ANDY NICHOLSON ON A NEW PROJECT CAPTURING ARCTIC MONKEYS' BREAKTHROUGH YEARS
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Two decades on from Arctic Monkeys’ explosive debut, former bassist Andy Nicholson digs into a forgotten photo archive for a new book and exhibition. He sat down with Exposed to discuss his lifechanging time with the band during 05-07 and how he found closure in the process.
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From loft jams at his nans to riding the NME mid-noughties wave, Milburn and Dead Sons drummer Joe Green looks back on his journey through Sheff’s music scene – and forward to building a new one, fuelled by community and collaboration on the Red Light Sessions.
Thornbridge’s latest venture has landed – and it’s a beauty. Housed in a former bank, The Fargate brings drinks, fresh pizza and bags of charm to the city centre. We popped in for a pint (or three) on launch night.
42.
Afrofunk pioneers Ibibio Sound Machine return with a new album, a tighter sound and a mission to get the Foundry bouncing. Frontwoman Eno Williams chats rhythm, unity and why we should all be dancing together right now.
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Artist Andy Cropper shines a light on the city’s shadowy side, painting the overlooked corners and eerie calm of Sheffield after dark.
Phil Turner (MD) phil@exposedmagazine.co.uk
Nick Hallam (Sales Director) nick@exposedmagazine.co.uk
Lis Ellis (Accounts) accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk
Joe Food (Editor) joe@exposedmagazine.co.uk
Ash Birch (Online Editor) ash@exposedmagazine.co.uk
Lizzy Capps (Content Creator) lizzy@exposedmagazine.co.uk
Marc Barker (Design Dogsbody) GI’
Deakin, Max Hayward, Lowri Rennick
Last month, Cabaret Voltaire turned 50 in style with a special performance at Forge Warehouse for Sensoria Festival. Original members Stephen Mallinder and Chris Watson reunited on stage in front of a sold-out home crowd, diving deep into the band’s clattering, cut-up roots. From tape loops to thundering bass, it was a true masterclass in their sonic legacy.
I grew up in Ecclesfield, the north of Sheffield, and I’ve pretty much lived around here all my life. My dad played guitar and was in bands, so music was always in the background. I remember watching him sound-check at the Ball in Ecclesfield, being surrounded by speakers and noise. I found it all a bit mesmerising. He wanted me to learn guitar too, but I’ve got short, stubby fingers and no patience, so it never really worked out. I always had a lot of energy – probably undiagnosed ADHD or something like that – and drums just made sense. I liked hitting things. It was a proper outlet for me, a way to get stuff out of my system. I was definitely one of those kids who couldn’t sit still, never happy being stuck in a classroom.
Growing up, I was more into football than music. I played for Ecclesfield Red Rose, and that’s where the members of what would become Milburn first met – me, Tom, Louis and Joe. I went to Ecclesfield Secondary with Tom, while Louis and Joe went to Notre Dame, but we were in all in touch through football, and the idea of playing music together was floated at some point. Funnily enough,I went from playing football with Billy Sharp at secondary to a practise room with Alex Turner and Matt Helders at college. Only in Sheffield, eh?
My first kit was a black Olympic that me and my dad found in the Ad-Mag. I’d saved up about £200 from cutting grass and washing cars, so we went over to pick it up from somewhere near Nether Edge. We set it up in my nan’s loft in Ecclesfield. She had a house with loads of space, no neighbours nearby, so we could make as much noise as we wanted.
“THE RED LIGHT SESSIONS CAME OUT OF A SIMPLE IDEA: TRYING TO CAPTURE THOSE MAGIC MOMENTS THAT HAPPEN IN A REHEARSAL ROOM WHEN EVERYTHING JUST CONNECTS.”
That’s where it all started, really – me, Tom and Louis practising up there. Joe got roped in later as the bass player and singer. He was the younger brother who didn’t really have a choice.
I was about 13 or 14 then, still at school. We started going into town to play gigs at places like the Boardwalk and the Grapes. Because we were all underage, we had to hire venues ourselves and sell tickets to our mates. It was proper DIY. We weren’t thinking about record deals or fame – it was just something to do after school.
When we got to college, that’s when it started feeling like something more. Around that time bands like the Strokes were breaking through, and their sound felt really accessible. You could learn a song in a practice session, and it gave you confidence to try writing your own. I was at Barnsley College doing music, media and computing, but all our spare time went into the band. We were full of energy, increasingly convinced that if we just kept pushing, something would happen.
We started recording at 2Fly Studios with Alan Smyth. Arctic Monkeys were around then too – Geoff Baradale, their manager, actually first saw them at one of our gigs. The scene in Sheffield was buzzing. It felt like everyone was in a band or starting one. We got signed to Mercury Records when I was 18. We could’ve signed earlier, but Joe had to finish his A-levels. It’s crazy looking back and realising how young we were.
Some of the songs that ended up on Well Well Well, our first album, were ones we’d written back in my nan’s loft when we were 14. ‘Cheshire Cat Smile’ stands out as one of those early ones – it
still has that teenage innocence about it, a bit rough around the edges but full of life.
We toured loads after that and had some incredible moments. Japan was wild – we went over with The Rifles first, then went back on our own. We even played Fuji Rock. The crowds were amazing. You’d finish a song and they’d all clap for five seconds, then go completely silent. You could hear a pin drop. It wasn’t like gigs back home where we were watching lads getting chucked up in the air – far more polite.
It was a mad time. The Monkeys were flying, and we were caught up in that whole wave of noughties NME bands. I won’t lie, it was tricky sometimes being in their shadow, trying to carve out our own thing. Our second album, These Are the Facts, came with a bit of pressure. We recorded it down in Cornwall at a studio called Sawmills – you had to get there by boat. It was amazing, proper middle of nowhere place. Alan came down to produce it with us, and that gave it some of that 2Fly sound we loved.
But after a while, we started pulling in different directions. Tom and I were getting into heavier stuff, and that later turned into Backhanded Compliments and then Dead Sons. It wasn’t a big fallout or anything, just time for a break. The way it was announced made it sound more final than it really was. It felt like unfinished business, which is why the comeback years later meant so much.
After Milburn, I did a bit of everything. Bar work at the Washy, some session drumming for Reverend and the Makers, Tom Grennan, She Drew the Gun and Bill Ryder-Jones. I didn’t want a “proper” job – I still wanted to be around music. Teaching drums came about by accident. A few friends asked me for lessons, and it built from there. I don’t really think of myself as a teacher, though. It’s more like helping people start their own journey. I talk about drums, about feel, about what makes music tick. That’s the good bit.
I’ve recently started having lessons myself again with Steve White – Paul Weller’s old drummer. He’s been in the studio, too. It’s a reminder that you never stop learning.
That studio – and the community around it – has become a focus for me now. The Red Light Sessions came out of a simple idea: trying to capture those magic moments that happen in a rehearsal room when everything just connects. I wanted to bring together
musicians who might not normally cross paths – young artists, veterans, people from different corners of the local scene.
We’ve had Steve Edwards, Rev, Ed Cosens, Bromheads, Goldivox and the Milburn boys in too. These musicians have played alongside up-and-coming artists from Water Bear Music College and the Tracks music project. It’s been brilliant. It’s about community, about rebuilding that spirit that Sheffield’s always had – bands supporting each other, watching each other perform. After sessions I’ll sometimes see people swapping numbers, planning projects. That’s what it’s all about.
Each session is one take. We do an original song and a cover. The original goes out through Exposed, and the cover goes on Patreon, where people can support what we’re doing and get extra content. It’s a nice way of keeping it selfsustaining, and it gives up-and-coming artists something to show – like a mini
audition reel for what they can do.
There’s a saying about ‘red light syndrome’ – back when recording was expensive, the red light would come on when the tape was running, and people would freeze up. That’s where the name came from. But it also fits because the studio’s based in Attercliffe, and there’s a certain connection there too.
I’m also planning a ‘Greatest Hits’ gig for it at some point – something that brings all these musicians together for one big night. That’s what Sheffield is for me: community, collaboration and a bit of chaos, all under one roof.
AS TOLD TO JOSEPH FOOD
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Every roast is a careful balance of temperature, timing and chemistry. It’s about sugar caramelisation, moisture loss and complex chemical reactions – all tailored to highlight the natural characteristics of the bean. Roasters work from detailed data about altitude, varietal and processing method to build a roast profile that brings out the best in each batch.
Hitting the right flavour isn’t immediate – it takes repeated test roasts, constant adjustments and a finely tuned palate. Once a profile delivers the right flavour notes, it becomes a repeatable recipe. Roasters follow it to the letter, chasing consistency across every batch. The difference between success and failure can come down to a single degree.
2 3
The sacks weigh 60kg. The equipment runs at nearly 250°C. The environment is loud, hot and full-on. Every roast involves lifting, shifting, loading, monitoring, and occasionally, wrestling with machinery. It’s a hands-on job that needs concentration, stamina and precision – all while working in what feels like a furnace.
4 5
Coffee doesn’t come from a bean in the ground – it starts as a fruit, growing on a tree in the tropics. Inside that fruit are two seeds, which are hand-picked, dried and processed before they’re ever roasted. It can take eight years for a tree to produce its first crop. Around 36 cherries go into a single cup of coffee.
Specialty coffee can feel exclusive – but it shouldn’t. Quality and ethics can go hand-in-hand with accessibility. That means showcasing the work of farmers, building long-term trade relationships and keeping the doors open to everyone, regardless of knowledge, background or budget. Our aim is simple: proper coffee, made with care, enjoyed by all.
Frazer Habershon is the founder of Frazer’s Coffee Roasters. Pop into their welcome café space at 203 Arundel Street to see the roasting in action, or explore the full range online by scanning the QR code.
From Retro Classics to Modern Hits: Play to your heart's content at the National Videogame Museum
Sheffield has long been a city of makers, creators, and innovators, and nowhere is that spirit more alive than at the National Videogame Museum (NVM). Right in the heart of the city lies a hidden treasure trove where the past, present, and future of gaming come to life at the UK’s only museum dedicated to videogames.
But don’t let the word ‘museum’ fool you. Unlike a traditional museum, this isn’t a place where you simply look at things behind glass. It’s a place where you can play, create, and discover. Part arcade, part museum, and part creative playground.
Located in the iconic Castle House, the museum is a fun and fascinating place to spend an afternoon. Inside, you’ll find a carefully curated collection of over 5,000 videogame objects and over 100 playable games. Visitors can play their way through decades of gaming history, from early prototypes and rare consoles to icons like Sonic, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders. Whether
rediscovering the games of your childhood or finding a new favourite, the museum offers a unique chance to see how games have evolved and shaped our culture.
The Museum opened its doors to the lovely people of Sheffield in November 2018 and is the UK’s only museum dedicated solely to videogames, celebrating and interrogating their history and culture over the last 50 years.
The NVM is a charity that uses the power of games to transform lives. It works with schools, families, and underserved communities to make gaming accessible and educational.
The NVM believes that games are more than just entertainment — they’re a powerful form of expression, creativity, and connection. The NVM brings that to life in a way that’s fun, engaging, and totally unique.
11th December 6.30 - 9.30pm / £15 Entry
Join us on Thursday 11th December for a festive evening of games, gifts and crafting at the National Videogame Museum. Get hands-on with ‘PowerUp Pals’ a videogame inspired bauble workshop with Sheffield illustrator, Tom J Newell. Draw influence from his bold style and create a special gift for friends, family…or yourself!
You can also drop-in to our Christmas Card workshop throughout the evening and make a one-of-a-kind festive card in our LEGO pixel art printing workshop.
Browse the Mini Makers Market for unique, handmade gifts, from Pokémon cross stitch to space invader-inspired jewellery. In their museum shop you will find gifts ranging from the ever-popular Gang Beast plushies to gorgeous Monument Valley prints and a range of gift card options.
The gallery will be fully open and playable during the event, offering plenty of friendly competition across retro arcade classics and modern favourites. Don’t miss the exclusive Super Snowball Fight Party high-score challenge!
Festive drinks will be available from a pop-up bar! Come celebrate the season the NVM way!
Find out more and book your Festive Social tickets herethenvm.org/festive-social
OPENING TIMES
Mon – Wed: CLOSED Thurs & Fri: 1pm – 4pm Sat & Sun: 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm Open every day during Sheffield School Holidays.
THE NATIONAL VIDEOGAME MUSEUM
Castle House, Sheffield, S3 8LN Find out more at www.nvm.org
Twenty years after the Arctic Monkeys reached the top of the charts with their debut single, Andy Nicholson revisits the whirlwind through a rediscovered archive of candid photos – now brought to life in his new book and an upcoming Sheffield exhibition.
INTERVIEW: JOSEPH FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: PEDALO
When Andy Nicholson stumbled across an old USB hard drive around a decade ago, he didn’t expect much. It had been sitting there for years, a chunk of metal filled with forgotten content from another lifetime. But when he finally managed to get it working, the former Arctic Monkeys bassist found himself staring into a time capsule – hundreds of unseen photographs from the band’s formative years, when everything was happening at once and four teenage pals were going from the Grapes to Saturday Night Live in what felt like the blink of an eye.
“I opened it up and thought, oh my God,” he tells me, taking a seat in his Neepsend photography studio. “There were just folders inside folders, one picture here, one picture there, thousands of them. I started dragging them all into one place, and it brought everything back.”
The result of that discovery is I Bet This Looks Good on Your Coffee Table – a 175-page photobook capturing the band’s rapid ascent between 2005 and 2007. The collection is part diary, part scrapbook and part tribute to the friendship of four ordinary teenagers who suddenly found themselves a long way from
their High Green stomping ground. To mark its release, Nicholson is staging a free exhibition at Yorkshire Artspace in November, featuring a curated selection of prints, memorabilia, early instruments and interactive displays.
“It all depended on where I was mentally, to be honest,” he admits when I ask about the process of sorting through the archive. “At first it was painful, so I left them alone. Then I started sending them to Al or Helders, and it became fun. What started out quite heavy turned into something positive – like a breath of fresh air. It went from being a painful reminder to something that made me smile again.”
Nicholson, now 39, was only 19 when Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not became the fastest-selling debut album in British history. For a while, it felt like the whole world had its eyes on a bunch of teenagers from the northern suburbs of Sheffield. While the hype grew and the column inches stacked up, Nicholson carried a small digital camera, capturing the reality behind the madness, before a difficult departure in 2006 – something he’s since admitted took a long time to come to terms with.
Not that there was any realisation back then that the pictures would one day fill a book or hang in an exhibition. “I wasn’t really thinking of it as documenting anything. I just liked taking pictures. My grandad and my uncle were always into photography – my uncle worked at The Star – so I guess I picked it up from them. Everyone’s got that one mate who always brings a camera, haven’t they? That was me.”
Those images now form the backbone of the project: a baby-faced band battling tour exhaustion in dressing rooms, playing Pro Evo on tour buses and mucking about in hotels. In direct contrast to the glossy magazine shoots that were taking place, Nicholson’s photographs often show the quieter, inbetween moments of band life – everything from backstage giddiness to the monotony of another long-haul flight.
“When you’re in it, you don’t really realise what’s happening,” he explains. “We’d be watching ourselves on the news, but in the eye of the storm it’s pretty
quiet. We were just 19-year-olds from England playing Saturday Night Live and not really giving a shit. We were basically children – I don’t think you really become a proper adult until you reach, like, 30 – and our attitude was just mates having a laugh.”
The idea of turning the archive into a book first surfaced not long after he’d organised the photos. Nicholson mentioned it to designer Tom Sykes, a friend from school, who helped him sketch out an early layout with handwritten captions and rough-edged pages. Then the project went quiet.
“Life got in the way. Tom was busy touring with his brother, and I wasn’t really ready. It just sat there for years. Then one day we saw each other, and he asked, ‘What’s happening with that idea?’ and it made me think, yeah, what is happening with it?”
It wasn’t until he realised 2025 would mark the 20th anniversary of the band’s debut single that things finally took
WE WERE JUST 19-YEAROLDS FROM ENGLAND PLAYING SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE AND NOT REALLY GIVING A SHIT.”
shape. “That gave me a reason to do it properly. Otherwise it was just something I kept saying I’d get round to. Setting that anniversary as a goal meant I had to see it through.”
The finished book exists in two editions: a standard version and a deluxe anniversary one, complete with a signed Instax photo from the archive, a tote bag, a coffee coaster and a
vinyl recording of Nicholson in conversation with Chris McClure, the friend who appeared on the album’s instantly recognisable cover.
“Chris wasn’t just the lad on the front. He was part of the crew. He came on tour, sold merch, checked guitars he didn’t know how to tune. He’s also one of the best storytellers I know. We recorded about an hour of chatting about the photos, and the idea is people can put the vinyl on, open the book and flick through while we’re talking.”
It was important to him that he explained the motivations behind it to the band. Once the first copies were printed, he shared them around. “I sent one to Helders, showed Al, gave Jamie a copy, showed Al’s mum and dad. After that, I felt better about releasing it. I wanted people to know it wasn’t a tell-all. It’s not about gossip or drama – that’s not me. It’s just my perspective from inside the tornado.”
The exhibition will build on that idea. Alongside framed
IT’S NOT ABOUT GOSSIP OR DRAMA – THAT’S NOT ME. IT’S JUST MY PERSPECTIVE FROM INSIDE THE TORNADO.”
prints and the original instruments he and Turner first played as teenagers, Nicholson is creating an immersive space for fans old and new.
“I want it to feel like you’re standing inside the book,” he explains. “There’ll be the guitars we got for Christmas, my old bass, and a playlist of all the music we were listening to at the time – the Strokes, Outkast, Dr Dre. It’s free entry, and I want people to bring their kids. A lot of those early fans have families now.”
There’ll also be activities for children and a wall where visitors can write down their memories of gigs or songs and pin them up. “It’s about community,” he says. “That’s what Sheffield’s always been. It’s about people coming together.”
Talk then turns to the city itself. Nicholson still lives in Sheffield and speaks fondly of how its creative scene continues to evolve. “It’s always had that thing where everyone knows everyone,” he says. “Back then it was bands like us, Milburn and Reverend and the Makers, but now it’s photographers, designers, DJs, all sorts. It’s that same energy, just spread out.”
He credits that tight-knit community for keeping him grounded while the aforementioned tornado was in full flow. “When it all kicked off, people around here didn’t treat us any different. You’d come home from tour and still be Andy from down the road. That’s the best thing about
this place – no one lets you get above your station.”
That attitude, he says, also shaped Arctic Monkeys’ approach. “We weren’t chasing success. We weren’t sitting around thinking, ‘Let’s be the biggest band in the world.’ We were just mates making music. I think that’s why people connected with it – because it was honest.”
Nearly two decades later, Nicholson remains proud of what they achieved but just as aware of what it represents to others. “With time away from it, I now understand what that album did for people,” he says. “I hear stories about how it soundtracked their lives, and that’s amazing. Once you release music, it’s not yours anymore. It belongs to whoever listens to it – and that’s how it should be.”
Looking ahead, he hopes I Bet This Looks Good on Your Coffee Table and the exhibition will give these people a chance to celebrate what that music meant to them, while also inspiring others to pursue their own dreams – whatever form they take. “If this book or the
exhibition makes even one kid pick up a camera or start a band, that’s class.”
“I grew up on council estates – me and my brother raised by my mum,” he continues, finding his flow. “I want people to see my perspective, to see that it’s possible to do the things you want without compromising your attitude or who you are. You don’t need thousands of pounds’ worth of equipment. Keep your attitude, stick to your guns and you can do it.”
It’s clear that this project for Andy isn’t as much about nostalgia as it is about reclaiming the narrative and moving forward. Whenever
a Monkeys anniversary rolls around, he’s often approached for comment – his words then plonked between paragraphs detailing someone else’s interpretation of the band’s intentions and impact. This time around, through his own photographs – grainy, imperfect but full of life – and some accompanying words, Andy Nicholson is telling it his way. Before I stop recording, he pauses. “It isn’t about trying to relive the past. It’s more about showing people what it actually was – four friends figuring it out, growing up, making mistakes. It’s my story within the story.”
I Bet This Looks Good on Your Coffee Table is available to pre-order now at iamandynicholson. com.
The accompanying exhibition runs at Yorkshire Artspace, Sheffield, on 22–23 November 2025.
We are a local Sheffield Pilates studio based on the border of S10/S11 on Nethergreen Road. We offer group classes and private sessions in Reformer, Mat and Tower Pilates. We are experienced instructors with over 14 years experience combined and our studio is a welcoming and supportive environment – whether you have never done Pilates before or are an experienced practitioner. Come along and feel the benefits yourself –you’ll leave feeling stronger, healthier and more connected.
Follow us on Instagram@Reformer.Inc or drop us an email at info@reformerinc.com
In a quiet spot between Sheffield’s S10 and S11 postcodes, a new Pilates studio is offering something refreshingly different. Reformer Inc. Pilates, founded by experienced instructors Sophie Cherry and Sol May, is more than just a place to exercise – it’s a thoughtfully designed space where movement, learning and community come together.
The duo tell Exposed that, despite only opening in May this year, the studio already feels deeply rooted. With its warm, welcoming atmosphere and coffee brewing in the reception area, it’s as much a social hub as it is a space to move, stretch and strengthen.
“We didn’t want to be a soulless studio,” Sophie says. “It’s not just about the Pilates we teach – which we both absolutely love – it’s about having a space where people feel really welcome.”
That ethos is paying off. Clients come early for coffee, stay after class for a chat and often end up making friends across the reformer machines. The vibe is friendly, community-driven and unpretentious – but make no mistake, the teaching is taken seriously.
Both Sol and Sophie have taught Pilates for over eight years. They met while teaching at a Sheffield studio, and quickly found common ground. “We’d talked about opening a studio for a while,” says Sol. “It always felt like something we’d do eventually, but then one day we were like, let’s just go for it.”
Finding the right venue took time – more than a year – thanks to a clear vision and a commitment to staying local. “Sophie lives in S10, I live in S11, and many of our clients are here,” says Sol. “We were determined to find something in this area, not a studio space inside a busy office block.”
Eventually, they landed on what Sol calls a “hidden gem” – an older building that needed work but had character in spades. “The machines we use are big – like armchairs,” she adds with a laugh. “You can’t just squeeze them into any space. But this building was perfect,
and we’ve really been able to mould this space into what we wanted.”
That level of attention to detail carries into the way they teach. While reformer Pilates is a buzzword right now, Reformer Inc. is committed to the method behind the machines. “We’re not interested in trendy, fitness reformer,” says Sophie. “We want to stay true to the Pilates method as a whole system – not just flow classes or 20 reps to make you sweat.”
Instead, they focus on quality, technique and understanding. “You might only need four reps if you’re doing it right,” Sophie adds. “It’s not about pushing harder – it’s about moving smarter.”
That philosophy resonates with clients, many of whom have followed the duo for years. But newcomers are welcomed just as warmly. “We’ve had clients start with us who’ve never done Pilates before,” says Sol. “And five months later, they’re now in our ‘advanced’ classes. It’s just consistency. Once a week, twice a week – and you build strength quickly.”
The studio offers three types of classes – mat, reformer and tower – alongside one-to-one and small group sessions. Classes are deliberately small to allow for hands-on support. “With expert lead guidance and hands on correction, when done correctly, it helps the clients feel the movement more deeply, understand subtle nuances and that’s where the results come from,” says Sol.
And it’s not just regular folks giving it a go. Their client base ranges from people in their late teens through to 70-somethings. They’ve worked with
professional athletes, post-op rehab clients, and plenty of people who’ve never stepped foot in a studio before.
“We’ve trained rugby players, footballers, tennis players, divers – even worked on Olympic prep,” says Sol.
Despite their credentials, both Sophie and Sol are still training themselves.
They’re currently completing a 600-hour comprehensive course in London, which involves working across the full Pilates apparatus system. “It’s a massive commitment,” says Sophie. “But we want to keep learning so we can keep challenging ourselves and our clients.”
That ongoing development is another reason Reformer Inc. is becoming known in Sheffield’s wellness world.
“We’ve got instructors asking to observe or be mentored by us,” Sophie says.
“We’ve got instructors training now who
come to us regularly to learn. That’s a real stamp of approval.”
As word spreads, they’re growing again. Studio Two – which already houses towers and mats – will soon be home to more reformers and smaller group classes aimed at beginners. “We’ve realised some beginners need more attention at the start,” says Sophie. “We want to give them the space to learn the right way, then move them up when they’re ready.”
So what would they say to someone who’s tempted to try Pilates but a little unsure?
“Just do it,” says Sol. “You don’t need to be flexible, or strong. You just need to want to try.”
They even offer a £10 taster session to help people ease in without pressure.
“It’s a full class, but at a lower price so you can see if it’s for you,” she explains.
“If you want to, you can start with a oneto-one. If you love the group feel, you can jump straight in. It’s whatever works for you.”
No matter how you join, the result is the same: people leave feeling better in their bodies. “We’ve had clients cancel their gym memberships and just stick with Pilates,” says Sol. “It’s low impact but a real workout. It helps people train harder elsewhere too – it’s great for injury prevention.”
Sophie nods: “We say it all the time –everyone can get something positive out of doing this.”
Reformer Inc
49 Nethergreen Road, Sheffield, S11 7EH Tel: 07777 767062
EACH MONTH, EXPOSED TUCKS INTO SOME OF THE BEST SCRAN IN SHEFFIELD AND FINDS OUT WHAT MAKES IT SO GOOD. FIRST UP: FOLDED PIZZA SARNIES THAT’LL CHANGE YOUR LUNCH GAME, COURTESY OF KELHAM ISLAND SLICE-SLINGERS AND GOOD VIBES SPECIALISTS, B’ REYT DOUGH. WE SPOKE TO HEAD HONCHO, LUKE OTHEN, WHO TOLD US ABOUT THE DOUGHY BEAUTS THAT ARE FRONT AND CENTRE OF THEIR NEW LUNCH MENU...
Be honest – was this creation born out of genius or a hangover?
We actually started off making chip butties for a quick staff snack during a rush. They were so good, every shift just turned into a competition to see who could make the best butty with the wackiest fillings.
What kinds of fillings are we talking?
We’ve got plenty of options for everyone and we’ll be adding a new special sandwich every month. Our menu starts with simple, fresh ingredients to make Italian classics like a caprese sandwich, or jumbo sandwiches packed with cured meats and our homemade sauces.
How messy are we getting here? Should we be bringing
wet wipes or just wearing black?
If you want to cover your folded pizza in sauce and dive in headfirst, we won’t judge when you’re covered head to toe!
You’re running this as a meal deal from 12–4pm – what’s in the deal and how serious is the value for money?
These top-quality sandwiches are made fresh to order in our woodfired oven, using the same homemade, 24-hour proofed dough we use for our pizzas. Our sandwiches start from just £6, and for a small extra cost you can upgrade to a meal deal, which includes fries and one of our homemade sauces.
You’re opening earlier on weekends now – what was the thinking? Did the people demand carbs at noon?
We’ve always opened from 2pm at weekends, but after having everyone banging on our shutters from 12, we thought it was only fair to give the people of Kelham what they want! It’s the perfect way to start your weekend, whether you’re fuelling up before heading out to the Peaks or lining the stomach before a day session round Kelham!
What can people expect from the launch party on Sunday 2nd November – music, discounts, general chaos? To launch our new menu and get the pizza/sandwich party started, we’re offering a free pint, cocktail can or soft drink with every sandwich purchased. Tunes, freshly made sandwiches and good vibes!
What do you recommend
washing it down with – soft drink, pint, nap?
Perfect to eat in with a locally brewed pint or a coffee. We’ll wrap it up for you to go if you’re just refuelling and in a rush.
For anyone who’s still not visited – what makes B’ Reyt Dough different from the rest of Sheff’s pizza gang?
Our motto is: ‘Italian craft, Yorkshire graft!’ Sheffield has an amazing foodie scene –especially when it comes to pizza – and we’re proud to be part of it, offering some of the best Neapolitan-style pizzas in town with a good old Yorkshire twist. We’ve gained so much experience since starting out at food festivals over four years ago – and after the best two years in our cosy, friendly restaurant, it’s time to raise the bar and step it up a level.
Web:breytdough.com
Follow: @breyt.dough
Pop in: Unit 12, 92 Burton Rd, Neepsend, S3 8BX
Sheffield’s newest watering hole has thrown open its doors – and Exposed was there for the first pour. Here’s our verdict on The Fargate…
Town has just got a serious upgrade. Thornbridge & Co have officially opened the doors to The Fargate, their new flagship venue set in the stunning, Grade II-listed former Yorkshire Bank building – and we popped down on opening night to see what all the fuss was about.
Taking its name from the street it proudly sits on, the new venue joins the brewery’s growing list of destination pubs not just in Sheffield but across the country – including the Market Cat in York, Bankers Cat in Leeds and The Colmore in Birmingham. It’s an impressive statement piece for the brand and a welcome addition to a part of town that, frankly, could do with a couple of shiny new hospitality spots to complement the seemingly non-stop revamp work and inject some optimism into what was once a key hub for retail.
Inside, the space reflects that typical Thornbridge look of traditional pub charm turned up to eleven – polished dark wood, plush leather booths, herringbone floors, chandeliers and brass fittings all housed within the grandeur of a century-old building. It feels instantly established, like it’s always been part of the city’s drinking culture for decades.
The centrepiece of the ground floor is a show-stopping horseshoe bar pouring 10 cask ales – five of which are their
own – plus a whopping 16 keg lines. The layout has clearly been considered with comfort in mind: intimate booths, a tucked-away snug and ample seating that takes full advantage of the venue’s large, street-facing windows.
Upstairs is a shift in energy. A spiral staircase leads to a more contemporary space centred around a live pizza kitchen, complete with a traditional Italian corner oven. Exposed brickwork, reclaimed timber and ornate ceilings set the tone, with communal benches
and comfy banquettes giving it a laidback, social feel. It’s perfect for casual get-togethers, with top-notch views across Fargate and up towards City Hall. A fresh slice and a tasty pint while watching the city bustle go by? Ah, gu on then.
Speaking of the long-awaited opening, Jamie Hawksworth, Director of Thornbridge & Co and Co-President of Pivovar, told us: “We wanted to create something that could become a defining part of Sheffield’s pub scene, and the response tonight has been amazing. This building deserves to be full of life again, and we’re proud to bring that back.”
Simon Webster, CEO and Co-
Founder of Thornbridge Brewery, added: “Sheffield means a lot to us, and we’re proud to be part of the city centre’s revival. The Fargate is about combining quality beer with quality spaces – and we think people will love what we’ve built here.”
We reckon they’re right. Judging from the buzz of opening night (and the multiple sore office heads the following day), The Fargate already feels like a Steel City staple.
Fancy a nosy? Head down and see it for yourself – and keep an eye on their socials @thefargate for all the latest.
10% OFF ON CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS MADE DURING OCTOBER PRIVATE DINING AVAILABLE FROM 2-12 PEOPLE
DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE EXPOSED OFFICE, THE INCREASINGLY VIBRANT MERCHANTS COURT ON MOWBRAY STREET RECENTLY WELCOMED ANOTHER INDEPENDENT BUSINESS TO ITS SMALL BUT GROWING COLLECTION OF RETAILERS, CREATIVES AND BARS.
WORDS: JOSEPH FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: MARC BARKER
Merchants House is the latest project from the team behind Alder Bar – the Kelham favourite known for top-notch beer, DIY events and a friendly community-led feel. While Alder nails the cosy, ‘pub quiz with a cheese and onion sarnie’ angle, their new spot takes a more polished approach: think stylish European-inspired hangout serving up quality wines by the glass, aperitivo cocktails, spritzes and an everchanging selection of pintxos and small plates.
A couple of months back, you might’ve missed the entrance entirely. But with new signage, better lighting and a steady hum of courtyard activity, it’s now hard to walk past without having a nosey. There’s plenty of outdoor seating for the warm months – or the brave souls tackling autumn spritz season al fresco – and right across the courtyard you’ll find a private events space soon to be hosting all manner of cultural goings-on.
Inside Merchants House itself, you’ll find a surprisingly roomy, bistro-style bar with a bright, modern feel. Tables for two? Sorted. Big booth for the group chat? Covered. It feels trendy without trying too hard – a nice level for afterwork drinks, impromptu date nights or lingering over a lazy Saturday afternoon spritz.
In a picky mood on a Friday afternoon, Exposed got stuck into the small plates menu – and first off, the pricing’s spot on. Two quid for pork belly with spicy mayo, three for spicy chorizo cooked in Spanish cider and a fiver for a baked camembert with hunks of crusty bread? Sure, they’re exactly what they say on the tin – small plates and bar snacks – but I’ve easily paid double (sometimes triple) at places really making the most out of the UK’s growing love for small plate culture.
The boquerones – fresh anchovy fillets marinated in vinegar – come perched on crispy baguette slices with a dollop of tuna salad, joined by the aforementioned spicy chorizo bites, plus a generously sized camembert for dipping and Gouda cubes with Dijon mustard and celery salt (seriously, give it a go –immensely snackable). All that comes to less than £20. Split it between two or three pals and you’re laughing.
Drinks-wise, you’re in good hands. As well as 15 wines by the glass, there’s an expertly curated cocktail list than leans towards classic European with a twist. Think Negronis, Americanos and Spagliato, plus a solid Martini section (go dirty for an extra £2), alongside a sharp-looking Paloma and a
cheeky Kalimotxo if red wine and Coke sounds like your sort of blend.
Spritz more your thing? Aperol, Campari, Limoncello, Mango & Passionfruit and Lillet Rose are all available at £7.50 a pop. You’ll also find a rotating Spritz of the Week on the specials board if you’re feeling adventurous.
With such consideration put into everything else, it won’t surprise you to hear that the beer offering is also pretty special. On the 12 tap lines, continental lagers sit alongside local brews and craft pours –plus a Guinness for under a fiver (a rarity in these parts) –along with three ciders and two draught wines. There’s plenty more to choose from in the bottle fridges too.
So, vibe check complete –and the result’s in. Merchants House is a hugely welcome addition to the ever-evolving, ever-expanding Kelham food and drink scene. With a solid concept, smart execution and something a little different on offer, it feels like the Alder team may well have another local institution in the making. Don’t believe us? Pop in for aperitivo hour and see for yourself.
Merchants Court 43 Mowbray St S3 8EN
@merchants_house_s3
NOV’25 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
8 SAXON - HELL, FIRE AND STEEL
NOV’25 6.30PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
Heavy metal legends Saxon perform Wheels of Steel and Hell, Fire and Damnation live, joined by Dirkschneider’s Balls to the Wall
Brighton singer-songwriter James Marriott performs hit from his debut and upcoming album, blending heartfelt pop with electrifying live energy. 14 HEAVEN 17
NOV’25 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE 15 ENGLISH TEACHER SAT NOV’25 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
Mercury Prize-winning indie rock band English Teacher will perform at the Octagon after their successful Glastonbury, US tour and BRIT Award recognition.
23 THE D.A.M TRILOGY SUN NOV’25 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
David Bowi’s Berlin Trilogy musicians reunite to perform his iconic albums Low, Heroes and Lodger live on a special European tour.
24 + 25 NOV’25 KNEECAP 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
26 CMAT
WEDS NOV’25 8PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
21 THE LAST
PARTY FRI NOV’25 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
We are delighted to welcome 2025 Brit Award Winners back to the Octagon – on tour to celebrate their new album From The Pyre, out October 17th.
27 DIZZEE RASCAL THU NOV’25 8PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
27 FREDDIE HALKON FRI NOV’25 7PM | OCTAGON CENTRE
13 + 14 DEC’25 DEC
SHEFFIELD BEATLES PROJECT 7PM /4PM| OCTAGON CENTRE
There was a certain electric atmosphere in Foundry on this rainy and miserable Sunday evening. Hundreds of fans marched into the building with excited anticipation, trying to avoid the storm brewing outside. The night was opened by poised Cork City group The Cardinals, who entered the stage in a wash of orange light as a heavy, rumbling bass drew the room to silence.
It’s easy to see why they were chosen to support NewDad on tour – not just for their distinct Irish spirit and pride but for their raw sound that blends melancholic shoegaze vocals with explosive instrumentation that felt passionate yet thoughtful. Their song ‘Big Empty Heart’ epitomised those emotions, with Euan Manning’s evocative vocals carried by a swelling crescendo of sound. We caught up with Manning after the show and, when asked to sum up the night in one word, he said: “Biblical.”
After a short interval, the room once again came alive with whispers and chatter. Julie Dawson entered the stage moments later to a cascade of applause, which was swiftly muted by her ethereal vocals. Moments later, the rest of the Galway band joined her, providing a backdrop that harmonised seamlessly with her voice.
Dawson, the figurehead of the group, was proudly dressed in an Atelier shirt – a nod to Sheffield’s own subcultural roots. She stood front and centre, beaming at the gathering of excited fans. Her refined vocals floated over grungy distortion and incandescent melodies, moving the crowd from trance-like stillness to sudden bursts of movement.
The connection between the performers was clear as they bounced off each other both sonically and physically, revealing a confident band with a powerful stage presence despite their relatively short touring history.
Sean O’Dowd, the lead guitarist, brought a welcome burst of energy, spending much of the show headbanging and leaping across the stage. Marie Freiss on bass built on that energy, her onstage connection with Dawson highlighting how tight-knit the band has become.
The encore cemented the magnitude of their performance. Dawson jumped down in front of the sea of fans to perform ‘Angels’, an intimate highlight, before returning for the closer, ‘Roobosh’. Lifting her guitar above her head in Jimi Hendrix fashion, she screamed “Yeahhhh!” – a moment hard to forget.
As the band walked off to an eruption of applause, it proved that the new wave of Irish music is every bit as aweinspiring as the sounds of the past.
4 NOV // YELLOW ARCH // £21.50
Fusing irresistible funk, soul and groove, Lack of Afro bring the full band to Yellow Arch Studios for an intimate night of feel-good energy. Expect slick musicianship, infectious rhythms and party-starting tunes from one of the UK’s most dynamic live acts – guaranteed to get the crowd moving.
YELLOWARCH.COM
ABC
7 NOV // SHEFFIELD CITY HALL // £44-£80
Steel City favourites ABC come home with their Lexicon of Love Orchestra tour, performing their chart-topping 1982 debut album in full alongside their greatest hits. Expect timeless classics including ‘Poison Arrow’ and ‘The Look of Love’, performed with The Lexicon Sinfonia conducted by Anne Dudley.
SHEFFIELDCITYHALL.CO.UK
11 NOV // FOUNDRY // £26
Dublin four-piece Sprints bring their fierce, fearless post-punk energy to Sheffield. Blending raw emotion with razor-sharp riffs and cathartic vocals, they’ve become one of the most vital voices in the modern punk revival –earning acclaim for explosive live shows and brutally honest, emotionally charged songwriting.
FOUNDRYSU.COM
CMAT
26 NOV // OCTAGON // £33
CMAT brings her infectious blend of country-pop, wit and heartbreak to ShefF. With sharp lyrics, soaring vocals and a theatrical stage presence, the Irish star delivers a show that’s as funny as it is moving – expect tracks from her acclaimed albums and plenty of tonguein-cheek charisma throughout.
FOUNDRYSU.COM
28 NOV // YELLOW ARCH // £15.50
Leeds noise-rock heroes Pulled Apart By Horses hit Yellow Arch on 28 November, bringing chaos, classics and fresh material. Known for their explosive live shows and raw energy, the band promise a night of sweat, riffs and mayhem –proving once again why they remain one of the UK’s most electrifying acts.
YELLOWARCH.COM
After a five-year hiatus from recording and releasing her own music – including a stint as a fulltime member of Before Breakfast –Emily Stancer returns on her own terms with Baby, a bold new solo project. She sends Baby kicking and screaming into the world today (Friday 26 September) with the first of four unapologetically pop-driven singles, each showcasing a different side of her creativity.
“I hadn’t written a song in years,” Emily admits. “When Before Breakfast ended, I knew I wanted to start writing again –but it felt really scary.”
Thankfully, Emily quickly got over that fear, and reached out to former bandmate Molly Clark, asking if she fancied trying to write something together. “It just came so naturally. We wrote a song in an afternoon.”
That track, 'Main Character Syndrome', has become the first single under her new Baby pseudonym. “It’s super poppy –proper catchy,” she says. “But each of the tracks is totally different. I was going to do an EP, but they didn’t sit together. They’re like my brain: all over the place, but in a good way.”
While 'Main Character Syndrome' lands with bright, self-assured pop hooks, upcoming tracks like 'My Tummy' Hurts take a very different route. “That one’s angry. It’s still pop, but in an ugly way. Shouty and raw. I don’t even know what genre it is,” she laughs. “And then there’s an acoustic track, but still pop – and then one that sounds like Confidence Man that literally started off as a joke between me
and Gina [Walters – a founding Before Breakfast member]. Now it’s just become this daft, infectious track called 'Funny, Funky, Cheeky'.”
Though Baby is firmly her solo project, Emily is quick to credit Molly’s influence and input across the board. “Molly’s recorded, produced, played on it, sung on it. It’s all been really collaborative in the studio,” she explains. “I don’t know much music theory, so I just say things out loud – and Molly somehow translates it into proper production. She’s so clever.”
That safe space to experiment has transformed the way Emily approaches making music. “I used to be intimidated in the studio. I’d just let people produce my stuff without saying much. But with Molly, I’ve been able to be daft, try stuff, not feel self-conscious. It’s changed everything.”
The Baby sound is a deliberate move away from her previous acoustic singersongwriter roots – a genre she never truly identified with. “I never wanted to be an acoustic artist,” she says. “It was just the easiest way to perform at the time. But now I’m writing songs that really feel like me.”
Despite the tongue-in-cheek name, Baby isn’t a persona – it’s an extension of herself. “It’s not even an alter ego, it’s just… my ego,” she says, grinning. “It’s very me.”
She’s embraced every part of the creative process this time round. From branding and art direction to filming a brilliantly absurd music video for 'Main Character Syndrome', Emily has had full control. “I’ve got proper contacts and experience as a designer now. I used to be a baby graphic designer, but now people have been messaging saying how slick everything looks – and that’s because I’ve done it. I’ve loved every single part.”
The lyrics across are direct, occasionally hilarious and often deeply cathartic. 'Main Character Syndrome', for instance, is a reclamation of self-worth after being dismissed by an ex. “Everyone thinks it’s about them,” she says, raising an eyebrow. “But it’s about this guy who once said, ‘Because of the age gap, you’ll always be the supporting actor in my life.’ Like, wow! So, the song’s me reclaiming that. I’m the main character now.”
Then there’s 'My Tummy Hurts', which she describes as “just about everything that’s wrong with the world,” as well as a softer track – the only ‘nice love song’ she’s ever written – which has ended up dedicated to someone who didn’t quite deserve it. “But it’s catchy. So I kept it,” she shrugs.
For now, the plan is to release the four singles separately before looking at gigs and bigger plans for the new year. There’s even talk of forming a live band featuring other Sheffield musicians. “I do want to gig eventually,” she says. “But Molly’s moving to New Zealand, so we had a deadline to finish everything before she goes. That’s part of why I’ve been so productive.”
There’s a quiet confidence to how Emily talks about this phase of her career. “I’ve not done this just to drop four songs and then forget about it. I want to gig, get slick, write more, maybe an album. But the ambition at the start? It was just to write a song again. And now, I’m like… I’m an artist again.”
It’s an evolution that’s not only fuelled by new sounds, but by new perspective too.
“When I was younger, I was like, I’m going to be a pop star,” she laughs. “Now I’m just enjoying it. Seeing people like Rebecca Taylor smash it in her thirties is so inspiring. It reminds me it’s not too late, that it’s not embarrassing to still want this.”
Baby – 'Main Character Syndrome' is out now on all streaming platforms now and you can follow @babymusicbabymusic for more.
October brought non-stop parties, from nu-metal WWE chaos – a not-so-perfect excuse to perfect your body slam – to a titillating performance from the Burning Hell Burlesque crew. And let’s not forget an absolutely sensational night with Dick & Dom. If you didn’t shout ‘bogies’ at least five times, you’re lying. (If anyone has footage of me falling over an onstage speaker, please email it. x)
Nostalgia, massive parties, incredible gigs – and to top it off, you sold out Halloween. We’re not surprised, but as ever, we’re impressed. Some of you have definitely been planning your costumes for six months minimum. To the ones in full-body spandex: we salute you. That kind of commitment to the fit is what makes Corp… Corp.
And how could we not talk about Corp TV? To the girl who gave our presenter Phoebe the fright of her life – by having a rogue Corp TV screenshot as her lock screen – we applaud you. Comedic timing: 10/10. Shock factor: 10/10. Overall vibes: unmatched. Corp TV guest of the month, obviously. Catch you in November!
Love,
From vampire soundtracks and punk legends to emo bingo and Disney channel deep cuts, November’s Corp listings are delightfully unhinged in the best way. Whether you’re crying to Paramore, skanking to [Spunge] or battling beats in a warehouse, the famous venue continues to deliver the chaos we crave. Pick your fighter, plan your outfits and get those advance tickets in early – it’s a busy’un!
Twilight Club Night // 7 Nov
Celebrating 20 years of Twilight with a soundtrack-only special – expect Paramore, Muse and all the moody bangers from the saga that shaped your emo phase. Whether you’re Team Edward or Jacob, this one’s for the glitter-loving, baseball-in-thunderstorm crowd. We’re heading back to Forks for one night only – sparkles, screeches and that vampire stare all welcome.
Freak the Freak Out: Disney vs Nickelodeon Party // 29 Nov Corp goes full nostalgia meltdown with a Disney Channel vs Nickelodeon club night. Expect tunes from High School Musical, Victorious, Hannah Montana and more – theme songs, pop hits, musicals and iconic telly moments from the glory days of after-school viewing. Come dressed as your fave, from Sharpay to Shaggy.
CKY // 19 Nov
Skate-punk survivors CKY return with their signature mix of riff-heavy chaos and cult legacy. With ties to Jackass and a sound that influenced a generation of teen skaters, the band’s comeback has been loud, raw and fully feral. Expect deep cuts, moshing and no half measures.
Mike Tramp’s White Lion // 9 Nov
Classic rock fans, assemble – White Lion frontman Mike Tramp is stopping by as part of his long-running solo mission. With twelve albums under his belt and no signs of slowing down, it’s a night of riffy nostalgia and pure melodic power from one of hard rock’s most consistent voices.
The Exploited // 14 Nov
Sheffield gets a full-force dose of UK punk heritage this month, as The Exploited tear through their decades of hardcore, Oi! and crossover chaos. Frontman Wattie Buchan is still snarling through anthems like ‘Punks Not Dead’, and the band’s live sets remain pure noise and fury. Expect circle pits and little to no chill.
[Spunge] // 15 Nov (Taking place at Yellow Arch)
Ska-punk icons [Spunge] hit Corporation as part of their 30-year victory lap. If you ever two-stepped to ‘Jump on Demand’ at a school disco or tried (and failed) to skank in Docs, this is your moment. Still DIY, still daft, still absolutely bouncing live.
Ozzy Osbourne Memorial Show // 21 Nov
A proper tribute to the Prince of Darkness, with a full night of covers, chaos and community. Featuring Black Sails, Souls Shredder and Pantheon, this one’s a fundraiser for Cure Parkinson’s, so you can headbang and feel good about it. Horns up for a good cause.
Brawl // 26 Nov
A live battle of the beats, where producers go head-to-head in a knockout-style night of drops, chaos and digital wizardry. If you’re into basslines, hardware setups or competitive sonic destruction, this is your arena. Think DJ battle meets underground rave – and you’re right in the middle of it.
Afrofunk futurists Ibibio Sound Machine are one of the UK’s most distinctive live acts – a genre-hopping blend of electronic beats, punchy brass, West African funk and post-punk energy. Fronted by dynamic vocalist Eno Williams, the London-based group have spent the last decade carving out a sound that’s entirely their own – a fusion of cultures, eras and rhythms that feels both rooted and revolutionary.
This autumn, they’re back on the road with a new UK tour that puts grassroots venues at the centre – including a muchanticipated return to Sheffield’s Foundry this month.
Ahead of the gig, Exposed's Emma Willatt caught up with Eno Williams to talk new music, togetherness and the magic of live performance.
Since forming in 2013, they’ve played stages across the world and released five studio albums, including their latest –Pull the Rope – which landed earlier this year to critical acclaim. A darker, more reflective follow-up to 2022’s Electricity, the album sees the band shifting from sun-drenched festival fields to late-night dancefloors. It was also recorded here in Sheffield, so, naturally, we’re big fans of the final product.
It’s a chilly October morning in Sheffield – leaves falling fast, skies hanging low – but Eno Williams is in a bright mood while thinking ahead to 8 November, when she and her band Ibibio Sound Machine return to The Foundry. The London-based collective are known for their explosive live shows, and this one’s set to be another memorable night out.
Over the past decade, the eight-piece have built a reputation as one of the most exhilarating live acts in the UK – their sets a whirlwind of pulsing rhythms, bold brass and boundless energy. Whether headlining clubs or commanding festival stages, their ability to get crowds moving is what they pride themselves most on.
For those who haven’t had the pleasure, the Ibibio fuse electronic Afrofunk with West African rhythms, punk attitude and sci-fi synths. Their 2022 release Electricity was full of bold, high-energy sounds – but their new album Pull the Rope takes a darker turn. It’s moodier, more reflective and seemingly custom-built for chilly autumn nights.
Still, the rhythm is very much alive.
“We tried to stay true to the electronic elements,” Eno says. “Still keeping to the Ibibio lyrics and the storytelling – as well as what has worked in the past.”
That blend – deeply rhythmic, culturally rich and joyfully experimental – continues to define the band’s sound. But with each release, they’re edging into new territory.
“We try and push the boundaries and experiment, because as musicians we’re always trying new things,” she says. “We hope people will go along with it – and so far, it’s worked.”
Much of the band’s creative process is spontaneous. Songs often begin in soundchecks, hotel rooms, or crowded vans on the road. A beat here, a phrase there – then it takes some shape.
“Everyone’s playing something and I might just start singing,” Eno explains. “Max, who’s also our producer, plays saxophone – he’ll record an idea, bring it back to the studio and we’ll develop it.”
There’s no set structure. Sometimes it’s collaborative, other times ideas are formed individually then brought back to the group. “It’s kind of an organic process.”
That spirit of togetherness doesn’t stop at the writing process – it’s built into the DNA of the music itself. The title track is a reflection of this. With so much division in the world, from war overseas to political conflict at home, the message is timely. Eno hopes that artists can play their role in pushing back against the tide.
“It’s the idea of the rope pushing and
pulling, and everyone coming together rather than fighting each other. We want to push a message of love, and bring people together. Music does that. We can all be in a room and dance. It sits in the back of your mind, like – if only we could all live together and be together.”
As we speak, Ibibio Sound Machine are preparing for a UK tour, and they’re particularly looking forward to getting back up north. It’s a return that means a lot to them – not just because of the energy of the crowd, but because Sheffield itself has become a part of their musical journey.
“We actually made our record there,” Eno says of their Steel City stint, where they enlisted the services of local producer Ross Orton to help shape the sound. “So it’s especially nice to return. It’s always a party in Sheffield – people are willing to dance, have fun and let their hair down.”
Despite the intense schedule, there’s no chance of burnout: bands like Ibibio live for the buzz of live shows.
“Tour can be tiring, but the adrenaline – and just being in the room with people –makes it all worth it. Audiences are always lovely, so energised and full of love. That love overshadows everything.”
I have a rough idea of the answer, but still I ask: what sort of night can Sheffielders expect on 8 November at The Foundry?
“People should bring their dancing shoes and be ready to boogie!”
Roger that, Eno. We’ll see you on the dancefloor.
Tickets for Ibibio Sound Machine at the Foundry on 8 Nov are available from foundrysu.com. £25.
JAMIE WEBSTER – 10 NOV
SPRINTS – 11 NOV
JAKE BUGG – 12 NOV
CRAIG CHARLES’
FUNK & SOUL HOUSE PARTY – 14 NOV
ASH – 23 NOV
CAST – 27 NOV
BETH MCCARTHY – 28 NOV
WHEATUS – 1 DEC INSPIRAL CARPETS –4 DEC BAD MANNERS – 5 DEC
808 STATE – 6 DEC
THE SLOW READERS CLUB – 10 DEC
BADLY DRAWN BOY – 19 DEC
monday 3 nov 2025
rory
£25.00, Doors 7:00pm
thursday 6 nov 2025
djembe kingdom
£20.00, Doors 7:00pm
saturday 8 nov 2025
ibibio sound machine
£25.00, Doors 7:00pm
monday 10 nov 2025
jamie webster
£25.00, Doors 7:00pm
tuesday 11 nov 2025
sprints
£22.50, Doors 7:00pm
thursday 13 nov 2025
halina rice
£17.50, Doors 7:30pm
friday 14 nov 2025
Craig charles
funk & soul house party
£19.00, Doors 7:00pm
saturday 22 nov 2025
amble
£22.50, Doors 7:30pm
sunday 23 nov 2025
ash
£27.00, Doors 7:00pm
thursday 27 nov 2025
cast
£35.00, Doors 7:30pm
friday 28 nov 2025
beth mccarthy
£19.00, Doors 7:00pm
friday 29 nov 2025
£24.00, Doors 7:30pm
monday 1 dec 2025
wheatus
£27.50, Doors 7:30pm
thursday 4 dec 2025
inspiral carpets
£28.50, Doors 7:30pm
friday 5 dec 2025
bad manners
£27.50, Doors 7:30pm
SATURDAY 6 dec 2025
808 state ex:el live
£30.00, Doors 7:00pm
wednesday 10 dec 2025
the slow readers club
£27.50, Doors 7:30pm
friday 12 dec 2025
the clause
£15.00, Doors 7:30pm
saturday 13 dec 2025
indiepalooza
£26.00, Doors 7:00pm
friday 19 dec 2025
badly drawn boy
£32.0, Doors 7:00pm
friday 23 jan 2026
Arctic numpties
£18.50, Doors 7:00pm
saturday 31 jan 2026
vukovi
£22.50, Doors 7:00pm
saturday 7 feb 2026
the lilacs
£14.00, Doors 7:00pm
saturday 14 feb 2026
good neighbours
£14.00, Doors 7:00pm
friday 20 feb 2026
manchester calling
£20.00, Doors 6:30pm
friday 27 feb 2026
elvana
£29.50, Doors 7:00pm
all shows open to the public (14+ unless stated otherwise) tickets available from foundrysu.com box office: 0114 222 8777
saturday 21 mar 2026 uk foo fighters
£20.00, Doors 7:00pm
saturday 7 mar 2026
the feeling
£35.00, Doors 7:30pm
friday 20 feb 2026
the cribs
£14.00, Doors 7:00pm
saturday 25 april 2026
the britpop hour with marc burrows
£18.00, Doors 6:30pm
foundry, sheffield students’ union western bank, s10 2tg foundrysu.com - foundry@sheffield.ac.uk @foundrysheffield
scan for tickets
From rehearsal room dreams to a full-blown creative powerhouse, Heeley’s Hybrid 3 Studio is making serious noise. With fresh funding, a newly revamped space and a passion for community, Exposed visited the grassroots venue that’s ready to take Sheffield’s music scene to the next level.
WORDS: SIAN EMBERSON PHOTOGRAPHY: @TERRIER_WORKS
Located on Prospect Road in Heeley, the studio faced economic challenges in its early years, but their dedication has recently been recognised. Since launching in 2014, Hybrid 3 has been committed to “making the world of music and sound accessible to everyone”.
Managing director Matt Richie recalls
how it began as a simple idea between friends. “We wanted to create a safe rehearsal space in Sheffield where bands could feel like they’re having the best experience they possibly could,” he says. “But it quickly became more than that. We had the idea to turn it into a fullyfledged recording studio where we could run workshops with young people and different community groups.”
The building now offers everything from traditional instrument lessons and specialist mentoring to a full recording suite. “It’s a one-stop shop,” adds Matt. “You start here, and you can finish off... still here!”
Following a significant grant from the Arts Council’s Grassroots Music Fund, the studio held a celebratory gig, spanning a multitude of genres. For Matt, the funding is not only a celebration of their tenth year but also “a vindication that it’s been worthwhile”. In a difficult climate for venues across the UK, Hybrid 3 has “endured and got stronger despite everything”.
Matt is enthusiastic about the current momentum. “There’s a lot of channelling and organisation happening. Sheffield is getting its shit together, and it’s exciting to be a part of it.” The grant, he adds, is “a celebration of what we’ve done, the
city, and what’s going to happen next”. The funding has supported their ‘Hybrid Manifest’ project, which includes a full studio renovation with removable walls and outdoor decking –transforming the space into a venue ideal for live gigs. It’s also enabled the launch of their Artist Development Programme, which provides six local artists with mentoring, training and studio access.
These artists headlined the September event, marking the first of several paid gigs. “We put an open call out to artists across the city back in January and got loads of applicants,” says Matt. “We chose the people we thought we could help the most – and we’ve been running it for the past eight months now.”
Their community focus doesn’t stop there. As part of Rotherham’s Children’s Capital of Culture 2025 programme, Hybrid 3 will be travelling into the area, while also welcoming children into their own space to explore creativity. “The aim is to change the narrative and show what an awesome place [Rotherham] actually is.”
Their StoryBomb workshops are a key part of this outreach – immersive sessions for young people on free school meals, held during school holidays. Participants script and perform radio plays, which are then recorded and broadcast on local radio or the studio’s podcast channel. Conceived by executive producer Al McGregor, the workshops are, in Matt’s words, “really accessible –and you’ve got something to show for it at the end”.
Having grown up in Sheffield, Matt has watched the city’s music culture evolve. “It’s always been great. I was always on the periphery, doing bits and pieces, so it’s inspiring to finally jump in and be part of it.” That same passion now drives his inclusive, community-first approach: “We’re not exclusive. Anyone can come in – and we want to show that with practise, anyone can become something.”
Now into its second decade, the space continues to grow with the city’s scene. From young bands starting out to internationally touring artists, the studio has become a hub for music of all kinds. They’ve also partnered with WaterBear College, giving students access to the space – something Matt describes as “transformatory” for both parties.
Hybrid 3 is a glimpse into the future of underground, grassroots music in Sheffield. With a refreshed studio, bold new programming and a focus on nurturing talent, the team is set to keep pushing boundaries. As Matt puts it: “I think variety is the spice of life – and music.”
@hybrid3pro
UP FOR A FRESH CHALLENGE? ESCAPE HUNT ARRIVES IN SHEFFIELD WITH FIVE ROOMS READY TO TEST YOUR WITS. IF YOUR IDEA OF FUN INVOLVES CRACKING CODES, DODGING VAMPIRES AND RACING AGAINST THE CLOCK WITH YOUR MATES, GOOD NEWS –ESCAPE HUNT HAS LANDED IN THE STEEL CITY.
Located on the Leisure Deck at The Moor, Escape Hunt is the city’s newest home for immersive adventures and brainteasing missions. Whether you’re after a memorable day out with friends, a teambuilding do that’s actually fun or just want to feel like the main characters in your very own action film, this could be your next stop.
There are five different escape rooms to pick from, each one dropping you straight into a different world. You might be unlocking ancient secrets in Curse of the Pharaoh, breaking into a vault in Aladdin
and the Magic Vault or facing off with Count Dracula himself.
If you’d rather stay outdoors, there’s a selection of City Hunt games that’ll have you racing through Sheff’s streets solving puzzles with the help of a digital map and a backpack full of props. From chasing down vampires to following the White Rabbit in Return to Wonderland, these games are a way to explore the city with a twist.
Rooms are suitable for ages 8 and up, while City Hunt games are open to all ages – with under 8s going free. Prices start from £21 for escape rooms and £15 for City Hunts, with 15% off for students Monday to Thursday. Bargain.
If you’re stuck for festive party ideas that don’t involve limp buffets or questionable karaoke, Escape Hunt is putting on special Christmas packages too. Expect high-stakes, festive-themed challenges and a team of event planners who’ll do the organising for you. They’ve even got gift vouchers – ideal if you’re hunting for something a bit different to stick in a stocking this year.
Find Escape Hunt Sheffield at Leisure Deck, The Moor, S1 4PA. Head to escapehunt.com to book for bookings.
A brand-new artwork by beloved Pete McKee is set to be unveiled at the Cathedral – a nativity scene with a distinctly local flavour!
Commissioned specially for the festive season, McKee's nativity painting is a bold reimagining of the traditional biblical scene, set instead in a modern-day primary school. It draws inspiration from the Cathedral’s School Singing Programme, which supports music education across Sheffield.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever been commissioned by a church,” Pete said. “I’m really pleased that Sheffield Cathedral approached me and asked me to do it. There is a lot of humour and warmth in the painting – it also has a message of unity and acceptance. There is something different in each character.”
The six-by-four-foot painting will be on display inside the Cathedral throughout the Christmas period, and a full range of exclusive merch – including prints, mugs and tote bags – is available in the 1554 Cathedral gift shop.
For Dean Abi Thompson, bringing Pete on board was part of a wider ambition: “The question that runs through everything we do is: how do we be a Cathedral for everyone in Sheffield? Pete is the loveliest man and we’ve had the most wonderful conversations – together we’ve worked out the ingredients for the very best kind of school nativity painting.”
She added: “I’ve never commissioned art in my life but I thought, let’s have a go.”
7 Dec – Christingle Service
A joyful service for all ages, complete with candlelight, carols and a Christingle orange for everyone.
12 Dec – Archer Project Carol Service (12.30pm)
A traditional service in support of The Archer Project.
13 Dec – Carols Galore (11am & 1pm)
Drop-in carol singing sessions held inside the Cathedral – informal, joyful and free.
21 Dec – St Luke’s Carol Service (2pm)
Reflective carols and readings, celebrating memories and the hope of the season.
23 Dec – Crib Service (2pm & 4pm)
A relaxed nativity service where children help bring the Christmas story to life – no rehearsal needed.
24 Dec – Christmas Eve Carol Service (3pm)
A Sheffield tradition: candlelight, music and readings to welcome Christmas.
From twinkling trees and candlelit carols to bold light projections, live music and even a touch of cabaret – Sheffield Cathedral has something for everyone this festive season. Here’s what’s coming up...
20 Nov – The Dean’s Cabaret (7pm)
Cabaret in a Cathedral? Absolutely. Expect an evening of music and surprises featuring talent from the Cathedral and wider Sheffield community – with Dean Abi herself taking to the mic. Proceeds support The Archer Project.
22 Nov – Handel’s Messiah (7pm)
Kick off the season with the majesty of Handel’s oratorio, performed by Sheffield Cathedral Choir and the West Riding Ensemble.
2 Dec – 11 Jan – Christmas Tree Festival
Wander through more than 40 individually decorated trees and soak up the magic. It’s free, family-friendly and firmly part of Sheffield’s festive tradition.
5–14 Dec (5–9pm) – Light Up Sheffield Sheffield Cathedral, Central Library and Pounds Park
will light up with large-scale projections celebrating local stories and creativity. Inside the Cathedral, installations continue.
5 Dec onwards – Pete McKee’s Nativity for Sheffield
A brand-new painting from Pete McKee lands
at the Cathedral this December. Commissioned specially for the season, the mural reimagines the nativity through the lens of a Sheffield school play, celebrating humour, diversity and community spirit. Free to view.
5–7 & 10–13 Dec (4–6.15pm)
– Glow Quest Family Trail Part of Light Up Sheffield. Children can explore the Cathedral on a neon-lit trail filled with clues, glow sticks and torchlight adventures. A magical prize awaits every young explorer.
5 & 6 Dec – Sheffield Community Gospel Choir (7.30pm)
MOBO Award-winner Janine Dyer leads one of Yorkshire’s most powerful gospel choirs in an uplifting night of music and soul.
13 Dec – Cathedral Choir Christmas Concert (6.30pm)
A traditional festive performance from Sheffield
Cathedral Choir, directed by Tom Daggett.
16 Dec – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Christmas (6.45pm)
Experience the timeless beauty of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, performed live by candlelight.
19 Dec – Christmas at the Movies (7pm)
A live concert celebrating festive film favourites including Love Actually, Elf and Home Alone, performed by the London Concertante.
22 Dec – Choir with No Name: Big Christmas Singalong (7pm)
Sheffield’s Choir with No Name take to the stage for their first ever Christmas show – a heartwarming celebration of song and solidarity.
For full event listings and ticket information, visit www.sheffieldcathedral.org
Orchard Square, located in the heart of Sheffield city centre, is the perfect place to meet, eat, drink, shop and hang out this Christmas.
The Square offers a leading line-up of national brands and independent retailers from TK Maxx, Waterstones, House of Cavani to jewellers, hairdressers, barbers, tattoo artists, and an array of craft workshops – all alongside a range of favourite food, drink and leisure destinations, to suit all tastes and budgets.
On Thursday 20th November, the square will officially launch into the Christmas season, in partnership with Classical Sheffield,. Everyone is invited, expect festive music from local choir groups with fresh mince pies and mulled wine, plus pop-ups stalls and other festivities taking place. It’s not to be missed!
Their popular Christmas makers’ market is back by
ORCHARD SQUARE: THE PLACE TO MEET, EAT, DRINK, SHOP AND RELAX THIS CHRISTMAS.
popular demand on 29th & 30th November, where you can shop local traders, deli stalls, crafts and so much more from 12pm – 4pm.
Back by popular demand this Christmas is The Terrace Grotto Bar, part of the terrace venue, Cheap Dates, offering customers a range of festive tipples and cocktails as well as music and snacks from outdoor heated comfort.
Game Show All-Stars, is another must-go when visiting the Square - the ultimate place to get competitive and have some fun with family, friends and colleagues.
And it’s not too late to book your Christmas party with plenty on offer from a range of fantastic hospitality venues, including Proove, the award-winning,
authentic Neapolitan pizza restaurant, The Old Shoe, offering one of the UK’s most diverse drinks list and Sheffield Plate, Sheffield’s friendliest independent food hall.
And for our younger friends, the North Pole post boxes will be stationed in the Square this year, with letters and envelopes available from participating retailers.
So, whether it’s Christmas gifts, a festive pamper, or late-night dining with family, friends or colleagues, Orchard Square has something for everyone this festive season.
Find us just off Fargate www.orchardsquare.co.uk
FB: Orchard Square X: orchardsquare INSTA: orchardsquare
Conveniently located in close proximity to the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University as well as local transport links, shops, bars & restaurants. Contemporary and stylish in design, we have premium studio, one & two bedroom apartments available to rent, providing sophisticated urban living at affordable prices. Our spacious apartments are fully furnished, enjoy a generous open-plan kitchen, dining & living area. Residents will benefit from a concierge service, 24/7 on-site security team, electronic entry system, underground car park & on-site gym. Up to 1,000 mb/s through hyperoptic and sky / freeview are wired into each apartment.
It’s that time of year again, student pals! Here are some of the best properties on the market for 2026/27 –don’t miss out!
MAF PROPERTIES
1. ON HALLAM’S DOORSTEP
Located directly on Sheffield Hallam’s City Campus, the Lion Works development offers 3 high-end 4-bed apartments ideal for students looking for elegance and ease.
The refurbished living area features leather sofas, a flat screen TV and a stylish dining table, all connected to a modern kitchen fitted with a fridge freezer, dishwasher, washer/dryer and microwave. There are 2 fully tiled shower rooms and each of the 4 bedrooms are fully furnished with a double bed, wardrobe, desk, chair.
With double glazing, free broadband and TV and IT points available in every room, these unique flats are ideal for students who want to stay comfortable, as well as close to campus.
Where: 92 Arundel Street
From £101pw
Book: mafstudents.co.uk
2. ECCY ROAD LIVING
Ecclesall Gate is a fantastic recently built complex at the bottom of Ecclesall Road, ideally located for both universities and surrounded by local amenities. from 4 to 6 bedroom apartments, accommodation is constructed to high standard, featuring luxury fixtures and fittings, including fully fitted kitchen with integrated appliances: hob, oven, extractor, fridge freezers, washer/dryer, dishwasher and microwave. Residents benefit from fully tiled shower rooms, TV and IT points in every room, free broadband, energy-efficient gas central heating and double glazing.
Where: 112-116 Ecclesall Road, S11 8JB
From: Check website for latest details.
Book: mafstudents.co.uk
3. THE ECCO COMPLEX
Ecco is a modern development by MAF, offering high-standard 2- and 3- bedroom rental apartments. Located at the bottom of Ecclesall Road, next to Waitrose and Wetherspoons, Ecco combines convenience and style in a prime city-centre spot. Each apartment features a spacious openplan living and dining area, a fully fitted
kitchen with granite worktops, splashbacks, and integrated appliances including oven, hob, extractor, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer. Residents also enjoy leather sofas, a coffee table, breakfast bar and stools.
Bathrooms are fully tiled with luxurious Villeroy & Boch fixtures. Double bedrooms are furnished with a bed, mirrored wardrobes, desk and chair, plus internet and TV points. Free Wi-Fi is included throughout. Secure parking is available at an additional cost, please enquire for pricing.
Where: 1 Harrow Street, S11 8BP
Book: mafstudents.co.uk
4.
This large 6-bed house is within walking
distance of Hallam and University of Sheffield campuses, as well as the city centre, making it a great option for any student.
Over 3 floors, this contemporary property offers 6 spacious bedrooms, each equipped with a large bed, modern furniture and a wall mounted TV.
The sizable kitchen features generous storage and is fully furnished with appliances, including 2 fridge/freezers, a dishwasher and a washer dryer. The lounge includes a TV and is laminate floored, and there are 2 shower rooms with toilets, 1 bath, and an extra ground floor WC. Private parking is also available for an annual fee.
Where: 21 Broom Street, S10 2DA
From £90 pw (6 students)
Book: www.capland.co.uk
PEDDLER WAREHOUSE
S3 8BX
FRI 5-11PM SAT 12-11PM
PEDDLER MARKET SHEFFIELD
7TH+8TH NOVEMBER
PEDDLER MARKET SHEFFIELD
5TH+6TH DECEMBER
This cool, mid-terraced property is situated in Crookesmoor, with shops, takeaways and transport links close by. Its generously-sized 5 bedrooms are equipped with a large bed and contemporary furniture.
The living area features a wall-mounted TV, adjoined to a glossy kitchen that’s fit with integrated appliances including a dishwasher and washer/dryer. The second floor houses a fully tiled shower room as well as a separate WC.
The house is accessible by a secure gated-entry system, and with the owners also managing next door property 42 Bower Road, it’s a safe bet in a popular student hotspot.
Where: 44 Bower Road, S10 1ER
From £95 pw (5 students)
Book: www.capland.co.uk
This modern, stylish maisonette sits opposite Sheffield Hallam’s Collegiate Campus, with Ecclesall Road’s cafes, shops and supermarkets only steps away.
The property offers 3 spacious bedrooms furnished with a large bed, contemporary furniture and a wall-mounted television. Across 2 floors, the duplex is equipped with a shower room with WC, a roomy living area and a finished kitchen that features a washer/dryer and a dishwasher.
Entry is provided via a keycode gate, ensuring safe student living.
Where: 367A Ecclesall Road, S11 8PF
From £94 pw (3 students)
Book: www.capland.co.uk
7.
This fantastic 11-bed house sits in the heart of Crookesmoor, a popular student area with pubs, cafés and parks nearby. Just up from the Arts Tower, it’s a short walk to the city centre and around 30 minutes to Kelham Island - ideal for a large group wanting a spacious home for the year.
The house includes a huge living room with a pub-sized pool table, a separate laundry room, 4 bathrooms (including 1 bath) and off-road parking on the private drive. Each bedroom is well-sized and fully furnished with a 3/4 double bed, wardrobe, drawers, bedside table, bookshelf, desk and chair.
You’ll also get free superfast broadband, a wall-mounted TV, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, vacuum and all PA properties feature a fully equipped kitchen with microwave, toaster and kettle.
Where: 115 Roebuck Road
From £95 pw (bills inclusive option available)
Book: paproperties.co.uk
8. ONE FOR ALL
This brilliant 8-bed Victorian house is
perfect for both Hallam and University of Sheffield students, as its only a short trek from its spot on Ecclesall Road to either campus and the city centre. With excellent transport links and hundreds of shops, bars, restaurants and supermarkets on your doorstep, convenience is a guarantee.
The property offers a spacious, baywindowed living room, modern fitted kitchen and a conservatory dining area. Bedrooms are good sized and furnished with a 3/4 double bed, wardrobe, drawers, bedside table, bookshelf, desk and chair.
There’s a ground-floor shower room, and a spacious bathroom on the first floor featuring a bath and shower. Outside, the garden includes an outhouse laundry room and extra freezer space.
The essentials are provided, like free superfast broadband, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, vacuum and a large flat screen TV. All kitchens are fully equipped with microwaves, toasters and kettles.
Where: 384 Ecclesall Road
From £101pw (bills inclusive option available)
Book: paproperties.co.uk
9.
Just off Eccy Road, this beautiful 8-bed property sits close to Endcliffe park, Endcliffe Student Village, and Sharrowvale Road’s vibrant shops and restaurants. The house includes a spacious modern kitchen, featuring a breakfast bar, a cosy living room with French doors, leading to a private garden equipped with picnic benches.
All bedrooms are fully furnished and well sized, kitted with a 3/4 double bed, wardrobe, drawers, bedside table, bookshelf, desk and chair. There are 2 bathrooms both equipped with showers, one also including a bath, and an extra downstairs WC.
The property comes with free superfast broadband, a large flat screen TV, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher and vacuum. All properties include fully equipped kitchens including microwaves, toasters and kettles.
Where: 1 Wiseton Road
From £97 pw (bills inclusive option available)
Book: paproperties.co.uk
10. ALL YOU NEED
Accommodating over 430 students, Brass Founders has got everything you could ever need for uni life.
Residents can enjoy access to a gym, cinema room, cosy common areas and an outdoor courtyard. There’s also group and solo workspaces available, as well as table football and air hockey if you need a quick study break.
Tenant options include ensuite rooms in a shared flat or a private studio, all with fixed rent, inclusive utilities, in-flat washer dryer, ultrafast Wi-Fi and 24/7 onsite staff support.
Only a short 10-minute walk to the University of Sheffield and the City Centre, and 15 minutes to Hallam, it’s a great spot for anyone and a true home run for student living.
Where: 130 Scotland Street, S3 7DD
From £96pw Book: unitestudents.com
11. DEV GREEN DIGS
Westhill Hall is home to 499 students and, being less than a ten minute walk to the city centre and both university campuses, keeps students close to the action.
Overlooking Devonshire Green, the complex offers access to a cinema room, table football, common areas, study spaces and an outdoor courtyard.
Residents can choose a range of ensuites within a shared flat, blending the fun, social aspect of a shared kitchen with the comfort of a private bathroom. All rooms include fixed rent, utilities, ultrafast Wi-Fi, and 24/7 onsite staff.
Where: 61 Eldon Street, S1 4NN
From £73pw
Book: unitestudents.com
If you’re looking for city centre living, Archways has got you covered. The property is home to more than 200 students and sits just 5 minutes away from Hallam University and Sheffield train station.
All residents share flats and kitchens, but every room is en-suite fit with a private bathroom. Outside there’s a large courtyard equipped with picnic tables and ping-pong, and the common room (shared with other property Leadmill Point) offers comfy sofas, TV, pool and table football.
Fixed rent includes utilities, ultrafast Wi-Fi, contents insurance and staff support 24/7 onsite.
Where: 18 Leadmill Road, S1 4SG
From £73pw
Book: unitestudents.com
13.
Conveniently located in close proximity to both universities, as well as all the shops, bars and restaurants Sheffield has to offer, Velocity Village on Solly Street is contemporary and stylish and the kind of pad your mates will be jealous they didn’t bag for themselves. Their two bedroom apartments provide sophisticated urban living at affordable prices and are spacious, fully furnished with generous open plan kitchen, dining and living area as well as fully enclosed balcony for use all year round. They enjoy maximum light, with full height floor to ceiling glass while Velocity Village’s friendly and helpful residential team is on hand to make your stay as hassle free as possible. As a resident you’ll benefit from a concierge service, 24/7 on-site security team and an electronic entry system to ensure you feel safe and comfortable at all times. Up to 10MB broadband and Sky/ Freeview are wired into each apartment, making it simple to get connected from the moment you arrive. Velocity Village also enjoys its own secure, underground car park. Where: Velocity Village, Solly Street S1 4DF
Book: velocity-village.co.uk // lettings@velocity-village.co.uk
One of the city’s most creatively inspiring weekends returns!
This month, Yorkshire Artspace invites you behind the scenes for a rare glimpse into the working worlds of over 100 artists and makers. Spread across two bustling city-centre buildings, Open Studios offers a weekend full of creativity, conversation and the chance to see where ideas come to life.
On Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 November, from 11am to 5pm, the public is invited to step behind the scenes at Persistence Works on Brown Street and Exchange Place Studios near Victoria Quays. Entry is completely free (with a suggested £3 donation), and you don’t need to book – just turn up, wander and take it all in.
This is no ordinary art event, readers. Open Studios offers a rare chance to nosey around real working studios, meet the artists in their natural habitats and see where the ideas are born, the clay is thrown and the metal is hammered. Whether
you’re a curious visitor, a budding artist or simply after a unique gift, this is your opportunity to connect with Sheffield’s creative community on a deeply personal level.
Each venue brings its own flavour. Persistence Works –nestled near the Showroom Cinema – is a purpose-built artist studio complex brimming with painters, printmakers, ceramicists, jewellers and metalworkers. Wander across four floors and you’ll find demonstrations from metalfolding to ceramic-sculpting, plus exhibitions like Autumn Almanac V and a showcase from local interiors brand PR Home.
Over at Exchange Place, just a stone’s throw from the Castlegate development, you’ll discover a warren of studios in a characterful former office block. From experimental textiles to stone lithography, the
masterclass in local talent.
Expect a relaxed, festival feel across both buildings, with pop-up cafés serving up tea, coffee and pastries to keep you going. If you fancy something heartier, Kollective Kitchen – just around the corner at Site Gallery – comes highly recommended by the organisers.
The event is proudly accessible, with step-free entry, lifts to every floor and space for prams. Well-behaved dogs are welcome too, as long as they’re kept on a lead.
In a time when many artists struggle for space and visibility, Open Studios reminds us just how rich and vital Sheffield’s creative scene really is. Yorkshire Artspace has spent decades nurturing talent and building a supportive community for makers of all stripes. Events like this one allow the public to see – and support – the results of that work.
variety is staggering. The Crit Showcase exhibition adds an extra layer of inspiration, while collaborative drawing sessions on the third floor invite visitors to leave their mark – quite literally.
Open Studios isn’t just for grown-ups or seasoned collectors. Families are very much encouraged to come along, with free creative workshops throughout the weekend. Kids can craft their own wooden robot at a dropin session with furniture designer Anna Childs at Persistence Works. Meanwhile, at Exchange Place, everyone is invited to contribute to a giant collaborative drawing – a joyful and accessible way to join in, no matter your skill level.
Fancy watching the creativity in action? Demonstrations will run all weekend, offering insight into everything from Gelli plate printmaking to copper bowl raising. It’s like a
So whether you leave with a sketch, a sculpture or just a head full of inspiration, one thing’s certain: you’ll see Sheffield in a new light. A more creative, hands-on, communitydriven light. And that’s something worth celebrating.
IN A NUTSHELL YORKSHIRE
ARTSPACE OPEN STUDIOS
Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 November 2025
11am–5pm both days
Persistence Works, Brown Street, S1 2BS Exchange Place, Exchange Street, S2 5TR
Free entry – no booking required
More info: artspace. org.uk
INSPIRED BY SPENDING EVERY MINUTE PLAYING OUT IN THE STREETS OF THE ESTATE WITH A FOOTBALL, YARD BALL IS A PLACE TO LOVE THE GAME AGAIN.
ALL THE STUFF YOU GREW UP LOVING - BROUGHT INDOORS, FOR A NEW GENERATION. CROSSBAR CHALLENGE, SPEED SHOT, ICE SCREAMER, GARAGES, KERBY, RETRO ARCADES, LICENCED BAR, GREAT FOOD & MORE
KID’S PARTIES / GROUPS & CORPORATES / GRASSROOTS OFFERS / SCHOOL VISITS / NETWORKING EVENTS / LITTLE UN’S SESSIONS / CLASSIC FOOTY ON THE TELLY / LOTS OF NOSTALGIA
Two of Yorkshire Artspace’s resident artists open up about the inspiration behind their work, the realities of studio life and why Open Studios offers a rare and meaningful glimpse into the creative process.
Can you tell us a bit about your artistic practice and what inspires your work?
My work begins observationally. I work from a large collection of very (literally) grotty images which have evolved over the past decade – my own photos and found images. I interpret them as a display of English violence, darkness and excess. I listen to a lot of spoken word, especially the likes of Derek Jarman, which feeds into the titles of the works. There are a lot of CCTV shots of pubs and car parks where some kind of subterranean nightlife action is happening in various shires around the UK. It’s from these images, peppered with a bit of obsession for the beauty of the English countryside, that my
paintings and drawings begin.
What can visitors expect to see or experience when they step into your studio during Open Studios?
At the moment it’s a slovenly mess, but I’m hoping to make a neat display wall of smaller paintings and show the beginnings of some large ones. I’ll have to put away most of the grotty archive I work from to keep it family-friendly fun, but there’ll definitely be the odd weird Punch and Judy trinket here and there.
How does being part of the Yorkshire Artspace community influence or support your creative process?
I’ve only just returned to the YAS
community, having mainly been caring for my kids for the past couple of years, so moments in the studio have been reclusive and time-sensitive. But it feels great to be back in the bosom of such a supportive and diverse community of artists, and to be able to attend events and private views in Sheffield. Just having the opportunity to speak about art “work” is so unique and valuable – it helps to keep questioning and pushing your practice.
Why do you think events like Open Studios are important for artists and the wider public?
For me, it gives an opportunity to take your space seriously. Most of the time I am very messy and things pile up around me as I paint and observe. Open Studios brings a different type of audience –people who want a glimpse of how you “exist/work” in your studio – and it provides a rare moment to honour that.
Are there any particular pieces, techniques or projects you’re especially excited to share this year?
I’d like to show the large piece I did for the Echo Art Fair in October this year, Car Park Amidst English Shire – it’s a punchy one.
@catroissetterart
Can you tell us a bit about your artistic practice and what inspires your work?
Working in porcelain and stoneware, I combine drawing, painting and printmaking to build narrative on the surface of decorative, hand-built ceramics. My drawings are inspired by mundane scenes and moments of connection, interspersed with imagery from half-remembered Scottish superstitions.
What can visitors expect to see or experience when they step into your studio during Open Studios?
Lots of wobbly pots – some finished, some still in progress. There’ll also be some big strange drawings on paper, which are more just for fun than anything else and not something I plan on showing outside of the studio.
How does being part of the Yorkshire Artspace community influence or support your creative process?
I joined Yorkshire Artspace on the Ceramic Starter Studio programme in 2017 when I was just starting out in ceramics. That meant I could access business support, technical support and mentoring while making. Then I was
able to move into my own studio at YAS at the end of the programme and take everything I’d learned with me.
I’ve felt really supported by YAS throughout my career so far – I probably wouldn’t have had a clue how to make it work without being here, so I feel very lucky to be part of the community. On a day-to-day basis, being surrounded by other artists and makers is really inspiring and supportive. Coming from a background where I didn’t know anyone making a living in the arts, it’s been really encouraging to be around artists who are doing it.
Why do you think events like Open Studios are important for artists and
the wider public?
It’s great for us to show our workspaces and demonstrate our processes, because I think it helps people see the time, effort and skill that goes into making – which maybe isn’t obvious when you just see the finished piece.
The comment I hear most is: “It’s really exciting to see behind the scenes – we didn’t know what went on in here!” People walk past the building all the time, then come in and find all these people busy making things. I think it’s really inspiring and I hope it makes people want to go and make something. I mean that for any age, but especially for young people – if I’d seen this much creativity as a kid, I think it would’ve made me think: wow, this is what I want to do one day.
Are there any particular pieces, techniques or projects you’re especially excited to share this year?
This year I was awarded DYCP funding from Arts Council England to develop my work. I’ve been playing with scale, experimenting with different printmaking techniques and adding press-moulded elements. I’ve really enjoyed the development time, but the work still feels very much in progress –so Open Studios will be the first time I’m showing these pieces.
@beccabrwn
Could you tell us how you first got involved in art and any of your early artistic influences?
I was born in Bristol and grew up in Blackpool. Art outside of school wasn’t really part of my background, though my folks were creative in their own ways. I did the odd doodle and illustration, but it was at school that I realised I had a knack for it. My high school art teacher, Mr Carroll, encouraged me to push further. Still, being at an all-boys comprehensive school, I was steered towards STEM subjects, so I ended up doing A-levels and then went to Bangor University in 1990 to study mathematics. I lasted six months. Ironically, it was at Bangor that I really started painting – landscapes at first, views of Snowdon that I could see from the halls of residence –and began building a portfolio of sorts.
When I dropped out, I went back to see Mr Carroll. On the Monday, he told me to bring in all my drawings. By Wednesday, he’d booked me an interview at the local art college foundation
course. By Friday, I’d been accepted. That week changed my life. I spent two years on the Blackpool foundation course, which gave me the grounding to go on and study Fine Art at Sheffield Hallam in 1993.
My early influences were Magritte’s surrealism, De Chirico’s metaphysical strangeness, and Yves Klein’s minimalism. Over time, that’s broadened. You can still see De Chirico in my work, but now I’d add Andrew Wyeth’s magical realism, Edward Hopper’s lonely stillness, and Gregory Crewdson’s photographs of unnerving townscape atmosphere. Those threads run through the paintings in my current Cupola show – ordinary spaces charged with something uncanny, where the familiar becomes unfamiliar.
How has your style or approach evolved since you first started creating? At uni I was encouraged to work in the anti-painting styles of the time, ending up making very dry monochrome canvases with text on. A trip to San Francisco
in the mid-90s changed my view of what art could be. I realised painting could be expansive and emotional – people were painting everywhere: street walls, inside hallways, advertising – not just the dry, cerebral, conceptual work I was used to.
After university I worked all sorts of jobs, eventually spending a decade at Waterstones. Surrounded by books, I researched, absorbed and taught myself through what I could get hold of. In 2008 I pushed myself to start showing portraits on a stall, and in 2009 I was asked to make a portrait of the Moor in Sheffield. I couldn’t pin it down to one image, so I created a constellation of square paintings, each showing a different aspect. This opened the door to cityscapes being a subject.
In the early 2010s I began walking the city and found myself drawn to marginal places and spaces – empty shopfronts, car parks, backstreets, half-lit corners – that carried a strange tension. That’s when I came across the word kenopsia, in John Koenig’s The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows Tumblr blog: the eerie atmosphere of a place usually full of people but now empty. It described exactly what I was painting. Since then my work has been about those overlooked corners of Sheffield, especially at night. I’m not expressly interested in photorealism. I want my painting marks to stay visible, while letting what I’m painting be clear. My approach has shifted from conceptualism to something rooted in realism, but it’s always been about reconstructing what I felt in a moment – creating a connection and meaning as I construct the painting.
Is there a dream project or collaboration you’d love to take on?
I’ve got two ideas that keep circling back. A few years ago I worked on The Inner City Round Walk of Sheffield by Terry Howard – a 12-mile route that threads through the city’s suburbs, industrial heritage and hidden corners. I’d love to return to that project and build a deeper relationship with it, making work that responds directly to
the walk, section by section, so the paintings become a kind of companion to the journey.
The other idea is more open. I’d like to create a project where I ask people about their own relationships with Sheffield – the odd, obscure places that matter to them, the corners that carry memory or atmosphere. Then I’d make work from those stories and observations. It would open Sheffield out into something more than just my view of it, layering my perspective with the city as others live and feel it.
How would you describe your work to someone seeing it for the first time?
I’d describe my paintings as realist works that focus on Sheffield at night, but not the obvious or celebrated views – always absent of people, suggesting a freezing of a moment in time. They’re about the city’s quieter corners – streets, shopfronts, car parks – that often go unnoticed, yet seem to hold memory and atmosphere. What I’m aiming for is a sense of stillness and tension, where the familiar feels slightly estranged, as if the place itself is holding something back.
Though obviously I use photography, the paintings aren’t about strictly reproducing a photograph. I want the brushwork to stay visible. The errors are important – they give the surface life. The painting is made by a human being, not a machine.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Be curious and keep looking. Read, walk, notice things, and let yourself be influenced by what’s around you. It doesn’t have to be grand – sometimes it’s the smallest detail that opens up a whole new direction.
And finally, be patient with yourself. Art isn’t a straight line. There will be flat patches, detours, and times when you feel stuck. That’s all part of it. Keep going, keep paying attention, and hopefully the work will carry you through.
Paintings by Andy Cropper can be viewed at Cupola Gallery until 15 November. @andycropperart
Hailing from Texas and now making their mark on the Sheffield scene, Mak is taking bold strides with striking monochrome pieces and distinctive murals across the UK. Their practice bridges studio and street, blending illustration with expressive confident mark-making. From charcoal to spray cans, they are constantly exploring creative mediums to give their work plenty of depth.
Mak’s latest collection reveals a unique visual language that feels both fluid and controlled. Tonally, each piece balances light and darkness, capturing the tension between movement and stillness, life and decay. Beneath these contrasts lies a thread of imagination that runs through their work: these worlds and creatures seem born from the vivid inner landscapes they have sculpted. It shows an escape into fantasy that has evolved into a mature visual language, inviting viewers into dreamlike spaces that feel both personal and universal.
Their confident use of black and white creates depth without excess, allowing form and texture to lead the eye. There’s a natural rhythm to Mak’s work, organic yet deliberate. It feels alive, expressive and self-assured: the mark of an artist steadily defining their own voice within contemporary street art.
@big_mak_murals
4 NOV // PLAYHOUSE // £12-14
It’s 1993, and Mum won’t let Alice go to Funderland because Belfast is burning. Decades later, Alice meets Tim and finally falls in love – but can she escape a childhood shaped by conflict? Troubled is an explosive, funny and heartfelt story of love, loss and human connection –told with tea and biscuits.
SHEFFIELDTHEATRES.CO.UK
UNTIL 8 NOV // ART HOUSE // FREE
Artists Anna Perotti and Eva Juusola present a joint exhibition inspired by the Peak District’s beauty. Anna’s bold, largescale landscapes capture the colour and texture of the moors, while Eva’s delicate monochrome prints explore light and atmosphere – together revealing the region’s drama and serenity.
ARTHOUSESHEFFIELD.CO.UK
21-22 NOV // PLAYHOUSE // £10
Join poet Toby Thompson for a spellbinding solo adaptation of The Little Prince. Travelling through the universe in search of friendship and meaning, he brings Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s timeless tale to life with poetic flair – a moving reminder to see with our hearts and rediscover childlike wonder.
SHEFFIELDTHEATRES.CO.UK
29 NOV – 10 JAN // CRUCIBLE // £15-£50
Sheffield Theatres festive special opens this month, bringing Dickens’ timeless tale of redemption to life. When the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve, he’s forced to confront his past, present and future – rediscovering kindness, hope and the true spirit of Christmas.
SHEFFIELDTHEATRES.CO.UK
UNTIL 1 FEB // SITE GALLERY // FREE
Slime Mother is an immersive exhibition celebrating the much-maligned slug. Combining film, text, sculpture and installation, it explores queer ecologies, care and connection – inviting us to slow down, merge and embrace the strange resilience of this slippery, misunderstood creature.
SITEGALLERY.ORG
