Christopher Hallam

A photo-led retrospective revisits 26 shops, pubs, nightclubs and other city-centre venues associated with Sheffield during the 1970s. Featured memories include the much-loved Redgates toy store, the Stone House, Josephine’s and the Gaumont cinema, alongside appearances by Leslie Crowther and The Beatles.

Christopher Hallam joins Sheaf & Porter Rivers Trust volunteers for a training walk through Sheffield’s Megatron, a network of mid-19th-century culverts beneath Sheffield Railway Station. The tour follows the Porter and Sheaf waterways through dark, narrow and sometimes hazardous tunnels, highlighting industrial relics, a new natural light well and the conservation work supported by tour proceeds. Wildlife, including trout, birds, invertebrates, bats and invasive signal crayfish, is returning to the waterways. Conditions can change quickly with rainfall, and some sections may reach chest height, but the experience is described as both demanding and invigorating. July tours have sold out, with further tickets expected for August and September.

Thomas Jessop, a Sheffield steel magnate and civic leader, helped build William Jessop & Sons into a major British steel company and served as mayor during the devastating Sheffield Flood of 1864. He established a relief fund that grew through public donations and later contributed £26,000 toward a new Jessop Hospital for Women. Although the hospital closed in 2001, its Grade II-listed building remains part of the University of Sheffield’s Jessop Development, while the Jessop Wing at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital preserves his name and philanthropic legacy.

Ellesmere Children’s Centre and Emosi in Burngreave, Sheffield, has appointed City of London town clerk and chief executive Ian Thomas CBE and Grammy-nominated house music musician Steve Edwards as its first patrons. The appointments coincide with the centre’s 30th anniversary and are intended to raise its profile and support its future work. Thomas highlighted his commitment to early-years education and giving back to Sheffield, while Edwards praised the centre’s inclusive support for children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds. The centre, founded in 1996, is rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

Groupon is offering up to 64% off 60-minute full-body massage sessions at Sals Cut n Weave House Of Luxe on Penistone Road in Sheffield. Customers can buy one session for £20.03, reduced from £49.99, or three sessions for £53.49, reduced from £150. The promotional offer highlights relaxation, reduced muscle tension and improved circulation.

A photographic look back at Sheffield GCSE results days from 1998 to 2012, featuring students at schools including Firth Park, Myers Grove, Sheffield High and Abbeydale. The images capture celebrations and other emotions as students considered their next steps, including sixth form, college, apprenticeships and employment.

A gallery of 32 archival photographs traces how Heeley in Sheffield changed from the late 19th century through the 1990s. The images feature local landmarks and street scenes including the Red Lion tram terminus, a newsagents on Well Road, Heeley Green Picture House, Heeley Station, Heeley Baths and Heeley Post Office, showing how buildings, businesses and transport facilities evolved over nearly a century.

Songwriter and producer Eliot Kennedy recalls how the then-unsigned Spice Girls travelled to Sheffield to find him and stayed at his North Anston home studio, where they co-wrote hits including “Say You'll Be There,” “Love Thing” and “Step to Me.” Born in Sheffield and raised partly in Australia, Kennedy developed his career through a passion for music rather than formal training, encouraged by his school headmaster, Mr Forster. He later wrote and produced major hits for Take That, Boyzone, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin and others, while remaining connected to the working-class communities of South Yorkshire that shaped his early life.

Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park in Sheffield is offering a Santa Sleepover and festive park package through Wowcher from £189, compared with a usual price of £397. The package includes theme park entry, themed accommodation, Land of Lights tickets, breakfast and on-site parking, with cabins available for different family sizes. Bookings are valid on selected dates until December 23, 2026.

Sheffield’s National Emergency Services Museum, housed in a former Victorian police, fire and ambulance station, offers interactive exhibits covering the history of the city’s emergency services. Visitors can explore vehicles, uniforms, medical equipment, firefighting archives and a 47-foot lifeboat, with activities designed for children and adults. A Groupon offer provides savings of up to 48 per cent on individual, couple or family tickets.

Wowcher is offering discounted tickets for a full-day Peak District steam train experience on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Prices start at £4 for children, £8 for one adult and £18 for a family of five, representing savings of up to 63%. The ticket includes unlimited journeys through Derbyshire’s countryside, with access to heritage steam and diesel services and stops near attractions including the High Peak Trail and National Stone Centre.

A Wowcher deal offers two-night stays at Lakeside Secret Gardens near Bridlington, Yorkshire, from £199 for groups of four or six. The lodges include private hot tubs, with prosecco and chocolates on arrival, and provide access to fishing lakes, countryside walks and the coast. Some lodges are pet-friendly, although guests should check availability and additional charges. The offer is presented as up to 31% cheaper than comparable Staycation Breaks prices.

Morrisons is offering 25% off its Nutmeg school uniform range from 10 to 16 August 2026, ahead of the 2026/27 school year. Discounted items include polo shirts, shirts, trousers, skirts and PE kits. The promotion highlights Nutmeg’s durability, Colour Lock Technology and one-price promise, while noting that the range won recognition in the MadeForMums School Uniform Awards.

Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel & Spa is offering a three-hour spa day through Wowcher, including a 25-minute treatment, refreshments, robes and slippers, and access to facilities such as the indoor pool, sauna and steam room. The deal costs £65 for one person, a 28% reduction from £90, or £110 for two people, a 39% saving from £180, and includes a £10 voucher toward a future visit.

A Wowcher deal offers two people a two-course meal at The Rooftop restaurant at Radisson Blu Sheffield, including a glass of prosecco each, for £29 instead of the usual £77—a 62% saving. The venue overlooks Sheffield Town Hall and the Peace Gardens and offers contemporary British dishes, with optional upgrades for steak or an Angus beef burger. Advance booking is recommended, particularly for guests with dietary requirements.

R1SE Yoga is offering a three-hour beginners aerial yoga course in Sheffield’s Krynkl building, combining yoga, Pilates and trapeze-based exercises with music, yoga equipment and herbal tea. The course normally costs £50, but a Groupon deal offers savings of up to 50 per cent, making it suitable both for newcomers and as a gift.

Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield, home of the 1624 Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, is explored through a guided tour led by archivist and curator Emma Paragreen. The feature traces Sheffield’s cutlery and steelmaking heritage from the medieval period, explaining the company’s role in regulating quality, granting makers’ marks and promoting local manufacturing. It also describes the hall’s successive buildings, its Grade II-listed architecture, steel doors and historic collections. Free guided tours will be offered during Heritage Open Days on September 19, 2026.

Sheffield-born musician Paul Carrack is to receive a Sheffield Legends plaque outside Sheffield Town Hall on August 4, recognizing a career spanning more than five decades as a solo artist, songwriter, session musician and member of bands including Ace, Squeeze and Mike and the Mechanics. Carrack initially thought the honour was a practical joke and says he regards it as recognition not only for himself but also for his family, Sheffield and the working-class community that shaped him. The unveiling will be attended by family, friends, civic leaders and members of the public, shortly before the release of his new album, The Country Side of Paul Carrack Vol 2.

Sheffield artist Keith Short discusses how sketching and singing in the pubs of the city’s Irish Triangle helped him overcome social withdrawal after a traumatic experience. His artwork, displayed at The Grapes and Fagan’s, portrays local musicians, patrons and community figures, including Irish-Sheffield legend John “Big Jack” Dowling. Short says the people he draws gave him a sense of belonging and helped him feel that he still had value, while his sketches have also prompted memories and emotional responses among pub visitors.

Alton Towers Resort will extend its opening hours to 7pm from 14 to 31 August 2026 at no extra cost, giving families more time to enjoy rides, free waterpark access and a limited-time Minecraft experience. The Minecraft attraction runs from 18 July to 28 August and is included with standard admission. The resort is also promoting summer short breaks from £87 per person, including theme park entry, free waterpark swimming for children, accommodation and reduced VAT pricing, with stays available between 20 July and 1 September.

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is promoting reduced VAT prices for visits between 25 June and 1 September 2026. The resort offers more than 55 rides and attractions, themed hotels, dining and shopping facilities, while hotel guests can receive discounts for the LEGOLAND Adventure Golf experience. The resort is open daily from 10am to 6pm, and Adventure Golf from 10am to 8:30pm.

A Wowcher offer provides 52 per cent off the Bazaar Express Spa Day at Gomersal Park Hotel & Spa in West Yorkshire. The package costs £76 for one person or £152 for two and includes four hours of spa access, a choice of 50-minute treatments, afternoon tea, Prosecco or a soft-drink alternative, robe and towel hire, flip-flops, parking and EV charging.

A guide to family activities available in and around Sheffield during the summer holidays, including the Together We Play exhibition at the National Videogame Museum, the Sheffield by the Seaside event, Victorian-themed detective activities, PLAY Festival at Showroom Cinema, climbing at Rock Up Meadowhall, indoor football at Yard Ball and the interactive exhibits at Somewhere Different.

A discounted Wowcher voucher offers up to 66 percent off a Bannatyne Spa Day, reducing the price to £67.98. The package includes either a 30‑minute or 60‑minute treatment, access to spa facilities, an eye mask experience and bath salts. Treatment options include massages, facials, scrubs and manicures, alongside use of pools, hot tubs, saunas and relaxation areas. Optional spa bag hire is available for an additional fee.

Three cities less than an hour by train from Sheffield offer varied day‑trip options. Manchester provides museums, shopping and family attractions; York features historic sites, cultural experiences and medieval architecture; Leeds offers Victorian arcades, major markets and notable heritage landmarks. Rail travel and return‑ticket convenience are highlighted, with added savings for rail‑card holders.

Bounce Sheffield is offering up to 34 percent off one-hour trampoline sessions through a Groupon deal, with options for solo or group bookings and activities suitable for children aged four and above. The centre provides trampolines, bouncy castles and SEN sessions, and emphasises accessibility and family-friendly fun during the summer holidays.

Sheffield Creed Comic Con will be held at Ponds Forge on 13 September 2026, offering celebrity appearances, cosplay contests, merchandise stalls and family activities. Guests include Danny John Jules, John Altman and Mathew Horne, with tickets available through Creed Conventions and Eventbrite, including early bird discounts.

Stonehouse Pizza and Carvery is offering several summer dining promotions, including a kids-eat-for-£1 deal and discounted weekday and weekend offers, alongside a Groupon voucher providing 33% off a two-course meal for two adults or a 40% saving for two adults and two children. With over 90 locations across the UK, the deals run until July 31, 2026, providing families with inexpensive dining options during the summer holidays.

A discounted Sharing Dinner for Two is available at All Bar One in Sheffield through a Groupon voucher, reducing the usual £62.40 cost to £36.95. The offer includes two small plates, two sides and two house wines, with menu options ranging from karaage chicken to sirloin steak. Valid Sunday to Thursday, the promotion encourages customers to buy a voucher and redeem it in person at the Leopold Street location, which also offers a selection of beers and wines.

Several TV series filmed in Sheffield are highlighted, notably The Full Monty follow‑up series and the historical drama Say Nothing. The Full Monty revisits familiar characters navigating a changed Sheffield while showcasing city landmarks and themes of austerity. Say Nothing, produced partly in Sheffield, depicts events surrounding the 1972 abduction of Jean McConville and broader IRA activity, adapted from Patrick Radden Keefe’s book. Both series are available on Disney Plus, with Say Nothing also on Apple TV.

The evolution of The Human League is traced from their origins as the experimental group The Future through personnel changes, early label interest and the eventual shift toward a more commercial pop sound. Creative tensions led to the departure of founding members Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, prompting Phil Oakey to rebuild the group with new vocalists Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley. Their reformed lineup achieved global success with hits such as Don’t You Want Me and maintained strong ties to Sheffield despite international fame.

Love to be… will host its final Sheffield event of 2025 at FORGE on 4 October, featuring Chicago house pioneer Farley “Jackmaster” Funk, Yousef, residents Trimtone, Cheryl Wright, Stuart Pilling and Watty, plus local DJs James Worrall, Booty, Melly D, Ben Harvey and Sinclair. The 5pm-to-midnight event will span the Warehouse and Workroom, with tickets priced from £23 plus booking fees through Skiddle. Attendees will receive early-access discounts for the brand’s Sheffield Festival at FORGE and Effingham Road on 24 May 2026.

A test drive of Ford’s all-electric Capri finds it spacious, comfortable, efficient and surprisingly nimble despite its large size. The reviewer praises its rapid acceleration, practical interior, useful storage, real-world range of roughly 284–290 miles and much lower home-charging costs than petrol or diesel fuel. Drawbacks include a spongy brake pedal, awkward rear-window controls and a high purchase price, while the reuse of the Capri name remains controversial. The experience leaves the reviewer 95% certain that they will buy an electric car, though probably not necessarily the Capri.

Sheffield house music brand Love to be... will stage an expanded all-day festival at FORGE on Sunday 25 May 2025, including the closure of Effingham Road for a street stage. The event will feature four stages, performances from Sam Divine, Barbara Tucker, Todd Terry, The Shapeshifters and other established and emerging artists, plus food, entertainment and VIP facilities. Co-founders Tony Walker and Marc Dennis say the festival aims to combine the brand's heritage with new, cutting-edge house music and attract both longtime fans and younger audiences. One winner will receive four VIP tickets through a competition closing on 21 May.

Christopher Hallam reviews The Botanist after its move from Leopold Square to Charter Square in Sheffield. He praises the venue’s botanical décor, lively atmosphere, attentive staff, hummus served with pitta, hanging chicken and pork-belly kebabs, sharing dessert and cocktails. The review concludes that the new venue is a successful, welcoming addition to Sheffield’s Heart of the City redevelopment and that he intends to return.

Melbourne sisters Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes, known as Charm of Finches, return to Sheffield's The Greystones on June 8, 2024. The award-winning folk-pop duo are touring their latest album, Marlinchen In The Snow, recorded in rural Nova Scotia with producer Daniel Ledwell. The album develops the sisters' earlier sound and draws inspiration from frozen landscapes and life on the road, while their music continues to receive praise for its intricate arrangements, melancholy and close harmonies.

Liam Gallagher opened his Definitely Maybe 30 Years Tour at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena with a full performance of Oasis’s debut album, alongside B-sides and other favourites. Supported by Villanelle and Cast, he delivered acclaimed renditions of “Rock’n’Roll Star,” “Half the World Away,” “Supersonic,” “Slide Away” and “Live Forever.” The review particularly praises Gallagher’s unusually reflective stage presence and impeccable vocals, while noting that “Half the World Away,” dedicated to absent brother Noel, fueled hopes of an eventual Oasis reunion.

Ed Cosens discusses his second solo album, Somewhere Between Dark and Light, ahead of his first headline performance under his own name at Sheffield’s Leadmill. The album draws on his experiences of lockdown, anxiety and fluctuating mental-health states, balancing darker reflections with more positive songs. His 24 May show will be the only full-band date on the tour, featuring strings and backing vocals, while the album will be released on CD, vinyl and streaming platforms.

A specially invited group attended a seven-course food, wine and entertainment event at Carluccio’s in Meadowhall, six months after the restaurant was named Best Restaurant in Sheffield at the 2023 British Restaurant Awards. The evening featured Italian-inspired dishes including antipasti, mushroom risotto, confit duck, limoncello tart and a cheese board, paired with a range of wines and other drinks. Christopher Hallam especially praised the confit duck, the chefs’ execution, the service and live music from Sheffield singer Paul Hawksworth, concluding that Carluccio’s offers one of the city’s leading foodie experiences.

Paloma Faith delivers an emotionally intense and highly theatrical concert at Sheffield City Hall, drawing heavily on her sixth album, The Glorification of Sadness. The first half focuses on relationship pain, failure and emotional vulnerability, while the second shifts toward celebration and dancing, featuring hits including “Stone Cold Sober,” “Picking Up the Pieces” and “Can’t Rely on You.” Her powerful vocals, energetic audience interaction, witty remarks and strong stage presence earn an enthusiastic assessment. Faith is also scheduled to perform at Leeds Millennium Square with Gabrielle on July 7, 2024.

British folk singer Sam Lee is performing at Crookes Social Club in Sheffield on 20 March 2024 following the release of his fourth album, songdreaming. The album blends traditional folk structures with diverse instrumentation and drone soundscapes while exploring humanity’s damaged relationship with nature, land misuse and ecological collapse. It is presented as a significant evolution in Lee’s career and a deeply emotional, genre-defying work.

Leona Lewis delivered a warm and polished Christmas concert at Sheffield City Hall as part of her Christmas with Love 2023 tour. Despite illness and having recently lost her voice, she performed festive standards, songs from her Christmas album and major hits including “Run” and “Bleeding Love,” while engaging warmly with the audience and posing for selfies. The review praises her vocals, professionalism and stage presence, though it notes that her health limited some of her higher vocal performances.

Billy Lockett discusses the decade-long path to releasing his debut album, Abington Grove, ahead of a Sheffield performance. Early BBC Radio 1 support and an independent record deal launched his career, but the death of his father and being dropped by Warner Music delayed the album. After starting again with a new manager and Virgin Records, he released the twelve-track record in February 2023. The album draws on mental health struggles, addiction recovery, grief, love and personal self-criticism, and Lockett says he is now touring it while working toward a quicker follow-up.

Comedian Reginald D. Hunter discusses his new UK and Ireland tour, The Man Who Could See Through Sh*t, including his Sheffield performance at The Leadmill. He reflects on controversial comedy, social media’s aggression, political and social polarization, and the importance of patient, honest conversation. Hunter argues that extremists often speak most loudly for broader groups and says his new show will examine how people distinguish truth from reality in a highly charged era.

HowSt, a café on Howard Street near Sheffield Station, is praised for its fresh locally sourced food, efficient and friendly service, and vibrant atmosphere. The review highlights the vegetarian Smashed and Sroom dishes, while noting that one latte was served too cool. With two coffees and a discretionary tip, the meal cost £25.74. Despite limited online promotion, HowSt is recommended as a worthwhile destination for tasty, reasonably priced food.

Antler Grill and Wine in Hillsborough is reviewed as a highly regarded restaurant serving Persian and Mediterranean cuisine. Reviewer Christopher Hallam praises the Kashk O Bademjan, Ghafghazi, Zereshk Polo, Bandari Chick and saffron rice, while finding the Dolmeh less impressive. The restaurant, founded by Iranian chef Meysam Iravani, has earned strong customer feedback and recognition among South Yorkshire’s best restaurants; a meal for two starters, two mains with sides and a Diet Coke cost £55.55.

Ferry Corsten is bringing his six-hour What The F! open-to-close tour to Code in Sheffield on 26 November 2022. The performance will combine classics from his back catalogue with newer material, mashups and music spanning trance, dance, house and cinematic styles. Corsten developed the concept after fans requested an extended set, with earlier tour dates postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is expected to serve as Code’s farewell club night after the venue announced its closure because of soaring energy bills.

Darude discusses returning to Sheffield's 90s Fest, where he plans to combine trance and EDM classics with newer material. He reflects on the unexpected success and lasting cultural impact of “Sandstorm,” while emphasizing that the track is only one part of a career spanning nearly three decades. Darude also describes his new label, Vibing Out, as a platform for emerging and established artists and as a source of constructive feedback for his own work. His forthcoming single, “Nobody Listens,” features Gid Sedgwick, with two collaborations planned for his next album.

Irish indie-pop quartet modernlove. discuss their well-received performance at Sheffield's Tramlines Festival, their first visit to the city and their experience on the festival circuit. The band, formed by childhood friends from Drogheda, explains that its introspective songs draw on personal experiences of young love, loss and emotional struggles and provide a cathartic connection with audiences. Following festival appearances, the group plans further touring in October and November, is working on its debut full-length album and reveals that its next single will be called “Shades of Blue”.

Singer, rapper and producer Delilah Bon, the alter ego of Barnsley musician Lauren Tate, discusses her opening performance at Tramlines Festival 2023, her newly formed Brat Pack ensemble and the importance of supportive relationships among women musicians. Bon reflects on the anger and criticism of toxic masculinity that shaped her debut self-titled album, while considering a future shift toward material that is more playful but still provocative. She is also planning a new album for the following year and continues to view her music as a voice for women and disenfranchised listeners.

Liverpool band Stone discuss their formation, the recruitment of bassist Sarah Surrage and their creative development after the pandemic disrupted their early plans. Their breakout year included the debut EP Punkadonk, high-profile support slots and festival appearances, with their single I Gotta Feeling earning attention for its critique of toxic masculinity. The band are preparing to perform at Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival after appearing at Glastonbury and expressing strong affection for Yorkshire.

Christopher Hallam gives The Furnace in Sheffield city centre a highly positive review after sampling its new summer food and cocktail menu. Highlights include the Gambas Pil Pil, calamari, lamb kofta, salmon, Tipsy Tiki cocktail, Old Fashioned and desserts such as apple pie and salted chocolate butterscotch brownie. The restaurant is praised for its welcoming atmosphere, broad dietary choice, friendly staff and relatively affordable prices, with the reviewer planning to return for Sunday lunch.

Arctic Monkeys are preparing for two sold-out homecoming concerts at Hillsborough Park in Sheffield. Drummer Matt Helders discusses the significance of returning to the area where the band formed, their early connections to Hillsborough and former bassist Andy Nicholson, and the feeling of coming full circle after their international success. He describes the concerts as a celebration, despite the logistical pressure of managing the guest list.

The Arctic Monkeys’ journey from schoolmates in High Green to international stardom is traced through Matt Helders’ memories of forming the band, playing their first gig at The Grapes and gaining early attention through demo CDs and MySpace. Their debut album became the fastest-selling debut in British music history, while later releases such as Humbug, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino and The Car reflected an evolving musical style. Despite living abroad and achieving global fame, the band remains closely connected to Sheffield, including through Helders’ support for the historic Fagan’s pub and the sold-out homecoming concerts at Hillsborough Park.

The Lost and Found in Sheffield is reviewed positively for its new spring and summer menu, leafy interiors and attentive staff. Standout dishes included the crispy halloumi, crispy squid, black truffle rigatoni and sticky toffee pudding, while the maple glazed pork chop needed a stronger glaze and the chocolate ice cream paired with the brownie was less successful. The extensive menu includes vegan options, alongside a broad wine list and Victorian-inspired cocktails, leading to a strong recommendation for a return visit.

Hugh Cornwell is bringing his Moments of Madness tour to Sheffield’s o2 Academy 2 on May 7, 2023. The former Stranglers frontman will perform two sets: one focused on his solo career and latest album, followed by classic Stranglers songs. The Sheffield date was added after a Manchester performance was cancelled because of unresolved sound problems. Cornwell also discusses his more spontaneous, experimental approach to songwriting and recording his recent solo material.

Sheffield band Reverend and the Makers are expected to secure their first Top 10 album since their 2005 debut after releasing their seventh studio album, Heatwave In The Cold North. The album has received favorable coverage, with its title track becoming the band's biggest hit in more than a decade after support from BBC Radio 2. The band is promoting the release through a Sheffield fan exhibition, a Meadowhall pop-up shop and a 17-date acoustic UK tour featuring Jon McClure and Ed Cosens.

A track-by-track review praises Reverend and the Makers’ seventh album, Heatwave in the Cold North, as an eclectic and deeply introspective record. The songs explore anxiety, relationships, self-criticism, dislike of a politician, escapism and perseverance, while drawing on soul, hip-hop, psychedelic, Brazilian and African influences. Jon McClure describes the album as autobiographical and creatively liberating, arguing that pop music can be made in any genre. The album was released on 28 April 2023 through Distiller Records, with a launch show scheduled at Sheffield’s Leadmill.

James bassist Jim Glennie discusses the band’s 40th anniversary, the double album Be Opened By The Wonderful, and its reworked versions of beloved and obscure songs. The album features a 22-piece orchestra and eight-piece gospel choir, with arrangements and conducting by Joe Duddell. James’ Sheffield City Hall performance on 4 May 2023 sold out within hours, reflecting the band’s continuing popularity, while their wider orchestral tour visits venues across the UK.

Jon McClure discusses Reverend and the Makers’ seventh studio album, Heatwave In The Cold North, describing its blend of pop, R&B, classic soul and psychedelic influences. He reflects on the band’s longevity, the introspective single A Letter To My 21 Year Old Self, and the importance of acknowledging past mistakes. The conversation also explores Sheffield’s working-class identity, humility and musical culture, with McClure emphasizing the need to balance ambition with staying grounded. The album was scheduled for release on 28 April 2023, followed by a launch show at Sheffield’s Leadmill.

The Young'uns are set to perform at Sheffield's Firth Hall on April 21, 2023, as part of a UK and Irish tour supporting their new album, Tiny Notes. Sean Cooney explains that the album's songs were inspired by real stories of loss, love and resilience, including Tim Burman's death in the Lockerbie bombing and Paige Hunter's suicide-prevention messages on Sunderland's Wearmouth Bridge. The album, released on April 7 and produced by Andy Bell for Hudson Records, is the band's first to receive a vinyl pressing and is presented as their most powerful work since the award-winning Strangers.

Maisie Peters is set to perform at The Leadmill in Sheffield on April 18, 2023, ahead of the June 16 release of her second album, The Good Witch. The album, released through Gingerbread Man Records and Asylum, follows her charting debut You Signed Up For This and draws on her 2022 touring experiences, romantic breakups, friendship and self-worth. Peters describes it as an introspective, autobiographical breakup record shaped by literary, mythological and cinematic influences.

Sheffield folk-fusion band Mishra have collaborated with Indian classical and sufi vocalist Deepa Sri Shakthi on Samaroh, a new project combining UK folk, Indian classical music and sufi singing. The group aims to avoid superficial cultural fusion by grounding the work in genuine musical exchange and respect for its influences. Samaroh features songs in Hindi, Urdu and English and will tour England, including a performance at Sheffield's Greystones on 15 April 2023.

Joni's café at Sheffield's Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet receives a highly favourable review for its Wild Mushroom Benedict, Rocky Road dessert, coffee, friendly service and attractive presentation. Despite being busy, the café manages customer expectations and provides attentive service. The reviewer considers the £19.20 bill reasonable, particularly given the food quality and historic setting, and recommends Joni as a brunch destination while noting its planned third location at Sheffield Botanical Gardens.

Reverend and the Makers are hosting a one-night exhibition and soft launch for their new single, “A Letter To My 21 Year Old Self,” at Fagan’s pub in Sheffield. Fans’ letters to their 21-year-old selves will be displayed, with contributions from figures including Brian Eno, Mel C, Carl Barat and Richard Hawley. Frontman Jon McClure describes the song as his most personal work, reflecting on mistakes, regrets and self-forgiveness, ahead of the band’s album Heatwave In The Cold North, due for release on 28 April 2023.

BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner Lucy Farrell discusses her Sheffield performances, creative process and long-awaited debut album, We Are Sound. The Kent-born, Canada-based multi-instrumentalist explains how motherhood and a period away from touring prompted her to commit to songwriting, moving from traditional material toward original songs influenced by artists including Adrianne Lenker, Kate Bush and Richard Thompson. Farrell performed the new material at a sold-out Bishop’s House show in Sheffield on 19 March 2023 as part of her UK tour.

A Saturday-evening visit to Hanoi 75 at Sheffield’s Kommune was undermined by a slow ordering app and food that arrived cold after a roughly 30-minute wait. Although the dishes were attractively presented and the venue’s floor manager promptly arranged a refund, the reviewer found the meal disappointing despite believing Hanoi 75 may offer better food under normal circumstances.

Doncaster-raised musician Skinny Pelembe, who was born in Johannesburg, is set to preview songs from his forthcoming second album at Sheffield’s Yellow Arch Studios on 2 February 2023 as part of Independent Venue Week. The performance follows his acclaimed 2019 debut album, Dreaming Is Dead Now, and his move to Partisan Records. His new single, “Oh, Silly George,” follows “Like A Heart Won’t Beat,” released in late 2022.

Cornerstone @ Dyson Place, a restaurant and brunch spot in a former church mission hall near Sheffield’s Sharrow Vale Road, is praised for its welcoming atmosphere, attentive service, attractive setting and dog-friendly policy. The review highlights the Cornerstone Vegetarian brunch and Roasted Chorizo and Eggs, describing both as flavourful and well presented, though noting that the prices are relatively high and wishing for an extra slice of toast. The total bill for two brunch dishes, fries and two flat whites was £31.50.

Millie Manders discusses Millie Manders and the Shutup’s musical development, their ska-punk cover of Little Mix’s “Sweet Melody” featuring Christy Bullen, and plans for a second album. She reflects on the cancellation of the Where Art The Women Festival in Sheffield, attributing it to funding problems, and criticizes the broader demoralization of non-corporate sectors amid the cost-of-living crisis. Manders also praises Delilah Bon’s feminist and empowering music, while emphasizing the importance of candid discussions about mental health, accountability and social inequality. The band planned to use a break from touring to write remotely and hoped to release new material in late 2022 or early 2023.

A highly favorable review of Rosmarino, a Sheffield Italian restaurant run by newly married partners Lidia and Abdel. The welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere and attentive service are praised alongside standout dishes including crispy calamari with jalapeño-lime jam, seafood linguini and homemade white chocolate and Baileys cheesecake. The three-course meal cost £40.75, which the reviewer considered reasonable given the portions, presentation and quality, and he plans to return.

The Furrow Collective, winners of the 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Group prize, will perform a festive headline show at Live at Sam’s in Sheffield on 10 December 2022. The event is part of a UK tour featuring traditional songs, ballads, seasonal carols and the group’s distinctive harmonies. The tour also includes dates in London, Oxford, New Galloway and Edinburgh.

Babybird will bring The Bad Old Man UK tour to Sheffield’s O2 Academy on 2 December 2022. The article profiles singer and songwriter Stephen Jones, who discusses the enduring popularity and frequent misinterpretation of “You’re Gorgeous,” the darker themes in Babybird’s music, and the history of “Bad Old Man.” Jones explains that Johnny Depp directed the video for “Unloveable” and contributed guitar to two albums. The tour will feature Babybird’s older hits alongside newer material, combining dark humour and unsettling themes with catchy, lo-fi-influenced pop.

Cam Cole, the one-man musician who appeared as a busker in Ted Lasso and gained viral attention through UNILAD, is scheduled to perform at Sheffield's Corporation on 24 November 2022. In an interview, he discusses returning to live performance after the disruption caused by COVID-19 and the challenge of winning over audiences while busking. The feature highlights his blend of folk, Delta blues, grunge and rock, his energetic performances and dance moves, and his recorded work, including the Truth Be Told EP and the albums Contribute, I See and Crooked Hill.

Cork singer Lyra discusses her comparisons to Beyoncé, the personal experiences behind songs such as “Falling” and “29 Box,” and the impact of having her music featured on Love Island and Grey’s Anatomy. She describes self-releasing her first EP, W.I.L.D, before being signed, and explains how the Covid-19 hiatus helped her rediscover her artistic identity. Lyra is touring Sheffield with Westlife in November 2022 and says she plans to release substantial new music that reflects her development as an artist.

Christopher Hallam reviews Carluccio’s at Meadowhall in Sheffield after an unplanned Sunday visit. He praises the arancini, Penne Giardiniera and Beef Ragù Pappardelle, highlighting the rich flavours and Italian-inspired menu, while noting that the meal cost £48.05 for two mains, a starter, drinks and wine. The restaurant also offers a 20% discount on a return visit within 14 days and has a small deli selling Italian-sourced produce.