Exposed Magazine June 2025 by Exposed Magazine

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ALICE LEVINE // CROSSED WIRES // MIGRATION MATTERS // TOM ROWLEY // PROPER SKINT // DOCFEST

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23:

AWARDS SEASON

The Exposed Awards returned last month for another belter of an evening, celebrating the best of Sheff in a glitzy do down at Peddler Warehouse. See snaps from the night, plus reaction from all the victors.

14: LISTEN UP

The UK’s biggest podcast festival is back for its second edition! We spoke to pod royalty and co-founder of the festival, Alice Levine, to hear how Crossed Wires will be building on their inaugural success.

18: CITY OF SANCTUARY

10 years on from humble beginnings in an old Woolies, Migration Matters is now the UK’s largest Refugee Week celebration. Founder Sam Holland reflects on a decade of culture, community and sanctuary.

40:

RAISING A GLASS

Milburn artist, touring Monkey and influential cog in theSheff music machine, Tom Rowley, is stepping forward to debut his own solo material. Exposed grabbed a pint with the man himself to hear what we can expect.

58:

DOC N ROLL

The UK’s leading documentary festival is back next month – with a record-breaking lineup of premieres, exhibitions and bold stories from 68 countries. Creative Director Raul Niño Zambrano talks us through what’s coming up at Sheffield DocFest 2025.

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GI’ US A HAND PLZ

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THE BUSINESS STUFF

Exposed is published monthly by

Mice Media

CUTTING DOWN TREES CAN BE GOOD

Healthy woodlands love it when you fell some trees. It all depends on how you do it – but do it right and you get a burst of new life, beautiful flowers and young shrubs. Then, in time, baby trees spring up through the gaps. Butterflies flutter into the new glade you’ve created and birds are keen to build their homes there. I’m obviously not advocating widespread, unscrupulous tree felling –but do it sensitively, with care, and you can be a positive part of the woodland ecosystem.

AND IT ONLY GETS BETTER

And if that doesn’t make you feel good enough, how about making something beautiful from the tree? Peeling off fresh shavings from some oak to uncover the beauty of the grain is a journey of discovery every time. There’s also immense satisfaction in thinking about how this gate, bench or barn is going to be loved and used for decades – all the while locking in the carbon the tree sucked in. That’s the kind of product cycle we need.

CARPENTER/ WOODSPERSON 2 3

FRESH WOOD SMELLS GREAT – AND IN SURPRISING WAYS

Most people know how great wood smells. But each wood is so unique, and when it’s green it’s totally different. Then wait until the fungi get involved – I sometimes peel some fresh oak and get a nose full of bananas! I guess I love smells, but I just can’t stop getting lungfuls of it. However, this might be precisely what the fungi want…

4 5

WORKING WITH WOOD IS MEDITATION

Particularly when you’re working with hand tools, there’s something totally unique about synchronising your mind and body. Yoga’s great, but it’s not the same. With carpentry, you have a vision of what you’re creating – you’re trying to hold this in your mind, then form it from the wood in front of you. If it’s going smoothly, I can be so into what I’m creating those two hours fly by. And not once did I feel like scrolling.

AND IT’S NOT ALL SO DREAMY

Some weeks I’m out every day developing Raynaud’s and getting soaked. Those days when you look at the forecast and decide you’ll probably stay in – I’ll be out in the woods, getting wet. One key rule which I stick to: if you’re soaked through to your socks and underwear, it’s probably time to call it a day. I've also learned that most waterproofs are a lie. From what I've experienced, if it's breathable, it's not going to keep me dry all day!

Andrew Merson founded Sheffield Woodcraft, creating bespoke structures from locally sourced timber. He also manages woodlands through regenerative forestry to support biodiversity and sustainability. More info at Sheffieldwoodcraft. co.uk.

WE’RE ALRIGHT!

Last month, Get Together revealed a brand-new artwork by surrealist satirist Cold War Steve – and it’s a bold celebration of some of Sheff’s finest people and places.

The piece, titled Sheffield – It’s Alright., was created in partnership with the Sheffield Inspires campaign and the Birmingham-based artist, as part of his residency with the 2025 edition of the festival. It brings together local legends, iconic landmarks and grassroots heroes, all inspired by public suggestions.

Among those featured are the ever-inspiring John Burkhill – aka

The Man With The Pram – as well as Kelham Island OG Lizzie the Elephant (Google it), Olympic legend Jessica Ennis-Hill and our favourite contemporary choir Neighbourhood Voices.

The title nods to the late Steve Mackey of Pulp, who famously said describing something as “alright” or, perhaps more fittingly, “alreyt” in Sheffield is actually high praise – a reflection of a city that champions modesty while punching above its weight. A free digital copy is available from gettogetherfestival. com.

LEADMILL LOSES APPEAL

In a blow for Sheffield’s music and cultural scene, The Leadmill has officially lost its legal appeal against an eviction notice served by its landlord – meaning the much-loved venue must vacate its historic home within three months.

The decision, confirmed on 14 May, brings to an end a long-running legal fight that saw waves of public support, artist endorsements and grassroots activism rally to save the venue. Since first opening its doors in 1980, The Leadmill has been a linchpin of Sheffield’s creative identity, playing host to early shows from the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Oasis, Coldplay and countless others.

Beyond the stage, the venue has served as a vital community space for theatre, comedy, art exhibitions and social causes – a place that has helped shape the city’s cultural fabric for over four decades, not to mention the meeting point for countless blossoming friendships and relationships.

In a statement, the Leadmill team said:

“This is a heartbreaking moment not just for our team but for the entire Sheffield community. Despite overwhelming support and a hard-fought campaign, today’s decision feels like a betrayal of the cultural fabric of our city.”

A series of farewell events will take place over the coming weeks to give fans and

supporters one last chance to experience the venue in its original setting. Meanwhile, scheduled shows remain unaffected, with the team confirming plans to relocate events across other Sheffield venues. Ticket holders will be contacted directly, and all tickets remain valid.

However, there was a chink of hope in the statement, as the team suggested this is not the final chapter for the venue:

“We walk forward with our heads held high, knowing we gave it our all. That strength and passion will carry us into the next chapter, whatever form it may take. We will regroup, rebuild and continue.”

@theleadmill

GRIT EXPECTATIONS

South Yorkshire spirit fuels bold new festival chapter for No Bounds

No Bounds Festival returns 10-12 October with its most ambitious edition yet, spanning over 16 venues across Sheffield and, for the first time, Rotherham. Titled Grit & Graft, the 2025 programme pays tribute to the resilience and creativity rooted in South Yorkshire’s industrial and cultural legacy.

This year’s festival marks the end of an era, bidding farewell to Hope Works after 13 years as the city’s underground music stronghold. No Bounds is now looking ahead, branching into new spaces and communities across the region.

The line-up celebrates northern talent and global trailblazers alike. Local standouts include Rainy Miller, bringing his cinematic ‘Northern Gothic’ show following the success of Joseph, What Have You Done?, alongside Rian Treanor and 96 Back, whose work blends community, identity and experimental sound. Bassline legends Big Ang and Silva

Bumpa return, while Sheffield pioneer Winston Hazel and DJ Pipes honour the city’s Warp Records roots.

Further highlights include Joy Orbison, reggae heavyweight Aba Shanti-I, and East African firebrand MC Yallah with Debmaster. The bill also welcomes cult favourites These New Puritans, Tristwch Y Fenywod, and Flower Storm, a new collaboration between Sepehr and Kasra V exploring Iranian heritage through electronic psychedelia.

Beyond music, the festival unveils a 360° A/V experience at Igloo 360, multichannel sound installations open to youth and professional artists alike, and the debut of the No Bounds Cinema strand. A special revival of Tales from a Hard City will screen alongside new work from social documentary photographer Bill Stephenson.

New venues include Three Arches, Igloo 360, Harmony Works, Panke Social, and a to-be-revealed space in Rotherham. Peddler Warehouse becomes the 2025 base camp, hosting a 12-hour dub-techno session powered by Sinai Sound System. Iconic spots like Sheffield Cathedral, SADACCA and Delicious Clam also return.

From introspective art to dancefloor abandon, No Bounds 2025 promises a powerful celebration of music and community from 10–12 October. Early bird tickets available now from ra.co and you can browse the full programme at noboundsfestival.co.uk.

ED’S UP!

Sheffield city centre came alive with music (and more than a little disbelief) as global megastar Ed Sheeran stunned crowds with a surprise street performance –joined by rising local talent from the TRACKS programme and some Steel City favourites.

The impromptu three-hour gig outside Sheffield Town Hall featured young musicians from TRACKS, a Sheffield Music School initiative designed to help aspiring artists break into the music industry.

DJ AJ – known for live-streaming sets in public spaces – set up and invited Sheffield bassline royalty KDot to take to the mic, alongside the likes of hip-hop artist Franz Von, freestyle rapper Maja M, grime pioneer JME and Ed himself.

Lucy Revis, Director of the Sheffield Music School and TRACKS, told Exposed: “Ed came with DJAG and JME to support young musicians from TRACKS to highlight the importance of music in and out of schools and to highlight his work with the foundation. Coming to visit and showcase one of its founders was transformative for the young people and such a positive for Sheffield’s music scene!”

Earlier this year, Sheeran backed the TRACKS project with a generous three-year funding pledge, along with donating instruments and studio gear. The singer previously visited the city in 2023 to perform with students at Red Tape Studios, cementing his support for Sheffield’s young talent and strengthening ties with an organisation changing lives through music here in South Yorkshire.

PHOTO: CHRIS MAYALL

Meaty,

Acoustic

Mandala Café & Eatery

FACES OF SHEFFIELD

Armed with a 1969 Rolleiflex 3.5F, local photographer Matt Willoughby wanders Sheffield, snapping portraits, swapping stories and capturing the spirit of the city’s residents, one shot at a time.

HANA & STEPH

Say hello to Hana (left) and Steph (right) – two multi-talented creatives doing their thing in Sheff.

Hana’s an illustrator and indie game developer who also runs the clothing brand Pinku Kult. She’s all about horror films, K-pop and alt fashion.

Steph’s an illustrator, tattoo artist at Avid Ink, and runs her own brand Cosmic Boop. She’s part of a small game dev team too, and loves gaming, horror fiction and a bit of K-pop.

Follow @mattwilloughbyfilm for more film portraits

Think the city’s food action wrapped up with last month’s city centre food festival?

Think again. From crisp-and-wine pairings to sausage fests and sushi-making, Sheff is still serving up plenty of flavour this summer.

SHEFFIELD COCKTAIL WEEK

When: 30 May – 8 June

Where: Various venues across Sheffield

Ten days of £5 cocktails at 40+ venues –including Hagglers Corner, Hallamshire Hotel and Firepit Rocks. Wristbands start at £10 and include the odd food discount too.

More info: sheffieldcocktailweek.co.uk

SAUSAGE AND CIDER FESTIVAL

When: 7 June

Where: Don Valley Bowl

40 ciders, 30 sausages, axe throwing and Scouting for Girls. Need we say more? A gloriously wacky day out.

More info: sausageandciderfest.co.uk/ sheffield

BLEND CULINARY FOUNDATION MASTERCLASSES

When: Throughout summer

Where: Cambridge Street Collective Learn to make ramen, sushi or Korean BBQ in hands-on sessions. All proceeds go towards tackling food poverty in Sheffield.

More info and dates: cambridgestreetcollective.com/blendculinary-foundation

SHEFFIELD WINE WEEK

When: 18 – 22 June

Where: Various venues + Bole Hills

Five days of wine events led by Tenaya Wine and The Old Shoe. Expect plenty of wine flights, tastings, pairings and a grand finale at Bole Hills.

More info: sheffieldwineweek.co.uk

SEVEN HILLS BEER FEST

When: 22 – 24 August

Where: Sheffield Tigers RUFC

30+ cask ales, street food, family fun and live music – all in aid of the club’s fundraising.

More info: 7hillsbeerfest.co.uk

GRAVES PARK FOOD FESTIVAL

When: 30 – 31 August

Where: Graves Park

Chef demos, artisan food stalls, entertainment and dog-friendly vibes – all supporting mental health charity Mind.

More info: gravesparkfoodfestival.com

NOW WE’RE TALKING!

AFTER A STORMING DEBUT, SHEFFIELD’S PODCAST FESTIVAL CROSSED WIRES IS BACK FOR ROUND TWO. EXPOSED CAUGHT UP WITH CO-FOUNDER ALICE LEVINE TO CHAT BIG NAMES, A SPECIAL FRINGE OFFERING AND WHY THE STEEL CITY IS THE PERFECT SPOT FOR IT ALL.

WORDS: ISOBEL O’MAHONY PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM SUNDERLAND

What do you get after a good curry and a walk in the Peaks? For Alice Levine, it was the idea for Sheffield’s own podcast festival. Crossed Wires debuted last year, but a second edition was always on the cards. Alice and co-founders Dino Sofos (Persephonica) and James O’Hara (Tramlines) were looking ahead from the very start.

“It finished on Sunday, I think I had the Monday off and then we got back to it,” says Levine. “What told us that we were onto a good thing was, after year one, people said, ‘We didn’t get a call about year one – we’d love to do year two.’ I’ve worked on lots of TV shows, podcasts and radio shows – agents don’t usually ring you, and acts don’t usually ask to be on the line-up.

“There’s a real sense of FOMO and that’s brilliant – I really love that people felt left out, because they did miss out.

“This is a line-up you’d expect to see in year six or seven, and we’re doing it in year two.”

Hailing from Nottingham herself, Levine had no doubts Sheffield would embrace the festival. “It was always Sheffield in our mind – it will always have a home in Sheffield, for as long as the city wants it. We came up with the idea while walking in the Peaks, so it’s almost in

WE’RE REALLY TRYING TO HOLD ONTO THE MAGIC OF WHAT THIS IS”

the DNA of the festival.

“There are film and music festivals, but there isn’t anything for podcasting. We were like, we have the team for it – we have events and podcasting covered – it just felt like the stars aligned.

“We love podcasts – we’re podcast fans first.”

As host of award-winning podcast My Dad Wrote A Porno, Alice has been in the scene for years. “I know from touring that it’s amazing to have everybody in one room that loves a show – because it can be such an intimate, solitary activity, listening to something you love. And then we packed these rooms out – suddenly, you’re in a club.

“It has that feeling of going to a gig versus listening to the album on your own. There’s just this sort of euphoria – all laughing at the same thing. It’s medicine, isn’t it? It’s such a tonic.”

Community is at the heart of the festival. Within the five-year afterglow of the pandemic, Alice says meeting up still feels like a privilege. “We’re still feeling the echo of not being able to gather. This was dreamt up a good few years ago – and I wonder if it was our way of saying, ‘We need to get people together.’

“Podcasts filled that empty space for a lot of people – they were a bit of a lifeline, weren’t they?”

After acts like Katherine Ryan, Adam Buxton and Jon Ronson last year, audience feedback was simple: more, more, more.

“We listened, and what we’ve done is expand what we cover. I think you’d struggle to find a genre we don’t touch – from sport to food to politics.”

Calls for top-tier pods have been answered with series like Help, I Sexted My Boss and Dish headlining – and it’s not just the public rushing to get involved.

“Angela Hartnett, who’s obviously one of the most in-demand chefs in the world, was like, ‘I really wanna come – but I’m catering Wimbledon.’ We were like, ‘Well, sack that off!’

“So I’m imagining her plating up hot mains, jumping in a cab, shouting, ‘Get the Cornettos out!’ Give them strawberries and cream in takeaway containers – mini Magnums for everyone, because I gotta go.

“I mean, what food do we need to get Angela Hartnett to Sheffield? We’ve got to get her some Hendo’s – that’s a given.

“It’s a credit to what we did in year one that we can get these huge names. But there’s something so intimate about the early years –with bigger, shinier, more corporate festivals, you don’t get that.

“We’re really trying to hold onto the magic of what this is – born out of the city.”

Last year’s fringe events included a DJ set from Sheffield’s own Self Esteem. This year, the fringe has been given a BBC Sounds makeover, taking over the iconic Cole Brothers (former John Lewis) building.

“When that’s kitted out and full of people, I think it’s going to be a celebration of its history and heritage,” Levine says. “Live shows are expensive – but can we add value and give people an opportunity to get something for free? We recognise your time is precious.

“I’ve always said: everything we put in the fringe should feel like you’d pay for it. Actually, it’s stuff money can’t buy – they’re recording shows you usually can’t pay to see.

“The BBC have so much brilliant talent and they’ve pulled out all the stops. We’ve got Russell Kane here with Evil Genius, Frank Skinner, but also stalwarts like Newscast and Football Daily.”

The fringe will also mark 100 years of the shipping forecast on the Friday of the festival.

As for after-parties, the team hasn’t slowed down. Sara Cox (The Teen Commandments) will host a special edition of Day Fever.

“Another cultural event out of Sheffield,” says Alice.

“It’s very much in the spirit of Crossed Wires – being in iconic venues and celebrating these

where to eat or drink, Alice has tips: “Fagans is incredible –those little green poppadom things they sell? I’ve never seen them anywhere else. I inhale, like, three packets in there.

“We’ve had lovely dinners at Bench, I love Cafe Number 9, and I think I’m going for a little after-work drink at Pearl. Fat Cat in Kelham is brilliant. And when I’m up here, I always make time for a walk in the Peaks.”

Crossed Wires is the country’s go-to weekend for all things podcast. A day out, a night out – a unique experience for anyone who loves a laugh or a natter. Alice says the team want to create a party atmosphere across the city.

“I think this will feel like Sheffield has a street party going on.

“I can’t think of anything else I’ve been to with this much spirit and energy. People are stopping us in the street, saying, ‘I’m so glad you’ve created this here.’

“The world’s a dark place right now – there’s lots of really bleak stuff happening. So let’s, if we can, do something joyful, something celebratory, something that gets everyone together. Let’s get Michael Palin on a bloody podcast by the end of all this.”

Crossed Wires takes over Sheffield’s biggest venues from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 July. To be first to hear about new events and register for BBC Sounds Fringe Fest, head to crossedwires.live. Follow @crossedwiresfest for updates on socials.

I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE I’VE BEEN TO WITH THIS MUCH SPIRIT AND ENERGY.”

A decade on from its humble beginnings in an old Woolworths, Migration Matters Festival is now the UK’s largest Refugee Week celebration. With 60+ events across 25 venues, 2025 marks a major milestone for the festival and its founder, Sam Holland. We sat down with Sam to reflect on ten years of championing culture, community and sanctuary – and to find out why this year’s edition might be its most powerful yet.

This is a milestone year for the Migration Matters Festival. Looking back, what do you feel have been the most significant achievements over the past ten years?

The festival has grown far bigger than I could have envisioned and I’m really proud of that. It started with just 16 events in Theatre Deli, back when it was at Woolworths on The Moor, and is 60+ events across 25 venues in 2025.

We’ve hosted huge names like Lemn Sissay, Seun Kuti, Maya Youssef, Sauti Sol, Lowkey, Ify Adenuga, Linton Kwesi Johnson plus the wonderful souls Benjamin Zephaniah and Amadou Bakayogo (of Amadou and Mariam) who’ve both sadly passed recently.

But one of the most significant things is that we’ve hosted these names alongside Sheffield locals, providing equal platforms to all.

We’ve made sure newly arrived people have a space where they feel recognised, not for being a refugee or asylum seeker, but as an artist and human being.

That is really important. Perhaps the biggest achievement is the fact we’re still here.

We’re still countering the dangerous rhetoric of successive governments trying to divide our communities – instead bringing them together, to celebrate each other’s cultures and identities.

The festival has hosted over 1,000 artists from more than 160 countries. What does that breadth of representation mean to you – and to Sheffield as a host city?

We couldn’t quite believe it when we realised artists from three quarters of the world had starred in the festival.

To us it’s a tangible representation of our commitment to our global community. For artists from underrepresented regions, it’s their chance to have an international stage.

For Sheffield, we hope it creates an environment for rich cross-culture experiences, inspires greater empathy and raises the city’s profile.

Given the increasing hostility towards migrants and asylum seekers in national rhetoric and policy, how important is it that Migration Matters and its message continues to thrive in 2025 and beyond?

Each year we are reminded of why the festival is needed. Take last year’s fascist riots, the government’s refusal to support refugees from Afghanistan, the Windrush scandal and Brexit.

For so many, the festival has been an emblem of hope, of a place that does value and recognise them as part of a multicultural Britain.

In 2025, we’re seeing some of the biggest humanitarian crises unfold before our eyes –notably Palestine, Sudan and Congo – and still the west does nothing.

However, we are seeing the power that activism in the arts can yield.

It’s essential artists and arts organisations protest this government’s complicity in enabling those crises and turning away from those fleeing them.

This year’s festival is dedicated to the resilience of people seeking sanctuary. Can you speak more about how that theme will be woven through the programme?

Many of this country’s communities have had to show enormous resilience, particularly the trans community and those seeking sanctuary or with migrant heritage.

Keir Starmer’s deplorable ‘Island of Dogs’ speech recently has made these communities even more vulnerable.

This programme has events for and by those communities, and we’re platforming some of

our long-standing artists like Side by Side and Open Kitchen Social Club, who do so much for those in need.

The lineup for 2025 is especially impressive, with acts like Nadine Shah, Asian Dub Foundation and Fatiha El-Ghorri hitting the stage. What performances or events are you most looking forward to personally?

That’s always impossible to answer!

We’re thrilled with these headliners, particularly with it being a milestone year for Asian Dub Foundation and Fatiha becoming a household name through Taskmaster.

Every year we also recruit two guest curators who bring amazing artists that aren’t on our radar to the table.

This year Rumbi Tauro and Weronika Dwornik have put together programmes featuring everything from gigs to gardening workshops with Bloom Sheffield, community walks and debates.

Separately there is also going to be a brilliant exhibition

celebrating the work of Sheffield One World Choir, who have been part of the festival for six years.

What impact have you seen the festival have over the years, both on a micro and more macro level?

We are so lucky to have the most wonderful and welcoming volunteers, who are representative of the global community.

Some arrived here recently; some have been here for decades, but it’s been a joy to watch this volunteering family grow and friendships form.

Particularly for anyone seeking sanctuary and who is in need of work experience to build up some credentials, these opportunities are valuable.

We’ve heard how this volunteering work has supported people’s asylum claims or helped them find jobs when they’ve successfully got asylum status.

On a wider level, the festival’s reach and attendance shows the powers that be in Sheffield and beyond that we are proud to be

a City of Sanctuary. I think it’s also been a contributing factor for people of diverse heritage to settle in Sheffield.

You’ve faced real challenges, from Covid to reduced arts funding. How have those obstacles shaped the way you deliver the festival now?

Like so many artists, volunteers and the often-marginalised communities we serve, we’ve had to be hugely resilient.

With Covid we had to completely adapt our practices to do what we do without compromising health. Funding has been an enormous challenge and while we’ve strived to find funding from many places, including branding deals and sponsorships, I think we’re often seen as too political or too big a risk for many.

We’ve seen increased support from Sheffield Council the past few years but I think if the festival is going to survive we’ll need more support from the city’s biggest powers.

Many people talk a big talk when it comes to celebrating our status as a City of Sanctuary, but they’re not willing to commit funding.

As an organisation that isn’t core funded, we struggle to get those funds year to year and have to rely on so much voluntary fundraising.

But without substantial support from those with the resources we’ll have to review how possible it is to keep the festival running annually.

Can you tell us more about the ethical ticketing system and why accessibility remains a core part of your approach? One of the most essential aspects of the festival is that we celebrate the coming together of people and we believe finances should not restrict that.

We were formerly a paywhat-you-decide festival; however, we’ve introduced a new ticketing system that allows us to support the most financially vulnerable while lessening our financial risk.

Our good friends at Andro & Eve, an essential organisation for events celebrating the

LGBTQI+ community in Sheffield for years, pioneered an ethical ticketing system we admired.

In addition to general sale they’d included ‘low income’ and ‘unwaged’ tickets which are widely appreciated by anyone in a difficult position.

Given the cost-of-living crisis and how expensive live events are, we feel this has been a game-changer, giving so many people an opportunity to join us.

We also offer free tickets and festival passes, without need of proof, to anyone who is unable to afford them. We’ve continued relationships with refugee and asylum support organisations to ensure the most vulnerable groups can access events.

People can also just turn up on the door. Unless an event is sold out, they will always be welcome.

How do you balance fun and celebration with the deeper, often difficult themes around migration and displacement?

It’s so important that those with lived experience are not always expected to talk or perform work about the challenges

posed by the labels this country imposes on them.

They are exhausted from sharing painful stories, so the festival provides spaces that can have difficult conversations but also where people can just dance, break bread and laugh together.

We absolutely need to have challenging conversations around migration and displacement, but we also need to focus on joy, celebration and companionship.

This year we have some hardhitting documentaries coming to The Showroom like 'This Jungo Life' exploring Abubakr’s experiences in Sudan.

There’s also refugee Hamzeh Al Hussien’s mindblowing theatre piece 'Penguin'.

But then everyone who has been to the festival raves about our opening and closing parties – which are going to be next-level this year – as well as our high-energy gigs.

It’s tricky but we do find the balance.

How do you see the festival evolving from here?

We are trying to find ways of expanding the festival and

perhaps running events across South Yorkshire or having popup events. However, the priority now is survival.

We’ve had some big funding knockbacks to the charity that runs the festival, Arts on the Run, so we will need to find creative ways of continuing the work and building on this amazing 10-year legacy.

Finally, if someone in Sheffield has never been to Migration Matters before – why should 2025 be the year they come along?

So many reasons.

It’s our tenth year so we are going all out.

We’ve got some insanely brilliant artists, whether you like food, art, family events or dancing all night.

And it’s always – truly – such a life-affirming experience, even in the darkest of times.

Migration Matters Festival runs from 20 to 28 June across Sheffield. Check out the full programme at migrationmattersfestival. co.uk, and follow @ migmatfest on socials to stay up to date.

of the SUMMER SURV I VAL

While many enjoy the warmth of summer, people experiencing homelessness face increased risk and hardship. We provide vital support and safety – but can’t do it alone. This summer, if you can help raise funds, please scan the QR code. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Charity number: 1064818

Sheffield turned up in style for the Exposed Awards last month – our annual knees-up celebrating the crème de la crème of the city’s nightlife, hospitality, music, retail and beyond. Hosted at the always-buzzing Peddler Warehouse and backed by headline sponsor The IPM Group UK, it was a night bursting with pride, passion and just the right amount of chaos.

Following a brilliant and suitably boisterous ceremony expertly hosted by Chris Arnold, genre-bending jazz-fusion outfit Malah Palinka took to the stage for a show-stopping finale –delivering a bold and brilliant Arctic Monkeys/ Beyoncé/Britney mashup that had the whole room grooving.

Naturally, no Exposed bash is complete without a messy afters – and this year’s doubleheader at Factory Floor and Yellow Arch didn’t disappoint.

A massive shoutout to our sponsors, judges, performers and everyone who turned up to celebrate what makes this glorious city tick. And to our brilliant winners and nominees: your graft, creativity and stubborn refusal to do things by halves are exactly why Sheffield continues to smash it.

So, with no further ado, here are our winners – and what they had to say (many after more than a few celebratory sherbets!).

HOPE WORKS

This a very special award to hand out. How does it feel to receive it?

It’s a very lovely thing to get. It’s perhaps a little bittersweet because we’ve just closed Hope Works, but to be recognised for the work that’s we’ve all put in is absolutely fantastic. We’ve done the graft, and I’ve got a head full of memories and a heart full of love.

That’s brilliant. You guys have brought so much to the city’s nightlife scene – what are some of the best nights to come out of Hope Works?

I’ve been at most of the nights over the last 13 years, so there are just so many memorable moments. I normally remember the nights when the bass pressure is so much that the whole building is pretty much falling apart.

Everything from Mala to Robert Hood and Jeff Mills, there have been some amazing performances by so many different artists. It’s so hard to try and pinpoint one!

THE SARAH NULTY SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

BEST BAR

THE OLD SHOE

From Best New Bar to Best Bar – that must feel nice? It’s bosting... once again. We’re really happy and I don’t want to sound knobby here, but it feels like a natural progression. Honestly, we’re really proud to be part of the city and amongst the other bars here.

What are you all about at The Old Shoe?

What we always want to do is support independent producers that we buy in and, more generally, just do a mint job. It’s nice to be appreciated!

What’s the secret to two wins in a row?

We’re just doing more of the same. Mint staff, mint products and really good service. We care about what we do deeply.

HOP HIDEOUT

Congrats – how does it feel to be awarded Best New Bar?

I’m hugely surprised, completely humbled and it does feel special. I’ve been doing this for 12 years, and a lot of work has gone into the new bar at Leah’s Yard. I’m very happy and in shock – a good shock!

How’s the future looking?

More events! There’s loads going on in the courtyard at Leah’s Yard and all the businesses are collaborating together which is great.

Anything exciting coming up on the menu?

Well, we’re a drink-in beer shop – that’s what we specialise in. We’ve got all the different styles from the wonderful world of beer. We support a lot of women in beer and minority-owned businesses; we try to have positive impacts on diversity in the industry and to make it a welcoming space to all.

BEST TRADITIONAL PUB

DOG AND PARTRIDGE

How are you feeling?

Amazing. We’re very, very lucky – and honoured – to be recognised. There are plenty of great pubs here in Sheffield, so it means a lot to us.

What’s the secret to being the best traditional pub in Sheffield?

For us, it’s all about the team. They're incredible. It’s also about community, having a shared vision and pushing for it without letting standards slip. People come back for a reason!

BEST RESTAURANT

NO NAME

How does it feel to be voted Best Restaurant in Sheffield? Amazing! I think No Name should have won before this – it’s 100% the best restaurant in Sheffield. The food is just impeccable and everyone who comes loves it.

What’s the ‘main character’ dish on your menu? The chocolate mousse is a staple.

What sets you apart from the rest?

Bring your own booze is an absolute winner, and everyone is welcome. There’s a really diverse crowd every weekend. It’s quality food – the sort you’d find in a Michelin-starred restaurant – but without the snobbery.

BEST MICRO PUB

THE BOSTON ARMS

Yes guys, how does winning this award feel? Pretty surreal! To be fair, we weren’t expecting it…

How come?

I dunno, I’ve been here four times now and never won. Maybe that’s it! You know what they say, fourth time’s the charm…

Indeed. What’s next on the horizon for you lot?

I’m not sure – maybe win this again next year? But seriously, we’ve got Garden Sounds coming up, an independent music festival focusing on S8 artists. Grassroots artists, local brewers, local artisans – that’s the vibe we like to get involved with.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

JÖRO

How are you feeling about winning Best New Restaurant?

It feels amazing. We were actually pretty shocked just to be nominated.

Why were you shocked?

We had JÖRO at its old location for eight years. What we’ve done now is technically a new restaurant, but the brand’s well-rooted in Sheffield. It was definitely a pleasant surprise. It’s a big project – always scary taking something successful and trying to move it forward.

What dish do you think convinced the voters?

The celeriac dish surprises people – that’s one of the top ones, along with the duck. We've had some good feedback on those.

BEST CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

BEST VEGAN OR VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT/CAFE

SOUTH STREET KITCHEN

How does it feel to bag this award?

Great! Two years in a row now, and it’s been our hardest year! It’s a culmination of effort from all of the staff. We’ve got a new chef who’s really exciting and has shaken things up – loads of different menu ideas.

Sounds interesting. What else can you tell us about that?

We’ve stuck to the Middle Wastern angle, but he’s definitely going for a different vibe. Think seasonal small plates where the presentation looks incredible – more of an experience!

Delicious. Give us three of your favourite small plates. Kimchi grilled cheese, the hash browns and the beetroot with whipped tofu. SO good!

BEST SUSTAINABLE BRAND SPONSORED BY TRAVELMASTER

BEANIES

Biggups, Beanies! How does it feel to win this award? We are very grateful to have won. We feel like it’s great to highlight the work that businesses like ours do and it means a lot. We’re grateful to everyone who voted!

Could you tell us about the Beanies ethos?

We are proudly independent. We try and do things differently. We sell and champion food that’s organic and sustainable and hopefully going to do some good for the world. We really values the support from our customers –that’s what keeps us going.

Could you tell us about something that you’re particularly proud of?

Over the years, we’ve developed the largest range of organic fruit and veg – probably in the whole region. It’s mostly unpackaged and we’ve developed a veg box scheme which is really popular with people!

BEST CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

SHEFFIELD THEATRES

How does it feel to be voted the best cultural experience in Sheffield?

Oh, it’s just amazing! We’ve had such a fantastic year –welcoming a new Artistic Director and taking on a new venue. Our teams are absolutely incredible, so this award is really for them.

What’s the secret to keeping things fresh and exciting for the public?

There are so many people who bring everything together. We have an amazing programme, and the way we can flex our venues to be world-class – I think that’s what makes us so unique.

BEST TAKEAWAY

URBAN PITTA

Well done on the win – how are you feeling? Absolutely amazing!

What’s the secret to being the best takeaway spot in Sheffield? Good quality, decent prices and friendly service. That's it.

So you’ve taken the crown for best takeaway – but what’s your go-to takeaway yourselves?

It has to be Urban Pitta. Sorry!

Got to back yourselves! How are you spending the rest of the evening?

We’re just going to party, cheer for everyone else and say well done to other winners.

TRAMLINES AWARD FOR BEST LOCAL EVENT PEDDLER MARKET

How does it feel to win The Tramlines Award for Best Local Event?

Yeah, fantastic. Fourth year now – we’ve got a nice collection going!

What’s the secret to making your event bigger and better each year?

Make it sound good. Make it look good. We can’t give away all the secrets!

Can you reveal anything exciting coming up?

We’ve got a few things in the pipeline... all I’ll say is: watch this space.

OUTDOOR CITY AWARD

HEELEY CITY FARM

Heeley City Farm – no strangers to this award! How does it feel?

We feel really valued and really happy to be recognised.

What’s next for you guys?

We’ve got our festival on the 21 June, with really good bands lined up across two music stages, plus food and a bar. Hopefully your readers will be heading down!

What about tonight – big one planned?

We’ll probably all be in bed by 11 o’clock! People have got pigs to muck out tomorrow, so they’ll be up at the crack of dawn!

BEST VINTAGE RETAILER VULGAR

How are you lot feeling after that? Ah, amazing! We’re so happy!

What’s the future look like for Vulgar?

Well, we’ve been open for 10 years this year. So, hopefully, there’ll be another 10 years of Vulgar! We want to maintain the name we’ve got – and also, we want to keep bringing the fun! We do bring the vibes.

Agreed. What’s the weirdest thing you guys keep in the shop? I’m not sure we can say! Erm… there’s nothing particularly risqué in at the moment, but we do have plenty of wonderful designer threads!

BEST CAFÉ SPONSORED BY PAGO

CAFFÈ TUCCI

Congrats, Caffè Tucci! Two years in a row – how does it feel?

Amazing! This year it was unexpected – the competition was very strong. It feels even better than winning last year.

What have you done this year to bring home the award again?

We believe that it’s just about keeping standards up. Once you get the format that people love, the ingredients they like and the correct approach to customer service, it’s just about keeping on doing that.

Anyone you’d like to thank?

Of course, our customers and staff. But also Exposed for the service you guys provide – it’s a great thing for the community!

BEST INDEPENDENT RETAILER

GRAVEL PIT

Congratulations, Gravel Pit! How are you feeling?

You’ve got to stay focused. It’s so hard to run a business these days, but you find inspiration in things – seeing others do well. Sheffield’s a small place and when people do good things, it inspires you to step up. We don’t big each other up enough – we should do that more. That's what these nights are about. TRAMLINES

We’re happy, man. There’s a lot happening in Sheffield and it’s really inspirational to see.

What’s the secret to being the best independent shop in the city?

THE HENDERSON’S RELISH MADE IN SHEFFIELD AWARD FRAZER'S COFFEE

How does it feel to win this award? It’s fantastic!

You guys deserve it. How are you planning to spend the rest of the night?

We’re going to carry on drinking – I’ve closed the shop for tomorrow!

Amazing. What’s the most ‘Sheffield’ thing about what you do? The people. The community. Just that sense of togetherness, really.

BEST LOCAL BREWERY

TRIPLE POINT BREWERY

Two years on the trot – congrats!

Yes, it’s so hard to do that in a city like Sheffield – we really didn’t expect it!

What’s on the horizon?

More beer! At Triple Point, the beer comes first. Always.

We’ll drink to that! Can we get a sneak preview of something you’ve been brewing?

Okay. We’re doing an orange, lime and sea salt Mexican lager. It’s called Mexicana, it’s amazing and it’s out now! The new sour, Overgrown, is another very nice beer you should try. Our whole thing is built on great lagers, great pale ales and weirdly different stuff.

SIDNEY & MATILDA

Congrats Sidney & Matilda – that was a fantastic speech? Thanks. It’s pretty wild, man. We’ve been coming here for three or four years now and never won, so this was a surprise for all of us. We’ve very excited

You’re one of the most prolific venues in Sheffield. What’s the future looking like?

I think it’s just about growing the space, really. We want to help develop more bands and artists, putting on more touring stuff and bringing both national and international artists to the venue. The real grassroots stuff is really important for us, and I think it’s massive for city too.

What bands have come through the venue that you’re most proud of?

All the young’uns that have their first gig in the small room, move on to later doing one in the basement and end up graduating to the big room. That’s what a city’s music scene needs, that infrastructure!

BEST LIVE VENUE

BEST CLUB

BEST CLUB SPONSORED BY GATECRASHER APARTMENTS

THE LEADMILL

One of the city’s most iconic venues. With the recent news, does this feel even more special?

Yes, with everything that’s happening at the moment, it’s a really tough time for us. So to be recognised for all the hard work that we put in despite what’s going on really means so much.

The big question: what’s next?

Obviously, we want to make the last few months of the Leadmill as amazing as it can be. We also want to look after the staff, everyone who’s worked so hard at the Leadmill – that’s a priority before we start looking too hard at the future. Fingers crossed – and forgive the cliché – but hopefully we’ll rise again like a phoenix.

What’s been the best act in recent times for you guys?

So many! The recent Hives and Def Leppard gigs stand out. If you’re going a little further back, a lot of people in Sheffield remember the early Arctic Monkeys gigs.

CAMBRIDGE STREET COLLECTIVE

How does it feel?

It’s been a whirlwind – amazing. Couldn’t have done it without the staff at Cambridge Street. We’re coming up to our first birthday soon, so that’s really special.

What are your go-to food vendors there?

Definitely Unit for the mac and cheese, and The Greek for the gyros. We love all of our vendors, though – there’s something in there for everyone!

ARTIST/BAND DJANGO JONES & THE MYSTERY MEN

Nice one, Django! How are you feeling? Amazing. We weren’t expecting this – there are some incredible bands and musicians in the category.

What’s gone into getting the band to where it is now?

So many gigs. Lots of gigs. We’ve recorded our debut EP, Thank You For Having Us, and released that with a gig at Hallamshire Hotel.

Another EP or album on the horizon?

Yes, potentially! We have recorded and released everything we have – we’re not very prolific – so we need to write some new songs. We’ll do a couple more singles and look at funding an album – it’ll come eventually!

BEST BAR

PAD 12

Tucked away in the suntrap nook of Merchants Court, Pad 12 might just be Kelham Island’s best-kept secret. Surrounded by a small but growing community of creatives, with the promise of new food and drink neighbours on the way, this concealed bar offers a perfect mix of laidback vibes, quality drinks and genuine warmth – all in a setting that feels like your own private corner of the city.

Run by husband-and-wife team Dan and Laura Hall, Pad 12 is the product of a handson labour of love. The couple fitted out the space themselves – from raw industrial unit to polished venue – building a local hangout that’s slowly but surely earning a loyal following.

“We wanted it to feel like someone’s local, even if it’s not their local,” says Dan. “We opened a bar we’d want to drink in. Somewhere friendly, relaxed, no airs or graces.”

And friendly it is. The pair are front of house almost all the time, with just one member of staff joining on Saturday afternoons. “That personal touch makes all the difference,” says Laura. “We know regulars by name – kids’ names, dogs’ names. It’s that vibe we were hoping for.”

It’s the kind of place where people pop in for one drink and end up staying for three, which happens often, they say. And when the sun’s out, the courtyard really comes into its own – sheltered from the breeze but bathed in light until the evening. It’s quickly become one of Kelham’s best warm weather drinking spots.

If you’re wondering about the name, there’s a straightforward story behind it. “We wanted something chilled, like that idea of saying, ‘Come back to mine, come back to my pad’,” says Dan. “Then someone pointed out that one of the foundation slabs already had the words ‘Pad 12’ on it – and it just stuck.”

Inside, the drinks offering is plentiful with thoughtful touches. Alongside rotating beers and spirits, there’s a wellpriced classic cocktail menu (including two-for-£12 before 7pm), a wine of the month and regular guest additions. On

weekends, a “panini and a pint” lunch offer runs in collaboration with Brew & Bloom next door, and more food options are on the horizon.

The bar itself is split across two levels, creating an intimate feel that works perfectly for private hire. With space for around 60–70 people including the outdoor area, Pad 12 has quietly become a go-to for birthdays, engagements and low-key weddings. “It feels like you’ve got the whole place to yourself, even if it’s a small group,” says Laura. “That’s something people really respond to.”

There’s also a subtle creative current running through the courtyard. A photography and social media studio has opened upstairs, while a beauty salon and bespoke jewellers occupy neighbouring spaces. With more independents set to move in, the sense is that Merchants Court is just getting started.

Pad 12 is open Thursday to Sunday, with private bookings available every day including weekends. If you’ve not yet wandered through the doors of Merchants Court, now’s the time.

Especially if the sun’s out.

PAD 12

Merchants Court Kelham Island

Sheffield S3 8EN

OPENING TIMES

Thursday: 5pm – 11pm

Friday: 12pm – 11.30pm

Saturday: 12pm – 11.30pm

Sunday: 12pm – 9pm

FOLLOW PAD 12

Instagram: @sheffieldpad12

Facebook: facebook.com/ Pad 12 Wine & Gin Bar

Enquiries & bookings: info@ pad12.co.uk

Pad12 offers a curated selection of wines, gins, vodkas, rums, and whiskies, with an emphasis on locally distilled spirits. We also offer cold beer on tap to enjoy on our sun trap terrace.

Now open. Visit our new shop with its on-site roastery and seating for up to 60 people.

203 Arundel street Sheffield, S1 4RE

We also offer subscriptions How It Works

• All of our subscription coffees are 5% off our usual prices

• FREE UK delivery

• Enter code FRAZER23 at the checkout and you’ll get your first subscription bag of coffee at half price!*

*Applicable to coffee subscription orders only

Pad 12, Merchants Court, 43 Mowbray Street, Sheffield S3 8EN.

OPEN FROM THURSDAY TO SUNDAY, WITH HOURS EXTENDING TO 11:00 PM ON THURSDAYS, MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS, AND 09:00 PM ON SUNDAYS

Pad12 is a wine and gin bar located in Sheffield’s Kelham Island area.

THE DARK HORSE

2 for £12 Cocktails

Monday to Friday 5pm till 7pm, Saturdays 8pm till 10pm & Sunday 12pm till 5pm

Coffee loyalty card

Buy 4 coffees get your 5th 25% off, 9 coffees get the 10th free

2 for £8 on Pints

Pints include Madri, Staroprahman, Pravha, Aspall, Salt Jute & Stones. Monday to Friday 5pm till 7pm

Lunch deal 12pm till 4pm

Burger and soft drink £11 same burgers and any soft drink Sunday 12pm till 5pm Prosecco bottles for £18

Lunch deal 12pm till 4pm

Burger and a Pint £12 (Personal Cheesus, Baconator or Winner Winner Burgers. Madri, Pravha, Salt Jute, Aspall, Stones or any cask available)

Loyalty card

Pints buy 9 get 10th free on Molson Coors brands. Madri, Staroprahman, Pravha, Aspall, Stones, Blue moon, Salt Jute and Salt Huckaback

THE FULL PACKAGE

In leafy Nether Edge, a landmark building with a storied past has been undergoing a quiet revolution. Acclaimed chef Tom Lawson has set out his stall at The Psalter: a boutique hotel, bar and restaurant that’s as much about a genuine Sheffield welcome as it is about cuisine.

“This was always part of the dream,” Lawson tells Exposed. “Seven or eight years ago, when I was still at Rafters, we mapped out this vision – a restaurant with rooms, somewhere with a car park, ten-plus bedrooms. The idea was always rooted in Sheffield’s south-west or out towards the Peaks.”

That dream has now become reality. After stepping away from Rafters, Lawson was initially eyeing The Psalter as part of a joint venture. But diverging ideas on direction led to a bold decision to strike out on his own.

The building itself has undergone quite the transformation. Once a beloved pub and separate hotel – the Psalter Tavern and Rosalind Court Hotel – it had fallen into disuse before being given a fresh lease of life by investors. While the rooms and events space were developed, the kitchen remained underutilised. Lawson saw the gap immediately.

“The building didn’t have a proper food offering, which is mad considering a third of the space is restaurant. I looked at the floorplan and thought, ‘This is going to be a coffee shop, this is the bar, we’ll build a bigger kitchen.’ And we actually did all that in six weeks.”

The project was as hands-on as it gets. Lawson logged 78 consecutive days – 16 hours at a stretch – to get it ready. “We had to knock down a wall to fit in the oven I’d ordered,” he laughs. “But it’s rewarding now, seeing it all come together.”

Today, The Psalter is home to four distinct businesses under

one roof: a 20-room hotel, a bar serving small plates, an events space and a fine dining restaurant – Tom Lawson at The Psalter – which launched earlier this month.

“This is the first time I’ve put my name above the door. It took a while to get comfortable with that,” he admits. “When I’ve worked elsewhere, the brand was the front – here, it’s personal. If something goes wrong, it’s on me. But I’m very much at ease with it now – you have to be.”

The fine dining menu, priced at £95, changes monthly and showcases modern British dishes built around local, seasonal ingredients. “We’re

using rhubarb I grow in my garden, English asparagus, lamb from the Wortley Estate. It’s about accessibility – not just in cost, but in experience. People know the ingredients. It’s not intimidating.”

Meanwhile, the small plates menu offers a more casual but no less thoughtful option. “We’ve got dishes from a fiver to the most expensive at fourteen quid. It’s ideal for midweek drinks or a quick bite. We want to offer genuine Sheffield hospitality no matter why you’re here – a pint, a party or a tasting menu.”

The feedback so far has been glowing, particularly around the fine dining arm – a

testament to a clear vision and the loyalty of his team. “Ninetyeight per cent of the current team were part of the opening team. That says it all. We’re on this journey together.”

Another of The Psalter’s big draws is where it sits – far enough out to escape the noise and bustle, but still brilliantly connected, whether you’re heading into town or off towards the Peaks. “We’re not trying to be city-centre trendy or countryside rustic,” says Lawson. “We’re somewhere in between – a proper destination, where people can settle in, eat well, and actually relax.”

As for what’s next? “My wife will kill me, but I do want more than one hotel,” he grins. “There’s more to come from us. But for now, we’re focused on making The Psalter the kind of place people celebrate at –whether it’s an special occasion dinner, a weekend away or midweek drinks after work. We’ve got it all covered.”

Visit psaltersheffield. co.uk for reservations and bookings. Follow @ psaltersheffield for updates on socials.

SHEFFIELD WINE WEEK FESTIVAL

After taking home Best Bar at this year’s Exposed Awards – just twelve months after nabbing Best New Bar, no less – it would’ve been easy for The Old Shoe to coast on a wave of well-earned praise. But in typical style, coowner Mike Pomranz isn’t interested in slowing down. Instead, the popular Orchard Square venue is channelling its momentum into a bigger stage: the city’s festival scene.

At the centre of this summer’s plans is the second ever Sheffield Wine Week (18–22 June), culminating in the debut of the Sheffield Wine Week Festival on 21 June – an outdoor celebration of all things vino taking place at Bole Hills in Crookes.

“Sheffield has never really had a wine festival,” Mike explains. “Certainly not one of this scale – and definitely not outdoors. So we’re confidently calling it the largest wine festival the city’s ever had. We’re trying to create a bit of community around it – something that feels like it belongs here.”

It marks a significant leap from last year’s Wine Week, which laid the foundations despite coming together at the last minute. This time, the ambition is clear, with Mike and Virginia Myers of Tenaya Wine leading the charge. The pair have brought together over 15 wine vendors – a mix of Sheffield bars, independent retailers, English wineries and intriguing importers.

“We’ve got everything from low-intervention Sicilian wines

to North American bottles and some proper English producers like Renishaw and Hazel End,” says Mike. “The latter is actually due to a Sheffield uni student who came to us and asked if we could stock wine from his granddad’s vineyard. Stuff like that is fun. We’re not just selling wine – we’re sharing stories.”

The event promises more than just good wine. Inspired by community-led, Californiastyle fairs, the festival will offer family-friendly activities, a stage with acoustic acts, food vendors – including a taco trailer nodding to the West Coast – and a focus

new tastes and food pairings. Entertainment-wise, there’ll be a stage running until 8pm, headlined by Goldivox – a Sheffield-based disco-soul group perfect for a boogie. “It’s a full day, but not too long. We didn’t want to go overboard,” says Mike. “It’s the summer solstice too, so it’ll be light, atmospheric... fingers crossed, sunny.”

The Old Shoe’s recent accolades have provided both validation and a platform to push further. “The goal all along has been to be the best bar in the country,” Mike says. “It’s an ethereal idea – you’ll never truly get there. But that’s the point: you chase the thing you can’t quite reach. If you’re not part of that impossible chase, then what’s the point?”

And it doesn’t stop with wine.

The Old Shoe Beer Festival returns on 16 August, with plans to expand across Orchard Square once again. While details are still under wraps, Mike promises more breweries, more curated selections and a bigger footprint.

“It’s not just about having drinks. It’s about having good drinks – great drinks. That’s what we do here at the Shoe – and we want to take that same mentality into the festival world.”

As the team hurtles towards this year’s flagship event, stress levels are high – but so is the passion. “I had a bit of a meltdown today,” Mike laughs. “But I’m genuinely passionate about this. Given the opportunity to follow my passions, I have a hard time saying no. And in Sheffield, I see a lot of opportunity for growth.”

on accessibility.

“We didn’t want to wall it all off with security and fencing,” Mike says. “It’s in a public park and we don’t want to mess with that too much. The area will be separated by bunting, you’ll get a wristband with your ticket and a reusable plastic stemless wine glass included. Then you’re free to explore.”

Once inside, visitors can expect a pay-as-you-go format, with many stalls offering free samples. There’s a strong push for education and engagement too, with local sommeliers on hand and plenty of chances to explore

Tickets for the Sheffield Wine Week Festival are on sale now, with early bird passes moving fast. With 1,000 attendees expected at Bole Hills and Mike and Virginia at the heart of it all, it’s set to become a landmark event in the city’s growing drinks culture.

Full details about Sheffield Wine Week, including tickets for the Wine Week Festival, are available at sheffieldwineweek.co.uk. For the latest updates, follow @sheffwineweek on Instagram.

ROWL WITH IT

It’s the start of a spring heatwave and sitting with Tom Rowley in Fagan’s beer garden – Guinness in hand, sunglasses on – he’s got the sort of laid-back energy you’d expect from someone finally doing things on their own terms. Known to most as the guitarist in Milburn and a touring regular with Arctic Monkeys, Rowley is finally stepping out from the shadows with a debut solo record, due early next year. Exposed settled in for a pint to find out more...

WORDS: ASH BIRCH // PHOTO: PEDALO

Having known Rowley for the best part of 20 years now, I don’t think he’d mind me saying that, while he’s a fantastic musician, being a solo artist isn’t necessarily a natural fit. “It’s kind of not something I wanted to do,” he says, matter-of-factly. “But I’ve always wrote songs and had an idea of what they should’ve been. Then someone else is singing it or performing it, and it’s never how you want it to be. So, it was like, well, if I don’t do it, it’s never going to be what I want.”

That quiet pull towards creative autonomy became a gentle itch Rowley felt ready to scratch. Following Milburn and a stint fronting Dead Sons, he was in a rut – back working as a sparky, PAT testing in “a shithole in Leeds”.

“It was the worst thing ever,” he grimaces. “Then one Sunday I get this text off Cooky [Arctic Monkeys guitarist Jamie Cook] – ‘Alright mate, do you still play keyboards?’” He laughs, as if he still can’t quite believe the timing. “Monkeys were going on tour, and they asked me to come in. I was hating my job, just fucking miserable. So when that offer landed, it was like, yeah – absolutely.”

Since then, he’s toured the world, played some of the biggest stages going and quietly

built up a catalogue of personal material. “I think I’ve probably written about ten albums I’ve done nothing with,” he says.

“But then there was this one song – ‘Something Strange’ –and that kind of stuck. That was the turning point.”

Fast-forward a couple of years, and he’s in LA, recording at Valentine Studios with producer Loren Humphrey (The Last Shadow Puppets, Florence and the Machine).

“We just did it in like a week and a half – proper fast,” he recalls. “We didn’t really know

what songs we were doing until we got there. Just cracked on.”

The record, he says, blends 70s influences with modern grit. “It’s singer-songwriter at heart, but I’ve leaned into the guitar a bit. There was a moment we thought, ‘Should we lose the solos?’ Because they’re not exactly cool anymore. But then I thought, ‘Nah – embrace it.’”

Having had a sneaky listen, musically it’s rich and varied – some moments tender and piano-led, others full of big riffs and wailing leads. “It’s not just

twiddling for the sake of it,” he insists. “The songs are strong underneath it all.”

Lyrics often arrive late in his writing process – more intuitive than intentional. “I rarely set out to write about something. Usually it’s the music first, then a line slips out, and that opens the door to what the song might be about. Some of them, I still don’t know what they’re about. But that’s fine.”

He’s keen to preserve some mystery, too. “You don’t need to tell everyone everything. Let people figure it out themselves.”

There’s a semi-fictional band called Moses and the Drones that crops up in one song – at one point, it was nearly the album title. “It was just a way of writing about what I’ve been doing the last few years, but through a lens. Then I scrapped it. Might still use it, though – I like it.”

Next up is a headline gig at Crookes Social Club on 19 June – the first official outing for the new material. “We felt like we had to do that, make it real,” he says. The lead single Tell Me What You Want will drop a couple of weeks before the show, followed by more new music across the year and the full album in early 2026.

And while the music’s been ready for a while, the mechanics of going solo have taken some getting used to – especially the self-promotion side. “The fucking social media stuff just blows my mind,” he says, halflaughing, half-scowling. “I’m a bit of a technophobe – it’s like finding a way to do it where you’re not pretending to be someone else. Because people can spot that straight away.”

He’s not kidding about being a technophobe, either. After we wrap up the interview, I watch as he struggles to remember how to save my number (I now realise it’s possible he was just trying to avoid saving it). Anyway, I take his phone off him and he half pays attention as I show him the quickest way. “Learn something new every day,” he says, eyebrows raised.

Tom Rowley plays Crookes Social Club on 19 June.

Tickets are available from tomrowleymusic.com (£15).

Listen to ‘Vegas in the Snow’ here

HOOT FOR THE STARS

With their boldest release to date just around the corner, Max Hayward grabbed five with Hugo from Dead Slow Hoot to chat about Orbits Intervened – the Sheffield indie outfit’s latest dive into darker, deeper emotional waters.

How would you describe your sound and what you’re about for anyone new to Dead Slow Hoot?

Our sound is varied – we like to experiment. I don’t really like repeating myself; a song almost doesn’t feel worth doing if you’re just doing the same thing. Broadly, it’s indie rock. One of the things that’s changed over the last few years is that some of our previous albums were very orchestrated, whereas with this album, all the songs are ones we’ve been playing live for the past four years – they’re more fine-tuned and a bit more jam band in style.

Can you tell us a bit about your new single, ‘All My Love Remains’?

Quite a lot of the songs include lyrics written as letters – some addressed to other people, some to myself. This one is about a friend who took his own life during the pandemic. It’s about reflecting, trying to balance the sadness, but also remembering them for who they were and the joy they brought into your life.

Your roots are in Sheffield’s music scene – how has the city inspired your sound and identity?

What we loved about the Sheffield music scene was how much time people invested in it, and how we played loads of gigs and met loads of people. It’s great being able to go out and hear people try new things.

Sheffield is a great city for connecting with other bands –especially the Tramlines fringe, which brings loads of touring musicians and local acts together. That’s probably the most valuable asset.

Which artists or movements would you say are the biggest influences on your overall sound?

I like singer-songwriters –artists who chart their own course. The ones I always say I’m inspired by are Wilco, Car Seat Headrest and, when we first started, Father John Misty. We listen to loads of stuff, but Laura Marling’s work is really inspiring, and one of my alltime favourites is Fionn Regan.

What can fans expect from your upcoming shows?

We’re expanding the sound –we’re gonna bring in some extra performers – and it’ll be a full playthrough of our new album. That said, I’m very proud of our live sets as they stand, so I’d say

it’ll sound good either way.

You described Orbits Intervened as your most ambitious record yet. What makes it such a leap for the band?

Unlike some of our other albums, this one has a concept – it’s a narrative, like a collection of letters. These songs were written over a long period of time, so they’re all really different from each other. There’s not really any song on the album that sounds alike. It’s very much about letting everyone express themselves – I don’t want to be directing people like a composer. The rhythm section is all live, so it can go in and out of time – it’s not rigid.

Do you have any tips for new and up-and-coming musicians in Sheffield?

I don’t really have any tips for a stellar career – a lot of it comes down to luck. The thing I appreciate most in music is

emotional honesty. There’s a temptation to lean into what works on TikTok, but my artistic advice would be: don’t be limited, and don’t just repeat one song. Everyone has their own taste, so I wouldn’t say you should all do the same thing. But if you want to stand the test of time, try to talk about how you’re feeling right now.

What are your ambitions for the band after you drop your new album and complete your shows?

The most important thing for me is to keep writing interesting music and playing it live. The ambition for this project is to play good shows – everything else that comes with it is just nice to have.

Catch Dead Slow Hoot at Sidney & Matilda on Weds 11 June for a special show celebrating the release of Orbits Intervened. Tickets (£7) available from sidneyandmatilda.com.

friday 20 june 2025

johnny marr

Doors 7:00pm

wednesday 25 june 2025 migration matters festival asian dub foundation

£25.00, Doors 7:00pm

friday 27 june 2025 migration matters festival nadine shah

£27.00, Doors 7:00pm

friday 4 july 2025

rob mullholland

£18.00, Doors 7:00pm, 18+

saturday 5 july 2025 clann an drumma

£17.50, Doors 7:00pm

wednesday 23 july 2025 wet leg

£14.00, Doors 7:00pm

tUESDAY 26 aug 2025

THE LEMONHEADS

£25.00, Doors 7:30pm

thursday 28 aug 2025 martha wainwright

£33.00, Doors 7:30pm

thursday 4 sept 2025 george lewis

£21.00, Doors 7:30pm

SATURDAY 13 sept 2025 antarctic monkeys

£20.00, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 20 sept 2025 corella

£18.00, Doors 7:30pm

SATURDAY 27 sept 2025 float along festival

£38.00, Doors 12:00pm

MONDAY 29 SEPT 2025

RED RUM CLUB

£20.00, Doors 7:30pm

wednesday 15 oct 2025 panic shack

£18.00, Doors 7:00pm

thursday 16 oct 2025

hollie mcnish

£18.00, Doors 7:30pm

friday 24 oct 2025

remember monday

£22.50, Doors 7:00pm

tuesday 28 oct 2025

rianne downey

£15.00, Doors 7:00pm

wednesday 29 oct 2025 footprints jazz club: moses yoofee trio

£18.50, Doors 7:30pm

thursday 30 oct 2025

the enemy

£28.00, Doors 7:30pm

sunday 2 nov 2025 john robertson’s the dark room the live-action videogame!

£14.00, Doors 7:00pm

thursday 13 nov 2025

halina rice

£17.50, Doors 7:30pm

friday 14 nov 2025

Craig charles

funk & soul house party

£19.00, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 22 nov 2025

amble

£22.50, Doors 7:30pm sunday 23 nov 2025

ash

£27.00, Doors 7:00pm thursday 27 nov 2025

cast

£35.00, Doors 7:30pm friday 28 nov 2025

beth mccarthy

£19.00, Doors 7:00pm thursday 4 dec 2025

inspiral carpets

£28.50, Doors 7:30pm

SATURDAY 6 dec 2025

808 state ex:el live

£30.00, Doors 7:00pm

wednesday 10 dec 2025 the slow readers club

£27.50, Doors 7:30pm friday 12 dec 2025

the clause

£15.00, Doors 7:30pm saturday 25 april 2026

the britpop hour with marc burrows

£18.00, Doors 6:30pm saturday 25 april 2026 one night in nashville

£24.00, Doors 7:30pm friday 1 may 2026

just radiohead

£17.50, Doors 7:00pm 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

Ahead of their slot at this summer’s Rock N Roll Circus in Sheffield, Jon Corbett caught up with Thom Rylance and Katie Lloyd from Lottery Winners – fresh off a second Number One album and mid-prep for a chaotic few months on the road (and in the air). We covered new tunes, odd purchases and what makes Sheff feel like a second home.

You’re hitting the stage at Rock N Roll Circus in August – how does a gig like this compare to a traditional tour stop?

Thom: Well, to be honest, I’m seeing this whole gig as celebrating my friend and his amazing band and his amazing achievements. This, for me, is 20 years of Reverend and the Makers. And what a 20 years it’s been! Jon’s such a good friend of ours – I chat to him most days – and he’s one of my favourite songwriters. I’ve even had a little peek into the new record and my gosh, it’s some of the best stuff he’s ever done.

Katie: Yeah, he’s a top guy. And there’s a real sense of it being a bit of a Sheffield celebration, isn’t there?

With the Rev such a close collaborator – and clearly a big fan – do you feel like you’re basically honorary Sheffielders now?

Katie: Yeah, I feel at home there. It’s another amazing working-class city isn’t it? Great history of hard workers and great music. Arctic Monkeys, Self Esteem, Richard Hawley, obviously the Rev – just an amazing city with amazing people.

KOKO has been described as your most adventurous album yet. How did you push yourselves creatively?

Thom: The album just kind of happened. I think there was pressure after the last one went to Number One but we didn’t force it either.

Katie: It sounds dead cheesy but I’ve heard other songwriters say this too – I feel like I’m just an antenna and the songs are floating round. I just set my antenna to receive and I received 12

tunes. That’s KOKO.

What’s next after Rock N Roll Circus? More shows? New music?

Thom: Yes and yes. We’re on tour with Robbie Williams all summer – stadiums every week for five months. Then we’re flying back for festivals like this one. It would feel really rock and roll if we weren’t doing it all on easyJet but still… pretty cool.

Katie: We’ve got loads of stuff planned, loads of music bubbling away. And then a big UK tour straight into Europe. Why have a break?

You’ve had some wild collaborations over the years – Boy George, Shaun Ryder, Chad Kroeger. Is there a dream list?

Thom: Honestly, they’ve all come about really naturally – like Chad messaged us after we did a Nickelback sea shanty on TikTok. And now we’re mates. He

FaceTimes me from hot tubs in LA while I’m in Wigan charity shops. That’s the vibe.

Katie: But yeah, if Adele’s reading this, give us a shout.

After the madness of the past year, how do you stay grounded?

Thom: We keep each other grounded. If I start getting too rock star, they’ll pull me back down to earth and tell me how ugly I am.

Katie: It’s true. We’ve all done terrible jobs. I used to clean airport toilets. So we really appreciate getting to do this.

And for those who haven’t seen you live yet – why should they get involved?

Thom: I genuinely think we’re one of the best live bands in the country. It’s funny, emotional, unpredictable. I cry on stage sometimes – not cool crying either, full snotty mess. We love what we do and I think people can feel that.

If you won the lottery tomorrow, what’s the first ridiculous thing you’d buy?

Thom: I didn’t win the lottery but I did buy a hot tub off Facebook Marketplace today at six in the morning. Got it home – no pump. So now I’ve just got a deflated paddling pool.

If you had to join a circus act – no instruments allowed – what would you be?

Katie: Bearded lady.

Thom: One of those sexy guys with his shirt off who can lift heavy stuff. That’s the back-up career plan.

If KOKO was a fairground ride, what would it be?

Thom: A runaway train – lots of twists and turns. But sometimes it dips into a haunted house and your old teachers are there shouting at you. Then it’s back to the runaway train again.

Catch Lottery Winners at Rock N Roll Circus on 30 August. Expect tunes, snotty tears and possibly a haunted paddling pool. Tickets available from rocknrollcircus.co.uk.

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

EACH MONTH, WE INVITE A LOCAL ARTIST TO LAY DOWN A STRIPPED-BACK LIVE SESSION IN GREENY’S REHEARSAL SPACE. ONE TAKE. NO DO-OVERS. THIS MONTH FEATURES SINGERSONGWRITER MILLY PYE YOU CAN WATCH MILLY’S SESSION OVER ON THE EXPOSED INSTAGRAM CHANNEL (@EXPOSEDMAGSHEFF).

MILLY PYE

For Milly Pye – Joe’s latest invite into the Red Light rehearsal room – the session offered her the chance to do what she loves most: collaborating, experimenting and seeing her songs take on a new life. “It was a good chance to kind of showcase songs that haven’t been released yet,” she tells us. “A chance to see what people think of it... and it was great to hear it in a live setting. It kind of gave it a different light.”

Thrown into the room with Joe, as ever on drums, and two musicians she’d never met before (Ed Cosens and Phillipe Clegg), Milly thrived. “It’s like, my favourite thing,” she grins. “Just jamming and having that creative freedom. I loved it.”

The session gave her a fresh perspective on her track. “Hearing people’s interpretations can inspire me as an artist to play around with it more. It made me think – wait, we could add more layers, different guitar parts, and change things up.”

After a whirlwind start to her music career – she was signed to a major label at just 16 – Milly is now based in Nottingham and travels regularly to Sheffield, where she’s just completed her first year at WaterBear Music College. It’s a decision that marked a turning point.

“It’s not a very me thing to do,” she laughs. “I’m very ADHD... never really had much direction. I’d been in and out of jobs before signing up – I even became a tattoo artist at one point because I thought, ‘well, I’m creative, let’s try this’.”

But the pull back towards music was relentless. “My whole life revolves around it. I thought, why not do it with people who genuinely want to collaborate?”

It’s a decision that’s clearly paying off. Since starting the course, Milly’s released three singles, including the emotionally raw Hate To Love You, and is gearing up

to release an EP. She’s formed a band with fellow students and is preparing to take her live set to a new level. “I’ve wanted to be with a band for a while. It just allows more freedom on stage – rather than just me and my guitar, which can feel quite vulnerable.”

Milly’s been writing since she was eight. “My mum said I sang before I could talk,” she recalls. “She took me on a walk one day and I just started singing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ word for word – and she was like, ‘you’ve never even spoken before!’”

That instinctive connection to music led to those major label deals as a teenager, and stints with multiple independents. But by the age of 21, she found herself alone in the industry, unsure of her direction and dealing with the emotional fallout.

“From 21 to about 27, I was very depressed,” she says openly. “I’d gone from this world where there were 100 people around me, constantly talking about what shoes I should wear, what I should sound like... to working in bars, scrubbing toilets. It was like being on a rollercoaster that stops at the top and drops. My life had only ever been music, and I just couldn’t get my head around it.”

Despite the personal low, she kept writing – and continues to write one or two songs a day. “It keeps me sane,” she says. “I have so many things going on in my head, and just sitting with my guitar feels really cathartic.” Her writing style is instinctive – lyrics flow without being forced. “It just comes out. Then I listen back and think, ‘was that in my subconscious this whole time?’”

Now 28, Milly has reclaimed her identity as an artist – on her own terms. “I know who I am now. That’s the most exciting part. I don’t go into writing thinking, ‘I want to sound like this’. It just feels natural. Before, there were people

telling me how to dress, how to sound –and I just said yes because I was a child. But not anymore.”

When it comes to labels, she’s cautious. “I wouldn’t be comfortable with a major label now – I’m still easily swayed sometimes,” she admits. “But I’d be open to an independent label if it felt like a collaboration.”

There’s also been a personal shift in understanding herself, prompted by an ongoing ADHD diagnosis. “It’s taken me six years to get an assessment,” she says. “Now I know so much of my past makes sense. I’m not lazy or incapable – I literally just have this thing in my head.” She’s even written about it in Ferrari, a single released earlier this year. “I don’t think it’s a superpower. It’s horrible sometimes. But understanding it has reframed everything for me.”

Milly identifies as bisexual and speaks about how her sexuality occasionally informs her music. “I’ve got a song called Cowgirls Cry – it’s a bit campy and fun, not so serious. A celebration of my sexuality, really. It’s not always at the forefront, but it’s there in the lyrics and the freedom of expression in my performance. I think I’m due another gay anthem!”

With a wide range of influences – from country music to alternative hip hop – Milly’s sound resists easy definition. “I’m obsessed with the Brockhampton universe, like Matt Champion, Dijon and Dominic Fike. That might surprise people, but it influences the way I write –especially the flow of melodies.”

In the modern music landscape, selfpromotion on social media is essential, but Milly admits it’s tough. “I try to post once a day, but some days, especially

Sundays, I just want to chill. Instead, I’m filming myself doing random shit with my song in the background. I have a love/ hate relationship with it. People’s attention spans are so short now. I’m constantly thinking, ‘should I stand on a roof? Should I do a cartwheel? Should I stand on my head?’”

Yet through all of it – the highs, the lows, the searching and rediscovery –Milly Pye is resolutely herself. “I spent years being sad about it all, when really I should have just kept doing it anyway,” she says. “That’s my message now: just do it anyway. Even if no one tells you it’s right – go for it.”

You can watch Milly’s Red Light Session now on the Exposed Instagram channel (@ exposedmagazine). Give it a spin –it’s raw, heartfelt and unmistakably her.

I’VE GOT A SONG CALLED COWGIRLS CRY – IT’S A BIT CAMPY AND FUN, NOT SO SERIOUS. A CELEBRATION OF MY SEXUALITY, REALLY. BUT IT’S THERE IN THE LYRICS AND THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN MY PERFORMANCE. I THINK I’M DUE ANOTHER GAY ANTHEM!

HEAVEN-SENT HEADLINER

Bryan Adams steps in for The Wombats at Rock N Roll Circus

Rock royalty is heading to the Steel City as Bryan chuffin' Adams is confirmed as the Friday night headliner for Rock N Roll Circus 2025. The Canadian legend will take to the big top stage at Don Valley on Friday 29 August, coinciding with the release of his brand-new album Roll With The Punches

With over 100 million records sold and timeless anthems like “Summer of ’69”, “Heaven” and “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You”, Adams is set to bring a stadium-sized show to the heart of Sheffield. Currently touring the globe, his arrival promises a dose of nostalgia, showmanship, and crowd-pleasing rock classics.

Festival Director Ali O’Reilly confirmed the switch-up: “Unfortunately, The Wombats will no longer be performing on Friday, but we’re absolutely thrilled to welcome an icon like Bryan Adams. It’s going to be an unforgettable night.”

Joining the Friday bill is a starstudded supporting cast. Melanie C returns to the stage with a catalogue of solo hits and Spice Girls bangers, while Newton Faulkner delivers his trademark acoustic wizardry. Rising rocker Cassyette adds a fierce alt-pop edge, alongside appearances from Nell Mescal, Somebody’s Child, Ashley Singh, Deco, The Crookes and more.

The five-day festival (27–31 August) blends live music with circus spectacle, gourmet food, and immersive experiences – including fire breathers, aerialists, and a VIP Greggs area (yes, really).

This year’s line-up also features Queens of the Stone Age, Reverend & The Makers, Groove Armada and James, with over 40 acts performing across three stages.

Tickets for Friday – and the rest of the weekend – are on sale now via the Rock N Roll Circus website: rocknrollcircus.co.uk

NADINE SHAH

FOUNDRY // 7 JUNE // £7.70£29.70

Mercury Prize nominee Nadine Shah returns with Filthy Underneath – her critically acclaimed fifth album. Expect dark, powerful songwriting tackling a range of social and political issues and a sound blending cold vocals with sharp instrumentation, often driven by moody basslines, angular guitars and sparse percussion.

foundrysu.com

SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR

CITY HALL // 11 JUNE // £41.95£70.50

Pop icon Sophie Ellis-Bextor brings her biggest UK tour yet to Sheffield this May, following a global resurgence of her 2001 hit ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’. Expect disco anthems, glitter and glamour as she belts out classics and new tracks, ahead of a grand finale at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

KING CREOSOTE

LEADMILL // 19 JUNE // £30

Scottish singer-songwriter King Creosote brings his genre-blending folk-pop to Sheffield’s Leadmill. Known for his raw, powerful performances and songwriting prowess, this all-seated show promises an intimate evening of heartfelt melodies and rich storytelling. leadmill.co.uk

DUSTHOUSE

YELLOW ARCH // 20 JUNE // £8 Sheffield’s own bring their genre-bending metalcore to Yellow Arch Studios. Known for fusing electronic elements with raw intensity, the trio promise a night of high-energy chaos. Support comes from Heaven Unknown, Displacer and Til Forever Falls Apart. yellowarch.com

ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION

FOUNDRY // 25 JUNE // £7.70£29.70

Asian Dub Foundation celebrates 30 years of career and activism, marked by unforgettable concerts across the globe. With 9 studio albums, each more iconic than the last, their unique blend of rock, dub, and jungle has been resonating worldwide for three decades. foundrysu.com

It’s June, which means it’s Pride month – and the city is awash with queer joy, rage, parties, protest, creativity and performance. However you want to celebrate, protest or find community, there’s something for you.

It’s back – and it’s looking more joyous than ever! Heather Paterson previews the biggest annual event on the LGBTQ+ calendar…

First up is the return of Kelham Pride [Sat 21 Jun], whose inclusive street party will be centred around multiple Kelham venues. Expect a broad range of entertainment from live musicians, DJs, drag queens, comedians and guest speakers. There’ll be drop-in locations from relevant charities offering advice and support, alongside food and drink stalls and family-friendly events throughout the day and into the evening. From 1pm, a parade will march through the streets of Kelham, starting at Kelham Island Museum and ending at the Main Stage on Burton Rd.

Also in Kelham, Kelham Film Club [Thu 26 Jun] will screen Portrait of a Lady on Fire, telling the story of an affair between an aristocrat and a painter commissioned to paint her portrait.

Sheffield Radical Pride [Sat 5 Jul] will host a second, more political Pride march, starting from City Hall and heading to a party at Mount Pleasant

Park.

Emma Maezin will be hosting her Pride Party [Fri 27 Jun] at Av It Bar (formerly Indie-go Resurrection), featuring queer anthems, pop and club classics, live performances and crowd karaoke. You can also catch Emma for Drag Karaoke [Fri 13/Sat 21 Jun] at the Ball Inn, and Dragoke [every Thu] at Maggie May’s – also home to Fruity Thursday [Thu 19 Jun], Hallam Union’s weekly LGBTQ social.

There’s more drag karaoke [every Wed] at Dempsey’s with Ivabollocoff, including her retro night Back to the 80s [Wed 18 Jun], and don’t miss the chance to win a prize at their weekly quiz night [every Tue].

Grapefruit [Fri 6 Jun] at Sheffield Students’ Union is a celebration of all things queer – open to students, non-students and allies alike. DJ Brooke returns to Malin Bridge for Sassy Saturday [Sat 7/21 Jun], and the Ultimate Ladies Night [Fri 13 Jun] brings a brand new show, UNCHAINED, to Woodhouse West End WMC. Expect death-defying stunts from international performers, sensational vocals and comedy from a fabulous drag queen host.

LGBTQ+ youth charity SAYiT will host Youth Pride [Sat 14 Jun] at Showroom Workstation, with young people selling artwork, fun activities and charity stalls. The event will close with a Q&A panel featuring inspiring queer voices. Later that day, Showroom will screen To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, part of their annual Pride film season which also includes Kiki [Wed 4 Jun], Bound [Sat 7 Jun] and Tokyo Godfathers [Tue 10 Jun]. Also at Showroom, King Confuza’s Camp Cryptid Part 2: Summer Slaycation [Sat 28 Jun] unleashes baby drag monsters created during a recent workshop. Catch Quacks [Wed 18 Jun], the queer comedy open mic night, or take to the stage yourself at LGBTQIA+ Open Mic Talent Night [Sun 30 Jun] at Mandala, hosted by Bipolar Abdul, and Key of She Jam Night [Thu 26 Jun], a night of musical improvisation for women and minority genders at Gut Level.

Gut Level has another packed month. Try the FLAW DJ Workshop & Social [Tue 3 Jun], enjoy a shared meal at Gut Pleasers [Wed 4 Jun], or get crafty with Craft Social [Wed 11 Jun], hosted by Peak Queer Adventures. There’s a new Folk Session [Thu 5 Jun] with Lucy and Rosie Huzzard, and Cruise [Thu 12 Jun], a dyke-centred bar night hosted by LeatherDyke. This month’s DJ sessions include:

• Mun Sing and Eleu [Fri 6 Jun]

• Satsumas w/ Sound Metaphors [Sat 7 Jun]

• Soft Landing w/ Charlie Satsumas (NTS) & Frazer [Sun 22 Jun]

• Drainolith / Eye Measure feat. Snakeman / Trve Yorkshire Kvlt Ensemble [Thu 26 Jun]

QTIBPOC Cinema Club returns with Queer Lens: Film screening, community meal & discussion [Sat 21 Jun], screening Lingua Franca, the story of Olivia – a trans woman with undocumented status in Brooklyn –followed by Dancing Queer, a night of queering and decolonising Arabic dance for Migration Matters

If you want even more LGBTQ+ film, you’re in luck – DocFest [18–23 Jun] returns with its queerest line-up yet. Highlights include:

• Come See Me in the Good Light [Thu 19/Fri 20 Jun], a lyrical love story between two queer poets

• GEN_ [Thu 19/Fri 20/Sun 22 Jun], about a doctor providing genderaffirming care in Milan

• Soul of the Desert [Thu 19/Sat 21], about a transgender Wayúu woman reclaiming identity in Colombia

• NIÑXS [Fri 20/Sat 21 Jun], following Karla’s adolescence in rural Mexico

• The Secret of Me [Sat 21/Sun 22 Jun], about an intersex person uncovering the truth behind their childhood surgeries

Other standout docs include:

• Rock Out [Sat 21/Sun 22], on queer identity in heavy music scenes

• Tomorrow’s Too Late [Sun 22/Mon 23], on Dylan Holloway’s life and gender transition

• I Was Born This Way [Sun 22/Mon 23], celebrating Carl Bean’s activism

• Murder in Glitterball City [Fri 20 Jun], with a director Q&A

• Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror [Thu 19/Sat 21 Jun], exploring the cultural phenomenon

• Queer Realities Director’s Lab Showcase [Thu 19 Jun], spotlighting emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakers

From screen to stage, the Lyceum welcomes Kinky Boots The Musical [Tue 24 – Sat 28 Jun] starring Johannes Radebe, while Two Plant Gaysians [Thu 26 Jun] at the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse tells the gentle tale of Ghost and John, two gay Asians nurturing love and houseplants in London.

At Central Library, Luke Turner will be discussing Men of War [Wed 4 Jun], sharing stories of queer experiences in WWII – from bisexual commandos to a transgender RAF pilot – marking both Pride month and the 80th anniversary of the war’s end.

Over at Juno Books, Juliana Gleeson will talk to Sylvia McCheyne [Wed 4 Jun] about her book Hermaphrodite Logic, which explores the history of intersex liberation and resistance to clinical treatment models.

In live music, LGBTQ+ legend Holly Johnson [Tue 3 Jun] brings his Welcome to the Pleasuredome 40th Anniversary Tour to City Hall. Over at the Greystones, Rhiannon Scutt & Friends [Fri 6 Jun] presents a brand new solo project, joined by Philippe Clegg, Paolo Mazzoni, Gold Tuth, Wolf Peaches and Richard II

That’s your lot for this month. Make sure to keep an eye on www.facebook. com/sheffieldlgbtevents for the latest announcements.

Until next time – love and rainbows! Heather x

It’s as exciting as ever to be looking forward to the latest DocFest. What can we see on the opening night?

We’ve chosen the film Still Pushing Pineapples, directed by Kim Hopkins. Sheffield audiences may well remember her, as she made A Bunch of Amateurs, which was such a massive hit in 2022 – and of course it also had its premiere here at DocFest. This new film is about Dene Michael, the singer in Black Lace, who has spent his entire career singing ‘Agadoo’ – once voted the worst song ever. But of course, there are a lot more layers to the film. Rather than focusing on that moment in the spotlight, the film takes the form of a road movie, following Michael’s daily struggles as he performs, meets fans and dreams of a comeback. It’s a portrait of him, his mother and his partner, and is really the story of a working-class hero. Kim is local too, so it’s a northern story we’re proud to support.

Is it possible to say what you’re most looking forward to in the six-day festival?

We’re very excited about having Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato as our guests of honour this year. Their names may not be all that familiar to the public, but the list of shows they’ve been behind will be. They’ll be talking about RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Rocky Horror Show, to name just a couple, and we have a world exclusive when we reunite the two of them with Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish to reflect on the story behind The Adam and Joe Show. It’s really interesting that when Adam and Joe had an idea, it was Fenton and Randy who got behind them – with the money to produce their shows. They both pay a lot of attention to fandom and audiences, and have a real commitment to the queer community. In the United States right now, that’s particularly important, with Trump being very critical of queer content and the broadcasting of documentaries. It seems like the perfect time and place to have a big

conversation. They’re also good friends with Ronan Farrow, the Pulitzer Prizewinning investigative journalist, who they’re helping with podcasts and films –and who they’ll be in conversation with.

How much has the rise of streaming affected documentaries?

We always welcome TV documentaries as well as those intended for initial cinema release. The quality of documentaries on TV is now so high that we’ve had to turn down several submissions, simply because we have no space. One of this year’s highlights will be the world premiere of the first episode of Heston: Journey to the Edge of My Mind, where Heston Blumenthal explores his diagnosis of bipolar disorder and the impact it’s had on his life. He’ll also be joining us for a post-screening Q&A.

Another aspect of the evolving face of documentary is the increasing presence of podcasts. I notice they feature more and more in your programme. Yes. A group of people with ideas for podcasts will be coming to Sheffield to pitch to our panel, and two of them will be awarded a total of £20,000 to help produce their winning ideas. Our Podcast Stories strand is now in its third year, where we stage live recordings of podcasts that people can attend and be part of.

And you always stage films and events that appeal to local audiences. Yes, we hope so. Local football fans won’t want to miss Podcast Live: Here We Go! The Art of the Football Chant Professor Les Back will be making the case for football chants being a kind of modern folk music, playing lots of examples and giving the audience a chance to sing their own. Another event is Sheffield on Film, which is being shown at the Crucible and captures 90 years of Sheffield history in 90 minutes – I’m sure that’ll be a big hit. We’ve also included the film A Story Left Behind,

READY, SET… ACTION!

There’s been plenty of talk recently about how Sheffield can best put itself on the map – but few events achieve that quite like Sheffield DocFest. As the UK’s leading documentary festival, and one of the world’s most influential platforms for documentary storytelling, DocFest turns the city into a hub of global creativity every June. This year marks its 32nd edition, with a record-breaking line-up of premieres, immersive exhibitions, industry heavyweights and bold new voices from 68 countries. To find out more about what’s in store – and how it all comes together – we sent our resident DocFest devotee, Mark Perkins, to sit down with the festival’s Creative Director, Raul Niño Zambrano.

which shows how a researcher uncovers the fragmented story of the first Somali woman in Sheffield. By resurrecting her memory, the film questions whose stories get told – and who gets to tell them.

And the Alternate Realities strand looks as strong as ever. This year, we’re excited to have given the entire Alternate Realities exhibition to one person – artist and filmmaker Baff Akoto. Collateral Echoes, staged at Site Gallery, documents police brutality against Black and immigrant communities in the UK since 1969. His work is all about starting conversations – and keeping them going – while celebrating those communities. We’ve handed over the whole gallery, and it will include VR installations, holograms and musical performances.

Can you give us some idea of how films are selected for DocFest? I imagine you get far more applications than you can show.

It’s a very long process. This year we received around 2,800 submissions. We have 20 advisers and consultants from all over the world – from places as diverse as India, the US and Uganda. Naturally, people in different parts of the world will have very different perspectives and their own areas of interest. Some may love experimental films, others may focus on social issues or music documentaries. Somehow we whittle them all down to the 116 films you see in the programme. We aim for a balance – some are journalistic, while others are more poetic. If we receive a large number of films from Ukraine, for example, we need to reflect that in our final selection. This year, we received three films from Ecuador – we’ve had none in the last ten years – so clearly something is happening there, and we want to support it. Balance is the big word. There will be something for everyone.

sheffdocfest.com

IT’S A VERY LONG PROCESS. THIS YEAR WE RECEIVED AROUND 2,800 SUBMISSIONS. WE HAVE 20 ADVISERS AND CONSULTANTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD –FROM PLACES AS DIVERSE AS INDIA, THE US AND UGANDA.

DOCFEST 2025: TOP PICKS

With more than 100 films, talks and immersive events packed into six days, DocFest can be a daunting programme to navigate. Thankfully, Mark’s done some of the hard work for you. From urgent frontline reporting to joyful explorations of music and memory, here are a few of his must-sees from this year’s festival line-up.

The Gas Station Attendant

A daughter reflects on her South Asian father’s life, his never-ending pursuit of the American dream, and the human capacity to love and survive.

Live Aid at 40 - When Rock N Roll

Took on the World

Marking four decades since one of music's most iconic moments, this world premiere will revisit the grounbreaking 1985 Live Aid concert.

A Little Gray Wolf Will Come

On the eve of the war in Ukraine, a Russian journalist from a pro-Kremlin TV channel brings her rebellious and Westernised teenage daughter on a journey through Putin’s Russia. This is a fascinating glimpse of how Russian media gives a one-sided view of the war – one not everyone believes.

2000 Metres to Andriivka

A companion piece to 20 Days in Mariupol from 2023, directed by the same filmmaker, Mstyslav Chernov. Anyone who saw that harrowing film will be steeling themselves for this. Helmet cam footage and first-person narration capture the gruelling nature and grinding reality of modern warfare in the Russo-Ukraine war.

The BBC Interview with Professor Brian Cox

If a DocFest event ever needed little introduction, it’s this one. Let’s all just wallow in the comforting enthusiasm of Britain’s favourite ex-member of indiedance band D:Ream – and number one science boffin.

The Alabama Solution

A jaw-dropping exposé, secretly filmed by inmates, exposing corruption, violence and resistance inside one of America’s deadliest prison systems.

A State of Passion

A powerful account of a BritishPalestinian surgeon who has become a vital witness to the devastation wreaked by Israel’s bombing of Gaza.

Dreaming of You

The story of indie band The Coral – six school friends who emerged from the backstreets of Wirral into the chaos of the early 2000s music scene. The film blends animation, archive footage and audio diaries as they tell their story in their own words.

Cuba and Alaska

A film I predict will make a big impact after the festival. It follows two women serving as field medics on the frontlines of the Ukrainian conflict, offering a rare and raw insight into their daily lives. A powerful piece that will live on in people’s minds long after the credits roll.

Blue Has No Borders

A young filmmaker is determined to get to know her neighbours in the port town of Folkestone. But in the aftermath of Brexit, building new relationships isn’t easy.

Billy Idol Should Be Dead

The singer proves to be a witty and honest chronicler of his own life, revisiting pivotal moments from suburban childhood to fronting Generation X – one of England’s most iconic punk bands.

Gaza Sound Man

Through immersive soundscapes, Mohammad Yaghi captures the realities of life on the ground in Palestine before and after 7 October 2023.

Move Ya Body: The Birth of House

A celebration of the revolutionary sound that emerged from Chicago’s South Side, sparking a global movement of joy, freedom and radical togetherness.

Mr Nobody Against Putin

A primary school teacher in Russia becomes an unlikely whistleblower, going undercover to document propaganda and militarisation inside the country’s school system.

The Perfect Neighbour

A minor neighbourhood dispute in Florida escalates over two years, with tragic consequences for a close-knit community. A stark look at race and gun culture in America.

Filmmaker Challenge

If you want to see Sheffield through the eyes of others, I cannot recommend this strongly enough. Six budding filmmakers are given a budget, professional support and just 24 hours to shoot and edit a five-minute film about any aspect of life in Sheffield. All the shorts are shown together at the Showroom on the Saturday of the festival, with the filmmakers on hand to share some context.

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WE LEARNED ABOUT RUM

Actor and playwright Joe Mallalieu is bringing RUM – a raw, northern one-man show – to Sheffield Theatres. Rooted in life on building sites, it’s a gripping portrait of working-class masculinity, internal conflict and the difficulty of speaking out. Ahead of opening night, we caught up with Joe to learn more.

IT’S NOT A REACTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA MASCULINITY – IT GOES DEEPER

“My play isn’t about modern, online toxic masculinity,” he says. “It’s about the kind of masculinity our class has been built on. It’s more than that modern, clickbait version meant to shock. The stuff I’m talking about is what people I grew up with genuinely believed. It’s not something they saw when bored – it’s generational, passed down from parents and grandparents.”

PERFORMING IT FEELS LIKE “A FIGHT”

THE MAIN CHARACTER WILL BE INSTANTLY RECOGNISABLE TO MANY

“Anyone who knows the building trade knows the character I’m playing,” says Joe. “He’s a ‘Jack the lad’ – likes a drink, likes women, likes getting into trouble. He’s the king of his castle in a way.” The title RUM taps into more than just its boozy associations. “RUM is a northern term that reflects a disregard for consequences – the willingness to do anything, no matter the result. For example, if there was a big gang of lads, he’d still be the one to throw the first punch.”

1 2

IT’S BASED ON REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES

“Plastering is something I’ve done all my life. It’s a fitting metaphor for how working-class men deal with things day to day. In the trade, we used to say plastering hides a job full of mistakes – once it’s plastered, you can’t see the beams missing or the holes in the wall, so once it’s plastered, it has the feel of a completed building… which isn’t always the case.”

With only one actor on stage, there’s no hiding. “A one-man show feels more like a fight. It’s exposing. It tells a full story with a wide range of emotions, and you really have to prepare for it each night,” Joe explains. “With RUM, I need a full warm-up, I turn my phone off, and get into the zone. It’s scary, for sure, but absolutely worth it.”

THE CENTRAL QUESTION: WHY CAN’T WE SPEAK?

Joe’s not pretending to offer solutions – but he is trying to spark recognition. “I wrote the play with a question in mind: why do working-class men find it so hard to talk about mental health?” he says. “The question of ‘why can’t we speak?’ is something I ask throughout the whole play.” With backing from a suicide prevention partner, the hope is that RUM encourages new conversations. “A lot of theatre audiences aren’t usually the target for this kind of story. But the message is there for people like me – to say, ‘I see you.’ And for the typical theatregoer, it’s a chance to step into our shoes, to understand the challenges of working-class lives.”

RUM runs at Sheffield Theatres’ Playhouse on Thursday 7 June. Tickets and more info available at sheffieldtheatres. co.uk.

PHOTO: GRANT ARCHER

Elizabeth Newman joined Sheffield Theatres as Artistic Director just five months ago. Passionate about connecting with people and telling meaningful stories on stage, she’s settling into the role – and the city – with a real sense of purpose. Exposed caught up with Elizabeth last month to talk about joining the community, what’s next for the theatre group and how she sees its role at the heart of a region brimming with creativity.

How have you found settling into life in Sheffield?

It’s been great. I’ve been in five months now, and we’ve settled in to our house in Greenhill. Me and my partner and my daughter, we feel really at home on our street. We love living there.

It’s great getting to know the city again. When I used to run a theatre in Bolton, I’d visit Sheffield quite a bit, and my partner went to university here – so for him, it’s a bit of a homecoming. The team here are lovely. I’m having the best time – Tom [Bird, Chief Exec] is a brilliant partner in crime, and me, him and Bookey [Oshin, Dep Chief Exec] as a team just have a really great laugh. We also took on the Montgomery in January – our fourth theatre in the family. It’s really odd that our fourth child is actually our oldest child!

What are your impressions of Sheffield’s theatre scene and creative community?

It’s really buzzing. The theatres are all really different – the Crucible’s got its own vibe going on, the Playhouse and Lyceum have another, and the Monty has that sense of history. Everyone’s incredibly positive and warm and open. I’ve really enjoyed meeting all the artists so far. I’ve done a couple of

sessions and general workshop auditions to meet lots of local actors. It feels vibrant and exciting to be part of.

What drew you to this role in particular?

Sheffield Theatres is a worldclass organisation. I’m obsessed with great writing, great acting and audiences – so this fits the bill. As an Artistic Director, I want to be in service to a place. It’s a bit like being a vicar! You get to know people, communities within communities, and you have a dialogue with them all.

We’re the largest theatre complex outside London, which I think reflects Sheffield’s artistic ambition. It’s always had that aspiration to make work that is world-class – to make Sheffield proud.

What does the role of Artistic Director actually involve?

I’m responsible for what we do, how we do it and who we do it with. I share responsibility with Tom and Bookey to lead the organisation, and my job is to be responsible for the artistic vision.

And how do you approach that artistic vision?

We’ll continue to put on the great plays and musicals, but we’re also going to do more

Photo: Smart Banda

new work, work with different people. There’s a lot of new work in this season – it doesn’t mean abandoning musicals, just that we want to be the creative force of the North.

Tom and I genuinely feel we are the National Theatre of the North. There’s a real hunger and appetite here artistically – it’s a city of expression. Sheffield Theatres has a responsibility to be a beacon for that. Art is for everyone –it’s productions, yes, but also that child joining our new youth theatre, the baby at our early years provision, the older person coming to our tea dances. That’s all art. Theatres have an ability to make incredible work and in doing so, help people feel less lonely and more able to make sense of the world. Live performance is vital because you’re with

other people in that moment –you’re not alone.

Have there been any stand-out moments for you so far?

I’m always proud of the team here. I was proud to be at the dementia-friendly performance of Little Shop of Horrors, the relaxed performance of the panto... proud when we went on general sale and there was a queue round the corner – they said it hadn’t happened in years.

But it’s also the little things. Proud of the box office, of finance switching systems, of HR doing the same. My interest is in organisations thriving and the people within them flying. Getting to be there to

encourage and support and love and be a cheerleader – that’s the good stuff.

There've been plenty of successful local stories told recently – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Standing at the Sky’s Edge, for example, enjoying success in the West End. How do you balance the local and the global?

I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive – I think local is global. The most important thing is, are we doing it brilliantly? Are we doing

great drama?

I love finding those stories. I’m a sponge for narrative –there are stories to be found in Kelham Island, on Abbeydale Road, down London Road, in Rassam’s – my daughter’s favourite ice cream place! Being an Artistic Director is about listening to a place. Sometimes that means listening to people, other times just being quiet and letting the place speak to you.

What’s coming up that you’re excited about?

We’ve got the Launchpad Festival in summer, and Together Festival – our big community festival with 250 participants. Then we kick off with our first full season, which I’m really excited about. We’ve got football outside the theatre, a beach for the Summer Holiday musical, live carols for A Sheffield Christmas Carol, new work in the Playhouse –loads! What people will start to see is a really cohesive story about how all those things link. Whether you’re nine days old or 99, Sheffield Theatres is with you for life.

Finally, what would you say to someone who doesn’t think theatre is for them?

I get it. I directed a play before I saw one professionally. My dad was thrilled I got the job here –but because of the snooker!

LIVE PERFORMANCE IS VITAL BECAUSE YOU’RE WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN THAT MOMENT –YOU’RE NOT ALONE.”

We’ve got things that are new, old, funny, musical, dance. Maybe you don’t fancy watching something, but there are ways to join in. Come for a brew, use the loo, talk to us. I’m here most of the time. If you want to tell me what would make you feel comfy crossing one of our thresholds – I’d love that. So do get in touch.

See what’s in store at sheffieldtheates.co.uk

Photo: Sam Taylor

2025 marks the final chapter of ILLUMINATE THE GARDENS at the Sheffield Botanical Gardens.

What started as an ambitious idea in 2015 became a sold-out sensation, bringing thousands of people together for nearly a decade of unforgettable shows!

SHEFFIELD BOTANICAL GARDENS 7th- 9th NOV 2025 ‘Final Show’

The team at EVENTS COLLECTIVE has loved every moment of planning, designing, and delivering this experience.

Now, as we move on to new projects, we want to ensure this FINAL SHOW is the most SPECTACULAR yet!

www.illuminatethegardens.co.uk

What first sparked your interest in photography – was there a moment or influence that pushed you to pick up a camera?

I’ve always had some interest in photography as a subject, as my grandad always used to show me what he’d captured, but I never fully got into it again until my mum passed away. I found myself pretty lost and needed a distraction –taking photos gave me that. I felt like I’d found my purpose again, and it reignited that creative passion in me that was always there. It had just fallen asleep for a while.

How does fashion or street culture feed into your work – especially with subjects like football casuals and terrace culture?

It feeds into my work by showing the everyday working class expressing their passion through the love of football culture and style. There are so many characters that perfectly capture what it’s all about – showing their love and loyalty to their clubs – and it radiates through when I’m capturing it.

A MONTHLY LOOK AT THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PICTURES – SHEFFIELD’S PHOTOGRAPHERS ON THEIR CREATIVE JOURNEYS, WHAT DRIVES THEIR WORK AND HOW THE CITY SHAPES THEIR LENS.

Your work often captures everyday life and working-class culture with a raw, honest lens. What stories or themes are you most drawn to?

I’m drawn to the history of landmarks that connect to the working-class history of an area, the local people themselves, and the stories that can be told – as well as capturing the character of those individuals.

Are there particular photographers, films, music or other cultural stimuli that inspire your photography?

I find that music plays a big part in conveying the images I take, expressing a time or place that people can connect with. Nostalgia plays a big part in that too. I’d say the photographers who’ve inspired me and my work include Tish Murtha, Bill Stephenson, Tony Davis, John McDonald, Anne Worthington, Martin Parr and Rob Bremner.

Sheff clearly plays a big role in your work. What is it about the city that keeps you coming back with your camera?

It’s home. I’m a born-and-bred, passionate, council-born lass who loves to show off our people – our history – and what makes us who we are and what we enjoy.

Are there any spots in the city that you’re particularly drawn to or return to often?

I tend to venture all around. I wouldn’t say I have a particular spot as such – you can just catch someone on the off chance while walking about, or I’ll go off my own research and areas I know of, which can change each time.

You recently put out your first zine – congrats! Can you tell us a bit about that project and how it came together?

I decided a collection of work is always viewed best in zine form, as it’s a snapshot into what your

work is about. I wanted to select a good variation of relatable images – be it from places to people – all mixed into one. This is my first volume, so there’s plenty more in the works. It was a bit nerve-racking putting it out into the wild to see how it would be received, but it seems to have gone down really well.

What’s next for Proper Skint – any new themes, collaborations or ideas you’re excited to explore?

I’ve recently just finished at an exhibition with a collective called We Love What You’ve Done with the Place, headed by Kieran Flynn and previously Melville’s baby – so possibly something more with those in the future. I’m still finding my feet, but the thing about my photography is you never know what’ll come next. The spontaneity of it keeps everyone interested – so I’ll keep you all guessing.

What advice would you give to young photographers trying to find their voice, especially those from working-class backgrounds?

You are worth something. Just because you might speak or dress a certain way, it doesn’t mean there isn’t more out there for you. Don’t listen to those who look down on you. Do it if you find enjoyment in it – prove them wrong and do what feels right for you. Don’t feel like you should be confined just because of your class status. Find the right people, set out a plan of action and go for it.

@proper.skint

IT’S HOME. I’M A BORN-ANDBRED, PASSIONATE, COUNCILBORN LASS WHO LOVES TO SHOW OFF OUR PEOPLE – OUR HISTORY – AND WHAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ENJOY.

LITTLE WOMEN @ LYCEUM THEATRE

WORDS: KATIE FISHER PHOTO: NOBBY CLARK

A quiet, unaccompanied refrain from Battle Hymn of the Republic opens AnneMarie Casey’s stage adaptation of Little Women, the classic and much-loved novel by Louisa May Alcott. As the melody rises and the harmonies build towards the chorus of ‘Glory, hallelujah’, the cast of eight appear one by one onstage, their homely costumes and a creative set – slender tree trunks set behind Jo’s writing desk and Beth’s piano, doubling as indoors and out – transport us back to nineteenth-century America in the grip of Civil War. The singing fades into humming, and the scene opens on the cosy domesticity of the March sisters and their mother, Marmee, learning how to navigate life as they each discover their ambitions and venture into the wider world over the course of the play.

The bickering, boisterous, sisterly relationships between Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth are portrayed with charm and likeability from the off, beginning in pirate fights and culminating in marriages as we follow their journeys into womanhood. These familial bonds and each sister’s developing sense of self are the focus of the play, rather than the overtly Christian morality underpinning the novel – celebrating what it means to be the hero of your own story and stand

strong in the conviction of who you are.

The darker moments and themes of the story are lightened with a humorous touch, and there’s plenty of romance too – not only in the awakening of love for Meg, Jo, Laurie and Amy, but in the family carolling round the piano, the softly falling snow and birdsong that denote seasons changing and years passing, and the easy affection between the sisters and Marmee (played in this performance by Ellie Pawsey) in the home that anchors all the action of the story. Often, a strategically placed curtain or bookshelf is all the stage needs to evoke a ballroom or boarding house, moving the actors seamlessly through the events of the novel and keeping the audience tenderly wrapped in the world they’ve created.

As in the novel, Grace Molony’s feisty yet empathic Jo stood out as the most compelling character – though as an ensemble piece, this warm-hearted retelling of Little Women rests on the shoulders of each carefully cast member of the small but talented company and its crew. If you loved the book and the recent Greta Gerwig film, you’ll find AnneMarie Casey’s sweetly staged adaptation a nostalgic delight.

5/5

PICTURE YOU DEAD

LYCEUM // 3–7 JUNE // £15–£48

Hot on the heels of the latest instalment of the acclaimed ITV series Grace, Peter James adapts his iconic novel Picture You Dead for the stage at the Lyceum Theatre. The play follows DSI Grace in Brighton, who follows a cold case that leads him to the secretive world of fine art.

sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

SHOWSTOPPER: THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL

CRUCIBLE // 6–7 JUNE // £15–£29

From the West End to the Crucible, The Showstoppers bring their Olivier Awardwinning show to Sheffield. With fifteen years as a Fringe favourite, a hit BBC Radio 4 series, and a critically acclaimed West End run, their quick wit, dazzling improv and catchy show tunes all created in the moment are sure to impress.

sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

INVINCIBLES

LIBRARY THEATRE // 10–14 JUNE // £12

As the Lionesses gear up to defend their title this summer, Tudor Players present Invincibles – a new play by Amanda Whittington celebrating the spirit and struggles of women’s football. Shifting between 1917 and 2023, the story follows the undefeated Sterling Ladies of WWI and modern-day footballer Maya as their worlds intertwine.

tudorplayers.net

BLUEBELLE

CRUCIBLE // 11–12 JUNE // £15–£26

Weaving together plots and characters from ancient folktales and myth, Bluebelle is a spellbinding performance, created by one of the UK’s leading visual theatre companies, Theatre Re. It tells of a King and Queen who fell under a cruel enchantment. Desperate, they turned to the mysterious Bluebell Fairy, but magic always has its price. It explores the power of stories to shape our lives and futures, revealing our ability to care for those born after us.

sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

THE PSYCHE OF THE PORTRAIT

MILLENNIUM GALLERY // UNTIL OCT // FREE

New York-based artist Liliane Tomasko brings a bold new exhibition to Sheffield, responding to portraits from the city’s Visual Art collection with her own abstract style. The Psyche of the Portrait takes works by Auerbach, Bonnard, Van Dongen and Paolozzi as a springboard for a deeper exploration of the subconscious.

sheffieldmuseums.org.uk