Exposed Magazine February2026

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

GOLDEN YEARS

WARP FILMS ON AWARDS, AMBITION AND SHEFFIELD’S CREATIVE RISE

SHEFFIELD BEER WEEK // SHAFF // RUOK // BEANS ON TOAST // HARRIET ROSE // THE GREATEST ENDANGERED THING

available until 6.00pm, SUNDay TO FRIDAY

Treat yourself to a delicious cocktail or two!

CHOOSE FROM OVER 20 COCKTAILS TAGGED WITH THE 'CUBANA STAR' IN OUR DRINKS MENU FOR ONLY £7.00! PLUS...

>> House Spirit Double £7.00

>> Selected bottled beers £3.50 - Corona and Super Bock

>> Selected house wines £4.25 per glass or £18.50 per bottle. Choose from Pinot Grigio White, Pinot Grigio Rosé or Montepulciano Red

>> Prosecco - £22.50 per bottle

>> Sangria or Sangria Blanca £22.50 per jug

**DOWNSTAIRS BAR EXTENDED HAPPY OFFER**

We have extended all of the above Happy Drinks offers for a further two hours, until 8pm, Monday to Friday in the downstairs bar **only available in the downstairs bar

available until 6.00pm, SUNDay TO FRIDAY

Call in and chill out at the end of a hard day, unwind and soak up our relaxed Latino vibe whilst enjoying our ‘Happy Tapas’ deals. ANY 2 tapas dishes for £12.95 £5.00 off ANY Of our tapas set menus –– OR ––

Fantastic value when you dine early. APPLIES TO ALL TABLES SEATED AND ORDERING BEFORE OR AT 6PM.

Please note our Happy Drinks and Happy Tapas Offers are not available on Bank Holiday Sundays

FEB/

Improvers SOCIAL DANCING from 5pm FREE Swing Dance class from 8.30pm Live music from 9pm

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THURSDAY

THE BIG SWING IS AN EXCITING NIGHT OF UPBEAT JAZZ AND SWING EVERY THURSDAY @ CUBANA’S DOWNSTAIRS COCKTAIL BAR.

“ A raucous

mix of live music

and dancing that everyone can’t help getting involved in!”

CHARLIE LUDLAM

Learning the piano from the young age of 7 and working as a professional musician from the age of 15 with his father’s band, Charlie knows his eggs as they say. He is now a seasoned and popular young performer in great demand!

F.B.I

Curated and fronted by Sheffield guitarist royalty Shez Sheridan, FBI play jumping West Coast Jazz and Swing! They played some of the very first Big Swing events and we’re very lucky they’re still part of the family!

THURSDAY

THE DIZZY CLUB

Sheffield’s most loved, long standing swing band. Their music often crosses the genre divide simply because they are so interesting musically. Influences of Hot Club, 40’s swing, Blue note Soul and Sinatra often with Latin rhythms gives them an edge.

THURSDAY

LOUIS LOUIS LOUIS

Playing classic Swing, Jump-Jive, Ska and red-hot Rhythm & Blues, Louis Louis Louis are guaranteed to get your feet tapping and your legs flapping! Thumping slap bass, honking saxophone, raucous four-part vocal harmonies and a driving piano boogie. Playing the hits of Louis Prima, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Toots & The Maytals, Joe Turner, Louis Jordan and more!

LUXURY

16.

WARP SPEED

Four Golden Globes, eight Emmys and a knee’s up in Fagan’s to celebrate – we chat to Warp Films’ Mark Herbert and Niall Shamma about the success of Adolescence, Sheffield’s recent creative surge and why now’s the time to shout louder.

22. PEAK PERFORMANCE

As ShAFF celebrates 20 years, we speak to founder Matt Heason about the city's adventure credentials and how a low-budget weekender became a world-class festival.

30. SYNTH & SIP

Sheffield Beer Week returns with a fizz and a thump, pairing local brewing brilliance with the city’s iconic electronic music legacy. We speak to founder Jules Gray about this year’s ‘Synth City’ theme – plus tap takeovers, haunted pubs and Human League-inspired pints.

56. YORKSHIRE ROSE

Barnsley-born and Sheffield-forged, Harriet Rose brings her indieAmericana sound home next month. We chat gig graft, industry grit and why Yellow Arch will always hit different.

68. ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

From Tortola to California to decorating Sheffield’s streets, RUOK shares how graffiti, grime and getting sober played an influence in shaping his signature style.

GAFFERS

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FINANCE

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

GRAFTERS

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Marc Barker (Design Dogsbody)

Wright, Heather Paterson

STEEL CITY’S BEST BARS TEAMING UP WITH YOUR FAVOURITE BRANDS

SATURDAY 28TH FEB

12-4PM OR 6-10PM

THE STEAMWORKS

£25PP & INCLUDES 2 FREE COCKTAILS WITH ENTRY LIVE MUSIC • FOOD • BEER & WINE • 0% ABV OPTIONS

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THINGS YOU ONLY KNOW IF YOU'RE AN...

INDEPENDENT CINEMA PROGRAMMER

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PROGRAMMING IS ABOUT PEOPLE, NOT JUST FILMS

An independent film programme isn’t just built around the box office. We constantly work to balance popular tastes, curiosity for new experiences and accessible screenings that open cinema up to new audiences. And when we can, some personal favourites we’d love to see on the big screen! By working with others rather than in isolation, we deliver a programme that genuinely reflects our city.

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FILMMAKING CULTURE IS THRIVING IN SHEFFIELD

Warp Films are still scooping up major awards for the unforgettable series Adolescence, but at all levels of the industry there are passionate filmmakers creating work in South Yorkshire. We do our part by hosting DocFest, Celluloid Screams and FFS, all brilliant festivals which offer opportunities to screen short and feature length films, while the monthly Showroom Shorts just celebrated 14 years of giving amateur filmmakers their chance to be seen.

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YOU CAN’T PLEASE EVERYONE… AND THAT’S THE POINT

For 30 years Showroom has succeeded by trusting audiences to be curious, not just comfortable. With a broad programme, there are more chances to spark interest and always something worth watching. Besides, universal appeal can arrive from unexpected places. By betting on first time filmmakers and British film we landed our biggest hit of 2025, The Ballad of Wallis Island by firsttime writers Tom Basden and Tim Key.

WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING AHEAD

What makes programming a craft, and not just schedule filling, is always keeping in mind what audiences will value next. Cinema doesn’t stand still. The Letterboxd generation are rewriting the canon of ‘cult classics’ and underrated releases are finding their audiences. We work with the London Film Festival, to give Sheffield a chance to see tomorrow’s hits today. Curated seasons with Young Programmers’ provide new context to classic titles like Babymother and Ex Machina.

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THE BEST SCREENINGS SPARK CONVERSATION

Some stories can stick with you for life, but from chats in the Cafe Bar, to packed-out Q&As we love to give our audiences a chance to stay and engage with what they’ve seen. When the lights come up, we hope the film is a jumping off point for debate about what you’ve shared together.

Johnathan Ilott is the recently appointed Head of Programming at Showroom Cinema, Sheffield’s leading independent cinema for the last 30 years. From new releases to cult classics, see what’s screening at showroomcinema. org.uk

Peddler Market is back in 2026.

Feb 6-7 Mar 6-7

Apr 3-4 May 1-2

Jun 5-6

Jul 3-4

Dec 4-5

SNOW DAY.

The New Year brought a sharp drop in temperatures across the Steel City – and it wasn’t long before the first snowfall of 2026 arrived. This stunning view from the back of Park Hill was captured by @sheffbydrone.

SHEFFIELD COCKTAIL FESTIVAL

The Steamworks will be shaking, stirring and serving on Saturday 28 February as the Sheffield Cocktail Festival returns for its second year – and it’s shaping up to be even bigger than last year’s superb bash!

Following a sold-out debut in 2025, the one-day festival has doubled down on everything punters loved, splitting into two sessions (12–4pm and 6–10pm) to keep the vibes strong throughout. Whether you’re starting the party early or looking for a late-night celebration, there’s a session to suit. As founder Dani Hill puts it: “We can be the start of your night – or we can finish it for you.”

This year’s venue transformation promises a tour through the city’s thriving bar scene without leaving the building. The team have cleverly mapped out “Sheffield streets” inside the venue, with themed zones representing different nightlife hotspots – from Kelham Island and Abbeydale Road to Ecclesall Road and the city centre. “It’s designed so you can explore the city’s drinks scene all in one place,” says Dani. “We’ve even got Little Sheffield and Park Hill covered!”

Expect 25 bars under one roof – mostly independent –each showcasing a signature serve made with support from major drinks brands. Guests can also break it up with a few beers (hello Thornbridge and Guinness) and thoughtful nonalcoholic serves.

Tickets have been flying out, and the VIP allocation is already spoken for. However, standard ticket holders still get two cocktails included, with more available via token from £7.50 a pop. Foodwise, Cowboys Burgers and newcomers Pellizco are on hand to line your stomachs between sips.

New for 2026 is a healthy dose of live music. Festivalgoers can catch the ultimate crowd-pleasers, Dynamix, belting out everything from ABBA to Basement Jaxx, with local DJs Andy H and Clipboard also on deck to provide the perfect party atmosphere.

IT’S DESIGNED SO YOU CAN EXPLORE THE CITY’S DRINKS SCENE ALL IN ONE PLACE”

There’s more than bragging rights at stake for the bars involved, too. A panel of judges – including Exposed’s own Lizzy Capps – will award prizes ranging from Best Cocktail to Best Bartender Duo. There’s even a £150 prize up for grabs for the best dressed bar! Festivalgoers get to vote too, creating a healthy bit of competition and celebration –so be sure to keep an eye out if you're heading down. “It’s about championing the city’s bartenders and venues,” Dani explains. “We want people to discover somewhere new and then go visit them again in person.”

It’s this community spirit that runs through the whole event. From the nod to Sheffield’s neighbourhoods in the layout to showcasing talent from across the city, the festival is as much about celebrating local hospitality as it is about having a great night out. “Sheffield’s very spread out,” says Dani. “We’ve got so many amazing bars and bartenders doing cool stuff in different parts of the city. We just want to bring that together.”

Masterclasses are also on the menu for the curious drinkers. Highlights include a gin-tasting session with Locksley Distilling Co., where guests can mix their

own signature G&T using a base spirit and single botanical distillates – perfect for those who fancy playing mixologist for the day.

With early bird tickets flying out, the buzz is building and it’s shaping up to be another packed-out celebration. As Dani puts it: “Plenty of people have done Dry January or been in social hibernation, and the festival arrives the following payday weekend – it’s time to enjoy yourself. And this is the perfect way to do it.”

THE QUICK POUR

• What: Sheffield Cocktail Festival – Year Two

• When: Saturday 28 February

• Where: The Steamworks

• Why go: Signature serves, top bar takeovers, live music DJs, masterclasses and proper party vibes

• Good to know: Last year sold out – this one’s set to be even bigger

Tickets are £25 and include two cocktails. Get yours now at sheffieldcocktailfestival. co.uk. Follow @ sheffield_cocktail_ festival for the latest updates.

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Güs Wellness

Tucked inside a beautifully reworked Grade II-listed building on Cambridge Street, Güs Wellness is bringing something a little different to the city centre – a stripped-back, Nordic-inspired sanctuary offering saunas, cold plunges and guided rituals to help you fully switch off and feel the benefits. Co-founders Chris Jones and Rob Hemingway opened the doors in early January, and Exposed swung by to see what Güs Wellness is all about.

WORDS: JOSEPH FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: MARC BARKER

The three-floored space –part of the Heart of the City redevelopment – is designed for recovery, relaxation and connection. Think two custombuilt saunas, four ice baths, a cold plunge shower, premium changing facilities and a calm, minimalist café space serving shakes, teas and coffees. Towels and amenities are provided; all guests need is swimwear and an open mind.

Founders Chris and Rob met as university friends, bonded over a shared love of music and stayed close through years spent working in cities like London, New York, Paris and Berlin. However, it was during Chris’s time living in Copenhagen that the idea for Güs began to take shape.

“One of the big things in Copenhagen was they do this thing called Saunagus – a guided sauna experience. And it’s typically three rounds of 12 minutes, with music, aromatherapy, breath work, meditative aspects… It’s kind of a combination of all these things,” he explains. “I used to go all the time, absolutely loved it. That was a real lightbulb moment – seeing how popular saunas were in an urban setting.”

At the same time, Rob was reaching burnout after a decade in the city. “Chris pitched the idea of Saunagus as this quite raw product – outside, loud music – and I overlaid that with doing it in a funky, urban

building, like this one. We looked at a few places that were too small or too modern. Then we found this Frankenstein of a building – it’s been a diner, a nightclub, a Sunday school. We fell in love with it.”

The project was a race against time – they got the keys in September and opened in January – but the space now feels polished, peaceful and full of purpose. “We wanted to do something genuinely in the UK that hasn’t been done before,” says Rob. “Most saunas here are either super high-end in a purpose-built facility, or a horse box by a lake. We’re blending a beautiful old building with the idea of urban wellness.”

The core offering at Güs includes two types of sessions: Free Flow and Guided Sauna. The former is simple and unstructured. “You turn up, you have full use of both saunas and all cold plunges. We provide towels, you bring swimwear, and

you can just come and switch off,” Rob explains. Sessions are available in 45 or 90-minute blocks.

Guided Sauna, however, is where Güs really shines. “This is our passion project,” says Rob. “Three rounds of 10 to 15 minutes in the sauna, three rounds in the cold plunge. Fully guided, fully curated. It’s a combination of aroma, sound, heat, cold – it’s a multi-sensory journey.”

“Sound is such a powerful element,” Chris adds. “We create a theme around each session – it could be relaxation, or something more energising. Whether it’s about letting go or getting fired up, you’ll feel incredible afterwards.”

For those unsure about plunging into a ritual-style sauna session, Chris and Rob are quick to reassure. “Don’t worry, you’re in safe hands,” says Rob. “Whether you’re a novice or an expert, we’ll guide you through it. Our promise is you’ll leave feeling absolutely incredible.”

WE’VE GOT ONE OF THE BIGGEST, BEST SAUNAS IN THE UK – AND WE WANT SHEFFIELD TO BE PROUD OF THAT.”

“We know from personal experience the benefits it gives people,” Chris adds. “There’s research behind it too – reducing blood pressure and cortisol levels, boosting endorphins. In Finland, which is often ranked the happiest country in the world, there’s a sauna for every two people. There’s something in that.”

Rob mentions that the feedback so far has been hugely positive. “Saturday and Sunday

were pretty much sold out both weekends. People come in one way and leave with a smile on their face and the ‘Güs glow’.”

“We’ve had people say, ‘Do you mind if I just sit in the corner and read my book? I don’t want to leave,’” says Chris. “It’s this amazing feeling of being energised and relaxed at the same time.”

The café plays a key role in that atmosphere – not just a reception space, but a place people can drop in for a coffee, have a chat and maybe get curious about the experience.

“It’s an easy entry point,” Rob explains. “The café has already become a way for curious people to come in and get some information on the space.”

They’ve intentionally capped numbers to ensure every guest has space to breathe.

Membership options – offering four, eight or unlimited credits per month – keep the model accessible and communityfocused.

Chris points out that

community is at the heart of it all. “We always said we wanted to create a third space – if you’ve got home and work, what’s the third place you go? Historically, it’s been the pub. But there’s a shift happening – people are looking after themselves more. And we’re already talking to run clubs and fitness groups in Sheffield about how we can create bespoke events.”

Being part of the Heart of the City development has helped them find like-minded neighbours. “We get our pastries from Marmadukes. We’ve got locals’ discounts with other businesses. Everyone’s keen to support each other,” says Chris.

“It’s a brilliant part of the city.”

Rob sums it up: “We don’t just want to be ‘a sauna place in Sheffield’. We want to put our stamp on the UK sauna industry. We’ve got one of the biggest, best saunas in the UK – and we want Sheffield to be proud of that.”

Book in at guswellness.com Insta: @gus.wellness

Oscar’s is an independent neighbourhood bistro built on the belief that good food should be taken seriously without becoming self-important. Co-owned by two friends it brings together over a decade of French living and eating. With a Sheffield-born, approach to hospitality grounded in generosity, and doing things properly.

OSCAR’S BISTRO – UPCOMING EVENTS

Yorkshire Fondue Nights – 21st February

Relaxed, communal evenings built around rich, seasonal fondues and generous accompaniments.

Seasonal Supper Clubs

Intimate, one-off dinners exploring a single idea, ingredient, or region, with menus that evolve through the year rather than repeat on rotation.

Oscar’s Unplugged – 22nd February

Low-key acoustic nights featuring stripped-back live music paired with simple food and a deliberately small audience. One-Off Food-Led Evenings

Occasional specials centred on a particular dish, technique, or theme, announced as and when they make sense rather than to a fixed calendar.

Tenaya is a cosy, welcoming oasis on a winters day. Catch up with friends or chill with a book and a glass of delicious wine

Well worth the trip up to the top of the hill in Crookes to pick up a delicious bottle from our wide and interesting selection in the sho. And while you’re here... treat yourself to a drink and unwind.

PEOPLE MIGHT TAKE YOUR CALLS AND ANSWER EMAILS QUICKER, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THAT."

Pop into Fagans on an evening and there’s every chance you’ll spot something interesting. A who’s who of Sheffield music royalty can often be found frequenting the small backstreet boozer. Recently, major touring bands from Kneecap to The Hives have been seen plotting up in the snug. Stick around long enough on a Saturday session and you’ll almost certainly run into some local creative of note – a poet, podcaster, artist or producer. It’s not as much a pub as it is a cultural magnet for interesting folk doing interesting things.

But even the most seasoned regulars might’ve done a double take mid-January, nipping in for a swifty and clocking a shiny Golden Globe perched proudly between multiple pints of Guinness on one of the tables. That particular day, the Warp team were in town celebrating their haul of awards at the glitzy LA ceremony – a night that saw them rubbing shoulders with some of Hollywood’s finest.

“It’s weird,” says Warp Films founder Mark Herbert, reflecting on a surreal beginning to 2026. “It felt like the year had barely started and suddenly I was on my way to LA, and it was just a bit mad… some real pinch-yourself moments. The Emmys were amazing too.”

You can hear the pride in Mark’s typically down-toearth South Yorkshire delivery, but the reality of the past year’s success – four Golden Globes, eight Emmys and a global critical blow-up – had to sink in quickly. After raising a few well-earned glasses on Broad Lane, the team were already shifting gears, because, as Chief Operating Officer Niall Shamma explains, there’s now an unmissable opportunity to build on the momentum and strike while the iron is hot.

“With anything in the creative industries, it’s always about the next thing. You want to take advantage of the buzz and the profile, enjoy the awards ceremonies. People might take your calls and answer emails quicker, but you have to do something with that.”

“I could just fill the year going to festivals and awards ceremonies and talking about Adolescence,” adds Mark. “But the truth of the matter is, it’s all about what we follow it up with now. Luckily, we’ve got some great projects on the slate – and we’re getting a lot of interest. So, we’re on it. We’re really busy.”

Warp may now be seen differently because of one runaway hit, but a cursory glance and you’ll see that their track record runs deep: Dead Man’s Shoes, This Is England, Tyrannosaur, Four Lions, '71, and many more. 2025’s other TV release, Reunion, may have flown slightly under the radar due to the success of its peer, but it was roundly praised for its compelling writing, strong performances and innovative approach to sound design. “It’s not a flash in the pan,” says Niall. “People can look back at 20 years of work. What is really important is that we stay true to how we work, the stories we tell.”

Based out of offices at the city’s brutalist monolith Park Hill, Warp has always been a proudly Sheffield-rooted company. They’ve resisted the industry’s gravitational pull towards London and now sit within a growing cluster of nationally significant creative producers telling stories in the city. Persephonica, one of the UK’s biggest podcast production outfits, relocated to Leah’s Yard in 2024. Theatre exports Standing at the Sky’s Edge and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie recently enjoyed stints at the West End. Long-running fixtures such as DocFest, Tramlines and Off the Shelf continue to pack a weighty cultural punch.

“They’re all connected. You get ideas from documentaries, from podcasts, from musicians – and a network builds,” says Niall. “Someone said to me last week: Sheffield is having a moment. I’m not sure everyone believes that. But if you know, you know. The key is how we take things forward.”

Mark builds on that point: “Not everything we make is set in Sheffield – though it’s great when it is. What matters is that it’s produced from Sheffield. Whether it’s something set on the moon or written in Scandinavia,

it’s about having world-leading production companies based here. What we’ve got now are companies and creatives that can be world-leading. It used to be that top northern talent would end up working for companies in London, but that’s changing now.”

There’s still work to do, though, especially when it comes to funding and recognition. “Sheffield and South Yorkshire always have to fight for their share,” says Niall. “Whether it’s Arts Council funding or the government’s creative strategies. We’ve always been an underdog.”

It’s a characterisation often applied to the city – from its football clubs to its music scene – and a mindset that both admit can serve as a strength and a limitation.

“But I don’t think we shout about ourselves enough,”

he continues. “So maybe it’s now time we start being a bit more bullish and taking those risks.”

On the topic of taking risks, the one-shot format of Adolescence posed massive technical challenges – and meant that once the camera started rolling, the whole team had to be on their A-game all day, every day.

“If one person got something wrong – whether it was an actor, a runner, an extra or someone cueing an extra – the whole thing fell apart,” says Mark. “You had to start again. No edits to save you. No reshoots.”

Niall calls it “more like theatre than television.” When I mention the democratising element of an extra holding the same weight of responsibility in a scene as Stephen Graham, Mark lets out a short appreciative laugh. “Yes! That’s exactly it – and it’s great.”

It nods to a sense of shared ownership that is embedded into Warp’s culture. “We’ve got this thing we say internally,” says Niall: “Earn it. Share it. Enjoy it.”

For all their recent success, both seem just as excited about what the win can unlock for others. Social mobility in the film and TV world remains a huge barrier – and Warp are trying to lead by example, recently announcing a paid internship scheme designed to give people from South Yorkshire a route into the industry.

“We were determined to do a paid internship scheme,” says Niall. “Living wage. It's not for people who can afford to work for free – it's for people who really want to do it. The response has been great. We’re not going to be able to take everyone on, but we’re also giving pointers on how people might get into the industry.”

WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IS THAT WE STAY TRUE TO HOW WE WORK, THE STORIES WE TELL.”

Mark nods: “I’ve said this before – but I know that it can feel so alien, like you need to have a parent in the industry. I don’t have a rich parent; I was born in Doncaster and went to comp school. Hopefully some people look at us now and think, ‘Alright, maybe if he can do it, I can too.’ That’s the real result I want from this recent success.”

Moving back to upcoming releases, one of the most buzzed-about projects in South Yorkshire right now is their reboot of Threads, the harrowing Cold War-era drama first released in 1984 that’s become part of local folklore. I raise it hopefully, but Mark is quick to set expectations.

“We’re not filming it for at least two or three years. It’s not written yet. We have assembled an amazing creative team – can’t say who yet – and we’re heading into about a year of development and writing. We’ve got a vision for it, but it’ll take time.”

Plenty of other projects are brewing too, but remain under wraps. “We’ll be in production on a couple of exciting things later this year,” Niall confirms. “Announcements on those will come in due course.”

That patience is part of the long-game thinking required for an independent production company heading into its 25th year. “Before we shot Adolescence, we’d been working on it for two and a half years,” says Mark. “Some projects are four or five. That’s the scale we’re on.”

Since pathways and taking chances are something of a recurring theme in the conversation, I begin to round up the interview by asking for a direct message to young people in South Yorkshire dreaming of working in film or TV.

“There are organisations out there genuinely trying to

help people get into film and TV,” notes Niall. “Alongside internship schemes, there’s ScreenSkills, for example –they take a levy from productions and put it back into training. There are trainee pathways and great information about all the different jobs on a film or TV set, including roles people might not even know exist.”

“Get your foot in the door doing anything,” adds Mark. “Don’t wait for the perfect job. Don’t pigeonhole yourself. If you’ve got a chance to get on set, take it. There were over 200 people who worked on Adolescence, and every role matters. When I was first working with Film Four, the guy who directed the new Peaky Blinders film, Tom Harper, was the assistant to the boss and made teas for me and Shane [Meadows] when we went in. He’s now just directed one of the biggest films of the year.”

And above all?

“Use what you’ve got,” says Niall. “Almost everyone has a camera in their pocket these days, so you can start filming and post it online. Be creative. Make stuff. Don’t wait for permission.”

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

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

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

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

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

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Web: sculpt-studio.uk

WELCOME TO SCULPT WELLNESS STUDIO

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

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Insta: @sculptwellness.pilatesstudio

Facebook: Sculpt Wellness Studio

THINGS TO DO

What started as a niche weekender is now a fixture of the city’s cultural calendar. As ShAFF hits 20, we look back – and forward. Back in 2006, a small team with big ambitions took over two screens at the Showroom Cinema. Their aim? To bring the world’s best adventure films to Sheffield – a city already brimming with climbers, bikers, runners and storytellers. That weekend became the first Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. Twenty years on, ShAFF has grown into one of the UK’s leading festivals of its kind, pulling in filmmakers, athletes and outdoor lovers from all over the world.

ShAFF 2026 (20–22 March) celebrates two decades of mountain highs, muddy trails and creative grit with a weekend of screenings, talks, walks, workshops and exhibitions – all stitched into the fabric of The Outdoor City. With more than a hundred films, brand-new partnerships and hands-on events, this anniversary edition looks back at where it all started, and forward to what comes next.

We caught up with ShAFF founder Matt Heason to talk about two decades of change – in the city, in adventure filmmaking, and in the festival itself.

What did ShAFF 2006 look like? Did you think you’d be going stronger than ever 20 years on?

The first years were bittersweet. The films were great, people loved them and the venue was brilliant. But audiences were small, and it felt like I was bashing my head against the wall. Thankfully we received some grants from National Lottery and Screen Yorkshire, and we have been supported by a small but extremely enthusiastic community, without which I'm not sure the festival would've survived.

We started out renting films from already-established festivals, and it took us several years to build a reputation where filmmakers began to submit films to us. I have a record of every single film, going back to year one. And I can remember most of them.

How has the adventure scene, if we can call it that, changed in Sheffield since 2006?

That's an interesting question. Sheffield has always been the climbing Mecca in the UK because of our proximity to the Peak District. I guess what I’ve seen is more of an uptake in road cycling, mountain biking, bike packing and, since covid, wild swimming. On the other hand, we’ve lost the ski village which produced Team GB athletes.

There’s definitely an adventure filmmaking community in the city, and I’d say it’s still focused mainly towards climbing. But I expect over the next 5 to 10 years we’ll see more filmmakers specialising in the other sports locally.

Meanwhile, the council picked up on the fact that Sheffield is unusual and rebranded us ‘The Outdoor City’. They discovered that people in Sheffield were spending three times as much money on outdoor kit than the rest of the country. So they’ve taken more of an interest in recent years, and they now invest in events like ShAFF which has been very welcome.

What about the changes in adventure filmmaking?

Things have changed enormously. Film equipment has become cheaper and cheaper, to the point that shots that you’d previously need a helicopter for can now be captured by one person and a relatively Inexpensive drone.

We've had films submitted which were filmed and edited entirely with an iPhone. But it’s not just film making that changed, but film viewing. Pessimists assumed that people would simply stay at home and watch films on their phones. But we’ve always said that going to the cinema, and film festivals in particular, is also about community. Where would you rather watch someone ski down a mountain at sunset – on a huge screen with others, or on a cracked screen in your toilet.

Other than the films, what stands out in your ShAFF memories over the last 20 years?

About ten years ago, the Sheffield Half Marathon made it to international news because they’d forgotten to provide any water for the runners. Nobody realised until 5,000 people were on the start line. The organisers decided to cancel the event, but the runners at the front began running and the rest just followed! The course happened to go right past the Showroom, so we had a team of volunteers and visitors outside on the street giving water out. It was a great example of the community rallying around each other.

What’s next for ShAFF?

I'd really like to see it cement itself as a destination weekend for anybody who gives a monkey about partaking in a sustainable adventure community. But hopefully that doesn’t take two decades!

Check out this year’s programme at shaff.co.uk @sheffieldadventure

HORSE PLAY

Sheffield’s Biggest Lunar New Year Festival Returns in 2026 with a Peace Gardens takeover, city-wide events and a week of cultural celebration

Sheffield is set to welcome the Year of the Horse with its biggest Lunar Chinese New Year Festival yet – and you’re invited.

The main event? A free, two-day festival in the Peace Gardens on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February 2026, packed with world-class performers, lion and dragon dances, live music, street food, parades and familyfriendly fun in the heart of the city.

But it’s not just a weekend celebration – it’s a full cultural takeover. Events kick off on Monday 16 February with a light switch-on at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, followed by the Gala Spectacular at The Octagon on Wednesday 18 February – an electric ticketed evening of Chinese acrobatics, dance, martial arts and live performance,

with proceeds going to The Children’s Hospital Charity.

The week builds with cultural exhibitions at Meadowhall (15–20 February), a free night of live performance at The Oasis on Friday 20 February, and in-school workshops led by the Sheffield Confucius Institute – offering taster sessions in Mandarin, calligraphy, brush painting and traditional crafts.

The main festival weekend will see Sheffield city centre come alive, with highlights including:

• The world champion Acrobatic Lion Dance team from Foshan, China, performing at the top of Fargate

• A symbolic Eye-Dotting Ceremony outside Sheffield Town Hall on Sunday

• The show-stopping ‘Lion Meets the Dragon’ parade, with support from The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Safiya Saeed

• A rolling programme of local, national and international acts on the Peace Gardens stage hosted by Dom Ng and Liesl Soards

• Martial arts, cultural fashion shows, live instrumental sets and street food galore One standout moment will be the International Cultural Costume Show, choreographed by former supermodel Heather Stewart-Whyte, featuring Miss South Yorkshire 2025/26 Whitney Dsane and a welcome from Baroness Anette von Kohorn. Reimagined by Cultura Creative, the show champions diverse, inclusive representation on stage.

Now in its third year as a major public event, the festival is led by Cultural Inclusive CIC, with support from Sheffield BID, Sheffield City Council and title sponsor Chery, who’ll also be onsite during the weekend with family activities and a showcase of their Tiggo vehicle range.

Importantly, the festival reflects Sheffield’s multicultural identity, with representation from South Asian, African, Roma, Filipino communities and the Sheffield Kerala Association all sharing the stage.

Festival organiser Jerry Cheung says:

“This festival has always been about more than just performance. It’s about connection, learning from one another and celebrating what makes Sheffield so special. Last year’s response was incredible – this year, we’re taking it even further.”

The Sheffield Lunar Chinese New Year Festival is free, inclusive and open to all.

More info and Octagon Gala tickets: sheffieldlunarchinesenewyear.com @sheffieldlunarchinesenewyear

Neepsend Craft Beer Festival Returns for Round Two

Fresh off a sold-out debut, Neepsend Craft Beer Festival is back for its second round this February – and yes, it’s pouring straight into Peddler Warehouse once again.

Taking place Friday 27 and Saturday 28 February, NCBF 2026 promises two days of rare pours, first tastes and boundary-pushing brews from some of the UK’s most exciting craft breweries. Expect more than 100 beers across the site, with breweries pouring directly for punters – a proper chance to meet the makers, chat about hops and fermentation and maybe even learn what on earth a Brettanomyces is.

Backing the event this year is Triple Point, who’ll be taking over the main bar with their crowd-pleasing brews and a few new hop-forward numbers they’ve been quietly working on. It’s a fitting partnership – the brewery’s just a stone’s throw from the festival site, and their dedication to clean, fresh beers has won plenty of fans across the city and beyond.

The brewery line-up is once again a who's who of craft excellence. You’ve got big hitters like Vault City, Wylam, Elusive and Pomona Island lining up next to newer names like Lost Cause and Trig. Local hero Duality returns after bagging the inaugural People’s Cask Award in 2025 – and word is, they’re bringing something extra special this year.

Also returning is one of last year’s surprise hits: Hillsborough’s beloved

bottle shop and micropub Pangolin. This time they’re teaming up with Wilderness (Wales) and Balance (Manchester) to bring a wild beer and mixed fermentation showcase that leans into foraged ingredients, barrel ageing and farmhouse funk.

There’ll be a full local cask line-up too, with all cask beers in the running for 2026’s People’s Choice Award – judged by festival-goers, not panels. Everyone gets a voting card and a free third to get things rolling.

Not into beer? You’ll still be well looked after. Peddler’s Trailer Bar will be serving a cider-led takeover, with

plenty of GnTs for the gin-inclined, plus alcohol-free options from Athletic Brewing Co (US) and Heaps Normal (Australia) if you're laying off the booze but still want to get involved.

As always with a Peddler event, food and music are part of the package. Expect banging street food, a quality DJ line-up and a warm, warehouse party vibe where everyone can let their hair down. Every ticket includes a limitededition festival glass, programme and a welcome drink token.

Ben Smith, co-founder of both Peddler and NCBF, said of he upcoming event:

“Here’s the deal. Everyone’s bringing their best beer for you to drink, and we can’t wait to open the doors again. Last year had an unbeatable atmosphere –you’ve got direct pours from brewers, a buzzing crowd and loads of people discovering new favourites. It’s everything we love about beer in one place.”

His co-founder Jordan Roberts adds: “Bring your kids, bring your dogs – just come down and have a good time. Good company, good beer. That’s all you need.”

You heard the man. Don't hang about – last year sold out, and this one’s shaping up to be even bigger.

Tickets on sale now via Skiddle, or you can grab one now by scanning the QR code. Follow @ neepsendcraftbeerfest for updates.

IN A NUTSHELL

WHEN:

Fri 27 & Sat 28 Feb

Two sessions daily: Afternoon & Evening

WHERE:

Peddler Warehouse, 92 Burton Road, Neepsend, Sheffield

TICKETS:

On sale now via Skiddle (£12 + bf). Group ticket options available.

INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET:

• Limited edition NCBF glass

• Festival programme

• Welcome drink token

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Sheffield Beer

Week

2026 turns the taps up to eleven and celebrates a city built on steel, sound and seriously good brews

Sheffield Beer Week returns from Monday 9 to Sunday 15 March 2026, and for its 12th outing it’s plugging straight into one of the city’s most influential cultural exports: electronic music.

Under the banner Sheffield Synth City, this year’s theme celebrates the Steel City’s globally recognised sonic legacy – from early synth-pop and industrial experimentation to bleep-and-bass and beyond – and pairs it with Sheffield’s other great obsession: independentlybrewed beer.

First launched in 2015, Sheffield Beer Week has grown into a city-wide celebration of brewing, hospitality and collaboration. In 2026, it brings together breweries, pubs, bottle shops, artists, historians, musicians and beer lovers for a week of events that stretch across the city – from taprooms and micropubs to music venues and creative spaces.

Expect specially brewed ‘Synth City’ beers inspired by electronic genres, iconic Sheffield bands or even the flavour profiles of analogue synthesisers themselves. Breweries involved so far include Abbeydale, Tapped Brew Co, Triple Point, Kelham Island, Bradfield, Little Mesters, Emmanuales, Ticking Clock, Thornbridge, Duality, True North, Little Critters and Saint Mars of the Desert – with more still to be announced.

It’s an inventive crossover that feels uniquely Sheffield, nodding to pioneers like The Human League, Heaven 17, Cabaret Voltaire, Clock DVA and Warp Records, while showcasing a brewing scene that continues to push boundaries.

“Sheffield is a city of steel, beer and synthesisers,” says Jules Gray, founder of

Sheffield Beer Week and Hop Hideout. “‘Sheffield Synth City’ allows us to blend the creativity of our independent breweries with the ground-breaking spirit of our electronic music pioneers. It’s powerful to show how innovation thrives across the city’s creative industries.”

Across the week, Synth City beers will be pouring throughout Sheffield as part of tap takeovers, collaborations and one-off launches. Alongside that, there’ll be meetthe-brewer sessions, brewery tours, beer walking tours, food pairings and musicled tastings – all spread across the city’s hospitality venues.

South Yorkshire artist Lewis Ryan is also working on a visual map project, giving the week a strong visual identity rooted in place. Meanwhile, Abbeydale Brewery hits a major milestone in 2026, celebrating 30 years of brewing, with special events planned during the week.

International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day returns on Saturday 8 March, falling neatly within Beer Week once again. Look out for additional events around the city, including a Thornbridge beer launch at venues such as Hallamshire House, The Stag’s Head and The Greystones.

For those who like their beer with a

side of storytelling, local historian Dave Pickersgill, editor of CAMRA’s Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pubs, will host his muchloved beer and history walks. Adrian Finney of Strange Britain returns with his ever-popular haunted pub walking tour, while Pete Brown will be interviewed by music and culture writer Daniel Dylan Wray at Hop Hideout, exploring the crossover between beer and music.

Elsewhere, Tartarus Beers will be helping The Wonky Labrador celebrate its third birthday, Woodland Brewing hosts a meet-the-brewer at The Bear, and Belgian heavyweights Brewery Vanhonsebrouck (Kasteel) and Timmermans pop up at The Crow and Hop Hideout respectively.

There’s even space for hands-on creativity, with ceramic studio Earth Paper Fibre hosting a beer tankardmaking workshop in Leah’s Yard. And that’s before everything’s been announced.

SETTING THE TEMPO

The week kicks off early, with Indie Beer Feast running on 6–7 March. The festival brings together independent craft breweries, street food, rum, wine and cider, and champions the Everyone Welcome initiative.

This year’s feast will feature pop-up tastings and judging duties from British Guild of Beer Writers members Pete Brown, Rachel Auty (Women on Tap)

and Adrian Tierney-Jones, alongside tastings from participating breweries and Sheffield-based Brazilian journalist Livia Barreira.

Pouring breweries announced so far include Abbeydale, Thornbridge, Ashover, Cloudwater, Courier Brewing, Liquid Light, Ticking Clock, Yonder, Neptune, Tartarus, Siren and Attic, with artwork for 2026 designed by Sheffield illustrator Sanpo.

BUILT FOR BEER

Our fair city’s beer credentials are well earned. Recent studies show the city and wider South Yorkshire region is home to around 58 breweries, producing nearly 1,800 beers each year – more per head of population than anywhere else in the UK. At any one time, roughly 300 different real ales are available across the city’s pubs, reinforcing Sheffield’s longheld reputation as a world-class beer destination

Sheffield Beer Week 2026 taps directly into that culture – celebratory, collaborative and proudly independent. Sources: Welcome to Sheffield; Sheffield CAMRA, 2024–25.

Stay up to date with all announcements by following @SheffBeerWeek on socials (Facebook/Instagram) and checking sheffieldbeerweek.co.uk

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHAT: Sheffield Beer Week 2026 – Sheffield Synth City

WHEN: Monday 9 –Sunday 15 March 2026

WHERE: Multiple venues across Sheffield

INCLUDES:

• Brewery collaborations & special brews

• Tap takeovers & tastings

• Beer, music & food pairings

• Brewery tours & walking tours

• Indie Beer Feast (6–7 March)

KEEP UP: sheffieldbeerweek.co.uk

@SheffBeerWeek (Instagram / Facebook)

We chat to Sheffield Beer Week founder Jules Gray and some of the creative minds helping shape this year’s festival – from musically inspired brews to synth-pop glassware and bold new artwork.

JULES

GRAY SHEFFIELD BEER WEEK FOUNDER

Twelve years in – how has the city’s response changed over time?

It’s humbling every year it comes around, and that folks get excited and want to be involved, to be honest. I never take it for granted. It’s all the pubs, bars, beer shops, breweries, solo event organisers, visitors and more that have made it what it is over the years, and it continues to evolve organically. There will always be the fundamentals – the foundations, as it were –Beer & Food, Community and Heritage strands. Then each year something develops from what’s happening around or within the brewing and beer landscape. When I speak face to face with visitors, there’s always a sense of enjoyment and a good buzz. It really gives the city and its beer community a positive boost. Since Covid, and now with the real struggles in the industry – rising costs, business rates and so forth – it’s needed even more.

If this year’s theme had a soundtrack, what would be track one?

Such a hard question! There are so many great musicians and bands to choose from in the city.

As the ‘Sheffield Synth City’ map is taking inspiration from this particular album this year, I’d have to say The Human League’s ‘The Things That Dreams Are Made Of’, from the Dare album. It talks about the simple pleasures in life and touches on greater ambitions. But I just love the line from it: “Everybody needs love and adventure.”

What makes beer and electronic music such a good pairing?

For me, it’s about having fun. As someone who loves music and beer, it just seems like a natural pairing to try, as it’s two things I love together!

If you talk to writer Pete Brown, whose latest book is all about pairing beer and music, he goes really deep into research in this area – which is fascinating.

He’ll be talking about this at an event during Sheffield Beer Week too.

Electronic music is so complex, but for example, if you take dark industrial synth – that grittiness and heavy synth – you might look to pair it with a dark, robust and complex beer like a smoky dark ale, for an intensity hit to all the senses.

Got a personal highlight from the Beer Week line-up?

At this stage, it’s only just being announced so there’s still lots for me to hear about. I always look forward to the thrill and fun of Indie Beer Feast at Trafalgar Warehouse – that’s a big part of my organising.

But I’m really looking forward to hearing about and tasting all the breweries’ musically inspired beers this year. Abbeydale Brewery’s beer is called ‘Synth City’ and I’ve seen the artwork for that, which definitely takes inspiration from Sheffield’s classic synth-pop sound.

I know Saint Mars of the Desert are collaborating with a band, which I’ve got to keep as a surprise for now! Kelham Island Brewery, Triple Point and Tapped Brew Co are brewing together. Duality and Ticking Clock are working together. Little Mesters, Emmanuales and Shakespeares pub are creating a brew.

Sheffield Beer Week really is about supporting indies in the city and wider neighbourhoods, and local breweries – while also recognising we’re part of a global beer landscape.

That said, the various beer and history walks organised by Dave Pickersgill and Adrian Finney’s (Strange Britain) ‘Haunted Pub’ tour are incredibly insightful and enjoyable.

What’s your go-to local pint right now?

I’ve been rediscovering Sheffield classics recently, like Abbeydale’s ‘Daily Bread’ – a malt-forward, lower-strength, traditional copper-coloured bitter. It’s the perfect wintry pub tipple, especially on cask from a handpull, with a pork pie of course.

Abbeydale will have been brewing for 30 years in 2026, which is incredible going. That said, cans of this beer are great too and I’ve got some at home which I sometimes mix with lemonade to make a bitter shandy. Love a shandy!

SHINO JACKSON

DESIGNED VISUALS FOR THE INDIE BEER FEAST

What was your starting point when designing for Sheffield Beer Week?

My starting point came from an illustration I had previously created, which helped inform the decision to ask me to design the visuals for the Indie Beer Feast. That piece became the foundation for the project and naturally evolved in response to the theme of the brief. From there, I developed the design by layering in beer-specific elements such as hops and barley, allowing the final artwork to grow organically from that original idea.

How would you describe your style?

My illustration themes revolve around botanical gardens, plants, and flowers, painted with gouache, watercolour, ink, acrylic, soft pastels, and coloured pencils. Each piece is inspired by the vibrant colours and textures I encounter during my daily walks and visits to nature parks, where I find endless inspiration in the beauty of the natural world.

Got a favourite local brewery?

Tipple Points was an early introduction for me to Sheffield’s local breweries, and it’s still a favourite. I love visiting in the summer months when their outdoor space really comes into its own. For winter, Sheffield Tap’s brewery room has a lovely, cosy spot when the weather turns colder.

@hello.sanpo // sanpo.co.uk

LEWIS RYAN

ILLUSTRATOR BEHIND THE SYNTH CITY BRANDING

How did you first get involved with Sheffield Beer Week? What did you like about collaborating with this event – what makes it a good fit?

I first got involved with Sheffield Beer Week in 2018. I was doing a live art session at BrewDog on Devonshire Street (sadly now closed) as part of the festival's events. BrewDog used to run tap takeovers, and I regularly did live art sessions there – creating illustrations in the bar during the evening, drinking great beer and making art.

In 2018, the theme was Women in Beer. I created an illustration in my home studio before the event, then painted and coloured it at BrewDog over the course of an evening. It was mainly coloured with inks and watercolour and featured a silver-leaf foiled beer fermentor. The finished piece was auctioned off, with proceeds going to Sheffield Beer Week's chosen charity.

Because I'm a local beer artist, I've been involved in some way or another during Beer Week in various Sheffield pubs and bars since 2018. Last year I was asked to create the official Indie Beer Feast branding as artist-in-residence –designing the yearly artwork for t-shirts, glassware and posters.

What was the initial spark behind the Synth City design direction, and how did Sheffield's electronic and synth heritage feed into your visual approach? I was in Hop Hideout having a few drinks one evening late last year and was chatting to Jules. It was her idea to do a Synth City map, and she asked if I’d be interested in working on it. I loved the idea – although I didn’t know much about Sheffield’s synth music history at the time. I love all sorts of music, but I’m mainly a rocker, so I had to do some major research to get the creative ball rolling before starting work on the design.

And finally – if Synth City was a beer, what would it taste like?

I’d suggest a hoppy fruit bomb of a tropical IPA – big, punchy fruit notes from the hops with a bitter hop finish.

@lewylewylewy // lewy.co.uk

CAFFЀ TUCCI

EACH MONTH, EXPOSED TUCKS INTO SOME OF THE BEST SCRAN IN SHEFFIELD AND FINDS OUT WHAT MAKES IT SO GOOD. THIS TIME, WE’RE CHECKING OUT THE NEW MENU AT CAFFÈ TUCCI – SAME PASSION, FRESH NEAPOLITAN FLAVOURS AND THE KIND OF BIG-HEARTED HOSPITALITY THAT’S MADE THEIR ECCLESALL ROAD SPOT A FIRM LOCAL FAVOURITE.

There’s a comforting buzz to Caffè Tucci on Ecclesall Road. It’s a dreary January afternoon in Sheffield, and upstairs is busy – locals thawing out with bowls of steaming pasta and mugs of thick hot chocolate and pistachio lattes.

Downstairs, Stefano Capasso, one half of the fraternal duo behind the beloved Italian deli and café, is chatting animatedly about the new menu.

“Our food always has to move forward,” he says. “We

can’t stay still. I believe we’re always supposed to always shift to something better – or at least try to”.

Since opening their original spot on Surrey Street, the Capasso brothers have made a name for themselves bringing Neapolitan flavours and southern Italian hospitality to the Steel City. Their Ecclesall Road venue, opened in 2024, has given them room to grow –and the sights and smells of the new menu in action go some way to showing why Caffè Tucci has been voted Best Café at the Exposed Awards two years running. They’re eyeing a hattrick this year and, if the latest scran’s anything to go by, they could well join a select group of local legends who’ve pulled it off.

So, what's all the hype about? Their food is everything you’d hope from a place with roots in Naples: soulful, seasonal and made with real care. “We’ve just partnered with Forge Bakehouse for our bread,” says Stefano. “We’ve got new ciabatta, focaccia, sourdough –I'm Italian, so I love bread, and their stuff is incredible, so we’re keen to support local”.

Then there’s the pasta. Three kinds currently take centre stage: the traditional lasagne with bolognese and béchamel; delicate ravioli stuffed with ricotta; and gnocchi alla sorrentina – pillowy, rich and deeply comforting.

As for the panini, these are the pièce de résistance. One is actually named after a friend of the café, Adrian from Cubana, a nod to the community spirit Tucci thrives on. “We always name one after someone we know,” laughs Stefano. “It’s our

way of celebrating the people who’ve supported us”.

The new ‘Mamma Mia’ stands out. “It’s got deep fried chicken, scamorza – that’s smoked cheese – a touch of nduja, spicy honey and mixed leaf. People love it.” Another new creation, The Ciro, combines pumpkin cream, Parma ham, scamorza and pistachio crumbs – and tastes as good as it sounds.

Their evolving drinks menu is equally creative. Alongside signature coffees, there’s now thick Italian-style hot chocolate – a proper spoonsticker – and customisable chai and matcha blends across the board. “People love the coffee at Tucci, but I also believe we do the best hot chocolates in the city – perfect for dipping a fresh brioche in!”

But Stefano is keen to explain that Caffè Tucci’s real recipe for success isn’t just the food. It’s

the heart behind it.

“We chose to do this because it’s who we are. This didn’t happen by chance. Hospitality’s in our blood – we’ve always been around it and don’t take it for granted. I’ve been in Sheffield for 11 years now; we love it and want to give something back to the people.”

He talks about his hometown of Napoli with the same warmth. “The city is often misunderstood – it sometimes gets a bad reputation. Yes, it can be overwhelming at times, but Napoli is about heart, about reacting to life. That’s what we bring here. We want to educate people about what it’s really like – the flavours, the energy, the soul.”

Follow: @caffe_tucci_ sheffield

Pop in: 655 Ecclesall Rd (also at 49 Surrey St)

Come along and check out the new menu at Caffè Tucci – same passion, fresh Neapolitan flavours and the kind of big-hearted hospitality that comes through in every single mouthful

Come and see us at 49 Surrey street or 655 Ecclesall road Find us on Insta: caffe_tucci_sheffield Facebook: Caffè Tucci | Sheffield

COMING IN HOT

A fast-food chain that’s taking over TikTok and YouTube will open in the city centre this month.

Rapper Drake became a major investor in Dave’s Hot Chicken in 2021. Now, it’s trending online as influencers flock to try the hottest spice option –‘The Reaper’ – which requires a signed waiver to order.

Starting small, the chain began in 2017 as a pop-up run by three childhood friends in a Hollywood car park. Since then, the trio have come a long way, now boasting a string of celebrity investors including Samuel L. Jackson and Usher. With 200 locations worldwide, the company is currently valued at $1 billion.

With branches already in Manchester, Birmingham and London, Dave’s Hot Chicken is due to open in February. Replacing Ask Italian, it will be located on Cambridge Street near the Town Hall.

Staying true to its LA roots, the Sheffield branch will be decorated with bright red paint and flashy lights. Unsurprisingly, customers can expect a line-up of chicken dishes: burgers, wings, tenders and loaded fries, all served with plenty of spice – if you can handle it!

@daveshotchickenuk

A

AT THE CUTTING EDGE

This spring, an up-and-coming Italian restaurant is set to open in St Paul’s Square. Forbici – meaning “scissors” in Italian – is committed to the traditional Neapolitan way of cutting pizza, serving all pizzas quartered, with large scissors.

Since opening its first location in Manchester last year, Forbici has received praise from none other than Marco Pierre White, who declared it “the very best pizza I’ve ever had in my life”. Customers can expect an authentic Italian experience, with handmade dough made using flour from Molini Pizzuti, San Marzano tomatoes from Solania, and Fior di Latte mozzarella from Vico Equense.

No need to worry, though – although this is their second location, the chief executive of Individual Restaurants has promised a vibe tailored to Sheffield.

He said: “This will be something completely unique to the city, created with the same respect for Neapolitan tradition that defines the Forbici experience. The Sheffield opening will continue that philosophy, combining Neapolitan craft with scientific fermentation and precision to deliver the new era of pizza. Rather than replicating Manchester, the restaurant will be designed specifically for Sheffield and its food scene.”

@forbicirestaurants

TASTE OF SEOUL

With food for everyone and a unique offering, a new Korean-inspired restaurant has landed on Division Street.

OMOMO blends British and Korean cuisines to serve up signature dishes like fried chicken, army stew and kimchi pancakes.

Owner Lesley So described her vision for the restaurant:

“OMOMO is Korean slang for

oh my gosh, so we wanted the food to reflect that dynamic –when you have it, it’s like a bit of a pop of excitement.”

It’s their second location, following their Derby launch in 2024. Now, they’ve adapted and expanded the menu for Sheffield’s tastebuds, continuing to experiment with bold fusions of Korean and British flavours.

The menu built for sharing

and caters to all needs, with halal chicken, vegan substitutes and spice levels ranging from beginner to pro. The drinks are equally varied, with ice cream floats, bubble tea options and even a soju bomb challenge (drink it before it overflows!).

Intrigued? Head to 67 Division Street and give it a whirl.

@omomo.uk

The Wonky Labrador – your friendly, laid-back local on Oakbrook Road – has kicked off the new year with a splash of paint and a mission to make non-alcoholic beer feel like a proper choice, not an afterthought.

The mural’s the first thing punters clock when they walk in: bright, bold and rooted in the Peaks, it's a playful nod to Sheffield’s outdoorsy soul. Running parallel to the bar and winding upstairs to a cosy seating area, there’s even a miniature version of Mac McGrath – the pub’s owner – walking his labrador pup, Scout.

“We were looking for a theme we could run through the building –something that made even more inviting and comfortable,” Mac tells Exposed. “The artist, The Moody Violet [@ themoodyvioletdesign], absolutely nailed it. It’s got that connection to nature, green space, taking the dog for a walk and ending up at the pub – that whole Sheffield feel.”

The pub already draws a steady crowd of local dog walkers, beer lovers and people seeking a more toned-down refuge from the student-heavy buzz further down the hill. But what’s setting The Wonky apart lately is what isn’t in some of its pints.

Since opening, Mac’s been keen to build a non-alcoholic and low-ABV selection that goes way beyond the token Heineken 0.0. Now, three years in, it’s become one of the best spots in Sheffield for dry-ish drinking – and it’s not just a January thing.

“It’s definitely grown,” Mac says.

“Drinking habits are changing. It’s not about drinking high percentage beers as quickly as you can. Pubs are social spaces for everyone to enjoy a chat and a drink, regardless of ABV. You can still have the social side of things, but there are more options to pace yourself. It just elongates your visit and makes places like this feel even more community led.”

That shift in attitude was clear at their recent alcohol-free Meet the Brewer night with Bristol-based brewery Wiper & True. “Usually those events are £30 a head – this one was half that, and we sold out in a couple of days. The drinks were unreal and still full of flavour. It’s amazing what they can do now.”

You’ll regularly find beers at The Lab from Below Brew Co, who are entirely alcohol-free and based in Bath, alongside non or low-alcohol options from northern favourites like Track Brewing (Manchester), Abbeydale (Sheffield) and Tartarus (Leeds). Queer Brewing, a non-

profit brewery with a focus on inclusion, also features heavily on the shelves.

And this isn’t just about bottled and canned beer either – The Wonky has these options on draught, which is still relatively rare territory even in craftier circles.

Whereas in the fridges, the pub’s selection spans everything from German wheat beers like Rothaus Hefeweizen Alkoholfrei to elderflower cider from Thistly Cross, and you’ll often find member of staff Ruth behind the bar knocking up zero-proof cocktails on the fly. “They put together our cocktail list, and when we’re working on something new, it’s always: can this be done as a mocktail too?”

Favourites include a spicy margarita made with Blue Agave non-alc tequila and a no-booze version of a Dark & Stormy.

“Sometimes it’s just about knowing what you’ve got on the shelves and how it all works together. The best bit is when someone takes a sip and you just see their eyes light up. You know you’ve nailed it.”

Their community-first ethos also means there’s plenty going on outside the beer itself. There’s a new movie night series (free popcorn included) and a monthly games night covering everything from board games to Mario Kart (10% off the first drink).

They’re also planning another food pop-up with Nick from Pipers Artisan Sausages. “Our pop-ups with them are always great thanks to his unreal dishes, and we can’t wait to have them back. We’ve got something in the works.”

And for those still craving something heftier, don’t worry – The Wonky hasn’t shut the door on the big, bombastic beers. “We had a 9.4% dessert stout on over Christmas,” Mac grins. “It’s all about choice and ensuring everyone’s welcomed in and catered for. That’s the point of places like this.” @thewonkylabrador

Tucked just around the corner from Bakewell sits Lumiox – a calming, light-filled wellness clinic bringing some of the most talked-about treatments in modern recovery to the Peak District. Step inside and you’ll find a space that is warm, friendly, scienceled and shaped by one woman’s determination to reclaim her life.

Founder Holly Johnson spent years battling debilitating pain and exhaustion, moving from one medical dead-end to another. “I ended up bedridden. I couldn’t function or work. I got to the point where I couldn’t even do my job,” she tells Exposed, recalling the period before she was eventually diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia. Those diagnoses – frightening but finally giving shape to what she’d been experiencing – pushed her into researching therapies that might genuinely help.

Her search soon became a lifeline. “I discovered hyperbaric oxygen and started with that. Then I bought an infrared sauna bag… and a little red-light lamp. My symptoms began to ease a bit.” Crucially, Holly says she wasn’t drawn to anything mystical or faddish. “I’m not a woo-woo person – everything I bought was science-backed and professional grade.” Yet she couldn’t find a space that brought these treatments together in a private, welcoming environment. So she made the kind of decision that shifts the course of a life: “I quit my job, sold my house and thought: you only live once. I decided to make the space myself.”

Lumiox quietly opened at the start of January 2026 and, within three weeks, the momentum was already noticeable to Holly and the team. “Every single person who’s been has booked back in,” she says. They haven’t pushed any online marketing yet – Exposed is among the first to showcase it – but visitors are already coming from Sheffield, Barnsley, Mansfield and further afield.

The location itself helps. While a 30-minute drive from central Sheffield,

the feedback has been that the journey to the Peaks seems to ease the shoulders before people even step inside. “The drive out here seems to chill people out before they’ve even walked in – it’s the perfect backdrop for what we’re trying to achieve.”

What they discover is a calm, uncluttered wellbeing suite where each guest begins with a Lumiox welcome bag – slippers, an eye mask and electrolytes –before settling into their own private hour of infrared heat, red light therapy and a commercial-grade ice bath. “You get the whole room to yourself. We’re all trained in contrast therapy, so we can guide you through it, or leave you completely alone if that’s what you need,” Holly explains. “That’s the beauty of it – there’s always someone there if you want support, but you’re never obliged to have us hovering. The experience flows at each person’s pace: quiet recovery for some, a guided ritual for others.”

The mixture of people coming through the door has been one of the biggest surprises. “I’ve had people recovering

from serious illness, top athletes from both Sheffield football clubs, ages ranging from 21 to 84… the mix shows that it really does appeal to everyone.”

Much of the treatment offering is rooted in Holly’s own trial-and-error journey to find relief. Traditional saunas were too intense for her, so she turned to infrared. “I don’t cope well with Finnish saunas,” she says with a laugh, “so I chose infrared – still powerful, but a gentler heat that goes deep and helps with pain and recovery.” Red and near-infrared light therapy sit alongside it, supporting cell repair, energy levels and collagen production. “Everything here is because I’ve struggled with energy and pain issues myself.”

Another anchor treatment is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, now one of Lumiox’s most in-demand bookings. The chamber delivers oxygen at a higher concentration and pressure, allowing the body to absorb significantly more than usual. “You’re having five times the concentration you’d normally breathe,” Holly explains. “The NHS use it – they don’t openly offer it because it isn’t a cure, but it helps with recovery for so many things. People get energy back, they think clearer, the inflammation eases.” Many guests drift into a light sleep; others bring a book or simply enjoy the rare chance to be quiet and still.

The clinic’s pelvic-floor strengthening treatment, Better Pelvi, is also proving hugely popular. Delivering 12,000 muscle

contractions in under half an hour, it offers a non-invasive option for issues that can be life-limiting but are often quietly endured. “The only other real option for repairing the pelvic floor is surgery. This works the upper and lower layers, and the feedback has been incredible.” And it is far from a women-only treatment. “Some men always think it’s only for women – I had to tell my brother the other day!”

Alongside the core sessions, Lumiox hosts a small team of experienced practitioners whose work complements the recovery and wellness side of things. There’s Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy with Samantha, an accomplished cosmetic nurse; health and wellness coaching with Catherine, who works extensively with women navigating midlife and menopause; and sports massage, acupuncture and lymphatic drainage with Laura, whose tailored approach shapes each appointment rather than relying on a fixed menu.

Some people book online, others prefer to chat first, and many simply wander in out of curiosity. Holly encourages all of it. As she puts it: “Come and see us, or give us a call. Every single member of staff has a story – that’s why we do what we do.”

lumiox.co.uk / @lumioxuk

Lumiox

12b Deepdale Business Park, Bakewell DE45 1GT

LARGEST NETWORK

UK’s largest HBOT clinic network

WHO LUMIOX CAN HELP

LumiOx is for anyone ready to recover, repair, and perform at their best.

o Athletes and active individuals improving recovery and performance

o Professionals battling fatigue, stress, or burnout

o Those managing pain, inflammation, or injury

o Individuals recovering from illness or surgery

o Women navigating perimenopause or menopause

o Anyone seeking better sleep, focus, and energy LumiOx helps your body do what it’s built to do - heal, restore, and thrive.

WHAT WE OFFER

At LumiOx, we combine advanced wellness technology with a calm, restorative environment to help you recover and perform at your best.

o Red Light Therapy – boosts cellular repair and skin rejuvenation

o Infrared Sauna – reduces inflammation and promotes detoxification

o Ice Therapy – supports circulation and muscle recovery

o Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – enhances oxygen delivery for deep healing

o Better Pelvi – strengthens the pelvic floor and core stability

Each treatment is science-backed, designed to help you Recover • Repair • Relax.

Please either sign to indicate acceptance of the proof or clearly indicate amendments as required and return this sheet to us by fax on ...............................................by..............am/pm on .......................................If we do not recieve instructions to the contrary by this time, it will be assumed that the proof is acceptable as shown. If this proof is unclear, please contact .................................on ........................immediately, and a further proof will be sent.

Jay McAllister is the unmistakable voice behind folk favourite Beans on Toast, and the Essex-born artist jumped on the blower to discuss the band’s new album Kill Them with Kindness and the tour that’s bringing it to life. The record captures the beautiful chaos of everyday life, swinging between war headlines, dodgy pelican crossings and the simple joy of adopting a new cat

Kill them with Kindness’ suggests a mix of confrontation and compassion. Can you tell us a bit more about this?

Yeah, I mean that’s exactly it. We appreciate that the title is at war with itself. We’ve got songs about the horrific geopolitical situations that we currently find ourselves in, and then there’s a song about home life, me and my daughter, and my new cat. It’s also sort of how my everyday life does work – you take in the whole grand scheme of things and then you concentrate on the beauty of the everyday as well.

You touch on some pretty weighty topics – wars, AI, the fall of the establishment, but also mention songs about trees, late nights and your new cat. Was it important for you to include those gentler everyday moments?

The album is just things I have been thinking about throughout the year. I sort of find out what the album’s going to be when I look back at the songs that I’ve got. I wish the only thing that was going through in my mind was trees and sunshine and family life. The realities of the world do constantly enter my mind, and therefore enter my songs.

You describe the album as a “a time stamp” of your thoughts and feelings over the past year. Was there a particular event or moment that kickstarted the writing process?

Not really. I’m always writing these days because I do an album a year. It almost feels like the previous album dictates a little bit about what the next album is. The

previous album was all written on piano. It was just piano and vocals and it didn’t talk about current events or anything like that – it was a bit more whimsical and spiritual. After writing those songs, I realised I hadn’t actually written about what’s going on in the world.

This is your first album recorded with The Beans on Toast band. How did the studio experience compare to your previous solo recordings?

It was great. Each album I’ve done has always been with different musicians and producers. Normally I’d go in and start working with them there, but the Beans on Toast band have been my touring band for a couple of years. We’re the best of friends so it was a joyous experience. We spent a week in a rehearsal studio just getting the parts and doing the writing side of it. It was really easy, really relaxed,

we just set everything up and just played out the songs.

Previously, you’ve said ‘Pelican Crossing’ is about the absurdities of modern life and dodgy redesigns. What made you choose that particular issue as a focus?

That’s just been a bit of beef of mine. It seems like such a stupid thing to whinge about, but it was a simple thing. You press the button, you wait for the green man, everyone can see the green man. Then one day I was like, hang on, where’s the green man gone? Someone’s moved him to the side of the road at waist height and now it’s hidden behind another person. I remember thinking that’s a terrible redesign, that’ll never catch on. Then lo and behold, they started appearing around the country.

Are there any other songs you particularly enjoyed writing or do you have favourite song from the album?

The album closer, ‘Magicians and Outlaws’, which is about my favourite author, Tom Robbins. He’s an American writer who died a couple of years ago, and his collection of books inspired me more than any other art form. I got to play in what is famously his favourite bar, in Seattle a couple of years ago. It was weird because the show, as it says in the song, wasn’t particularly busy or exciting, for any other reason than I held this bar really, really sacred. We had a lock in with the owner and just had this amazing night; a night I’ll never forget.

You’re hitting the road with a full band in March 2026. What can fans expect from this run of shows?

We’ll be doing a bunch of songs from the new album, but we certainly won’t be limited to that. We’ll be doing reworkings of some old Beans on Toast favourites and I’ll be bringing out my new electric guitar for the first time, Arthur the Electric Retch.

You’ve been playing Sheffield for years now – any standout memories from past gigs? What’s your relationship with the city these days?

I’ve never been to Sidney & Matilda, but I’ve heard great things about it and it’s also day one of the tour. We’re going to be fresh, bright-eyed and bushy tailed and ready to roll. Historically, it’s just always been at the Leadmill, which has been a nice home for me over the years, but to be honest, I’m excited to see somewhere new. Beans on Toast plays Sidney & Matilda on 4 Mar. Tickets available now from beansontoastmusic.com. @beans.on.toast

Step On into a night of pure Madchester magic as the legendary Happy Mondays bring their era-defining sound to Sheffield.

24 THE ROSADOCS

FRI APR‘26

The

21 years after the ‘Mark and Lard Show’ ended on Radio 1, Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley return.

Sheffield’s own rising indie fivepiece The Rosadocs return home for a huge headline show at the Octagon as part of their first-ever UK headline tour. 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE

THE

Two tone legends - plus special guests Bad Manners and Rhoda Dakar (DJ set).

Folk supergroup Spell Songs with live painting by award-winning artist Jackie Morris. 25 CABARET VOLTAIRE SUN OCT‘26 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE FRI NOV‘26 6.30PM | OCTAGON CENTRE NISH KUMAR: ANGRY HUMOUR FROM A REALLY NICE GUY

Expect existential angst and political disquiet from the UK’s leading political comedian. 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE

GETTING TO KNOW

NEWBIES ON SHEFFIELD’S MUSIC SCENE…

THE FALSE FLAG

Right then. Who are The False Flag and why should we give a monkeys?

ND: We’re a new band from Sheffield, formerly known as Twin Suns – but this is a new line-up and a new sound. We’re trying to make great music that’s energising, honest and invasive. We live in a post-ironic world, and without being too saccharine, I want to bring authenticity and sincerity back into the fold – whilst still having fun and not taking ourselves too seriously. The music is very honest and raw, so it follows that the whole expression should be.

JJ: A collection of chunky bois with big dreams.

JDH: Big things coming soon.

GW: Escaped mental patients with a taste for ankles.

What do you guys sound like?

ND: Aggro-pop was a term Jake used to describe our sound, and I can see it. There are definitely some pop structures and instincts in the tunes, but they’re packaged in something much more textured and abrasive – in a way we find interesting. If there’s any genre-blending going on, we certainly don’t make a gimmick out of it. Our catalogue’s quite diverse too, but we’ve really tried to make the sound big. Big alternative rock is how I’d maybe put it.

JJ: Aggressive and melodic.

JDH: Wall of noise.

GW: Music.

If your band had a smell, what would it be?

ND: Dead and alive pints.

JJ: Guinness and broken guitar strings.

JDH: Pure sweat.

GW: The exact moment Berocca hits my guts.

Sorry, maybe that was a bit weird. But which Sheffield pub are you most likely to get barred from?

ND: I take drinking seriously enough that the only type of boozer I could

tolerate getting barred from is one full of people I don’t like. That puts any Wendy pub top of the list.

JJ: The Norton.

JDH: Wankers Shaft (Bankers Draft).

GW: Arundel Emporium.

Your upcoming gig at Arundel Emporium – what are your plans for that one?

ND: Winning over as many people as possible, really. Commit 100%, have faith in the work and treat it as a greeting. Ticket sales are good, and it’s a firstimpression opportunity for everyone in the room. I think we’ve got a really good balance of pushing for excellence and questioning ourselves, while backing our ability and having faith in our music. We really do all think it’s solid. By the time this is out, hopefully people will have seen us there – or heard of us through the grapevine. That’d be as good a sign as any that we did our job.

JJ: Smash it.

JDH: Smash it out the bag.

Complete this sentence: if you’re into … you’ll probably dig our stuff.

ND: The soundtrack to EA’s 1999

PlayStation 1 game Sled Storm.

JJ: Great music.

JDH: Noise.

GW: If you’re into hash browns and hash brown activities.

Finally, what does the rest of 2026 hold for the band?

ND: Three singles of some of our best work yet – and plenty of gigs. We’re constantly writing new material and a lot of the newest stuff feels like the best, so we’re on the cusp of an exciting phase. The good thing is we’ve got one or two tunes we really believe in that won’t be released this year – so the only way to hear them is to come and see us live.

JJ: World domination.

JDH: Plenty of gigs.

GW: Numerous [REDACTED].

The False Flag are Nathan Dunn (vocals), Jake Johnson (guitar), Josh Davidson-Hague (drums) and George Woodward (bass). They play the Arundel Emporium on 31 January – snag tickets from seetickets.com. Follow @thefalseflagband for fresh music and gigs.

the lilacs

£14.00, Doors 7:00pm

friday 13 feb 2026 cast ‘yeah yeah yeah’ stripped back album release show

£15.00, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 14 feb 2026 good neighbours

£14.00, Doors 7:00pm

friday 20 feb 2026 manchester calling

£20.00, Doors 6:30pm

friday 27 feb 2026

elvana

£29.50, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 28 feb 2026

calum bowie

£17.00, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 7 march 2026 the feeling

£35.00, Doors 7:30pm

friday 20 march 2026 the cribs

£30.00, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 21 march 2026

uk foo fighters

£20.00, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 14 feb 2026

jack carroll

£20.00, Doors 6:30pm

wednesday 11 march 2026

sam nicoresti

£16.50, Doors 6:30pm

saturday 14 march 2026

amy mason

£15.00, Doors 6:00pm

sunday 15 march 2026

mc hammersmith

£17.50, Doors 6:30pm

thursday 26 march 2026 takuya makamura

£17.0, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 28 march 2026 unknown mortal orchestra

£27.20, Doors 7:30pm

friday 10 april 2026

m60

£16.00, Doors 7:30pm

thursday 16 april 2026 idlewild

£32.50, Doors 7:30pm

friday 17 april 2026

seb lowe

£14.00, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 18 april 2026 the denabys

£10.00, Doors 7:30pm

wednesday 22 april 2026

skindred

£15.50, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 25 april 2026

one night in nashville

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

£17.50, Doors 7:30pm

wednesday 15 april2026

cally beaton

£20.00, Doors 6:30pm wednesday 15 april 2026

jessica fostekew

£17.00, Doors 7:00pm saturday 25 april 2026

the britpop hour with marc burrows

£18.00, Doors 6:30pm friday 25 SEPT 2026

CELYA AB

saturday 2 may 2026

the smiths ltd

£20.00, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 9 may 2026

fleetwood bac

£20.00, Doors 7:00pm

friday 15 MAY 2026

LIVEWIRE AC/DC SHOW

£20.00, Doors 7:00pm

THURSDAY 21 MAY 2026

la rumba x foundry present

NUBIYAN TWIST

£22.50, Doors 7:30pm

thursday 9 july 2026

nik kershaw

£32.50, Doors 7:30pm

friday 23 OCT 2026

THE UNDERTONES

£32.50, Doors 7:30pm

friday 30 OCT 2026

COLDPLACE

THE WORLD’S LEADING TRIBUTE TO COLDPLAY

£24.00, Doors 7:30pm

friday 13 NOV 2026

THE TUMBLING PADDIES

£25.00, Doors 7:30pm

saturday 21 NOV 2026 the smyths

MORGAN REES

£21.00, Doors 7:30pm

SATURDAY 7 NOV 2026

HANNAH EAST

£24.00, Doors 2:00PM / 7:00PM WEDNESDAY 11 NOV 2026

THE DARK ROOM

£20.00, Doors 6:30pm friday 20 NOV 2026

wednesday 18 march 2026

eric rushton

£13.00, Doors 7:00pm

friday 20 march 2026

alasdair beckett-king

£20.00, Doors 7:00pm

£19.00, Doors 7:00pm friday 2 OCT 2026

MICHAEL SPICER

£22.00, Doors 7:00pm

TUESDAY 20 OCT 2026

CHRISTOPHER HALL-PIZAZZ

£23.00, Doors 7:00pm

ginger johnson

£28.00, Doors 7:00pm wednesday 25 NOV 2026

mark simmons

£20.00, Doors 6:30pm

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

EACH MONTH, WE INVITE LOCAL ARTISTS TO GREENY’S REHEARSAL SPACE TO LAY DOWN A STRIPPED-BACK LIVE SESSION. ONE TAKE. NO DO-OVERS. THIS MONTH FEATURES BRITISH-AMERICAN INDIE FOLK DUO THE GREATEST ENDANGERED THING. WATCH THE FULL VID OVER ON THE EXPOSED INSTA (@EXPMAGSHEFF).

THE GREATEST ENDANGERED THING

For Samuel James Taylor and Rebecca Van Cleave, making music together has always been about more than output or momentum – it’s about connection. Married, multi-disciplinary creatives and long-time collaborators across several projects, the duo’s recent Red Light Session captures them in their most natural state.

As Rebecca puts it: “It’s just nice hanging out with your mate, making art together.”

The roots of the project and their partnership go back nearly a decade, when the pair were based in London playing in a band called Ophelia. Sam recalls: “We met in London when we were both doing lots and lots of gigs. As Ophelia, we ended up touring as the support for big established acts.”

But life, as it tends to, intervened. Ophelia slowed, the pandemic hit, and suddenly the space opened up for something new – something softer. Rebecca explains: “We really missed playing together. We felt quite sad that it hadn’t continued, but we knew that we had a different outlet and a different name to go with it.”

The name The Greatest Endangered Thing came from a poem by Nikita Gill, discovered during a lockdown spent in their new shared home of Sheffield, at a time when the world felt particularly bleak. “We were just trying to find a softness in everything,” says Rebecca, “and put something good back into the world again.”

The key line stuck: Kindness is the greatest endangered thing.

“It comes when the art comes,” adds Sam. “We’ve just decided to let that kindness be what it is.”

For the session itself, Greeny selected two tracks: one original and one cover. The duo performed If You Could Read My Mind, which Sam describes as “kind of like a dark duet… moody.” They were joined by a small but formidable local lineup, including Ed Cosens, Philippe Clegg, Lucy Revis, Joe Newman and Greeny himself on drums.

“It was just really warm… what a lovely band,” says Rebecca. “When you’re working with that calibre of musicians,” adds Sam, “it was just a really easy session.”

The cover was Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood’s Summer Wine, a leftfield choice that neither of them knew particularly well. “It’s not a song I was familiar with,” Sam admits. “We were like, this is an interesting choice.” But that unfamiliarity became part of the joy. “I love covering stuff,” says Rebecca. “Inspiration from things that you don’t normally think about.”

Between The Greatest Endangered Thing, Dead Like Harry, solo work, photography and acting (Rebecca has appeared in Game of Thrones and Star Wars), the pair juggle multiple creative identities, but the core remains the same. “We’re very similar, but we’re also very different in the way that we create,” Rebecca reflects. “We allow each other to be in our own lane with it.”

“If you value what people bring,” Sam adds, “then it can be a beautiful thing.”

Their shared creative language has evolved over years of collaboration. “I’ll come to Sam with something so random,” says Rebecca, “and he’ll just figure out the musical language.”

The duo are currently recording new material, alongside a DIY covers EP released over Christmas and an upcoming live show supporting St Catherine’s Child at The Greystones. “We’re trying to figure out what songs go into The Greatest Endangered Thing, what goes into Dead Like Harry, what goes into solo projects,” says Sam.

But after years of pushing forward, they’re learning to value the moment too. “Sometimes you’re constantly looking ahead,” says Rebecca, “you forget to be in the moment and realise how beautiful that moment was.”

Catch The Greatest Endangered Thing supporting St Catherine’s Child at The Greystones on 6 Feb. Socials: @ thegreatestendangeredthing

IT’S JUST NICE HANGING OUT WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND, MAKING ART TOGETHER

HOLD YOUR HORSES!

Wunderhorse are set to headline the Saturday night of Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield 2026, with the band’s only outdoor UK performance outside of London. It’s a major win for the city and cements the festival’s reputation for snagging the most in-demand names in British guitar music

Announced last month, the band will top the bill on Saturday 29 August, joining an already heavyweight trio of headliners that includes The Streets and Richard Ashcroft. Festival Director Ali O’Reilly called the booking “incredibly significant”, adding: “We tried really hard to get them over the line… our programming has always been about championing artists who are shaping the future of live music.”

Wunderhorse’s ascent has been anything but overnight. Fronted by Jacob Slater, they’ve carved a cult following through bruising live shows and two acclaimed albums – Cub and 2024’s Midas. The latter, recorded at the same Minnesota studio as Nirvana’s In Utero, won praise for its raw intensity and emotional depth, with Rolling Stone UK calling it “the arrival of a band that could become generational”.

Main support on the night comes from the ever-compelling Baxter Dury. Known for his spoken-word swagger and wry observations, Dury’s live sets are magnetic – blending wit, intimacy and a sort of louche charm that’s made him one of Britain’s most distinctive voices. His latest album, I Thought I Was Better Than You, landed in 2023 to widespread acclaim.

Also confirmed for the Saturday are Mercury Prize-winning Leeds band English Teacher and London’s chaotic, high-energy indie outfit Fat Dog, with more names still to come.

The festival itself returns to Don Valley Bowl from 28–30 August, with a mix of big-top stage energy and immersive circus performances woven throughout. Expect acrobats, fire shows and surprise pop-up theatre alongside the live music.

The full weekend line-up now includes The Streets performing A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full on Friday, Wunderhorse on Saturday and Richard Ashcroft closing the Sunday, joined by The Fratellis and Cast.

TL:DR?

Wunderhorse will headline Saturday at Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield 2026 – their only outdoor UK show outside London. They join a stacked line-up with The Streets, Richard Ashcroft, Baxter Dury, English Teacher and Fat Dog.

Ticket Information:

Presale: Wednesday 4 February

General Sale: Friday 6 February

Venue: Don Valley Bowl, Sheffield

Tickets & info: rocknrollcircus. co.uk

SOAKED

5 FEB // YELLOW ARCH // £10

Southend trio Soaked crash into Sheffield with gritty punk energy, anthemic indie hooks and raw rock spirit. Fronted by Brandon Frisby, they tackle disillusionment, class and selfimage with wit and urgency. Think The Jam meets Nirvana, via Essex. No rules, just riot. fatsoma.com

DONOVAN HAFFNER QUARTET

6 FEB // CROOKES SOCIAL CLUB // £18

Alto saxophonist Donovan Haffner brings his exceptional quartet to Crookes, blending youthful fire with compositional depth. A Tomorrow’s Warriors alum mentored by Moses Boyd and Binker Golding, Donovan’s star continues to rise. Expect groove, grace and future-facing jazz from a band with serious chops. ticketsource.co.uk

MUSIC CITY (AND GUESTS)

6 FEB // DELICIOUS CLAM // £13.45

Music City channel Ireland’s post-punk grit with a jangly, hook-packed debut Welcome to Music City. Led by Conor Lumsden, expect scrappy anthems like ‘Common Sense’ (ft. Sheer Mag’s Tina Halladay) and raw heart. For fans of Parquet Courts, Fontaines D.C. and guitar-driven honesty. skiddle.com

JAMES ARTHUR

13 FEB // UTILITA ARENA SHEFFIELD // £42.95

Returning with bold new album PISCES, James Arthur hits Sheffield as part of his UK arena tour. Emotional depth meets pop ambition on tracks like ‘Celebrate’ and ‘Karaoke’ – his most adventurous material yet. Big voice, bigger production, and a night for fans old and new.

ticketmaster.co.uk

GOOD NEIGHBOURS

14 FEB // FOUNDRY // £25.85

TikTok to Top 40, Good Neighbours made lightning strike with debut single ‘Home’ – a heartfelt indie-pop stomper now boasting 450m Spotify streams. Signed to Polydor, the duo’s mix of euphoria and earnestness recalls MGMT at their most tender. Expect a packed room and big feelings.

seetickets.com

HOMEWARD BOUND

Barnsley-born, now based in Newcastle, but well-versed in the Sheffield music scene, Harriet Rose brings her blend of indie-Americana home this March for a headline show at Yellow Arch Studios. Ahead of the gig, she chatted to Exposed about the highs, the hustle and the homecoming buzz.

It must feel good to be coming back to play Sheffield – what does a home crowd mean to you these days? I love coming home. The second I drive into Sheffield, I'm like, oh my God, I'm home. I’m like: Yorkshire, Hendo’s, yes –this is me. There are people watched me when I was very young and they’re still supporting me, or it’s just the fact that when I talk, people know what I’m on about. It’s unmatched. And Yellow Arch? I’ve played it for years – from open mic nights in the side room, to bigger gigs. The sound’s always mint and the team are great. I just get excited to play to a home crowd. It shows on stage – I’m buzzing for it.

You cut your teeth gigging in pubs around Barnsley before moving into the Sheffield scene. What was that like? Honestly, once you’ve played to two people in a Barnsley pub on bingo night – nothing phases you. I remember doing Birdwell Club, and there were two women in the corner going, “Can you turn her down?” I thought, yep – this is character building! But yeah, the Sheffield scene back then was class. Places like The Forum, Frog & Parrot, Green Room – it was buzzing. Everyone went out on Thursdays to see live music. I think that's dropped off now. There's less appreciation for grassroots gigs –maybe it’s attention spans, maybe it’s the cost of going out. But back then, it was the place to be.

What was the music that first shaped you?

It was a right mix, and I think you hear that in what I write. My dad played loads of Deacon Blue and Fairground Attraction – beautiful stuff. That was one side. Then it was Taylor Swift early on – and I wanted to be a punk singer, so Avril Lavigne and Paramore came

in. My brother was blasting Blink-182 and Green Day. It was a loud, emotional house, really.

Your sound now leans into a more indie-bluesy feel. How did you get there?

It’s always been truthful, heartfelt songwriting – that’s stayed the same since I was 13. But stylistically, I’ve moved about. Started off classic singersongwriter – acoustic, very Yorkshire. Then I went a bit country. There was some pressure from management, and I kind of leaned into it. I can do country, but it wasn’t quite me. Now it’s just authentic. I’d say indie-Americana fits best – think Jade Bird, a bit of blues, a bit of bite. It’s me, basically.

How has having a full band behind you changed your sound?

Massively. I’ve had a band for a while, but in the last couple of years I’ve got this solid crew – all dead talented, seasoned musicians who know what they’re doing. I’ll come in with a song, say “Can you make it sound a bit like this?”, and they bring it to life. It lets me step back, focus on the lyrics, perform more. It’s taken the pressure off. I’m lucky to have them.

How do you feel about the industry at the minute? It seems tougher than ever for younger artists to break through –with many grassroots venues closing and everyone fighting to cut through the online noise.

You’re not just a singer-songwriter anymore – you’re a content creator. Last year, a big manager told me, “Your songs don’t matter – you’re a brand. Crack TikTok and come back to me.” Then he sent me a list of young women he’d worked with who’d flaunted themselves and got signed. It’s grim. I don’t know many lads being told that. I know loads

of talented women who’ve been told they’re not “indie enough” or need to dress a certain way. There’s pressure to fit an image. And it’s so saturated now – it's hard to cut through if you’re not dancing on an app. It’s not really my thing.

And what’s the plan for you this year?

New music on the way?

Yes – not officially announced yet, but the big goal is getting more stuff out. There’s a whole backlog of songs, new ones that’ll be in the set on tour, and loads that haven’t been recorded yet. After the tour, I want to step back a bit and get those released. Hopefully by autumn there’ll be quite a bit dropping.

Any new sounds or ideas you’re itching to explore?

I’d like to try a bit more with synths – it’s all been very guitar-focused so far. It’d be good to step away from the guitar on stage, move a bit more, perform differently. Maybe it’ll go a bit more poppy – who knows?

Finally, some quick ones. A song you wish you’d written?

‘Vienna’ by Billy Joel – I love it. Or literally anything by RAYE. She’s amazing.

Dream collaboration?

Again, RAYE. I’d be terrified, but yeah. Or Keane. I grew up listening to Tom Chaplin’s voice – it’s stunning.

Favourite Sheffield venue?

It has to be The Leadmill. Ben and the team gave me a shot when I was way too young to be on that stage. I’ve had some of my best memories there. It's legendary.

Harriet Rose plays Yellow Arch Studios on Saturday 7 March. Tickets (£10+bf) available from fatsoma.com.

HONESTLY, ONCE YOU’VE PLAYED TO TWO PEOPLE IN A BARNSLEY PUB ON BINGO NIGHT –NOTHING PHASES YOU

Backstage Pass

JANUARY BLUES?

NEVER HEARD OF IT, MATE.

We’ve started 2026 off with an absolute smash. We’ve even had a bit of a facelift over the start of Jan and we’re going to keep throwing some paint around, making changes to give you the venue you deserve.

Elsewhere, Metal 2 The Masses has officially begun. The competition to perform at Bloodstock is hot this year –filled with the best up-and-coming metal bands in the city, with previous years' winners headlining the events. Support your local metal scene and have your vote this year to get one of Sheff’s finest to the New Blood stage.

Of course, it wouldn’t be true to ourselves if we didn’t bring you the best of emo. The Black Charade and Fell Out Boy return, playing the very best of these two iconic bands. And since we never want the party to end, we’ve thrown in an Emo Trinity as well. Who doesn’t want to listen to Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance all night long?

BTW, you lot must be psychic on Corp TV… Your 2026 predictions were slightly off the wall, but you said them all with such conviction – the cancellation of The Simpsons, Ariana and Cynthia moving in together and Bring Me playing at Corp (we’ll speak to the team… we promise nothing on that one).

Let’s catch up next month and see if any have come true, eh?

FROM FUZZY RIFFS TO COWBOY KICKS, EMO BINGO TO DOOM-LADEN DRONES – THERE’S SOMETHING

FOR EVERY VIBE THIS MONTH.

EMBER MARKET

TRAFALGAR WAREHOUSE

6 FEB // FREE

Ember is an immersive market designed specifically to help Sheffield's creatives network and connect. It will run from 6–10pm at Trafalgar Warehouse – expect an evening stacked with incredible creator stalls, food, drinks, live music, art, DJs, and the best cosy Friday vibes.

DIRTY COWBOY (18+)

CORP

7 FEB // EARLY BIRD – £2, FIRST WAVE – £5

Yeehaw Sheffield – Dirty Cowboy rides into Room Three on Sat 7 Feb for a full-blown country takeover, courtesy of DJ Taz. Expect boots, bangers and big singalongs as part of Dirty Deeds, Corp’s iconic three-room Saturday chaos. Entry from £5.

STYGIAN BOUGH

CORP

8 FEB // £20

Stygian Bough – the spectral collaboration between Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin – arrives to conjure unearthly doom this month. A decade in the making, this is magic, myth and music stitched into one entity.

MOTHER VULTURE

CORP

21 FEB // £12

Mother Vulture bring their feral, fuzz-drenched chaos. Think stoner punk, desert rock and metalcore in a blender – with Kerrang! calling them “the new kings of British rock.”

WSTR

CORP

27 FEB // £18

WSTR crash back into Sheffield for the first time since 2019 – catch them live and loud, backed by Bristol’s Downcast. Expect moshy pop-punk chaos, emotional bangers and maybe even a live collab.

PANIC! AT THE BINGO (18+)

TRAFALGAR WAREHOUSE

28 FEB // £10

Panic! At the Bingo crashes into Sheffield with three rounds of chaotic emo bingo, big prizes, stage challenges and those infamous Emo Balls. Fresh from packed Download shows, it’s the perfect night for birthdays, hen or stag dos or full-throttle singalongs.

Rainbow Minds (Every Wed) hosts a relaxed LGBTQ+ café at the Wellbeing Centre for anyone 18+ feeling isolated or lonely. Drop in for tea and conversation or join a game, quiz or craft activity. Past sessions have included film nights and pottery classes.

Diversity Fest Radio (Every Thu) is a live show spotlighting under-represented LGBTQ+ and global majority voices through music and spoken word –everything from reggae and Latin to jazz, rock and poetry.

Trans Safety Net Sheffield (Mon 2 Feb) returns to Gut Level with a transled harm-reduction meet-up offering advice on hormones, blood tests and community support.

The Over-50s LGBTQ+ Group (Thu 12 Feb) gathers at Weston Park Museum. It’s a dementia- and neurodivergentfriendly peer space for older queer and trans folk in Sheffield.

All of these are free, inclusive hangouts designed to help people feel supported and connected.

MIDWEEK MOMENTS & CREATIVE MEETS

In The Belly! Imbolc Celebrations (Sun 1 Feb) kicks off the month at Gut Level with ritual and performance marking the Celtic festival. Artists Thorn Wych, Dawn Terry and Slug Milk bring experimental sound and elemental themes in an immersive welcome to spring.

FLAW Open Decks & Social (Tue 3 Feb) is a chill night at Gut Level where DJs of all levels spin tunes while pals catch up over drinks.

Gut Pleasers’ Communal Meal (Wed 4 Feb), also at Gut Level, is a plant-based potluck feast (£5 or free for members). It’s a warm evening of sharing food and conversation.

For trivia lovers, Kweery Quizzy V2 (Fri 13 Feb) at Marmaduke’s Sorting Office is a queer-themed pub quiz with teams of up to six and a ‘hamper of dreams’ for the winners. Flying solo? No stress – the Kweer team will mix you in.

Folk Session (Thu 5 Feb) is a beginner-friendly jam at Gut Level led by Lucy and Rosie Huzzard. LGBTQ+-led, it’s open to all instruments and voices.

Drag King Workshop (Sat 7 & Sun 8 Feb) at Revolution Dance Studios is a beginner-friendly intensive run by Andro & Eve with Loose Willis, Harddeep Singh and Mark Anthony. You’ll find your drag persona, voice and style in a safe, accessible space. Ages 18+, snacks and breaks provided.

KWR Life Drawing V9 (Wed 25 Feb) returns to The Victoria – a laid-back life-drawing class with a model, paper provided and the pub open. Just bring pencils or paints.

Round out the month with Rainbow Gamers (Sun 22 Feb) at Treehouse Board Game Café – a chilled LGBTQ+ tabletop gaming social in an accessible space.

DANCE FLOORS & DRAG DELIGHTS

Ready to dance? Grapefruit (Thu 5 & 26 Feb) at the Foundry is a full-throttle queer night with rainbow decor, disco anthems and gender-neutral bathrooms.

Intervention (Fri 6 Feb) celebrates its 10th birthday at Gut Level with DJs Ifeoluwa and MYNA spinning everything from techno to jungle.

Armpit: a Sportswear Party (Fri 13 Feb) sees Leeds duo Fetisch! take over Gut Level with crusty techno and postpunk vibes. Expect jocks, trackies and queer rave energy in this kink-positive, 18+ night.

On Valentine’s weekend, Disco Divas’ Glitter Ball (Sat 14 Feb) lands at CADS

on Arley Street. Expect disco-pop, floorfillers and requests, with proceeds going to SAYiT and Steel City Sapphics.

Also that night, head to the Bagshawe Arms for Slags and Drags’ Valentine Bingo Night (Sat 14 Feb) – a camp, cheeky game night with prizes and £5 cards, whether you're loved-up or riding solo.

The month wraps with Trash Haus: Volume 3 – Drag of the Dead (Sat 28 Feb) at The Lughole. It’s a horror-themed alt-drag cabaret full of B-movie queens, queer gore and outrageous glamour.

LAUGHS, GIGS & QUEER HISTORY

Comedy Drag Bingo (Fri 13 Feb) at the OEC serves up drag, disco, games and a riot of laughs. Dinner at 7pm, bingo at 8.30.

Worms In Progress (Fri 6 Feb) at The Beaten Track is a queer-friendly open mic night for comics testing new material. It’s a supportive space with big laughs and low pressure.

Later in the month, What’s Next? (Wed 25 Feb) at Gut Level brings four guitar-led acts to the stage – Uncle

Junior, Charlemagne, Omertà and new Sheffield outfit Meridian – for a sweaty night of punk and noise-rock.

On the history front, SAYiT presents three top-notch events.

At Weston Park Museum, Annie Hindle: Drag King, Female Husband & Enigma (Tue 10 Feb) is a talk by SJ Cooper-Knock and Fiona Moorcroft exploring how queer stories are recorded – or erased – in archives.

Edward Carpenter (Wed 18 Feb) at Central Library sees Hallam academics Dr Sean Williams and Dr Alison Twells discuss the legendary gay socialist’s life, love and correspondence with poet Siegfried Sassoon.

Lastly, Queer Sheffield History Tour (Tue 24 Feb) offers a lunchtime talk at Weston Park Museum, covering old gay pubs, early Pride events and the city’s overlooked LGBTQ+ past. Bring a sandwich and learn something new. From wild parties to gentle catchups, February’s LGBTQ+ scene is full of creativity and community. That’s your lot for now – for the latest updates, check out facebook.com/ sheffieldlgbtevents

RAISING THE WOOF

Roaring to life in summer 2026, Pride of Yorkshire is the latest sculpture trail from Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity and will see 300 life-sized lion, lioness and cub sculptures hitting the streets of Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster.

Sheffield artist Liah Edwardes runs dog life drawing classes at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, so when she was asked to design a pair of sculptures for Pride of Yorkshire, she knew exactly where her design was headed.

What happens at a dog life drawing class at Sheffield Children’s?

I run workshops for children at the Becton Centre, a mental health service at Sheffield Children’s. The sessions give children a chance to switch off; they get comfort and calm from stroking and spending time with the dogs, and they also get space to relax and draw. It’s a win-win. The brilliant thing about dogs is that they don’t ask questions, and they definitely don’t judge. They’re amazing. For children who are in hospital for long stretches of time, the dogs can be a nice reminder of home too.

What do you love about the sessions? They say never work with children and animals, but children’s drawings are just the best! They’re so free. They don’t worry about doing it right and are happy to just be weird with it. In one class, I told the kids to draw a

long snout for a greyhound and one of the children drew it right across the page and back again… it was perfect! That’s the best bit, when they don’t overthink it.

Tell us about your Pride of Yorkshire design

My design uses bold, block colours and features the faces of 10 therapy dogs I’ve worked with. It was important to me that anyone walking by the sculptures understands what they’re seeing, and I can’t wait to see lots of families walking past and shouting: “Look! Dogs!!”

I’ve been sketching the therapy dogs for a couple of years now through my classes and have really grown to love them. They’re incredibly calm, really well

trained and great with people. Choosing a favourite is difficult, but Nellie comes close, and she’s made it onto the lions. She’s an Old English Sheepdog and was the first therapy dog I ever drew. We were in this tiny room, and she just climbed up and posed on the table for me.

And it’s the Pride of Yorkshire. What makes you proud to be from here?

I grew up in Walkley, and when I’m not drawing, I’m usually out in the Peaks. You get a bit smug when you meet your friends in different cities and you know you’re only ten minutes from beautiful green space. So I’m definitely proud of that. It’s funny, all the friends who leave Sheffield come crawling back eventually!

You can see more of Liah’s work at @liah.edwardes

For more information about Pride of Yorkshire, visit prideofyorkshire.org and follow them on socials at Pride of Yorkshire.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD @LYCEUM THEATRE

WhenI studied To Kill a Mockingbird at GCSE, over 16 years ago now, we were taught to view Atticus Finch as the epitome of flawless courage and morality. Gregory Peck’s portrayal in the award-winning 1962 film only cemented this idea: the noble lawyer as a lone crusader against racial injustice, whose emotional experience takes centre stage and arguably carries more than a few hallmarks of the archetypal white saviour.

However, this production – written by Oscar-winner Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) and directed by Bartlett Sher – introduces a slight but significant pivot. Atticus is shown as fallible, with his actions examined through a more modern lens. It suggests that while personal morality is important, in such fractured times, is that enough – or must we also call out the failings of others? Played with stoic grace and impressive stage presence by Richard Coyle, the protagonist is no longer untouchable. There are chinks in the armour of the famed literary hero, moments suggesting that his insistence on meeting hatred with courtesy feels, at best, naïve – and at worst, complacent.

Andrea Davy’s Calpurnia offers a powerful challenge to Atticus’ reluctance to fully condemn – and, at times, his desire to explain away – the evil behaviour of those in his community, often citing their pasts and personal histories. A particularly striking moment comes when the lawyer is confronted for suggesting that she – and, by extension,

the wider black community – should be grateful for his defence of the clearly innocent Tom Robinson.

Anna Munden as Scout strikes the right balance of fizzing energy and wideeyed curiosity, and it’s quietly affecting to watch her childlike innocence slip as she begins to realise how cruel the world – and its inhabitants – can be. I particularly enjoyed Gabriel Scott’s turn as Jem, whose fiery teenage instinct to meet aggression head-on is a stark contrast to his father’s more guarded efforts to understand rather than confront. Dylan Malyn’s performance as Dill delivers much of the evening’s humour – until it doesn’t, and his heartbreak becomes ours.

The warmth and chemistry between the trio breathe life into the quieter scenes, giving us moments of light before the storm. Their youthful moral

clarity – an instinctive sense of what’s right – throws the failings of the adult world into sharper relief. It’s incredibly sobering to recognise echoes of Bob Ewell’s diatribes from the darker corners of your social media feed.

At a time when instances of racial injustice regularly go viral on our smartphones – a world where people of colour are abducted and murdered in cold blood on the streets of Minneapolis, and where racist rhetoric is not only unchallenged but actively weaponised by those in power – this production feels less like a period piece and more like a call to action. The decision to end on the words 'all rise' serves as a direct appeal to our collective conscience, making this one of the most powerful and essential productions you’re likely to see this year.

5/5 JF

RUOK

could just ask that question, maybe one person would pause for a split second and check in with themselves.

It’s my attempt to shine a small light in the dark. Now that I’m sober and healthy, I hope the story of RUOK? keeps evolving.

street art

The Sheffield artist on graffiti roots, Californian beginnings and finding his voice through

What first drew you to illustration and street art, and how did you start creating the work you’re showing on your site?

I was drawn to graffiti first. I grew up on a tiny island called Tortola, where there was absolutely no graffiti – except for one older kid who used to draw it. I remember watching him sketch his name, Jack, in the shape of a shark. From that moment, I knew that was what I wanted to do.

I made a lot of teachers mad by doodling on absolutely everything, but drawing actually helped me focus – when I was drawing, I listened more intently in class.

I was properly exposed to street art and graffiti when I moved to Berkeley, California, as a young teenager, and from then on it was just what I did. I wasn’t great at school and I loved drawing more than sports because it was my own world.

Me and my friends would skate, rap and do graffiti – I realised pretty quickly I wasn’t great at rapping or skating, so I stuck with the art.

I moved to Sheffield 11 years ago and went from doodling in notebooks to painting walls. Some of my friends stopped over time, but I kept going. Once I realised people could actually make a living from this, I went on to study illustration at UWE in Bristol.

Is there a story behind your artist name “RUOK” and what it means to you?

It’s simply the question: “Are you okay?” I love typography and the letters just sort of fell out of my brain.

I started RUOK during a time when I was really struggling with my mental health and battling addiction. I knew I could paint and draw, but I felt like I was missing my voice – what I actually wanted to say as an artist. I thought if I

Who were your earliest artistic influences and how have they shaped your current style?

Going way back, books like Calvin and Hobbes, Tintin and Dr Seuss had a big impact on me. Growing up glued to Cartoon Network definitely infiltrated my style too

As a teenager I was heavily influenced by hip-hop – Odd Future, Pro Era, MF DOOM – mixed with skate graphics, comics, graffiti and a deep sense of rebellion. Those are my roots

My earliest street art influences came from the Bay Area. Riding the metro and seeing work by artists like GATS, Twist, Broke, Pemex and Optimist was huge. When I moved to Sheffield, I gravitated towards artists like Phlegm, Kid Acne, BOK Crew, Eugene Booms and Rocket01. What inspired me most was that they were pushing work they wanted to see –and as a teenager, that was the permission I needed to do the same.

Has your practice changed over time?

If so, how?

Absolutely – and I hope it always keeps changing. I used to think I needed structure and predictability, but now I lean into intuition. If I force a piece or over-control a commission, it becomes stagnant. I’ve learned to leave room for play, because that’s where the magic happens.

I used to believe every line had to be perfect and every proportion correct. Now I’ve realised I can create far more emotional depth through loose, carefree mark-making. Not overthinking gives me more satisfying – and usually more interesting – work.

Do you have a favourite medium or surface to work on?

I love the intimacy of drawing in sketchbooks, but it will always be walls. I’m drawn to texture, decay and imperfections – the grimier the wall, the better. Street art belongs in the noise of the city.

Murals connect me to my body, the weather, pigeons, passers-by and the place I’m painting in. That interaction is a huge part of the work.

How do you choose the subjects or themes that you illustrate? They come naturally. I rarely plan a drawing – it usually starts with abstract marks and I let my imagination take over. The characters, letters and recurring motifs are responses to my emotions, dreams and everyday experiences.

Certain things appear again and again, and I’m constantly finding new meanings in them. I like leaving space for other people to bring their own interpretations too.

How do you balance the spontaneous energy of street art with the control of fine illustration?

It really depends on the environment and how I’m feeling. I have conversations with the wall or the drawing – it tells me what it needs. Sometimes it wants to be quiet, sometimes it needs to shout. I’m still figuring out that balance every time I make something.

How does your mural work inform the smaller illustration pieces, and vice versa?

I think of murals like an album, or a full song. Smaller illustrations are more like experimental sounds, riffs or loose lines. Over time I build up a catalogue of ideas, and when it’s time to paint a wall, I can pull from that archive.

Sometimes a silly doodle I made years ago suddenly becomes the solution to a problem I’m having on a mural.

Do you have any dream spaces or cities where you’d love to create a large-scale mural?

Sheffield first. I feel like I’m only just getting started here and the city means a lot to me.

I recently travelled to Iceland and got the chance to paint there, which made me want to see more of the world. I’ve always said that if I ever get to paint a mural in Japan, it’ll feel like my art has taken me to the other side of the world – which would be pretty special.

What’s next for your work in 2026?

I’ve got a couple of big projects happening behind the scenes, and I’d love to paint more large-scale murals around Sheffield. I’m excited to find new ways to express narratives through animation, sculptural work and whatever else my ADHD brain can think of! I also recently moved to a new studio, which will give me space to make more focused paintings and illustration work alongside the street art.

@ruokmyluv // ruokmyluv.com