 19:30
SPEEDWAY STAR
Leeds alt-country songwriting project; a promoter described them as scratching the Jason Molina itch “in the most incredible British way.”
20:00 – 20:30
CLIVE
Leeds-based four-piece with a bedroom lofi feel. Second time they've played at Alder and they didn't disappoint the first.
21:00 – 21:30
ELWELL
Elwell are a four-piece Leeds band born from Spike Elwell’s solo project, featuring members of Scum, Speaking in Tongues, Clit Spit, Cage Girl and Clabber. Blending ’90s emo with 2000s/2010s UK and US indie influences like The Cribs and Ovlov, they’ve played venues including Mabgate Bleach and Belgrave Music Hall, with a debut EP due Summer 2025.
22:00 – 22:30
VEHICLE
Garage-pop/art-rock quartet whose sound blends jangle, surreal pop and ’60s rock influences. Vehicle explore cultural burnout, haunted
Americana and woozy pop songs.
23:00 – 23:30
NORMAL VILLAGE
DIY math-rock/post-punk quartet known for chaotic energy, technical chops and their debut EP Pile On.
00:00 – 00:30
KIOSK
Electronic duo making dance-punk/electro-pop with darkwave synths, drum machines and heavily processed bass.
01:00 – 01:30
BATHING SUITS
Electro-noise band: abrasive guitars, big beats and sweaty dance-punk chaos. Come early for this one as queues around the block are to be expected.
CADS
18:30
YO DYNAMO
High-energy e-number fizz bass duo from Sheffield.
19:20
MOUTHPARTS
Unhinged garage punks from outta’ space (Sheffield). 20:10
THE EUROSUITE
Experimental synth-punk, noise-rock, no-wave band.
21:00
SKINTERN
Gritty UK-based noise rock band.
22:05
COWTOWN
Leeds DIY dynamic overstimulated indie rock trio.
23:15
REPTILE B
East London genre-blending MC fusing grime, UK rap and drill.
THE CHURCH HOUSE
18:30 – 19:15
CLASS ZERO
Young musicians, rising rock
and pop band.
19:30 – 20:15
THE MARDIES
Young Sheffield-based rock band.
20:30 – 21:15
FACE THE STRANGE
High energy rock, funk, splash of metal, some prog. 21:30 – 23:30
FIRE GARDEN/SHEEP PURPLE
Prog ‘n' roll from Sheffield.
CHEAP DATES
CONCRETE FUZZ
IMAGINARY FRIENDS
ANXIETY STATES
GLASS GARDENS
MOSKITO
X2 FAST
CORPORATION
18:40
IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK South Yorkshire desert-rock. 19:30
FIREGARDEN (ROCK SET)
Prog ‘n’ roll time travellers from Sheffield. 20:30
BARANOVICH
Sheffield-based band bringing a new wave of classic rock. Catchy, anthemic choruses with hard hitting riffs.
21:30
BAD ACTRESS
High-energy, feel-good rock ‘n’ roll.
DELICIOUS CLAM
SNIFFANY & THE NITS
Long overdue return from Gobnation legends, back playing shows and hitting up Clamlines for incredibly the first time. Deranged, fast, potent and deadly, like a Honey Badger in band form.
THUMBUSTER
Somehow nearly 10 years to the day from their release of NO:P, these days scattered to all parts of the UK but reuniting
to entertain with their chunky fun bops.
THE TSG
We always try to book Romeo Taylor for Clamlines but he never comes so we had to book his actual band to play instead to make sure he came. You know the drill!
SISTER WIVES
Legendary clam-dwelling poster leakers. We tried to describe them without using psychy/folky/welsh/harmonyladen/haunting but just couldn’t.
THE FORUM
20:00 – 21:15
KATIE BOSWORTH & FUSION
INUSUAL
A vibrant blend of funk, soul and jazz fusion.
21:30 – 22:30 199X
90s indie and Britpop favourites.
22:45 – 00:00
HIGHWAY CHILD
High-energy soul and groove.
THE FOUR LEAF
17:00 – 20:00
GEMMA TAYLOR
Live acoustic music.
20:00 – 23:00
PAUL KEATING
Live acoustic music.
23:00 – 03:00
DJ ROB MALLINDER
Live DJ.
THE FRINGE STAGE (DEVONSHIRE GREEN)
17:00 – 18:15
JESUS HAIRDO
18:15 – 19:45
KAVITA
19:45 – 21:00
DIXIE
FROG & PARROT
THE RADIO ADDICTS
REVIVALRY GIFTHORSE
FEVER DREAM
ROSELLAS
HAGGLERS CORNER
17:00 – 18:00
TAKE FOUR
Sheffield-based four-piece with soulful vocals blending blues, funk, R&B and jazz.
18:00 – 19:00
BAD ACTORS
High-energy funk rock duo K and Jay, known for their signature orange suits and
blend of indie, punk and retro funk.
19:00 – 20:00
HONEY TRAP
Upbeat three-piece fusing 70s disco and 90s house.
20:30 – 21:00
KIZIAH AND THE KINGS
One of South Yorkshire's most exciting live bands, brass-fueled and genre-bending, they're a high-energy fusion of reggae, ska, funk, soul and rock.
HALLAMSHIRE HOTEL
17:30 – 18:00
I’M BEING SERIOUS
Multiple genres and unexpected instruments collide in a beautiful clamor.
18:30 – 19:00
STEPOVER
Vivid and emotionally charged shoegaze.
19:30 – 20:00
BONK!
Simply the best psych, funk, prog fusion you'll ever hear. Songs about 70s porn mustaches.
20:30 – 21:00
SPEED FOR LOVERS
Sheffield's preeminiment dance three piece. They know their way around a synth…
21:30 – 22:30
MALAH PALINKA
Jazzy and soulful, topped with one of the best voices Sheffield has ever produced.
HEAD OF STEAM
THE HELL YEAH BROTHERS
Four-piece rock ‘n’ roll band born and raised in the steel city.
DREADNAUT
Punchy metal four-piece from Derby.
VERSUS Yorkshire post-hardcore band.
S.T.A.T.I.C
Up-and-coming band on the Sheffield music scene.
BAD SILENCE
Sheffield-based indie band.
BAD BLOOD
Melodic and progressive punk rock band from Bristol. IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK
South Yorkshire desert-rock.
NOT NOW NORMAN
The band that your earholes aren’t ready for. Hard rock with a strong message in every track.
BROKEN NARRATIVE
Sheffield-based nu-metal band.
HILLSBOROUGH TAP
21:00 – 00:00
BRENDAN WALTON
Live local artist performing all of your indie favourites.
HOP HIDEOUT
12:00 – 21:00
EM REDFEARN ART
EXHIBITION LAUNCH
Sheffield-based designer, animator and illustrator Em Redfearn showcases her colourful, joyful, character driven artwork at Hop Hideout in Leah's Yard. This new exhibition launches over Tramlines weekend.
KAPITAL
20:00 – 22:00
PAUL PASHLEY
Joined by a five-piece band featuring live saxophone, Paul Pashley puts a big-band spin on modern classics, chart favourites and sing-along anthems. Think festival tunes reworked with brass, swing and plenty of personality.
KATIE O’BRIENS
20:00 – 22:00
SHANE
Solo acoustic singer songwriter, 60s/70s/80s/90s, indie, Irish, rock, country and pop.
22:00 – 00:00
TO HELL OR VERONA
To Hell Or Verona are a band that creates a fusion of different genres: country, rock and pop with an Irish twist.
22:00 – 02:00
MARTYN HAND
Commercial open format DJ with experience playing and hosting clubs, bars and stage shows.
THE LUGHOLE
17:20 – 17:40
DEATHFAKERS
Wakefield hardcore punk.
18:00 – 18:20
KNORKE
Sheffield egg.
18:40 – 19:00
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Wakefield punk.
19:20 – 19:40
DECAY 87
Birmingham punk.
20:00 – 20:20
GORAM
Bristol hardcore. 20:40 – 21:10
BLIND EYE
Nottingham hardcore punk.
21:30 – 22:00
SNEER
Plymouth hardcore punk. 22:15 – 00:30
PLEASURE HOUND DJs
80s pop classics.
MAIDA VALE
20:30 – 21:30
THE BEARCATS
Sheffield-based femalefronted, rockabilly, blues and country band.
22:00 – 21:30
GALLOPING DICK
Rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly trio.
MOLLY MALONE’S
22:00 – 02:00
THE BROKEN AMPS
A three-piece acoustic band based in Yorkshire, delivering a versatile mix of genres to suit any crowd. Known for standout vocals and tight harmonies, they take everything from crowd favourites to unexpected genres and rework them into an acoustic style.
NETWORK RIVER DRIVE
Indie alt rock band from the UK.
PARADYME
Indie rock five-piece SHOEHORN
Indie/rock outfit.
THE KARAVATS
Alternative indie band with punk and folk elements.
MANILLA TIMES
Rising indie rockers known for their infectious anthems and high-octane live shows.
THE LAST PIONEERS
Wolverhampton indie rockers.
THE NOW
South Welsh rock band.
THE KELLOWS
60s and 70s-influenced fourpiece making waves across Sheffield.
PLOT 22
20:30 – 21:15
FREEZER
Pure "progaragedelica." From beautifully crafted psych-pop to 8-minute mind-blowing improvisations reminiscent of early Floyd, Freezer are Sheffield legends who sold out their 2022 vinyl release in just 9 minutes. Fresh off their stellar LP Ætherical Heavy Method, expect everything from dreamy
ballads to blistering psych-rock. 21:45 – 22:30
GOLDIVOX
The ultimate funk, disco, and soulful powerhouse. Born from a spark between Joe Newman (Reverend and the Makers) and the powerhouse vocals of Lindy Cartier, this band is pure fire. Backed by an irresistible rhythm section, blazing brass and slinky guitar - this is absolute dancefloor ignition!
23:00 – 00:00
SPEED FOR LOVERS
Sheffield’s own post-punk, electro-funk renegades are bringing a special electronic set to the Plot. Expect driving basslines, sharp lyricism, and a high-octane blend of clubready, DIY electronic punk designed to make you sweat!!
00:00 – 01:00
KOM KOM (DJ SET)
A dynamic British-Khmer selector and Shambala Festival resident who delivers unpredictable, highly energetic club sets that weave through everything from Afro-Latin house and Khmer hip-hop to hard techno.
01:00 – 02:00
LAZE & ANNIE MOTION (DJ SET)
Combining the heads of independent label With Bells Records and the Sisters of Sound collective, this duo commands the Sheffield scene with deep selections spanning house, techno, and jungle.
02:00 – 03:00
CREOLA (DJ SET)
A pillar of Sheffield’s underground community as the co-owner of Plot 22 and Zone 88, renowned for his improvised live hardware sets, he will be shutting down Tramlines Friday with a selection of house & UK bass music.
SIDNEY AND MATILDA
17:30 – 18:00
THE VALES
DIY four piece based in Sheffield.
17:30 – 18:00
CESKA CULLEN
Dreamy singer-songwriter.
18:00 – 18:30
FAINT PAINT
Glossy, cinematic and emotionally resonant guitarheavy dream pop.
18:30 – 19:00
TAUT ANGLES
Experimental post-punk from Sheffield.
18:30 – 19:00
SINCE TORINO
Sheffield lo-fi, folky, midwest emo DIY trio.
19:00 – 19:30
ADAM HOPPER & THE WIMPS
Transpennine pop group
blending poignant, wry lyrics, catchy melodies, and mellow alt beats.
19:30 – 20:00
HARD AS NAILS
Sheffield-based experimental synth electro/dance punk band.
19:30 – 20:00
PART TIME MODEL
Four-piece alt indie rock from Leeds.
20:00 – 20:30
JUNK
Sheffield ethereal, reverb-heavy nu-gaze quartet.
20:30 – 21:00
MOTHER’S DAY
Noise rave duo from Sheffield.
20:30 – 21:00
GOAT HOUSE BRIDGE
Art-emo indie rock five piece fusing guitar-heavy beats with experimental violin melodies.
21:00 – 21:30
THE PEARL RIVER BAND
Dynamic 60s and 70s-inspired psychedelic rock group.
21:30 – 22:00
DEARTHWORMS
Rising experimental post-punk five piece based in Sheffield.
21:30 – 22:00
ALPHABET
London-based indie rock group.
22:00 – 23:00
FEMUR
Gloriously noisy psychedelic punk band from Sheffield and winner of Exposed’s Best Unsigned Band of 2026.
21:00 – 04:00
BOG ORANGE (DJ)
Playing high-energy tunes all through the night.
23:00 – 04:00
BEAT BUNKER (CLUB)
Garage, 140, breakbeat, jungle and techno beats.
THE WASHINGTON
17:00 – 17:30
CLIVE
Upbeat four piece making waves in the Sheffield music scene.
18:00 – 18:30
ODE TO A TOAD
Beautiful co-fronted shoegaze.
Just a few toads making music.
19:00 – 19:30
NIGHTSCHOOL
Dramatic and witty. Combining elements of emo, rock and shoegaze.
20:00 – 20:30
TEN EIGHTY TREES
TenEightyRiffs from Newcastle. A true Washington favourite.
21:00 – 21:30
AQUALINE
Five piece from Guildford. Combining hip-hop, alt-rock and post-punk.
22:00 – 22:50
CRUUSH
A "dirty collage" hailing from Manchester. Immensley catchy shoegaze dripping rock.
THE WICK AT BOTH ENDS
19:00 – 32:00
DJ CHRIS ROWE
DJ Chris Rowe takes over the decks, spinning the very best in R&B and hip hop all night long. From old-school classics and throwback anthems to the latest chart-topping hits.
YELLOW ARCH STUDIOS
19:45 – 20:15
BAOSBHEINN
Noise from the hills.
20:35 – 21:05
MILD
Lincoln sludge/stoner/doom.
21:25 – 21:55
SLÜGFÜT
Riffy, fuzzy, doomy.
22:15 – 22:45
DEAD IN LATVIA
Sheffield grind/math/noise.
SATURDAY 25TH JULY
ALDER
15:45 – 19:00
LICK OF PAINT GRAFFITI BATTLE
Lick of Paint brings you a live courtyard graffiti battle between two artists with a live jazzy backdrop.
16:00 – 17:00
DOUBLE TIME JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Sheffield mini big band opening the show, bringing swing classics, bebop energy and funky big-band pop arrangements.
18:00 – 18:45
ÁMBA
Sheffield Latin/soul/jazz fusion band blending Afro-Cuban, bossa, soulful melody and rich improvisation.
19:15 – 20:00
FLORAL PATTERN
Midlands alt-jazz collective led by saxophonist Myles Noble, mixing UK soundsystem energy, Afrobeat-inspired drums and psychedelic improvisation. This is their fourth time playing Alder and they never dissapoint.
20:30 – 21:15
AMON RA COLLECTIVE
Cosmic jazz ensemble based in the tropical island of Leeds. Fusing energetic solos, fat rhythms, electronic noise, free improvisation, afrobeat, funk and drum & bass.
21:45 – 22:45
NOVA SOL
Nova Sol are a six piece from Leeds making lively, grooveled jazz with big brass hooks and room for improvisation. Drawing from the modern UK jazz scene, they bring together uncontrolable rhythms with electronic touches and bold solos.
THE BEEHIVE & THE CAVENDISH –TERRACE
14:00 – 16:00
DAVE GURNHILL
16:00 – 17:00
JENNY FU
17:00 – 18:00
DAVE LAZENBY
18:00 – 19:00
DAN METCALFE & JONNY
HAWKINS
19:00 – 20:00
GOLDRED 20:00 – 21:00
LIAM CONNOLLY 21:00 – End AUDIOWHORES
THE BEEHIVE – MAIN ROOM
14:00 – 17:00
JONNY STEVENSON 17:00 – 19:00
DAVE HARDY
19:00 – 23:00
DINO
21:00 – 23:00
MIKE O’MARA
23:00 – 00:30
JONNY STEVENSON & DAVE
HARDY B2B
00:30 – CLOSE
MIKE O’MARA & DINO B2B CADS 12:15
FEUDALISM NOW! 13:10
GET THE FUCK OUT OF DODGE 14:00 DUCK 14:40
JUNK
It doesn't feel all that long ago that Junk was making waves across Sheffield's grassroots venues. Fast forward just over a year and the fourpiece are preparing to step onto the Leadmill Stage at Tramlines – a pretty remarkable rise for one of the city's most exciting young bands. We caught up with Leo, Hannah, Evelyn and Fenella to talk hometown festivals, finding their audience and life beyond Tramlines.
Hey guys, Tramlines' Leadmill stage this year. How does that feel?
L: It is sensational really, after just over a year now as a band it feels like a huge step
What does it mean to you as a festival?
L: For us, it has always been pretty grassroots, having played at and watched gigs at the numerous Tramlines Fringe venues. Now though, we get to see what all the fuss is about with the actual festival.
E: Yeah, the fringe is an amazing grassroots alternative. It feels like an exciting but organic step for us.
H: It’s also really cool to be playing the same Tramlines stage Lime Garden played in 2024. They’re a band that we really look up to so it’s a bit surreal to get to play on the same stage they did!
Can we catch you anywhere else over the Tramlines weekend?
E: Now that Tramlines Festival is officially sold out, we can reveal that we may be making an appearance elsewhere amongst the Fringe in-keeping with our home in the grassroots, of course.
Who's one artist on the lineup you'll be making time to watch?
F: Obviously Wolf Alice, but another band on our day we are looking forward to checking out is Bleech 9:3.
For anyone who hasn't caught you live yet, what can they expect from your set?
F: A few high kicks from Leo, nice harmonies, plenty guitar pedals and sick beats.
How did Junk come together?
L: We met in a number of roundabout ways.
Me and Fenella probably met ages ago but didn’t know it cause I’ve been to Whit Friday before and she always takes part in the marches. She’s in Hepworth Brass Band.
E: Ultimately, it was pure luck: band shirts, emails, girlfriends, it was just one of those things which was always going to happen for us. We were all drawn to each other’s individual work and interests in some way.
You've been building a real following in Sheffield. What do you think it is about Junk that's connecting with people?
H: Because we all come from such different musical backgrounds, there’s probably something in there for everyone. That could be what draws people to us?
E: It also helps that we’re all friends and everybody knows, gang mentality. We hang out a lot doing other things and I think that can resonate with people.
What's next for Junk after Tramlines? Any new music or plans on the horizon?
F: We’ll be recording a couple of tracks in London and then will be carrying on with the rest of our tour which I’m super excited for. It’s going to feel like a holiday really getting to play with my mates in such cool venues and in cities I’ve never been to before like Nottingham and Brighton.
L: Tramlines is a stop right in the middle of the tour. As well as Evelyn, Hannah and myself graduating from uni, which is pretty cool.
E: We’ve got a journalist friend coming along to all our tour stops too and making a little video for us about it all, a Junk documentary. So, you can watch that if you’re interested in seeing what we’ll be getting up to!
@junkbanduk
TERRITORIAL GOBBING 15:20 MR BONES’ WILD RIDE 16:05 ALYSBESTOS 17:05
COWBOY BUILDER 18:00
BLACK BRUNSWICKER 19:00 SLASHFIC 20:00 EYE MEASURE 21:00 CLEAVER BLUE 22:00 RAINHAM SHEDS 23:10
CHEMTRAILS
THE CAVENDISH –MAIN ROOM 20:00 – 21:15 STEVE BEECH 21:15 – 22:30
DIMITRY SOUL 22:30 – 00:30 SIMON BROWN 00:30 – End KYLE ROBERTSON & KIRSTY TONNER B2B
CHEAP DATES LAVENDER GRAY SLÜGFÜT BAIT BRITAIN UNDER THE INFLUENCE PERIOD DRAMA SKINT KNEES
THE CHURCH HOUSE 15:15 – 16:00
PATSY CLONE AND THE HANDSOME BROTHERS Country swing and 50s R&B tribute act dedicated to Patsy Cline. 16:15 – 17:00
CONNOR RYAN Singer/songwriter and guitarist from the UK.
17:15 – 18:00 3/4 VIEW Young and talented. 18:15 – 19:00
BONE BROKE KINGS Sonic tempest channelling the
KIZIAH AND THE KINGS
With a headline slot on the Devonshire Green main stage at Tramlines Fringe on Saturday, Kiziah Watson reflects on the band's biggest year yet, genre-spanning live shows and the community that's grown around them.
First things first – congratulations. It feels like you're having a brilliant year with the band. You mentioned things have gone a bit crazy recently. What's changed?
Things have just taken off, really. We brought in James Wells on trumpet, who's been sensational. He's helped with the social media side of things too, and we've built this core fanbase – we call them the Kavalry – who've really got behind us.
We've had some brilliant sell-out shows and this following has become like a family. They create this incredible energy at gigs and that spreads to everyone else in the room.
One of the things that stands out about the band is how many different influences there are. You can hear ska, reggae, soul, rock, pop… there's a bit of everything in there. It's eclectic. Years ago, people might have said, "She doesn't know what she wants", but that's exactly what makes us who we are. We're all influenced by different genres. There's a thread running through the songs, but because we all bring something different we can switch genres quickly.
What really changed was bringing in the right people. James came in, Callum joined on bass and mixed the live EP, and Wez has produced the latest EP. Having those key people with the band has transformed things. It feels like we've finally got the right team around us.
The live side of things seems to have gone up another level too. What's the secret to putting on a great show? For me, it's all about energy. I've been lucky enough to play some incredible shows like Amsterdam Pride and headline the International Women's Festival in Greece for three nights, and every one teaches you something.
On stage I'm like a tornado. Someone once described it as "Tina Turner meets Prince meets James Brown" – and I promise that wasn't me saying that!
But it's not just chaos. It's about the light and shade of a show. You have those quieter moments where it slows down and there’s a breath, then you lift it with a ska track and everyone just
erupts. It's that contrast that creates the atmosphere.
I think people previously tried to put us in a box – "they're just a reggae band" or "they're just a soul band". Now people come to a show and realise we take them on a journey through different genres and different decades.
It feels like audiences are craving that sort of experience more than ever now. After everything that happened during Covid, people seem desperate to really lose themselves in live music again. That's right. After Covid, I noticed people started turning up to shows differently. They got it more. They were more willing to let themselves go.
We've got people from every background, every culture, every creed coming to the gigs, and they're all in the same moment together. That's what I'd say our shows are about. Whatever your background, you're in amongst the Kavalry and everyone's sharing that experience.
That sense of unity also feels especially important at the moment. It can feel like a very divided world, and music has always had a way of bringing people together.
You’ve nailed it.
There's so much division and so much fear at the moment. When people come to our gigs and unify, that's one of the biggest messages we want to put across. It's always been part of what this band stands for – peace, love and unity.
We have this chant at shows: "One love, peace, unity." It builds and everyone joins in. That's genuinely what we stand for. In a time when people are so divided, that's the message we're trying to push, and it's finally starting to be heard.
We've been building and building for years, so to be headlining Tramlines Fringe means everything to us. I can't really put it into words. It feels like the cherry on top after years of slogging away. To be given that platform where we can bring people together and create that same energy on a bigger stage means a huge amount to all of us.
In fact, you've got two headline slots – Hagglers Corner on the Friday and Devonshire Green on the Saturday. What does Tramlines, particularly the Fringe, mean to you?
It is everything that is Sheffield. I remember going to university in Sheffield around 2012 and heading to Tramlines with my friends. I remember seeing Miss Dynamite headlining the
Devonshire Green stage and thinking it was amazing. Now we're going to be headlining that same stage ourselves –that’s a bit surreal.
What I love about Tramlines is the chaos of it all. We used to go from venue to venue, playing the Green Room, then over to Henry's car park, then somewhere else. We've done so many shows over Tramlines weekend over the years. I think we once played six gigs in one weekend.
You'd come away absolutely drenched and you wouldn't come down from it for days. That's what Tramlines is to me.
The Fringe at Tramlines feels especially important because everyone’s up for discovering new music. It must be a brilliant opportunity for bands. Definitely. You can step onto a stage and don't have to bring your own crowd; it's an opportunity for young bands to be seen and heard without the pressure of selling loads of tickets.
With Tramlines weekend, wherever you play in Sheffield, it's packed. People are there because they genuinely want
to discover music. They're open to finding new bands and being in the moment. That's a really special thing.
If someone's never listened to Kiziah and the Kings before, where should they start? Which songs best sum up what you do?
I'd start with ‘Get Up or Get Out’, from our most recent EP. We wrote it after touring with Bad Manners because we thought, "We'd better write our own ska song." That's become the one that gets everybody going absolutely crazy.
And then there's 'Wait for Me', which completely changes the atmosphere. That's the breath in the set that I was talking about earlier.
It's a very emotional song. I had a nervous breakdown after we lost three family members in six months, with two of those losses only three weeks apart. My brother wrote that song during lockdown after one of them had contracted Covid.
Then 'Power of You' comes in with pure rock energy. I don't want people to underestimate us because they think we're one thing. We rock and roll, we play reggae, we play ska – we throw
ourselves into every genre. We really do take people on a journey from rock to reggae.
Finally, after Tramlines, what's next for the band?
Tramlines is massive for us, but we've also got new festival announcements and gigs coming up. At the same time we're concentrating on recording because that's where these new members have transformed the band. It feels like we're on the cusp of something now. I've been in this band for a long time, but it's transformed over the last two years.
One last thing – we're not taking these Tramlines shows lightly. We've added keyboards and we've got a percussionist on electronic drums now, so it's going to be the biggest show we've ever put on.
Kiziah and the Kings headline the Devonshire Green Main Stage at 20:00 on Saturday 25 July and Haggler’s Corner at 20:30 on Friday 24 July. Follow @ kiziahkings for updates on new releases.
MUSIC: THE FRINGE AT TRAMLINES THE KALEIDOSCOPES / LISTINGS
A QUICKIE WITH…
THE KALEIDOSCOPES
Who are The Kaleidoscopes in one sentence?
Two former indie musicians from Barnsley making synthdriven music inspired by 2000s indie and electronic music.
For anyone who hasn't heard you before, what are you all about?
We started out playing in indie bands before becoming obsessed with synthesisers, drum machines and electronic production. The project became a way of combining our love of electronic music, film soundtracks and strong melodies into something that felt completely our own.
What's the first song of yours that people should listen to and why?
‘KUNG FU’. It's the title track from the album and probably the best introduction to what we do. It feels like a blend of Empire of the Sun's ‘Walking on a Dream’ and HOME's ‘Resonance’.
Who are your biggest influences – and who's the wildcard influence nobody would expect?
Empire of the Sun, Daft Punk, HOME and Vaporwave have all had a big influence on our
ghosts of 60s and 70s blues rock.
19:15 – 20:00
LOWDRIVE
Sonic powerhouse from the steel city - full-throttle rock ‘n’ roll!
20:15 – 21:00
DAN MILLSON
Born in Madrid, a solo guitarist singer.
21:15 – 22:00
FLOYD ROSES
Young but already great, rock covers and their own compositions.
22:15 – 00:00
MEANSTREAK
Rock/hard rock and metal covers from 70s and 80s.
CORPORATION 15:10
sound. A wildcard influence would probably be Metallica and Iron Maiden. When we first started playing together in bands at 14, they were the reason we picked up instruments in the first place.
What can people expect from a Kaleidoscopes live show?
Big grooves, dreamy synths and our own custom light show. We try to bring the energy and movement of a live band into electronic music rather than just standing behind laptops.
Your debut album KUNG FU is out now. Why should Exposed readers get their lugholes around it?
Because it's the album we always wanted to make but couldn't have made in our previous bands. KUNG FU combines everything we love about electronic music, nostalgia, film soundtracks and big melodies into one record. If you're into artists like Empire of the Sun, HOME or M83, there's a good chance you'll find something to connect with.
The Kaleidoscopes play Arundel Emporium on 26 July at 21:15 as part of The Fringe at Tramlines. @kldscps
you in the palm of her hand and will have you freaking out in the pit. Newcastle why-aye.
ADAM HOPPER
The Wimp, without his other wimps. Stripped back beautiful ditties, from the latest in the Snake Pass ManchesterSheffield migratory talent pipeline. Middle name ‘Space’, according to Clam toilet graffiti.
THE FORUM
15:00 – 16:15 AMBA
Latin, jazz, funk and soul. 16:30 – 17:45
MONTUNO
Jazz, funk and Latin rhythms. 18:00 – 19:15
MAGENTA APRICOTS
Catchy indie-pop and rock. 19:30 – 20:45 WOLFMAN AND THE LATERALS
Folk-inspired indie rock. 21:00 – 22:15
MAT HOOK
Energetic indie rock. 22:30 – 00:00
UNDERGROOVE Blues, rock, indie, funk and pop.
THE FOUR LEAF
14:00 – 17:00
MOON REAPER
DELICIOUS CLAM
HOLIDAY GHOSTS
We don’t get to see them much so we book them every year because they’re lovely and we’re friends with them and they have never released a bad record or written a dud song.
LUNG LEG
Glaswegian OG iconic indie rockers feat. members of Lung Leg, Breakfast Muff, Water Machine, Franz Ferdinand. The best band from JT Soar Fest #1, a whole ton of fun.
BIG BREAK
Unleashing the beast. Big Break 3.0 live and untamed on home soil for one night only, baby.
ALL GIRLS ARSON CLUB
Manc/Sheff duo writing songs, singing songs, performing them live with charm, wit and no shortage of class.
NADINE HURLEY
A music producer going “FUCKING BRING IT” while a really energetic singer holds
DAMIEN FARRELL
Live acoustic music. 17:00 – 20:00
CAOLAN DONAGHY Live acoustic music. 20:00 – 23:00 DYLAN WARD
Live acoustic music. 23:00 – 03:00
DJ MATT STEPHENSON Live DJ.
THE FRINGE STAGE (DEVONSHIRE GREEN)
12:00 – 12:30
DJ PAPA AL 12:30 – 13:00 DISCO CHOIR
13:00 – 13:20
CHEKERE DANCE 13:45 – 14:15
JEMMA 14:15 – 14:45
DJ ISSA DANCER 14:45 – 15:15
BLUE STREET BRASS 15:15 – 15:45
DJ ISSA DANCER 15:45 – 16:15
TAVIRA 16:15 – 16:45
MUSIC: THE FRINGE AT TRAMLINES
DJ KOM
16:45 – 17:15
COWBIRD
17:15 – 17:45
DJ KOM
17:45 – 18:15
SOLAR LOVE SOCIETY
18:15 – 18:45
DJ MYNA
18:45 – 19:30
MALACHITE
19:30 – 20:00
DJ MYNA
20:00 – 21:00
KIZIAH AND THE KINGS
THE FROG & PARROT
12:00 ARI
12:45 THE HERETICS
13:30
GALLAGHER
SICK FIX
18:00 HOLLOWS
18:45
THE PEARL RIVER BAND
19:30 THE FIENDS
20:15
FAIRLY WELL
21:00
TEZ
21:45
HARDWICKE CIRCUS
22:30
THE KELLOWS
HAGGLERS CORNER
17:00 – 18:00
SHUGA COMA
Dynamic Sheffield-based band, blending funk, soul, R&B and modern groove.
18:00 – 19:00
GOLDIVOX
Known for energetic live sets, Goldivox blend funk, soul, disco and jazz for an electrifying set.
19:00 – 20:00
MALAH PALINKA + KICK BACK
Eight-piece jazz, funk and neosoul collective, with snappy brass, infectious grooves and hight energy live shows.
20:30 – 21:30
YARNI ENSEMBLE WITH
FRANZ VON
Expect uplifting, big-band sound from Yarni Ensemble and special guest Franz Von.
HALLAMSHIRE HOTEL
14:30 – 15:00
FLORAL PATTERN
Alt-Jazz project focused on UK soundsystem culture.
15:30 – 16:00
PAUL PARTY
A Sheffield favourite.
16:30 – 17:00
DOE
A band. A three piece indie band.
17:30 – 18:30
SHINDIG
Catastrophic energy with funky undertones.
19:00 – 19:30
WENCH
Huge hooks and cascading guitars blend for this powerful trio.
20:15 – 20:45
CORDELIA GARTSIDE
Tender and noisy in equal measure. A voice that needs to be heard to be believed.
21:30 – 22:30 RED STAINS
Plastic fantastic disco-punk from Manchester!
HEAD OF STEAM
XSAVANNAHX
Singer-songwriter from Sheffield.
LOUIS ROMEGOUX
South Yorkshire-based musician and songwriter.
JOSH GREEN
Singer-songwriter blending acoustic textures, reflective lyrics and folk-inspired sounds.
PURPLE DOTS
Psychedelic indie rock for the masses, made in Rotherham.
THE CABRONITAS
Indie rock band from Chesterfield.
THE ZEBEDEES
Bolsover-based indie rock band.
CATO
Solo singer-songwriter.
MY LOW-FI HEART
Daydreamy lo-fi love songs for daydreamy lo-fi lovers.
SCARLETT KIRWAN
Rising singer-songwriter.
JOSHUA LOMAS
Young singer-songwriter from Sheffield.
THE STEELWAVES
Sheffield-based indie rock band.
SAM B-K
Alternative indie rock artist from the steel city.
JONK
Emerging indie rock band. THE PATROLLERS
Raw, driving rock music, combining punchy riffs, powerful melodies and honest lyrics.
ROSS STEWART
Scottish born singer-songwriter bringing blues, modern Americana, folk and rock to the Head of Steam
HILLSBOROUGH SOCIAL CLUB
12:00 – 12:45
VANESSA & ALAN
13:00 – 13:45
GABBY BATES
14:00 – 14:45
JAMIE MAC
15:00 – 15:45
GROOVE SOCIETY
16:00 – 16:45
CONFIDENT TRICKSTERS
17:00 – 17:45
REANNE
18:00 – 18:45
ALBERT DANIEL CASH
19:00 – 19:45
JIMI STRANGE
20:00 – 20:45
RED HERRING
HILLSBOROUGH TAP
13:00 – 15:00
MIXIN
80s & 90s pop set.
19:00 – 00:00
DJ SETS
Indiefest - playing indie & Britpop favourites.
HOP HIDEOUT
12:00 – 21:00
EM REDFEARN ART EXHIBITION LAUNCH
Sheffield-based designer, animator and illustrator Em Redfearn showcases her colourful, joyful, characterdriven artwork at Hop Hideout, in Leah's Yard. This new exhibition launches over Tramlines weekend.
12:00 – 12:45
FIELDSINES
Rhythmic, ambient electronic and modular synth sounds for cosmic dreams and dancing.
14:00 – 14:30
TEAS & SEAS
Mellow acoustic session in store at Hop Hideout (in Leah's Yard) from Teah Lewis and Chris
Allen.
15:00 – 15:30
RHIANNON SCUTT
Politically fuelled reflective songs, floating in dreamscapes and grounded in a deep respect for flora.
KAPITAL
20:00 – 22:00
JAMES BARRINGTON
STEPHENS
Backed by a five-piece swing band and live saxophone, James Barrington Stephens brings the timeless sound of the great crooners to Kapital. Expect Sinatra, Bublé, Rat Pack favourites and swing classics delivered with effortless style, huge vocals and plenty of beer hall sing-along moments.
KATIE O’BRIENS
14:00 – 16:00
DAZ CADWALLANDER
Full-time singer songwriter playing a variety of covers spanning from indie rock, singer songwriter, pop & country, as well as his own original music where received. 16:00 – 18:00
RICHARD HOWELL
Richard Howell is a highly talented solo acoustic act based in the Midlands, playing songs by artists ranging from The Who to The Kings of Leon, from Bob Marley to Elbow.
18:00 – 20:00
JACK BANTING
Solo acoustic performer from Birmingham.
20:00 – 22:00
IAN BRITT
I'm a singer-songwriter with over 15 million Spotify streams, 3 albums releases and well over a decade of performance experience. I select songs for everyone, for all occasions, songs I know people will know and love.
22:00 – 01:00
GARETH HUMPHREYS & THE DIRTY MARTINIS
Derbyshire-formed trio taking influence from the likes of Bill Withers, Bob Marley and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
THE LUGHOLE
16:00 – 16:20
THE XOXOS
Sheffield powerpop. 16:40 – 17:00
DEARTHWORMS
Rising experimental post-punk five piece based in Sheffield. 17:20 – 17:40
MOUTHPARTS
Sheffield garage punk.
18:00 – 18:20
HARD AS NAILS
Sheffield synth punk.
18:40 – 19:00
PLEB
Leeds sludge.
19:20 – 19:40
SELF HELP
Leeds hardcore.
20:00 – 20:20 FACE OFF
Wakefield hardcore punk.
20:40 – 21:10 THE BIG HELL Wolverhampton punk.
21:30 – 22:00
FLESH CREEP
Birmingham hardcore. 22:30 – 23:00 THANK Leeds egg.
MAIDA VALE
18:00 – 18:45
MIA PARROTT
Amy Winehouse tribute act.
20:15 – 21:00 THE WONDERWHYS
Two sets of energetic rock, funk, soul and party anthems.
MARY ST LIVE
12:00 – 12:15
DEEP FRIED
12:20 – 12:45 SUVA
13:00 – 13:30
VERTIGO
13:45 – 14:15
AXIOM
14:30 – 15:00
DREAM CIRCUIT
15:15 – 15:45
MANNEQUINS
17:00 – 17:30
MY LOW FI HEART
17:45 – 18:15
PURPLE DOTS
18:30 – 19:00
FREEZER
19:15 – 19:45
TOKYO DIAMONDS
20:00 – 20:30
BLACK WATER LIGHT SHIP
20:45 – 21:15
KNORKE
21:30 – 22:00
YE WOODBEAST
22:15 – 22:45
JARG ARMANI
23:00 – 00:00
EMDY
MOLLY MALONE’S
22:00 – 02:00
SHANE
Yorkshire-based acoustic solo
artist putting a fresh spin on crowd favourites with standout vocals and an engaging live performance.
NETWORK
THE SPIRES
Young Sheffield-based band.
THE FALSE FLAG
Sheffield alt-rock/aggro pop
THE INFLORESCENCE
Five-piece indie rock band from Chesire.
THE FIENDS
Swansea-born indie four piece.
ADA BLUE
Chesterfield-born soulful singer-songwriter.
TEZ
Dynamic four-piece indie band.
THE COVE
Indie rock band from Wigan.
TAYLOR LIAM JACKSON
Derbyshire indie/Britpop alternative artist.
MARRICK
Up-and-coming alternative indie band.
URBAN ECHOS
Rising indie rock band. THE NSO
Indie rock band from Sheffield.
CROOK ON THE WALL
Manchester alternative/indie rock.
NOTHING RHYMES WITH ORANGE
Bristol-based indie rock band.
LOST LEGS
Indie music’s newest sweethearts.
COTTONS
Manchester four-piece band.
BANK HOLIDAY
High-energy indie-rock from Manchester.
THE PUBLIC EYE
Four-piece alt indie outfit.
X2 FAST
Sheffield-birthed pop-punk making a huge splash across the UK.
THE PUBLICS
Five-piece indie rock band.
PLOT 22
18:00 – 18:45
SAMA
An alumni of Sheffield's own FLAW Collective and is known for repping the deep DnB sound.
18:45 – 19:30
MODULATE B2B WILDSTYLE
This dynamic back-to-back pairing brings high-energy, heavy-hitting rave dynamics to the dancefloor, seamlessly blending hard-edged electronic subgenres
19:30 – 20:15
KONFIDE B2B WIDDZY
A formidable Steel City duo who have become a staple of the regional bass scene, known for cooking up relentless, exclusive dubplates and heavy bassline sets.
20:15 – 21:00
TK
A veteran Sheffield drum & bass selector and longstanding resident of the legendary NY Sushi club nights, celebrated for his precision mixing and deep ties to the UK DnB scene.
21:00 – 22:00
MR DUBZ
A prominent producer and DJ closely affiliated with Sheffield's Wub Club Records, known for his explosive, hybrid productions that traverse grime, bassline, and garage.
22:00 – 23:15
ORIS JAY
Also known as Darqwan, he is a foundational Steel City pioneer who helped shape the dark garage and 2-step landscape, widely regarded as one of the definitive forefathers of protodubstep - he'll be stopping by the plot to drop a special Jungle and D&B set.
SIDNEY AND MATILDA
14:30 – 15:00
SPRING
Up-and-coming rock-fuelled shoegaze from Sheffield.
14:30 – 15:00
COMMANDO GIRLFRIEND
Steel city-based electro indie three piece.
15:00 – 15:30
IMAGINARY HUSBAND
Noise from the Leeds DIY scene.
15:30 – 16:00
PENUMBRA
Chesterfield born, Sheffieldbased indie rockers.
15:30 – 16:00
FAIR MAIDEN
Psych/folk/rock.
16:00 – 16:30
MURAKI
Sheffield alt rock.
16:30 – 17:00
SLÜGFÜT
Riffy, fuzzy, doomy.
16:30 – 17:00
PICT
Fusing black metal, death metal, doom and sludge.
17:00 – 17:30
ESZTER VIDA
Indie rock/dream pop. 17:30 – 18:00
DRASTIC//AUTOMATIC
Dystopian three-piece punks from the streets of Sheffield.
17:30 – 18:00
CONTRAIL
Leeds-based fusion alt rock.
18:00 — 18:30
FLOODHOUNDS
Fuzzed-up indie rock.
18:30 — 19:00
PAID BY CASH
Up-and-coming post-punk four piece.
18:30 – 19:00
DRURY HILL
Nottingham-born soft rock/ post-folk.
19:00 – 19:30
KHAMRA
Funk/soul/jazz.
19:30 – 20:00
TELLYEATERS
Five-piece alt rock fit for the moshpit.
19:30 – 20:00
SUBSTANDARDS
Rock ‘n’ roll four piece.
20:00 – 20:30 THE LEMUR CONSPIRACY
Sheffield-based jazz-funk fusion.
20:30 – 21:00
APRIL TAPES
Four-piece alternative rock group.
20:30 – 21:00
FAMILY ART CLUB
Leeds-based band mixing folk, emo and indie rock.
21:00 – 21:30
LIFE AQUATIC BAND
70s pop meets electroclash and post-punk.
21:30 – 22:00
WET MAN
Songwriter with punk, garage rock, disco and 60s pop influences.
21:30 – 22:00
WYATT
Alternative country-influenced band from Manchester.
22:00 – 23:00
FLAT MOON
Leeds-born funk six piece. 15:00 – 17:00
LIONEL VINYL (DJ)
The king of disco playing feel-
MUSIC:
THE FRINGE AT TRAMLINES
LISTINGS / TOP PICKS
good tunes.
19:00 – 22:00
SUNNY SIDE UP (DJ)
Record collecting duo based in Sheffield.
22:00 – 04:00
LORI (DJ)
Spinning rave, hyperpop and 90s favourites.
00:00 – 04:00
UNITY UNDERGROUND (CLUB)
Jungle/D&B movement for the underground community.
00:00 – 04:00
STEEL DANCIN’ (CLUB)
High-energy tunes played into the night.
TIGER WORKS
16:00 – 16:45
PHIL SWALE
Acoustic guitar and vocals performing popular covers.
17:00 – 17:45
18:00 – 18:45
DAN MILLSON
Solo artist singing modern covers.
19:00 – 20:00
THE WAINWRIGHTS
Five-piece band playing original songs and covers.
THE WASHINGTON
14:30 – 15:00
END OF LIFE CARE PLAN
Sheffield two-bass wielding three piece. Ridiculous and such fun.
15:45 – 16:15
NAP HOTEL
Three piece split between Sheffeld and Manchester.
Think Courtney Barnett meets Hendrix.
17:00 – 17:30
HUMANE THE MOON
Gritty and grungy, but with a pop tinged energy.
18:15 – 18:45
POLAT
Alt-Rock Sheffield four piece. In your face punk.
19:30 – 20:00
PAID BY CASH
Six-piece noise makers. A wealth of influences.
20:45 – 21:15
THE TIVOLIS
Indie rock/pop based between Sheffield and Rotherham.
Fronted by a dynamic brother/ sister duo.
22:00 – 22:50
OSLO TWINS
Not from Oslo. Maybe not from Planet Earth.
THE WICK AT BOTH ENDS
17:00 – 22:00
DJ STE
Get ready for a night of pure energy as we bring you the best in House, UK Garage and Bassline.
22:00 – 03:00
DJ LUKE WESTNIDGE
Late night tunes from charttopping hits to EDM, house, R&B and party anthems.
MR WILSON’S
20:00 – 00:00
TONY BARRACLOUGH
join us at Mr Wilson's for a special edition of Soul Time, brought to you by the one and only vinyl DJ, Tony B. Expect an evening of the finest soul music from all decades, with free entry always. Laid-back vibes, great drinks and the steel city's smoothest soundtrack – it's the perfect night out for Soul lovers.
WOODSEATS COMMUNITY GARDEN (GARDEN SOUNDS)
THE HUMAN LEEK
Up-and-coming local band.
MASHA JANA
Sheffield-based singer songwriter.
SILVERMILL
Folky harmonic duo.
MAT HOOK
Indie rock singer-songwriter
LEE MCKENZIE
Sheffield-based guitar performer.
YELLOW ARCH STUDIOS
13:00 – 13:30
PRECIOUS METALS
Sheffield indie popsters.
13:50 – 14:20
DAD VANS
DIY Northwest emo.
14:40 – 15:10
SOREBONES
Sheffield handsome rockstars.
15:30 – 16:00
SECRET GUEST
16:20 – 16:50
JUMPER BOY
South Yorkshire maths emo.
17:10 – 17:40
DISPLACER
Sheffield emotional hardcore.
18:00 – 18:30
UGLY JUMPER
Mersyside alternative.
18:50 – 19:20
Exposed’s seasoned Fringe-goer Ash Birch shares a few choice listings from around this year's offering...
FRIDAY ALDER
23:00 – 23:30
NORMAL VILLAGE
This DIY math-rock/post-punk quartet are known for their slightly chaotic energy and technical chops, and with a debut EP, Pile On, out now, it’s probably a good idea to go see ‘em while it’s free!
SIDNEY & MATILDA
22:00 – 23:00
FEMUR
Obvs picking these, weren’t we?! As well as a main stage slot, the gloriously noisy psychedelic punks and winner of Exposed’s Best Unsigned Band of 2026, have this show at Sidney.
21:00 – 21:30
THE PEARL RIVER BAND
Just before Femur, will be The Pearl River Band, a dynamic 60s and 70s-inspired psychedelic bunch who look like they’ve snorted the essence of Fleetwood Mac. They look great and sound even better. Tbh, you can’t go wrong with any of Sidney’s lineup all weekend.
CADS
23:15
REPTILE B
Mix it up with this genre-blending East London MC fusing grime, UK rap and drill.
SATURDAY HAGGLERS CORNER
19:00 – 20:00
MALAH PALINKA + KICK BACK
An eight-piece jazz, funk and neo-soul collective, with snappy brass, infectious grooves and high energy live shows. Had em at the Exposed Awards one year. They were a lot of fun.
SIDNEY & MATILDA
19:30 – 20:00
TELLYEATERS
They have a song about the bin artwork in Sheffield. I think that’s enough incentive to see what this lot are about!
NOT MUSIC STUFF (ALL WEEKEND) HOP HIDEOUT
12:00 – 21:00
EM REDFEARN ART EXHIBITION LAUNCH
If you're fancying a breather from the moshpits, Sheffield-based designer, animator and illustrator Em Redfearn showcases her colourful, joyful, character driven artwork at Hop Hideout in Leah's Yard.
SATURDAY ALDER
15:45 – 19:00
LICK OF PAINT GRAFFITI BATTLE
Following the success of the festival last year, Lick of Paint brings you a live courtyard graffiti battle between two artists with a live jazzy backdrop. What is a graffiti battle, you ask?I'd say go and find out fer yersen.
JULY 25 th & 26 th JULY 25 th & 26 th
MUSIC: THE FRINGE AT TRAMLINES LISTINGS
CARTOONHEAD
Birmingham indie/emo.
19:40 – 20:10
PALE SAILOR
Sheffield emo trio.
20:30 – 21:00
SAFEGUARD
Yorkshire emo/pop punk..
21:20 – 21:55
SUDS
Norwich indie/alt/midwest legends.
22:15 – 23:15
JETSKI
Sheffield indie/emo heroes.
23:15 – 03:00
DJ LIAM WALTON
Emo bangers all night.
SUNDAY
26TH JULY
CHEAP DATES
POLAT
CONFYDE
MOUTHPARTS
DUSTHOUSE
DISPLACER
HEAVEN UNKNOWN
THE CHURCH HOUSE
14:15 – 15:00
MICK MCCONELL & BLUE THUNDER
Blues/rock band.
15:15 – 16:00
BLUESSTATIONZEBRA
blues/blues rock, original material plus new interpretations of classics.
16:15 – 17:00
JIM BURKE DUO
Guitar and bass playing hits from through the years.
17:15 – 18:00
ALBERT CASH
Singer and songwriter from Sheffield
18:15 – 19:00
54KG
Five-piece rock band from Sheffield.
19:15 – 20:00
HELL YEAH BROTHERS
Four-piece rock ‘n’ roll band born in Sheffield
20:15 – 21:00
BARANOVICH
Sheffield-based band bringing a new wave of classic rock. Catchy, anthemic choruses with hard hitting riffs.
21:15 – 23:30
GLASS RHINO
Energetic hard rock and grunge based in Sheffield
CORPORATION
15:25
DEAN THOM & TOM ROSS
16:20
FIREWATCH 17:20
FIREGARDEN (PROG SET)
18:20 IL 19:25
UMBRA 20:30
SQUARE WILD
THE FORUM
12:00 – 13:30
VICE CITY RADIO
High-energy pop-punk takes on 80s, 90s and 2000s favourites.
14:00 – 15:30
POCKETS
Funk, soul and disco grooves.
16:00 – 18:00
SKI GIRTZ
Feel-good indie pop.
THE FOUR LEAF
14:00 – 17:00
SHARON DREADZ & BEATZ
Live acoustic music. 17:00 – 20:00
CAOLAN DONAGHY
Live acoustic music.
20:00 – 23:00
JAKE PATTINSON
Live acoustic music.
23:00 – 03:00
DJ Matt Stephenson
Live DJ.
THE FRINGE STAGE (DEVONSHIRE GREEN)
12:00 – 12:30
DJ JUJU MASTER
12:30 – 13:30
SPARKLE SISTAZ
13:40 – 14:00
DJ JUJU MASTER
14:00 – 15:00
RIPTON LINDSEY PRESENTS
‘JAMAICAN CARIFOLK
DANCE’
15:00 – 15:30
DJ
15:30 – 16:15
SOUL BATALLION
16:15 – 16:45
DJ
16:45 – 17:30
SHANGHAI TREASON
17:30 – 18:00
DJ PAPA AL
18:00 – 19:00
JUNGLE LION
HAGGLERS CORNER
15:00 – 16:00
MASHA JANA
Emerging indie-rock singersongwriter known for blending slavic musical roots with contemporary influences.
16:00 – 17:00
LOU GOLD
London-born, Sheffield-based performer, finding inspiration from the city's people, politics and peaks.
17:00 – 18:00
SPEEDWAY STAR
Leeds alt-country songwriting project; a promoter described them as scratching the Jason Molina itch “in the most incredible British way.”
19:00 – 20:00
ALISTAIR GORDON
Finger-picking Sheffieldbased folk and blues singer-songwriter, with rich baritone voice and harmonica arrangements.
HALLAMSHIRE HOTEL
14:30 – 15:00
MERIDIAN
Sheffield newcomers with a fresh twist on rock ‘n’ roll.
15:30 – 16:00
POLAT
Alt-Rock Sheffield four piece. Powerful and loud.
16:30 – 17:00
X2 FAST
Sheffield-birthed pop-punk making a huge splash across the UK.
17:45 – 18:15
WIRE LAND
A spanking new take on the alt-rock/shoegaze sound. What. A. Voice.
19:00 – 19:30
ARCHY AND THE ASTRONAUTS
Hard-hitting walls of sound. Witty, catchy, masterful performers.
20:00 – 20:45
FEVER DREAM KILLS
Stars from BBR's newest project. You know you're in safe hands...
THE HARLEQUIN
15:00
SINCE TORINO
16:00
THE TALLULAHS
17:00
MILLY RENU 18:00
FRANSCESCA CULLEN
19:00
SAM KING 20:00
BELLZA 21:00
THE FOOL 22:00
RHIANNON HOPE
HEAD OF STEAM
JAMIE MAC
Acoustic singer covering popular songs from the 60s to the present day.
KC SUMMER
Solo musician and singer.
RUTH WALLWORK
Live solo performer.
STEVE KIER Solo musician.
THOMAS CARTER
Indie/dark folk artist from Sheffield.
COLUMBIA
UK based band specialising in the 60s/70s.
THE FLOYD ROSES
Rock covers and original compositions.
THE METRONICS
Sheffield-based alt rock band.
NOISEMAKERS GUILD
Soulful alternative rock entity.
BONE BROKE KINGS
Four-man blues rock band from Yorkshire.
FORK
Indie rock group.
AT THE ARCADE
Five-piece alt and indie rock band from Rotherham.
PINEAPPLE BANDITS
Sheffield-based high-energy pop punk group.
WNSDY AT 7
South Yorkshire pop rock.
PIXIE KUT
Indie group.
X2 FAST
Sheffield-birthed pop-punk making a huge splash across the UK.
HILLSBOROUGH TAP
15:00 – 19:00
JAM SESSION WITH STEVE DELANEY
Open Mic Jam Session – all instruments and abilities welcome.
21:00 – 23:00
DJ H2J
A mix of pop and indie favourites to close the weekend.
HOP HIDEOUT
12:00 – 17:00
EM REDFEARN ART
EXHIBITION LAUNCH
Sheffield-based designer, animator and illustrator Em Redfearn showcases her colourful, joyful, characterdriven artwork at Hop Hideout, in Leah's Yard. This new exhibition launches over Tramlines weekend.
KAPITAL
14:00 – 16:00
PAUL SHEVLIN
Bringing his signature pianoled style to Kapital, Paul blends classic and contemporary covers into a laid-back set that’s perfect for a slow, Sunday afternoon.
THE LUGHOLE
15:00 – 15:20
PHLEGMBILE
Sheffield Grind.
15:40 – 16:00
SWEET FANTASY
Shrewsbury hardcore punk.
16:20 – 16:45
MOTHER NATURE
Leeds hardcore punk.
17:00 – 17:30
PLEASURE
Leeds hardcore punk.
MARY ST LIVE
19:00 – 19:30
JASPER HEWITT
19:45 – 20:15
OVERTON WIDOW
20:30 – 21:00
FLUORESCENT
21:15 – 21:45
DEARTHWORMS
22:00 – 22:45
DAS CHIP SHOP
NETWORK
SHORT NOTICE
Merseyside-based rock band.
FOARN
Five-piece indie rock band from Stoke-on-Trent.
HUNCH POWER
Nottingham-born alt rock band.
RIVIA
Four-piece alt rock band, “Liverpool’s Foo Fighters”.
AFTERSHOCK
Rotherham indie rock band.
ORCHIDELIA
Sheffield indie pop/rock upand-comers.
BUMWAVE
Snot Punk band.
VALLEY ONE
Young rockers from Derbyshire. THE VELVET ECHOES
Raw energy, fuzzed up riffs and dirty basement soul.
THE ARISTON
Alternative rock band from Guildford.
THE KOSTANZAS
Young alternative rock five piece from Rotherham.
SNOWDROP
Cheshire-based four-piece indie rock band.
PLOT 22
00:00 – 02:00
TC
A legendary Bristol-born titan of the UK drum and bass scene, this special guest headliner is a heavyweight producer, DJ, and vocalist world-renowned for defining rave culture with massive, evergreen anthems like "Where's My Money?" and "Tap Ho."
02:00 – 03:00
META B2B ASH STEEL
A formidable back-to-back pairing deeply embedded in the fabric of RiteTrax and Plot 22 - you can expect an hour of D&B and jungle mayhem!
03:00 – 04:00
LIZZA B
A rising Sheffield selector rapidly building a reputation in the local underground scene for her heavy, fast-paced sets packed with face-scrunching jungle selections and relentless amens.
04:00 – 05:00
ADAM C-4
A versatile Plot 22 and Zone 88 resident DJ who has showcased his style at major events like No Bounds Festival, known for supplying bassdriven bangers that span acid, electro, techno, and breaks.
SIDNEY AND MATILDA
17:00 – 17:30
BUFFALO GHOST
Sheffield melodic, indie-rock five piece with acoustic country overtones.
18:00 – 18:30
END OF LIFE CARE PLAN
Noise nuisance two bass attack garage skronk.
19:00 – 19:30
FREEZER
Psychedelic garage cosmic glam pop rock.
20:00 – 20:30
SONS OF THE CITY
Sheffield-bred indie pulling Britpop swagger through Northern grit.
21:00 – 22:00
SPEED FOR LOVERS
Live dance music and highgrade fun/jazz/soul.
16:00 – 22:00
SEVENBY 7 (DJ’S)
Feel-good tunes into the evening.
TIGER WORKS
16:00 – 16:45
TONY HUNG
Solo artist singing covers from the 70s to present day.
17:00 – 17:45
JAMIE MCLEAN
Solo artist singing covers from the 60s to present day.
18:00 – 18:45
KEY OF G
Vocal duo singing a wide range of high energy songs.
19:00 – 19:45
ALBERT CASH
Solo artist singing pop/country/ rock covers.
20:00 – 21:00
THE CATKINS
Four-piece band covering artists from the 90s.
THE WASHINGTON
14:30 – 15:00
GIRLBOSS
Sheffield-based indie-rock.
15:45 – 16:15
TURNIP
Upbeat four piece making waves in the Sheffield music scene.
17:00 – 17:30
HEXE
Three-piece alt/grunge band intent on finding the frogman. Visceral and raw.
18:15 – 18:45
SHUGACOMA
Funky soul and R&B band cooked and made in Sheffield!
19:15 – 20:00
TAKE FOUR
A four-piece Sheffield-based band that blends genres of soul, blues, funk, R&B and jazz.
20:45 – 21:15
THE WILL YATES EXPERIENCE
Perfect blend of 70s Bowie and 2010s Metronomy. Just good, clean fun.
22:00 – 22:50
CAPTAIN AVERY AND THE COSMIC TRICERATOPS OF INTERGALACTIC PEACE
Expect ridiculousness on a cosmic scale.
THE WICK AT BOTH ENDS
18:00 – 02:00
DJ SET
A mix of the best music from every genre, keeping the dancefloor packed from start to finish. Expect everything from R&B, hip hop and house to garage, bassline, dancehall, pop and chart favourites.
WOODSEATS
COMMUNITY GARDEN (GARDEN SOUNDS)
STICKY BONES JONES
Bluegrass, Americana and folk from the Derbyshire Dales.
PATCHWORK DOTS
Yorkshire-born alternative indie folk grunge rock band.
TRACKS ARTISTS
Performers from TRACKS, empowering young people in Sheffield to find their voice.
ALCHEMY
Up-and-coming indie rock band from Derbyshire.
BAD ACTORS
Two dudes from Sheffield who wear orange suits and play funk-rock.
YELLOW ARCH STUDIOS
15:10 – 15:20
HARD FACTS
Northern HC first show. 15:40 – 15:55
CEASE TO EXIST
Dance music. 16:15 – 16:30
TRIPWIRE
Sheffield mosh. 16:50 – 17:15
DYSTHYMIA
Yorkshire brutal death. 17:35 – 18:00
TARGET MAN
The Moor core. 18:20 – 18:50
HEAD DENT
Staffy punk rock. 19:10 – 19:40
VOID OF LIFE
Sheffield metallic hardcore 20:00 – 20:30
PROZPEKT
Northeast hardcore.
*DISCLAIMER: ALL LISTINGS WERE CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINT, BUT SOME WILL BE LIABLE TO CHANGE. WE’LL KEEP IT ALL UP TO DATE ON THE CLASHFINDER APP AND EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK
sunday 5 jul 2026
pup
£25.00, Doors 7:00pm
wednesday 8 jul 2026
superheaven
£25.00, Doors 7:00pm
thursday 9 july 2026
nik kershaw
£32.50, Doors 7:30pm
Friday 4 sept 2026
the bootleg beatles
£28.50, Doors 7:30pm
saturday 12 sept 2026
THE molotovs
£15.00, Doors 7:30pm
wednesday 30 sept 2026
The amazons
£26.00, Doors 7:30pm
friday 2 oct 2026
the coral
£30.00, Doors 7:30pm
saturday 3 oct 2026
matilda shakes
£10.50, Doors 7:30pm
Wednesday 7 oct 2026
madra salach
£17.50, Doors 7:30pm
friday 25 SEPT 2026
CELYA AB
£19.00, Doors 7:00pm
saturday 26 SEPT 2026
jazz emu
£22.00, Doors 6:30pm
friday 2 OCT 2026
MICHAEL SPICER
£22.00, Doors 7:00pm
TUESDAY 20 OCT 2026
CHRISTOPHER HALL-PIZAZZ
friday 9 oct 2026
antarctic monkeys
£20.00, Doors 7:00pm
thursday 15 oct 2026
the wanted 2.0
£27.00, Doors 7:00pm
friday 16 oct & saturday 17 oct 2026
grace petrie
£21.00 / £18.00, 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 7 nov 2026
craig charles
funk & soul house party
£20.00, Doors 7:00pm
thursday 12 NOV 2026
mike joyce & stephen street in conversation: the queen is dead 50th anniversary
£27.50, Doors 7:00pm
friday 13 NOV 2026
THE TUMBLING PADDIES
£25.00, Doors 7:30pm
saturday 21 NOV 2026
the smyths
£20.00, Doors 7:30pm
FRIDAY 23 OCT 2026
MORGAN REES
£21.00, Doors 7:30pm friday 6 NOV 2026 stuart goldsmith
£15.00, Doors 7:00PM
SATURDAY 7 NOV 2026
HANNAH EAST
£24.00, Doors 2:00PM / 7:00PM
sATURDAY 7 NOV 2026
amy matthews
£14.00, Doors 6:30PM
friday 27 nov 2026
northside
£25.00, Doors 7:00pm
saturday 28 nov 2026
the bracknall
£20.00, Doors 7:00pm
saturday 5 dec 2026
getdown services
£22.00, Doors 7:00pm
sunday 6 dec 2026
bleech 9:3
£17.00, Doors 7:30pm
friday 11 dec 2026
connor mclain
£22.50, Doors 7:30pm
saturday 12 dec 2026
indiepalooza
indie tribute festival
£32.00, Doors 5:30pm
friday 18 dec 2026 rob lamberti: perfectly george
£31.00, Doors 7:30pm
saturday 23 jan 2027 bad girls of country
£25.00, Doors 7:00pm
saturday 20 mar 2027 erasured
£19.50, Doors 7:30pm
THE DARK ROOM
£20.00, Doors 6:30pm friday 20 NOV 2026 ginger johnson
£28.00, Doors 7:00pm wednesday 25 NOV 2026 mark simmons
£20.00, Doors 6:30pm
£23.00, Doors 7:00pm
all shows open to the public (14+ unless stated otherwise) tickets available from foundrysu.com box office: 0114 222 8777
foundry, sheffield students’ union western bank, s10 2tg foundrysu.com - foundry@sheffield.ac.uk @foundrysheffield
scan for tickets
After
losing her voice for more than a year, Sheffield artist NØRSKOV is back on stage. We caught up with the talented singer to talk recovery, busking and what's next.
Ayup, Leona. Long time no speak. What have you been up to recently? I recently performed at Kelham Pride, which was such an incredible experience. The turnout was amazing, and the energy from the crowd was truly something special. As a lesbian myself, it meant so much to be able to perform for and celebrate alongside such a beautiful, supportive community.
I’m also excited to be performing at Tramlines Festival and Godiva Festival this year, and I’m hoping to announce another headline show soon following my last sold-out performance. I’m so grateful for every opportunity to share my music and connect with people, and I can’t wait for what’s next.
You've been part of the local music scene for a while now, but for anyone who hasn't seen you perform yet, how would you describe a Nørskov live show?
It blends acoustic storytelling with modern pop influences: honesty, emotion and powerful live energy.
Many people will recognise you from your street performances around the city centre. What first attracted you to busking, and what keeps you coming back to it?
Busking started for me a decade ago with my friend JC, when we created Inavibe. Back then, there weren’t many buskers around, and it felt like something fresh and open. I loved the freedom of it – being able to travel from city to city, hopping on a train just to chase a vibe and share music wherever we landed. It was such a powerful way to get our sound out into the world.
When I eventually began busking on my own, I took everything I’d learned alongside JC and used it as a blueprint
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, I FEEL LIKE I’M FINDING MYSELF AGAIN. I FEEL LIKE I’M BACK.”
to shape my own approach and energy. That foundation helped me build my own vibe and connect with people in a more personal way.
Busking has always felt like a beautiful, organic way to connect with strangers in the middle of their everyday lives. Sometimes it’s someone stopping for a minute to listen, other times it’s a conversation about how a song connected with them in a deeper way. Those moments of real, unscripted connection are what I love most about it.
You've spoken on social media about your experience with muscle tension dysphonia, which prevented you from singing for over a year. Would you mind talking a bit about that journey, what it was like navigating it and whether coming through the other side has changed your perspective in any way?
Muscle tension dysphonia really is a singer’s worst nightmare. Something that once felt as natural as breathing suddenly becomes something you have to fight for. Losing my voice wasn’t just losing a skill or a job – it felt like losing a part of myself, my identity and the thing I loved most in the world. It was physically exhausting, mentally draining, and emotionally overwhelming.
Getting it back has been a long and difficult journey. Alongside vocal therapy, I also had psychological therapy to try and understand the deeper roots of what was happening, since so much of it was tied to my mental and emotional state. It’s been three years since it all began, and I’m still on that path – but I’m genuinely proud of how far I’ve come.
I couldn’t have done any of this alone. My parents and my girlfriend have been incredible throughout, supporting me even in the moments I struggled to believe I’d get my voice back. Their love and patience have meant more than I can properly put into words.
And now, for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m finding myself again. I feel like I’m back.
Finally, where's the best place for people to discover more about your music and support what you do?
You can find me on Insta and TikTok at @norskovmusic, where I share my journey through music. And who knows – maybe one day our paths will cross somewhere in your city. Until then, I hope my songs find their way to you.
NØRSKOV plays The Open Arms on Sat 25 July.
TANNER
A decade after Blackwaters first emerged from Sheffield’s indie underground, Max Tanner is back at Tramlines with a solo project built on cinematic synths, romantic escapism and plenty of reverb.
A lot of Sheffield music fans will remember you from the Blackwaters days. Looking back, what did that band mean to you and what have you taken from that experience into your solo work?
It was the best 10 years ever, being in a band with my best friends. We’re all still really tight and we lived together in Sheffield. It was incredible.
But I think eventually it got to the point where we all kind of wanted to make different music and we all had different passions.
I’ve always been drawn to synthy, reverby, ethereal sounding music, I suppose, and Blackwaters wasn’t really the place for that.
When I’m on stage now, I can still feel David next to me and Ollie and James all around me. It’s kind of weird. People are like, “How are you up there just with a backing track?” and the truth is because I did it for so long with them that it just feels comfortable.
Ten years is a long time to spend in a band. Did it teach you much about the music industry?
Ten years – 2014 to 2024 – and it was incredible.
But we met a lot of fat cat types along the way. Not really big prestigious people, but people who promise you stuff. Basically, I learned to take everything with a pinch of salt and not
to get the rose-tinted glasses on when something’s promised to you.
You’ve moved away from Sheffield now. Has that change of scenery affected you creatively?
It’s great, to be honest. I do miss Sheffield a lot, but I grew up in the countryside before I moved there so I appreciate the peace.
I’m by the coast in a little place called Frinton-on-Sea. I love the tranquillity of it here. I work in a theatre, so I’ve got a job that I like whilst keeping up with music. It’s a nice little balance.
As mentioned, you’re returning to Sheffield for Tramlines this summer. What does the festival mean to you?
I’ve always being around Tramlines – either working at it or playing it. Blackwaters played the BBC Introducing Stage in 2019 and that was awesome. And if not on the stage, you’ll have found me at the event serving hot dogs for Get Wurst. Shout out to Get Wurst, by the way. They do really banging hot dogs.
It’s quite strange seeing your name on the poster as a solo artist, especially because I’m not using an alias or anything. It’s just my name. So it’s weird, but it’s awesome and I’m very proud of myself for it.
I kind of have the Leadmill team to thank for that as well. Ben and Charlie and the Leadmill Presents staff have really supported me with my solo work.
Your cinematic, synth-led sound feels quite different from Blackwaters. Where did that come from?
I remember finding John Maus when I was touring with Blackwaters and I was just like, “What is this?”
It was a certain kind of music that just transcended anything else. I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone, but that was my experience. I think I’m drawn to music that has a romance, escapism kind of thing.
You’re also playing Shakelines for the Fringe at Tramlines over the same weekend. That has a pretty close connection to your own history, doesn’t it?
Yeah. ‘Jarred Up Generation’ was a song that I wrote in 2014 and then Jarred Up Records was originally just a way to put Blackwaters music out.
Then we started putting shows on under Jarred Up Presents and James, our drummer, just carried it on. It’s awesome – he’s taken it on himself and he’s done amazing things with it.
I KIND OF GET NERVOUS SOMETIMES PLAYING ALONGSIDE ALL THESE SWEATY PUNK BANDS AND THEN THERE’S JUST ME WITH A BACKING TRACK… BUT USUALLY IT GOES DOWN OK.”
I kind of get nervous sometimes playing alongside all these sweaty punk bands and then there’s just me with a backing track. But I’ve been invited to play and usually it goes down OK, so I think it’ll be fine.
There’s new music on the way. When’s the release date?
I’ve got a tune coming out on 17 July, another one a couple of months later and then an EP early next year.
So it’s all happening. It’s just that, for the first time, I’ve had to plan ahead with an agent instead of just throwing stuff in the wind.
What’s been the biggest challenge of going solo?
The trickiest thing is probably navigating everything by myself.
I’m not particularly savvy with a couple of bits, so it’s just learning really. With the band, we all had different jobs and different responsibilities.
I wouldn’t say there are any particular cons, really. Maybe the fact I go for a few solo dinner dates by myself when I’m touring, but I quite like my own company. I welcome that.
But every time you get a win, it feels like it's 10 times as big. Tramlines, touring with John Maus last year, all of these little things make it feel like, “Oh, I got this.”
And then people’s support after shows is incredible. It’s a beautiful thing. It keeps me going.
Maxmillian Tanner plays T’Other Stage Live at Tramlines on Friday 24 July.
The must-see, electrifying tribute concert to Michael Jackson. This show captures the essence of The King of Pop’s unique style and charisma!
See the legendary 2-Tone group on tour with support from The Selecter and a special DJ set from Rhoda Dakar.
7 SPELL SONGS
MON SEP‘26
MON SEP‘26
7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
Renowned for their enthralling live performances that expertly blend musical and linguistic influences spanning from Orkney to Senegal.
AMBLE
7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
Formed in 2022 with the intention ofobtaining free pints by performing cover songs in pubs, the Irish folk band Amble now have acclaimed material all of their own!
With her work in song, from the traditional to the contemporary, Eddi Reader extinguishes the preordained boundaries of genre, bringing joyous life to all forms.
12 ORCHESTRA BAOBAB
Founded in 1970 in Dakar, Orchestra Baobab is a cornerstone of African music. See you at the Octagon for a deep dive into the soul of Senegal!
19 MON OCT‘26
7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
Don’t miss The Mary Wallopers as they return to bring their iconic twist on Irish folk music to The Octagon stage!
THE SNUTS
Scottish indie-rockers The Snuts will be bringing their signature sound to the Octagon. Supported by The Kairos.
Backstage Pass
The heat may have hit us hard over the past few weeks, but that doesn't mean for one second that we stop here at Corp. We make sure that we keep every party going at every club night and keep putting on as much live music as we can. You may be hitting the festivals hard this summer, but make sure you remember to hit up your local venues.
We had some big things happen at Corp, including Pintstock, a oneday music festival showing you that good music 100% deserves good beer. We pulled out some of the best local breweries, along with fellow Exposed winners Femur and headliners Leazes, to have a one-day event that really made sure that you know just how to make the most out of a good pint, good song and a good bit of scran to go along with it... Who knows, we might have to do it all again... Keep your eyes peeled.
You sold out a midweek show with King 810 and smashed through the heatwave to mosh your hearts out. You sold out Black Stone Cherry within 24 hours for their return to the main stage at Corp in February next year, and we got to spend the day with our friends at Kelham Pride again this year and ask you just what makes Pride so important.
Corp TV has gone on a hiatus over the summer. Our presenters do have lives... But... That opens us up to something pretty exciting. We're looking to grow our Corp TV team. We aren't just looking for presenters, we're looking for anyone and everyone who loves a gig, loves a night out and, more than anything, wants to share the things they get up to. If you want to join the Corp TV team as a presenter or contributor, or to find out just what is involved, then get in touch through the Corporation website and find out how.
Love
COMING UP:
FROM OZZY TRIBUTES AND DAD ROCK ALL-DAYERS TO A PACKED TRAMLINES WEEKEND, HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP AT CORP OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
Cancer Bats as Bat Sabbath
16 July
Canadian Whiskey Metal Punk Bastards Cancer Bats show their raw admiration and love for the greatest metal band of all time, Black Sabbath, with their now infamous cover band, BAT SABBATH.
Divorced Dad Rock Day Party
18 July
Grab those ill-fitted jeans, your greasiest vest and those minging trainers you never chucked away, because we're hosting a day party full of custody battle energy at Corp's new outdoor venue, The Greenhouse.
Tramlines Weekend
24-26 July
We have a full weekend planned with everything from rock and metal to various other genres. Our friends at Hell Turn Promotions have pulled out all the stops to give you three days of stacked line-ups. All events free entry, but be sure to secure your place by grabbing a ticket online!
Rock the Fringe
24 July
Friday night will see us Rock the Fringe, and we'll be doing so with Scottish classic/glam rockers Bad Actress! The fresh-faced quintet have cultivated a reputation for rousing live shows, both on their own headline shows and as support for legendary acts such as Sweet, Geoff Tate, Marco Mendoza and Gun.
Metallish Allsorts
25 July
Saturday heralds our popular annual Metallish Allsorts event. This year, our heavy metal smorgasbord is headlined by the incredible Moon Reaper! The former Bristol Metal 2 the Masses winners were guests for us at a previous M2TM final, and we knew there and then that we had to get them back up here – we're overjoyed that it's for this show!
Proglines
26 July
Topping the bill are the incredible Square Wild. Former Manchester M2TM winners, these guys blew us away a couple of years back when they guest headlined one of our semi-finals, and we've been dying to get them back ever since. We've finally done it!
Bakewell’s most exciting new arrival.
The Charleston is an Art Deco cocktail bar and restaurant housed in a beautifully restored bank, bringing a dash of 1920s glamour to the heart of the Peak District.
Brunch from 9am till 4pm, evening dining until late and Sunday roasts to linger over. You’ll also find Afternoon Tea, coffee and cake and a bar menu made for grazing from morning until late.
When the sun is out, our outdoor courtyard is the place to be. And as the evening draws in, live music played on our baby grand piano fills the room every single night, from smooth jazz and soulful grooves to toe-tapping swing.
Whether you’re here for cocktails at the bar, a long leisurely brunch with fizz or a night out with friends, there’s always a reason to stay a little longer.
If you’re looking for something truly special, our private dining room, The Speakeasy, is tucked away in the original bank vault beneath the restaurant. Intimate, full of character and unlike anywhere else in the Peak District.
Bookings welcome. Walk-ins too. Come and see what all the fuss is about.
SHEFFIELD’S EXCITING LIVE MUSIC COLLAB POWERED BY EXPOSED AND JOE GREEN
EACH MONTH, WE INVITE ARTISTS TO GREENY’S REHEARSAL SPACE TO LAY DOWN A STRIPPED-BACK LIVE SESSION. ONE TAKE. NO DO-OVERS. THIS MONTH, WE WELCOME INZY – A SHEFFIELD SINGER-SONGWRITER AND LONGTIME TRACKS MEMBER WHO, DESPITE BEING JUST 15-YEARS-OLD, ALREADY CARRIES HERSELF WITH THE ASSURANCE OF A SEASONED PERFORMER.
INZY
Alongside her Red Light Session, Inzy is also preparing for another major hometown moment, joining the Leadmill Orchestra and Tracks on the Tramlines Main Stage for the second year running. Ahead of that milestone, Inzy sat down with us to talk songwriting, confidence, Tracks and what comes next.
When asked before the recording how she would describe herself, her answer is simple: “Yeah, I’m a singer.”
That straightforward confidence runs throughout the conversation. Quick with a joke and comfortable in her own skin, Inzy speaks about performing and songwriting with the sort of ease that comes from years of experience.
It never comes off as obnoxious either. It’s actually rather endearing, and being behind the camera being asked questions seems to come quite naturally to her.
Despite this confidence and her undoubted raw talent (check out the Red Light session video for the proof), she’s still at a stage where every new opportunity offers a chance to learn. Reflecting on the session itself, she says hearing her songs performed by a live band gave her a different perspective on the material.
“It was honestly fun hearing the way that they played my song and also the other song I sang, Killing Me Softly,” she says. “Seeing how it sounded live with a band was very different.”
Her original track, Liar Liar, particularly benefited from the experience.
“I would say it’s a bit overwhelming sometimes when you listen to the backing track itself, but listening to it fully arranged, it sounded really good.”
The session has already influenced how she thinks about writing and recording.
“I feel like it’s helped me to open up the way I would do music. I’ve been
going down one direction but listening to that made me broaden it.”
For her cover choice, Inzy opted for Killing Me Softly, not because it was easy, but because she genuinely loves the song.
“It’s on my playlist, and I listen to it over and over and over. I thought doing my own rendition would be a fun thing to try out.”
Rather than attempting a straight imitation, she consciously made the song her own.
“I didn’t do it exactly like the way Lauryn did it. I feel like her level and my level, I’m slowly getting there, but for now you have to be realistic.”
Instead, she focused on finding a personal connection to the song.
“I turned the song into something I would sing, something I would make. When I perform it, it could feel more like, she’s not trying to copy, she’s doing a cover, she’s doing her own version of it.”
Music has been a major part of Inzy’s life for years, much of that thanks to Tracks. Originally enrolled by her mum, who thought she needed something to channel her seemingly endless energy into, she quickly found her place.
“My mum thought I wasn’t doing enough in the house,” she laughs. “She thought I was being a bit lazy. So off I go.”
What started with piano lessons eventually led to singing and a growing confidence as a performer.
“I didn’t actually sing at first, because I was a bit shy and nervous. I’d say now I’m definitely more confident..
“Tracks has given me so many opportunities to express with music. To actually learn so much about it but also learn how they can truly be more confident through it, have a bit of fun and make friends.”
She is particularly passionate about the difference between Tracks and
more traditional music education.
“Tracks was more like, ‘expressyourself’,” she explains. “You can do whatever, and you had more leeway and a broader scope of music that you were exposed to.”
“It has definitely opened my eyes to see that if I decided to go into music, I could definitely do it,” she says. “I’d have the support, I’d have the experience as well, and I basically know what I need to do.”
That doesn’t mean she’s mapped everything out just yet.
“I don’t know, to be honest,” she says when asked about future plans. “I feel like there’s so much I could go into.”
With time on her side, she’s likely to figure it out while she’s on the bus, as she tells us some of her best ideas arrive on public transport.
“I really like to write when I’m on the bus,” she says. “I don’t know what’s up with the bus, it just gives me ideas.”
“I always think of the chorus first because that’s the easiest thing to think of. Give yourself a word or a topic that you could easily write about. Think of a chorus, then you can branch out.”
Inzy recently released her single Stand Tall, a song written, not on the bus, but in church, when she maybe should have been paying attention. Recording it marked her first experience inside a professional studio.
And as for future releases, there’s clearly more on the horizon.
“Definitely,” she says when asked if more music is coming. “I can’t say much though.”
For now, her attention is firmly on Tramlines, where she’ll once again join the Leadmill Orchestra and fellow Tracks performers on the festival’s biggest stage.
“I’m very excited for it. I thought doing it last time was very fun. To do that again on such a big stage, at a festival, with a bunch of people, is a good opportunity.”
Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ calendar is packed this July, with Pride marches, sweaty dancefloors, queer book talks, creative socials, sports sessions, film nights and plenty of chances to just sit down with a cuppa and meet good people.
Let’s start with the big Pride energy. Sheffield Radical Pride (Sat 4 Jul) meets outside City Hall before marching through town to Ponderosa Park, where there’ll be a party from 3pm with stalls, activities and food. Later in the month, The Kingdom Come: Cowboy Rodeo Edition (Fri 10 Jul) at Crookes Social Club brings Andro & Eve’s drag king cabaret back with a yee-haw, hosted by Chiyo and packed with cowboy camp, cake, craft tables, raffles and some of the UK’s most exciting drag acts. Disco Divas Pride Party (Sat 11 Jul) at CADS is a night for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary sapphics, where I’ll be back behind the decks playing disco pop, dance classics and floor fillers, with proceeds going to SAYiT and Steel City Sapphics. If your Pride vibe leans more cyber-chaos than disco shimmer, CYB3R (Sat 11 Jul) at Gut Level returns for round two, bringing hyperpop, electronic and dance energy with Club Naz, Sminty Drop, Arty Baby, Jordan Windows, LindsayLosam and Poor Spice.
July is also massive for club nights, live music and late-night sound system joy. Calabash! Presents: Slow Jamz (Sat 4 Jul)
at Gut Level offers a more candlelit R&B and soul night, featuring Glasgow-based Sudanese artist Mawadduh alongside local DJs Watcho and FUANISA, with food from UrbanFusion by Ella Bella and ticket money donated to a Sudanese charity. PUB WORLD: Fuzzed Out (Thu 9 Jul) at Gut Level keeps things loose and low-key with psychedelic wax spinning through the evening, while Aquifer: Egg Meat, Sleepsang, ol.g (Fri 10 Jul) digs deep into leftfield bass, dub techno, minimal dnb, footwork-electro and low-end psychedelia. TANLINES Friday: John T Gast, Abena & Ashley Holmes (Fri 24 Jul) at Gut Level brings heavyweight experimental and dubinformed dance music from John T Gast, Manchester’s Abena and Sheffield’s own Ashley Holmes. TANLINES Saturday: Orange Room with Cáit (Sat 25 Jul) celebrates Orange Room’s first birthday with Cáit flying in from Dublin for a set full of rolling, hypnotic, freaky and joy-filled dancefloor selections. TANLINES Sunday: Vanity Projects Presents HTMLJONES, Katz With a K, ALYSBESTOS and DJs (Sun 26 Jul) keeps the Tramlines weekend energy going with rap, pop, electronica, hyperpop,
drill, garage, boom-bap and local DJs including DJ Girlfriend Experience, CPT. SANTI and SPECTRA.
For literature lovers, queer thinkers and anyone who likes a good author event, Juno Books and Sheffield’s cultural spaces have a brilliant run this month. Queer Legacies: Jon Sleigh in Conversation with Alim Kheraj (Wed 1 Jul) at Graves Gallery explores Revolution, Revelation, Reinforcement: Queer Legacies in Sheffield’s Art Collection, looking at LGBTQ+ research, ethics, local community connections and the surprises found in Sheffield’s collection. Hannah Levene in Conversation (Thu 2 Jul) at Juno Books introduces A Pizza Hut, A Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken and A Pizza Hut, a wildly inventive queer novel about suburbia, staying put, butch literature, robot postdocs and the radical possibilities of Watford. Florenzer: Phil Melanson in Conversation with Alim Kheraj (Tue 7 Jul) at Juno Books travels back to 15th-century Florence for a lush historical drama about Leonardo da Vinci, ambition, art, politics and the persecution of “florenzers”, or gay men, in Renaissance Italy.
The community side of Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ life is just as strong. Rainbow Minds (Every Wed) continues at the Wellbeing Centre on Sharrow Lane, offering a friendly, informal LGBTQ+ café for adults who may be isolated, lonely, dealing with mental health issues or simply looking to meet new people. Safety Net Sheffield (Mon 6 Jul) returns to Gut Level, with one-to-one drop-ins for blood and hormone queries and a session to introduce the group’s core principles. Craft Social (Wed 8 Jul) at Gut Level, run with Peak Queer Adventures, invites you to bring craft, art or mending projects, or just come for a drink and a chat. The Over 50s LGBTQ+ Group (Thu 9 Jul) meets at Weston Park Museum, offering a dementia and neurodivergent-friendly peer support space led by people from the LGBT community. Breathe Easy (Tue 14 Jul) at Gut Level continues to offer a more Covid-conscious social space for those who still feel cautious about crowded indoor events. QTIBPOC Cinema Club (Tue 21 Jul) at Gut Level creates a space for Queer, Trans, Intersex, Black and People of Colour to watch films that disrupt colonial and straight narratives, share food and chat together after the screening. Rainbow Gamers (Sun 26 Jul) at Treehouse rounds off the month with a relaxed board game social for the
LGBT+ community, designed as a lowstress way to meet new people and try out some games.
For sporty queers, July is looking nicely active. Trans Active Swimming (Every Sat) at Heeley Pool offers private pool sessions for trans, non-binary and gender-questioning adults of all fitness levels, with individual changing cubicles and a clothing policy designed around comfort and safety. KWR Pickleball (Thu 16 Jul) at Peak Pickleball welcomes all levels, including complete beginners, with coaching included and free parking on site. KWR Women’s Pool Party (Thu 23 Jul) at Peaks Sports Bar is not about swimwear, despite the name. Bring your chalk, not your bikini, and join other queer women for quick-fire rounds of pool, mingling and drinks afterwards at
The Lescar. Trans Active Raft Building (Sun 26 Jul) at Hesley Wood Scout Activity Centre gives trans and nonbinary people the chance to work in small groups, build rafts from logs and barrels and take them out on the water. Trans Active Archery (Sun 26 Jul), also at Hesley Wood Scout Activity Centre, offers an instructor-led outdoor archery session for beginners and anyone who fancies trying their hand with a bow. Film and screen events bring even more variety. Freak Film Club presents tgirlsmakemusic (Thu 23 Jul) at Showroom, a documentary about trans woman rapper and producer htmljones, framed through the language of early2000s TV, 2010s internet culture and contemporary British trans creativity. For pure spectacle, The Ultimate
Ladies Night Show Hits (Sat 25 Jul) lands at the OEC with male entertainers, drag queens, circus acts and a post-show meet-and-greet. It’s billed as a pansexual paradise and a safe space for all genders and sexualities, mixing adult humour, high-energy performance and a fullthrottle night out.
Finally, if you just want to watch something big with good people, PUBWORLD-CUP: The Final (Sun 19 Jul) at Gut Level screens the World Cup final with free entry for members. Whether you’re there for the football, the company or just the excuse for a pint, it’s another chance to enjoy the city’s queer community space in full pub mode.
As always, make sure to check out the latest event announcements at www. facebook.com/sheffieldlgbtevents
Hummus
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A WEEK OF TRUTH, TALENT AND STORYTELLING SHEFFIELD DOCFEST 2026:
He's a complete Dochead, and that's why we love him. Fresh from his 15th Sheffield DocFest and blinking into the daylight after days spent in darkened cinemas, Mark Perkins rounds up the highlights of DocFest 2026 and picks out a few films you'll want to keep an eye on.
As the week drew to a close, someone I spoke to summed it up perfectly: “I just love coming to Sheffield DocFest. This is the friendliest film festival in the world.”
I’ll take that.
What began as a modest and, by all accounts, chilly and rain-soaked weekend of documentary screenings at the Showroom in November 1993 has grown into one of the film industry’s most respected gatherings. Today, Sheffield DocFest enjoys a truly global reputation, welcoming more than 2,500 delegates from nearly 50 countries as it transforms the city into a vibrant hub of storytelling, creativity and conversation.
Yet despite its international standing, the festival has never lost sight of its local audience. With a significant proportion of the programme open to the public, the theatres and venues are filled not only with industry pass holders but with film lovers from Sheffield and beyond. It’s this unique blend of global influence and community spirit that continues to make DocFest feel both world-class and wonderfully local.
Each year, as the festival draws to a
close, I find myself both exhilarated and emotionally drained. I’m inspired by the sheer breadth of films and thoughtprovoking interviews, but I’m also reminded of the remarkable skill and dedication of documentary filmmakers, whose work captures the complexity and beauty of the lives we all live.
Some films shine a light on seemingly very ordinary lives, often revealing unexpected moments of courage or creativity. Others confront the urgent realities of our world, exposing the injustice and the challenges facing us all. But the films are united by a common purpose. They tell stories that deepen our understanding of one another.
This year’s headline interviews, staged for the first time at the Lyceum, drew some of the festival’s biggest crowds, with audiences eager to hear from Maxine Peake, Katie Price and Miriam Margolyes.
Maxine Peake is one of the North’s most distinctive and celebrated voices. Reflecting on her career and the challenges of navigating an entertainment industry, still heavily centred on London and the South East, she spoke with real intelligence and conviction. It was a fascinating insight into the experiences that have shaped both her work and her enduring commitment to representing northern stories.
Katie Price’s interview was conducted after we watched a preview of her forthcoming four-part documentary series for Sky, Katie Price: Nothing to Hide. Warm, open and refreshingly self-aware, Price quickly won over the
audience with her honesty and humour. As the interviewer joked, interviewing Katie Price is less about asking questions and more about finding opportunities to occasionally interrupt her. The filmmakers had unrestricted access to her personal archive and were given complete editorial freedom. The only disappointment was being shown just the opening episode of what looks likely to be a compelling documentary series.
But of course, one interviewee stole the show: the wonderful Miriam Margolyes. From her very first remark (unprintable in a family-friendly magazine), it was clear that the audience was in for an unapologetically honest discussion of her life and career. Joined by filmmaker Simon Draper, with whom she has collaborated on a recent documentary, Made Me Me, Margolyes was part of a conversation that was in turns hilarious, moving and profoundly life-affirming. As the audience spilled out into the evening, there was a general sense that perhaps we
could all benefit from being a little more Miriam.
Short films can often leave as deep an impression as their feature-length counterparts, and I always make a point of catching as many as possible at DocFest. This year, one of the standouts was Rose’s House. In less than 20 minutes, filmmaker Naomi Abel-Hirsch tells the remarkable story of Martine Rose, who, from the late 1970s, opened the doors of her modest terraced house in Lower Walkley, to provide a safe haven for Sheffield’s transgender community, long before we even had the language to describe it. Now aged 85, Martine joined the audience for the screening of a film that celebrates a lifetime of quiet, unwavering support for people who at the time must have felt despondent and so lonely.
The Filmmakers’ Challenge has expanded this year. The films are no longer made only in Sheffield but are also filmed in Wales and the southwest. As
before, it provides aspiring documentary makers with the opportunity to work alongside established industry professionals. Among my favourites this year was Cristian Saavendra’s delightfully quirky film Popcorn, which explores the absence of the famed cinema snack at film festivals, and Olivia Hird’s wonderful portrait of a dance club in Hebden Bridge. Equally memorable was a showcase of films created by filmmakers with learning disabilities and autism, under the banner Something I Want You To Know. Working with little or no budget, each participant brought a distinctive perspective and storytelling style, creating a collection that was varied and compelling.
Alongside these small-scale gems were some of the documentary world’s biggest events. Many of the films received their UK, and in some cases world premieres here in Sheffield. It’s noticeable how streaming giants Netflix and Sky Documentaries continue to play
TODAY, SHEFFIELD DOCFEST ENJOYS A TRULY GLOBAL REPUTATION, WELCOMING MORE THAN 2,500 DELEGATES FROM NEARLY 50 COUNTRIES.”
an increasingly important role in the sector, providing much-needed funding and global audiences for documentary films. My personal highlight among their offerings was A Child of My Own, directed by Maite Alberdi. The story centres on a young Mexican woman who fakes a pregnancy after enduring relentless pressure from her husband and family. As the deception spirals, the narrative unfolds in ways that seem almost impossible to believe. Beyond its extraordinary story, the film raises fascinating questions about memory, perception and the nature of truth itself, challenging audiences to consider how people can experience the same events, but view them differently. It arrives on Netflix soon and deserves a place at the top of your watchlist.
Part of the joy of DocFest are those smaller events that can easily slip under the radar if you’re not paying attention, so it pays to do your homework. Two sessions I am particularly glad
I found were 70 Up: The Final Chapter and aslo Behind the Scenes: Educating Yorkshire.
The Up series began in 1964 as a one-off TV show but became one of the most influential documentary projects ever undertaken. The final instalment has now been filmed so the series has now chronicled the lives of ordinary Britons for more than six decades. The discussion panel, which included the director and two of the original participants, now aged 70, reflected on the impact the series has had on their own lives and on generations of viewers.
Educating Yorkshire, filmed at Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury, turned English teacher Matthew Burton into one of television’s most admired educators. He is now the headteacher and agreed to invite cameras back into the school, 12 years later. He was joined in Sheffield by two current pupils, and shared memories of some unforgettable moments from the original series, while offering a glimpse of what audiences can expect from the new footage.
No celebration of documentary storytelling would be complete without recognising the close relationship between film and music, and DocFest once again embraced that connection. Maxine Peake brought her musical alter ego to the festival, performing with local musicians Dean Honer and Adrian Flanagan, as the Eccentronic Research Council. Given the opportunity to curate part of the programme, it was perhaps inevitable that she would also take to the
stage herself, delivering a memorable live performance at the Lyceum.
However, the biggest musical draw was undoubtedly Heaven 17. Following the world premiere of the film Heaven 17: The Last Temptation, Martyn Ware and Glen Gregory joined audiences for an on-stage discussion, followed by a performance. The documentary follows what may be the band’s final tour, while also revisiting their Sheffield roots, charting their journey from their departure from The Human League to the creation of one of Britain’s most influential electronic acts. Along the way, it offers a nostalgic and often touching portrait of both the band and the city that
shaped them.
At a time when the daily news can often feel relentlessly bleak, lifeaffirming documentaries are especially welcome. Try! was one such film, following two Irish all-ability rugby teams on their journey to the World Cup and opened a fascinating window onto a sport I previously knew nothing about. Bugboy told another deeply affecting story, centred on a shy Greek teenager struggling to fit into society because of a visible eye condition. Through his fascination with insects, in particular a cricket named Isabella, he discovers a new sense of confidence and belonging.
The feel-good film of the festival, however, had to be Derek vs Derek. This wonderfully entertaining documentary follows two neighbouring farmers, both called Derek, with sharply contrasting ideas about how their land should be managed. Despite remaining friends, just about, their increasingly exasperated relationship provides both humour and insight, and was one of several films questioning our fractured relationship with the environment. Both of the Dereks were in Sheffield for the world premiere and quickly became audience favourites.
Of course, DocFest also confronts the realities of the wider world. Some of the most talked-about screenings this year were also the most difficult to watch. Life Support, featuring footage filmed inside Gaza, alongside testimony from doctors who worked there, left audiences visibly shaken. Even knowing the subject matter in advance, could not lessen the impact of what unfolded on screen. It was a stark reminder of documentary film’s unique ability not only to inform, but to bear witness.
Climate change is increasingly being recognised for what it truly is: a climate crisis. Among the many urgent themes explored at this year’s festival, two films stood out for their refusal to let audiences look away from an issue that can no longer be postponed for future generations to solve.
The opening night film, We, The Hated, was among the most powerful and thought-provoking documentaries at this year's festival. Chronicling the actions of Just Stop Oil activists, it presents a nuanced portrait of the individuals behind the headlines and offers an honest examination of the movement and its motivations. Yet it is not the protests themselves that provide the film’s greatest shock. Instead, it is the way successive governments have responded, introducing increasingly severe penalties and altering long-established legal procedures once it became apparent that juries, ordinary members of the public, often felt sympathy for the activists’ cause. It was one of the most startling revelations I encountered during the festival and one that left me both astonished and deeply concerned. The fact that such significant legal changes have received almost no public attention only adds to the film’s impact.
As always, the festival concluded with the awards ceremony. A moment that is both a celebration, but also slightly bittersweet. It serves as a reminder of the films I have still to see, and the screenings missed while dashing between venues, and also the conversations that will continue long
all though, it is a joyful affirmation of the creativity, determination and passion that documentary filmmaking demands. Hosted once again by the everengaging Sile Sebanda, the ceremony blended humour, emotion and inspiration in equal measure. It offered audiences a final opportunity to hear directly from the filmmakers whose work had moved, challenged and entertained them throughout the week. Watching creators and audiences come together to celebrate these achievements felt like the perfect conclusion to six extraordinary days of storytelling.
And perhaps that is why Sheffield DocFest continues to occupy such a special place in the cultural calendar. It is not simply a film festival. It is a gathering of curious minds, passionate storytellers and engaged audiences, united by a belief in the power of documentary to illuminate lives, challenge assumptions and make sense of a rapidly changing world. Long may it continue.
IT IS A GATHERING OF CURIOUS MINDS, PASSIONATE STORYTELLERS AND ENGAGED AUDIENCES.”
after the festival has ended. Above
FOUR FOUR TUNE ILLUSTRATION
With the World Cup in full swing, we caught up with South Yorkshire illustrator Rob Coyne, the artist behind Four Four Tune, to talk football heroes, why painting Goldenballs is tricky and how a spell in hospital led to a growing collection of togger-inspired artwork.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you first got into what you do?
I’m Rob. I’m an illustrator from Sheffield and I’ve been creating football-inspired art as Four Four Tune since early 2024. It basically started as a bit of art therapy in 2023 while I was at Weston Park having treatment for testicular cancer. The chemotherapy left me bedbound and that’s where the idea came from. I started doodling walking characters of local football teams and players who I consider the best to wear a certain shirt number and it’s naturally evolved from there.
I just draw what I feel like on that day. It was a huge help in getting me through being ill (as well as Weston Park Hospital, so big up Weston Park) and it’s now left me with a love for a hobby that brings me joy and connects me with two things I love: art and football.
Let’s get into it – who do you support and who were your football icons growing up?
I’m a big Wednesday fan so it’s not been the smoothest of rides over the last few years but now, with everything seemingly back under control, it’s genuinely exciting
to see what the future holds.
Growing up I was lucky enough to see the back end of the good times. So Chris Waddle and David Hirst were my first footballing heroes but, beyond that, France ‘98 was the first World Cup I properly remember. Seeing Ronaldo (R9) for Brazil against Scotland nearly fried my tiny mind. I’d never seen someone be that good at football. I know it’s probably not a controversial opinion, but I really believe that, if it wasn’t for his knee injuries, the debate about the greatest player ever wouldn’t even exist.
What’s the creative process like – do you stick an episode of The Big Match on in the background, flick through a wellthumbed old Panini sticker album and wait for the creative juices to flow? Generally, it’s football around a fixture that I enjoy drawing most. I’ll put the match on and get sketching. Away from that, I’ll usually watch highlights of the player I’m drawing and remember the good times when players played with a bit of flair and took defenders on. Maybe that’s my age and nostalgia coming through!
Who’s the toughest footballer to illustrate – and why?
Currently, David Beckham. I’m working on a legends of the No 7 shirt series and I just can’t get it right. I can’t put my finger on why but that’s the fun – and the frustration – so I’m dancing around that one and drawing other No 7 legends instead.
I also had a tough time drawing Alan Shearer. No matter what I did, it just ended up looking like Robson Green from Soldier Soldier.
If you could illustrate one iconic moment from football history, what would it be?
Probably either Waddle’s free-kick at Wembley v the Blades. I know that’s probably only iconic to Sheffield Wednesday fans, but I’d really love to
create something around that. Internationally, maybe something around England lifting the World Cup in 1966 – or soon to be 2026.
Oof, here we go. So you reckon we’ll do it?
Yes, we’ll win it. You’ve got to hold on to the dream.
When the squad was released, I wasn’t blown away but I think Tuchel has chosen the players who benefit and complement Harry Kane the most. They’re all incredible footballers so it’s not like we’re a one-man team by any stretch but, to stand any chance, getting the ball to the bloke who’s just scored 64 goals for Bayern Munich isn’t a bad plan A to have.
On that note, do you see an uptick in custom when a World Cup or major footballing event is on?
Definitely during the domestic season. I’ve only really just started on the international pieces so this World Cup could generate some interest for sure. You also have a lion on the Pride of Yorkshire trail, which has gone down a treat across South Yorkshire. Where can people find yours and what’s it all about?
Funnily enough, despite being a Wednesday fan, I’ve done the lions and lionesses for both Rotherham United and Barnsley FC. You’ll find mine outside the New York Stadium and Oakwell respectively.
The lions feature my walking character style, with Miller Bear for Rotherham and Toby Tyke for Barnsley. The lionesses, however, were something a little different, which was fun to try.
What an incredible project to be asked to be part of, and for such an important cause. Giving something back to Sheffield Children’s Hospital is a real honour. They cared for my mum extensively when she was a child, then the care they gave me over the years, and now the care they’ve given my children too, has been amazing. Doing this to help them raise money is really special.
Finally, if you could design a mural, print or commission for any football club, player or stadium in the world, what would be top of your wish list?
I mean, I’ve mentioned them a lot through this interview but it’s got to be Sheffield Wednesday. To do something at the ground of the club I love would be beyond incredible.
That being said, somewhere like Camp Nou wouldn’t be a bad backup to the fortress.
@fourfourtuneillustration
SUMMER HOLIDAY @ THE CRUCIBLE
Summer Holiday is one of the most joyful, uplifting and energetic nights I have spent at the Crucible. The landmark 1960s film musical was adapted for the stage in the 1990s and is now brought to the Crucible by codirectors Elizabeth Newman and Ben Occhipinti.
Of course, all the familiar hits are here: ‘Summer Holiday’, ‘The Young Ones’, ‘Bachelor Boy’ and ‘In the Country’. A bonus is the chance to discover some of the lesser-known 1960s songs too.
Whether you are a fan of the original, remember the 90s revival or are coming to Summer Holiday completely fresh, it makes no difference. Within the first minutes, the enthusiasm of the young cast will sweep you away and transport you with them on a South Yorkshire doubledecker bus as it winds its way through France en route to Athens.
For those familiar with the film, Don, the bus garage mechanic, now works in Sheffield. He and his friends take their bus across Europe, where they meet a stranded singing group, Do Re Me, and take them to Athens. Along the way they pick up runaway singer Bobby who, of course, turns out to be Barbara.
The plot is almost beside the point. It simply provides an excuse for a group of young people to experience life away from home. For teenage audiences in the 1960s, that sense of freedom must have felt revolutionary. Today the story still captures the timeless thrill of falling in love while travelling abroad. It also reminds us of the joy of escaping somewhere warm for the summer,
although that might seem less of a distant dream given the sweltering evening on which I saw it.
Rather than relying on an off-stage band, the actors themselves are the musicians. This brings a sense of immediacy and intimacy, making the whole performance feel alive and authentic. It would be hard to choose a stand-out performance from among them, and unfair really, because they work so seamlessly together as an ensemble. That said, two performances deserve a special mention. Alongside the younger characters are two ‘grown-ups’, Stella and Jerry, who chase the bus around Europe to ‘rescue’ their daughter from this band of wandering musicians. They are played with perfect comic timing by Jane McCarry and Damian Humbley.
Summer Holiday skilfully updates Peter Yates’ film while keeping enough of its original 1960s, pre-Beatles energy to stay true to its roots. It captures the optimism of a generation taking charge of its life in ways its parents never could, wrapped up in a show that still feels fresh and fun. 5/5
CROSSED WIRES FESTIVAL
2-5 JULY // MULTIPLE VENUES // PRICES VARY
The world’s biggest podcasting festival returns with four days of live podcasts, special guests, DJ sets and fan events. After drawing 25,000 visitors in 2025, the event is back with the likes of Greg James and Alice Levine, JaackMaate’s Happy Hour, Elis James and John Robins, The Magnus Archives, Elizabeth Day, Blindboy, a BBC Sounds Fringe takeover and much, much more. Head to the website for ticket details and the full lineup.
CROSSEDWIRES.LIVE
THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL
7-11 JULY // LYCEUM // £15-£16.50
Bringing the beloved 1984 film to the stage, following Daniel as he faces school bully Johnny and learns lifechanging lessons from Mr Miyagi. With an electrifying new score, Tony Award-winning design and dynamic choreography, this coming-of-age story blends heart, rivalry and spectacular theatre.
SHEFFIELDTHEATRES.CO.UK
BUFFOON
16-18 JULY // PLAYHOUSE // £13£15
Born to circus performers who choose trapeze over parenthood, Felix becomes the Buffoon, turning love, loss and survival into a darkly funny solo show. Award-winning Canadian playwright Anosh Irani’s European premiere stars Daniel Weyman and launches Aisha Khan Productions with a story of family, identity and clowning.
SHEFFIELDTHEATRES.CO.UK
MATTHEW BOURNE’S THE CAR MAN
21-25 JULY // LYCEUM // £15-£78
Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man returns, transforming Bizet’s Carmen into a gripping 1950s American dance thriller. Set in a garage-diner, a mysterious stranger sparks lust, greed and revenge. Featuring Terry Davies’ score incorporating Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite, this award-winning production delivers suspense, passion and striking choreography.
SHEFFIELDTHEATRES.CO.UK
WORDS: MARK PERKINS // PHOTOGRAPHY: MANUEL HARLAN
