Exposed December 2024 pgs 1-80

WHILE SHE SLEEPS

NEW YEARS EVE 2024/25!

!NYE Fiesta LATINA!

!NYE Fiesta LATINA!

THIS YEAR’S NYE FIESTA IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL, AND WE THINK WE’VE GOT A PACKAGE OF ENTERTAINMENT TO MATCH!!

DOWNSTAIRS...

We will have a true Latin indulgence with our usual mix of the latest and popular Latin rhythms from Reggaeton, Brazilian Samba, Salsa and Latin House for one amazing NYE celebration – on the decks, will be Cubana favourites DJ EBO (Baila Reggaeton UK) and DJ ROLY CABALLERO accompanied by ARMANDO MURILLO on Congas

IT’S THE ONLY PLACE TO BE AT MIDNIGHT! OPEN UNTIL 4AM JUST £5 ENTRY AFTER 10PM OR SECURE YOUR ENTRY WITH ADVANCE TICKETS

UPSTAIRS... NYE TAPAS FEAST!

Our New Years Eve Tapas feast is £47.50 per person and includes FREE ENTRY into the downstairs NYE fiesta. Tables available in the upstairs restaurant from 5pm (early bird prices).

All dinner guests will receive a FREE glass of Prosecco to begin your evening celebration.

PLUS LIVE MUSIC...

6.00pm–8.00pm: EMILY CLAIRE WEST

Specialising in Funk, Soul, Motown, Jazz and Swing, Emily’s beautiful vocals create a wonderfully captivating, melodic experience.

8.15pm-10.15pm: KATIE BOSWORTH

Katie Bosworth is a singer- songwriter and will be performing a wide variety of music ranging from RnB, Soul, Pop and many well- known classics for you to dance and sing along to. Playing songs from artists such as Amy Winehouse, Jorja Smith and Stevie Wonder.

10.30pm-12.30am: PAUL NEWMAN

A cool mix of classic contemporary and popular songbook favourites from Paul Newman –why not request your favourite.

12.30pm-2.30am: DAN MILLSON & PIERO TUCCI

Madrid based singer-songwriter Dan Millson (guitar & vocals) performs a unique mixture of popular covers with pop/rock and folk influences. From Bill Withers to The Police and Bob Marley to The Beatles. Dan is joined by highly talented and accomplished saxophonist Piero Tucci – a formidable duo you won’t want to miss.

JOIN US FOR OUR NYE FIESTA LATINA AND FOR WHAT IS SURE TO BE A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT

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TO HELL AND BACK

Fresh from a globe-trotting tour in support of their latest album, Self Hell, Sheffield metalcore outfit While She Sleeps is set to close the year with an intimate show at The Leadmill this month. Exposed’s Heather Anne Swift caught up with the lads ahead of their homecoming.

20: CAHVE YOUR OWN WAY

When our editor got hitched (there’s hope for us all!), the search for unique, Sheffield-inspired wedding bands led to Cahve, a Kelham Island jewellery studio where couples design and craft their own rings. Find out how the two lovebirds got on when they booked in last month.

24:

STEP INTO CHRISTMAS

From bustling food and drink markets to festive gigs that’ll knock your Christmas stockings off, we’ve assembled some top shouts so you can make the most of the holidays this year.

64:

THIS WRITER’S LIFE

Three years after a life-altering car crash, poet and publisher Rebecca Kenny has turned trauma into transformation. Exposed’s Charlie Parker spoke with Rebecca about how the incident reshaped her life, inspiring two poetry collections, the creation of her press Written Off Publishing and a newfound sense of purpose.

GAFFERS

Phil Turner (MD) phil@exposedmagazine.co.uk

Nick Hallam (Sales Director) nick@exposedmagazine.co.uk

FINANCE

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

GRAFTERS

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’ US A HAND PLZ

Heather Paterson, Estelle Coulter, Kathryn Schoon, Heather Anne Swift, Zain Durrani, Mark Perkins, Charlie Parker

Daniel Barnes (Volca Media)

Looking for the perfect spot to unwind with friends, enjoy a fantastic pint, and soak in some genuine local vibes? Welcome to The Ranmoor Inn—Sheffield’s cosy, community-driven pub that’s got something for everyone!

CASK ALE HEAVEN / CRAFT KEG & DRAUGHT BEER / REFRESHING CIDERS / WINES & SPIRITS / PRIME LOCATION / COMMUNITY FEEL

Whether you’re here for the ale, the atmosphere, or just to see what all the buzz is about, The Ranmoor Inn is your new favourite hangout. Come see us soon!

330 FULWOOD RD, SHEFFIELD S10 3GD

FB: The Ranmoor Inn // Insta: @the.ranmoorinn

DIFFERENT CLASS

Tramlines Festival has unveiled the first phase of its 2025 line-up, set to take over Hillsborough Park once more from 25th to 27th July. Talk of the town has revolved around the return of Sheffield legends Pulp, who will not only headline Friday’s main stage but have also handpicked the acts to share the stage that day.

Saturday sees Rotherham lads The Reytons headline, while Brit-rock heavyweights Kasabian wrap up proceedings on Sunday.

Pulp’s debut at Tramlines marks only the fourth time they have played in Sheffield since 2000 and the first time they have curated a main stage at a local festival. The band’s picks for the main stage include Spiritualized, the masters of sweeping, atmospheric melodies, Baxter Dury, whose offbeat lyrics and style have earned him cult status, and Paris-based indie-folk trio Oracle Sisters, making for a unique start to the festival.

Friday will also see electronic trailblazers Hot Chip perform a high-energy DJ set; and Sheffield’s own I Monster, best known for the unforgettable 'Daydream in Blue', and post-

punk hellraisers Fat White Family.

Timm Cleasby, Tramlines Operations Director, said: “It’s absolutely massive to have Pulp headlining Friday, and even more special to have them curating the whole day – it’s a real celebration of what Sheffield’s all about.

Saturday sees The Reytons taking the top spot, a huge milestone for the Rotherham band, and sharing the stage are the likes of Franz Ferdinand, the resurgent Rizzle Kicks, Natasha Bedingfield and Jake Bugg.

The Futureheads, Freddie Halkon, Chloe Slater and Daydreamers add to a packed bill, and uke-toting favourites Everly Pregnant Brothers will be along to give the day a proper Sheffield feel. Local rap royalty K Dot also returns after a triumphant debut in 2024.

Sunday is closed out by Brit-rock giants Kasabian. Leading up to their set, the day offers something for everyone, including theatrical rockers The Last Dinner Party, Norwegian pop sensation Sigrid and acclaimed Irish songwriter CMAT. Special guests Scouting

for Girls will bring their crowd-pleasing hits, while The Sherlocks, The Lathums and rising stars like Cliffords will keep the music coming all day.

General sale tickets are available now from tramlines.org.uk

PHOTO: GLENN ASHLEY PHOTO:

at The Gamers Guide Café!

We’re open as usual on Christmas Day and Boxing Day! Come enjoy your favorite board games, great food, and a festive atmosphere with friends and family.

ADDRESS: 8 East Parade, S1 2ET

SOCIALS: @gamersguidecafe

RECORD STORE OWNER

IT’S A LABOUR OF LOVE

1

Owning a record shop is a passion. It’s not something where, unless you’re Richard Branson, you’re going to be buying yourself a tropical island anytime soon. You go through ups and downs, but you keep moving forward. For us, it’s not about making millions – it’s about being part of something special and finding the right balance to keep it going.

NOT ALL VINYL IS CREATED EQUAL

People come in with Elvis records thinking they’re worth a fortune, but most aren’t – unless it’s something really rare, like a first pressing of his debut album. There’s this perception that big names are always valuable, but that’s not how it works. Often, it’s the obscure artists no one has heard of that hold the real gems. I remember once we bought a collection and later discovered a rare 1969 album by a band called July. That was an amazing find.

2 3 4 5

DISPLAY

A LIFE IN VINYL IS A LIFE ON

When we look at someone’s collection, you can see their whole life in it. It’s fascinating. People buy music at certain points in their life, and their records reflect those moments. We’ve had collections where someone has only ever listened to heavy metal, and others where it’s an eclectic mix. One minute, it’s Mantovani; the next, it’s Megadeth! Albums follow you through your life, and each one tells a story. It’s like piecing together someone’s autobiography, but in vinyl form.

IT’S NOT AS SNOBBY AS SOME THINK

Our ethos is about community. It’s not about isolating people because they don’t know about a rare pressing of the The Beatles’ White Album or some obscure trivia. Whether you know a lot about music or not much at all, you can come in, feel safe and have a conversation about music. We’ve always wanted Spinning Discs to be a welcoming space, somewhere it’s all about connecting with people, not showing off what you know.

HINDSIGHT IS A VINYL COLLECTOR’S BEST FRIEND

There was a period in the late 90s and early 2000s when people were picking up records for next to nothing. You could walk into a Sheffield shop like Fopp and find albums for £3 that are worth hundreds now. It wasn’t just about the money; these were great albums, too. If I could turn back time, I’d be buying Blur’s Think Tank and others like it every day of the week. The value of vinyl has skyrocketed since then, and it’s fascinating to see how these records have become so sought after. If only I’d known back then what I know now!

Sheffield’s Spinning Discs has been a cornerstone of the city’s vinyl scene since 2015, run by the ever-passionate Martin Black. Pop in to see their swanky new store at 1 Lees Hall Avenue, S8 9JE.

@spinning_discs_ sheffield

Savills on new row

Exposed finds out how established city centre barbers Savills has settled into life in its new home in the

Back in May, celebrated citycentre barbers Savills opened its new industry-leading barbershop on Pinstone Street, becoming a key part of the council’s retail offering in their flagship Heart of the City development in Sheffield city centre.

Now rehomed in one of the boutique-style ground and first-floor units in Laycock House, the multi-awardwinning barbershop has made the most of the unit’s Victorian characteristics, with a striking fit-out balancing traditional

Heart of the City Development

barbershop aesthetics with an up-to-date modern twist.

Thanks to the move, the barbers have also been able to develop their sectorleading training academy, offering apprenticeships, NVQ qualifications and advanced skills training in a dedicated space on the shop’s upper floor.

Savills founder Joth Davies told Exposed that the relocation from its nearly 20-year home on Devonshire Street had long been in the pipeline, with conversations about moving

premises going back as far as 2009, when he could already see footfall in that area of the city steadily declining.

“It was already becoming less fashion and retail-focused around Division Street,” explained Joth, “but because of the financial crash, and more recently the pandemic, conversations about moving were put on hold.

“I just didn’t feel like we were ever going to move forward as a business where we were, so when the Heart of the City development started up again,

I thought, I’ll just continue the conversations, because it seemed like the council and its partners were doing something great with this area.

“When this unit came up, we dug deep again and decided to go for it, and I’m glad we did; it’s been a great move.”

In fact, Joth tells us that they’ve had one of their busiest-ever summers. “It’s been brilliant,” says Joth. “Being situated in the heart of the city, where the footfall is a lot better, has really benefited us, and we’ve been busy ever since we

got in.

“All our customers came with us, but pleasingly we’ve got quite a lot of new customers as well. We’ve also been able to create a designated space for the Academy, which is much easier to work from, so it’s been a really good move all round.

“Having said all that, moving was a difficult one, because there was so much history in the old place, and that meant something to me, but it’s definitely been the right thing for everybody. We’ve got seven barbers in here now, and they all love it. It’s been a great boost for everyone.”

After a lot of hard work and dedication, Savills’ new citycentre spot is open throughout the festive period, so if you’re in need of a trim, book online: savillsbarbers.com.

SURVIVAL OF THE WARMEST

As winter takes hold, The Archer Project is bracing for its busiest time of year. Based at Sheffield Cathedral, the registered charity has spent over three decades supporting people experiencing homelessness in the city. However, with the holiday season comes a sharp rise in demand – and they need the community's support now more than ever.

Last month, Talya Stitcher, Communications and Fundraising Officer at The Archer Project, spoke to Exposed about the project’s vital role in supporting Sheffield’s most vulnerable and the critical challenges it faces.

In simple terms: as temperatures plummet, The Archer Project faces increasing requests for essential services. This year, demand has been nothing short of unprecedented. Recent statistics show that from January to October 2024, the project served a record-high 21,623 meals, including 12,214 breakfasts and 9,409 lunches. Talya explained the gravity of the situation: “We are under a lot of pressure and the demand for our services has increased, while our capacity hasn’t been able to grow. It’s not just us – this is a widespread issue across the entire sector.”

Beyond meal services, The Archer Project offers a safe space for people to rest, warm up and find support for some of the complex challenges they’re facing. In 2024 alone, they supported 1,140 individuals, with 393 being new visitors. Many return regularly, with 422 individuals visiting ten or more times over the past year.

Their recently launched winter campaign, Survival of the Warmest, seeks to highlight the harsh realities faced by those sleeping rough. “It doesn’t even

have to be the worst weather to cause severe health issues like hypothermia,” Talya notes. “Long-term exposure to even moderately cold conditions can be equally devastating.”

The campaign recently featured a ‘fridge trailer’ installation, designed to simulate the experience of sleeping rough in winter temperatures. “We wanted to give people a tiny insight into one aspect of homelessness – temperature. But, of course, it doesn’t even begin to reflect the full picture. Those who stepped inside knew they could leave after a few minutes, something that’s obviously not an option for people living on the streets.”

When it comes to making a difference, the project’s impact goes beyond providing food and shelter. It offers comprehensive support aimed at helping individuals build a pathway to stability and, ideally, independent living. As such, they provide tailored services, from helping individuals secure healthcare to guiding them through housing options and opportunities for skill-building. Volunteers play an integral part in this support system, especially their Partner Volunteers – beneficiaries who have progressed away from rough sleeping and use volunteering to build confidence and give back. Together, they have contributed over 5,200 hours this year alone.

Talya stresses that while the organisation has adapted to meet the high demand, resources are stretched extra thin and funding does not always keep up. “We need the community to understand that we’re struggling to keep up with the demand, especially when it comes to providing the one-onone attention and relationshipbuilding that is so important,” she says. “Even £2 or £5 a month can make a huge difference. Regular donations give us the stability to plan and meet daily needs. The project is also in constant need of items like sleeping bags, warm clothing, toiletries and food supplies. But monetary donations make the most immediate impact.”

Additionally, the fundraising team encourages people to organise their own donation drives or contribute creatively: “We’ve seen everything from cake sales to skydives.

EVEN £2 OR

£5

A MONTH CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. REGULAR DONATIONS GIVE US THE STABILITY TO PLAN AND MEET DAILY NEEDS.”

Fundraising can be anything you enjoy doing really!”

Events such as their annual Christmas carol service at the Cathedral, scheduled for 13 December, not only raise funds but also allow the public to hear directly from those the project has supported. Elsewhere in the city, local music promoters Jarred Up will be hosting a multi-band gig at Shakespeares on 20 Dec with all proceeds going to the Archer Project, while those of a red and white persuasion can now purchase tickets for the Sheffield United Legends Night taking place at Bramall Lane in March 2025.

Volunteering is a powerful way to support The Archer Project. Beyond the Partner Volunteers, the project welcomes community and corporate volunteers, whose hours are invaluable in meeting day-to-day needs. Talya shares, “It’s the volunteers who really

make this place run. We couldn’t do it without them.” For those who want to get involved, The Archer Project provides various volunteer roles, from serving food to offering mentorship and support in different areas.

To find out more about how you can support The Archer Project or to make a donation, visit their website at archerproject.org.uk.

WATCH THE WINTER APPEAL VIDEO

When the temperature drops to zero, it only takes 3 hours in a wet and cold sleeping bag to develop hypothermia. So, when you turn your heating on this winter, please spare a thought for those less fortunate. If you can spare a few quid even better.

In October 2023, six-year-old Teddy Kelly was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer. Sadly, Teddy died just six months later.

Following his diagnosis, Teddy experienced long stays at Sheffield Children’s Hospital; but thanks to vital fundraising from kind people like you, during his stays Teddy was able find joy in the art and music workshops provided by The Children’s Hospital Charity’s arts programme, Art+.

CAHVE YOUR OWN WAY

Earlier this year, Exposed’s editor got hitched. When it came to the all-important bands for the big day, he and his partner searched for something bespoke and quintessentially Sheffield. Step forward Cahve, an independent Steel City business that gives people the opportunity to design and handcraft their dream rings. He got the scoop behind the team shaking up traditional aspects of the jewellery industry.

WORDS: JOSEPH FOOD PHOTOS: MARC BARKER

When it comes to weddings, no two couples are alike – and neither should their rings be. That’s very much the ethos down at Cahve, a unique jewellery studio in Kelham Island that offers a creative hub where couples can design and create bands that perfectly embody their style and story. Run by brothers James and Luke Cottingham, Cahve’s workshops have brought a fresh personalised approach to jewellery-making since they started out as Cast in 2017.

“We want to reimagine the way jewellery is made and designed,” James explained. “Our USP, or point of difference, is that whilst in most jewellers, you walk in and flick through a library of designs or see what’s on the shelf, here it’s a bespoke and tailored experience from start to finish.”

Situated in Merchant’s Court on Mowbray Street, a spot quickly growing in stature thanks to a recent influx of independent businesses, you’ll find Cahve HQ tucked away on the right-hand side of the courtyard. Customers usually visit for one of the two key experiences on offer: carving and creating their own wax wedding ring design overseen by in-house jewellery expert Sam or working with their

resident CAD specialist (also Sam – a hugely talented chap) to translate ideas into a digital design for engagement rings or more intricate pieces. Due to its creatively flexible nature, James recounted how the latter process has resulted in some fairly unique engagement designs: “One client came in saying, ‘My partner loves ‘80s fashion… she loves the big shoulder pads,’ so Sam worked with him to create this Art Deco-inspired ring with a black diamond and shoulder pad design elements. It looked incredible.”

However, since my partner and I were there to craft wedding bands from scratch, we were taken past the design studio to the ‘Makers Table’ next door, where we met Sam, who would be talking us through each step while keeping a keen eye for any slip-ups. “It’s a really rewarding job,” he told us once we’d settled in. “To have the opportunity to spend time with couples, get to know their story and help them create something that’s really personal to them is something that will never get old for me.”

The wax-carving workshops take place over a three-hour window. First, you get measured up and choose a wax model in your preferred width which

can then be shaved down to the desired thickness. From there, you begin shaping and refining, with options to cut unique styles like a wishbone curve or add intricate textures through faceting. After carving, the ring is carefully sanded for smoothness. Couples also have the option to personalise their bands with special details such as engravings, etched patterns, fingerprints or even birthstones embedded inside.

If this sounds in any way formal or perhaps a bit technical, take it from someone whose craft skills are seriously lacking – it’s anything but. The Cahve team put a huge amount of effort into making the experience feel straightforward and enjoyable from start to finish. From the chilled playlist and offer of beer or prosecco to the dimmed lights and cosy hygge-inspired décor, you’re instantly put right at ease and remain there throughout the entire process.

“One of the main bits of feedback we get is how laidback and satisfying people find it all,” said Sam. “And that’s exactly how we want it to be. It should be a fun and memorable thing, right? A big beauty of the process, for me, is there are no rules here – within reason, of course – so people can pretty much make anything they want from their vision, and I get a real buzz helping with that.”

After finalising your wax models, it’s then a case of choosing a base metal of either 100% recycled gold, silver or platinum. Once your preferences are confirmed, Cahve sends your casts to their skilled team at a workshop in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter where you’ll be able to follow the entire casting progress via a tracker link. The finished wedding rings are then carefully packaged in Cahve’s special boxes and returned to you well before the big day.

Leaving the studio and walking past the repurposed factories of Kelham Island, it struck me that Cahve’s approach to jewellery-making is perfectly at home here. In the heart of Sheffield’s industrial heritage, they are breathing new life into old manufacturing

traditions. By reimagining these processes as something bespoke, collaborative and accessible, they’re carving a new niche that keeps people at the centre, continuing the area’s legacy of innovation and craft.

As James puts it: “For us, it’s about putting the experience of making jewellery out in the open – not behind closed doors, but right here for people to take part in. What you get at the other end is something that you can’t replicate; you walk away with something entirely unique.”

Book a wedding ring workshop or engagement ring consultation at cahve. com.

@cahve.studio

STEP INTO CHRISTMAS

From festive punk-meets-Elton moshpits to all the wholesome markets worth elbowing through for your annual mulled wine, here’s a handy guide to nailing Christmas in the Steel City.

SHEFFIELD CHRISTMAS MARKETS 14 Nov-24 Dec

It’s that time of year again! Sheffield Christmas Market is back, bringing seasonal cheer with an array of food, drink and unique gift ideas, all set against the city centre’s sparkling festive lights.

This year, the market has been extended to include Fargate and Tudor Square, while the festive lights will continue to brighten the city centre until 5 January.

Celebrating Sheffield’s thriving independent scene, the market once again features a host of local traders alongside popular Alpine-themed bars, a traditional German sausage grill, Yorkshire pudding wraps, mulled wine and cider, hot chocolate, churros and many other seasonal treats.

For a bird’s-eye view of Sheffield

JARRED UP XMAS PARTY 20 Dec

In a Freaky Friday-esque arrangement, Sidney and Matilda welcome three artists to take on alter egos and fill the shoes of musical greats, all capped off with a high-energy Jarred Up DJ set into the early hours. Drastic//Automatic will unleash their take on BUSTED, Richard Carlson Band will tackle Elton John (not literally) and Speed Dating will serve up their own Taylor Swift vibe. Tickets are £3 and money goes to the Archer Project charity., @jarreduphq

PEDDLER MARKET: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 6-7 Dec

Peddler’s monthly night market goes all-out for Christmas! Think award-winning street

food, craft beers, cocktails and DJs – plus the region’s best indie makers selling unique gifts. Entry is free so grab your mates, sharpen the appetite and get stuck in! peddler.market

A REYT QUEER

DO #8: CAMP AS CHRISTMAS EDITION 14 Dec

Andro and Eve are bringing the festive fabulousness to Sidney & Matilda. Hosted by drag superstar Rhys Pieces, this drag/burlesque extravaganza encourages you to dress as your most OTT festive self. Expect performances from top northern talent and a DJ set to keep you moving all night. androandeve.com

and the market, take a spin on the Big Wheel, or bring the kids to meet Father Christmas at Santa’s Grotto. This year, the grotto is located in Barkers Pool, accompanied by festive children’s rides. Why not make it a full day out and catch one of the amazing Christmas shows at Sheffield Theatres?

Sheffield Christmas Market organiser Julie Wilson told Exposed: “It’s great to see the footprint of the Christmas Market being extended every year, with the top of Fargate and Tudor Square now adding to the Christmas experience.”

OPENING TIMES

The Moor cabins:

Sunday–Thursday: 10am–6pm

Friday & Saturday: 10am–7pm Pinstone Street cabins: Sunday–Thursday: 10am–7pm Friday & Saturday: 10am–8pm Alpine bars: Open daily: 11am–10pm

SHEFFIELD CATHEDRAL ILLUMINATED: THE GIFT 3-7 Dec

Sheffield Cathedral’s stunning Christmas Illuminations return with a blend of magical lights and immersive soundscapes turning this historic venue into a wonderland. It’s the perfect way to soak up some festive vibes with a side of awe. Slots can be booked online with a wide range of ticket prices and packages available. sheffieldcathedral.org

UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET

14 Dec

Bringing a taste of the Ukraine to the Millennium Gallery, this market blends festive food, arts and crafts and cultural workshops. There’s also a presentwrapping station, a face-painting stand and a gift tombola to help get you into the spirit! Book online (donations welcomed). sheffieldmuseums.org.uk

FESTIVE FARMERS’ MARKET

8 Dec

Nether Edge’s ever-popular farmers’ market gets a Christmas twist with over 80 stalls offering local produce, crafts and seasonal goodies. Chuck in a soundtrack of live choirs, bands and dancers and you’ve got a feel-good festive day out. netheredgefestival.co.uk

JOE CARNALL AND FRIENDS XMAS PARTY

23 Dec

A traditional fixture on the festive gig scene, the Milburn frontman returns with a cast of surprise guests, plenty of nostalgic singalongs and barrels of yuletide cheer. performancevenues.group.shef. ac.u

KATE RUSBY

15 Dec

Yorkshire’s very own folk queen Kate Rusby returns for her annual Christmas tour. With a repertoire spanning seven

Christmas albums, you can expect plenty of warmth, storytelling and musical magic to brighten your December. sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

POLLEN MARKET

15 Dec

Sheffield’s floral market moves to Peddler Warehouse for a cosy festive takeover. Alongside beautiful blooms, you’ll find live music, street food and local crafts – all with a hefty sprinkle of Christmas sparkle. pollenmarket.co.uk

STEAMWORKS CHRISTMAS SOCIAL

5 Dec

Popular events hub Steamworks gets festive as Craft & Flea hosts a night market packed with local vendors, delicious food and a bar to keep you merry. It’s a chance to shop small while soaking up the festive vibes in a industrial-chic setting. thesteamworks.co.uk

SHEFFIELD HOSPITALS

CHARITY CHRISTMAS CONCERT

18 Dec

Sheffield Hospitals Charity presents ‘A Cathedral Christmas’ at Sheffield Cathedral. Hosted by Rev Kate Bottley, this concert will feature a number of local artists and plenty of live music –plus complimentary refreshments to keep you toasty. sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk

CAMBRIDGE STREET CHRISTMAS MARKET

1-22 Dec

Cambridge Street Collective will host festive markets every Sunday in December featuring live entertainment and stalls brimming with food, drinks and crafts. It’s the perfect way to explore local businesses and dig out some unique gifts.

cambridgestreetcollective.com

SHEFFIELD TABLE

7, 14, 21 Dec

Leah’s Yard invites you to indulge in a rustic dining experience complete with a seven-course tasting menu of seasonal delights. Settle into the historic surroundings with a menu showcasing warming winter treats from a mouthwatering range of local producers. Book your space online – but be quick! @leahsyard

Over the past couple of decades, Sheffield’s own five-piece metalcore juggernaut, While She Sleeps, have gone from rocking local venues to smashing stages worldwide. Fresh off the back of their latest album, Self Hell, the band have spent the past few months touring the globe, dishing out new bangers alongside old classics for their fiercely loyal fan community. Now, to cap off an epic tour, they’re heading back to where it all began – with an up-close-and-personal headline gig at The Leadmill.

Heather Anne Swift caught up with Mat and Loz of While She Sleeps via Zoom from a dressing room somewhere in Europe. They filled us in on what’s been an incredible year and why their upcoming hometown show means so much to them.

So, how’s the tour been so far?

Mat: It’s amazing! Europe’s one of our favourite places to tour. We’ve been coming here for so long. Coming back to venues we first played at 10-plus years ago, it’s built to such an amazing, strong audience. These shows are smaller for us, which is super fun because it creates such a connected audience of our core fanbase who know it so well!

What’s it been like playing the new album?

Loz: Every night is like a celebration of the new record. I think when we released the record, we knew it was a bit of a change in direction for us, and we knew it would ruffle a few feathers. But it’s just nice to see, now that fans have had a chance to sit with the record and get to know it, how the new stuff merges with the older stuff.

Mat: Yeah, it’s been really fun finding out if things click and which lyrics people have got stuck into. All we have to go off of is Spotify and comments, so until a room’s singing it back to you, you don’t know if it’s connected. This tour is like the reward, six months after the record’s come out, to see if it’s connected. And, safe to say, it has.

Any favourites to perform live? Have you been surprised by how any of it has been received?

Mat: We’re playing a bit off the new record, which has been a fun challenge for us to incorporate ones that haven’t been in the set before. We’re playing the first two songs off the record, ‘Peace of Mind’ and ‘Leave Me Alone’.

I’m really enjoying that at the moment just 'cause it’s kinda out of our comfort zone but feels very fun and new for us.

Loz: Yeah, and ‘Rainbows’ wasn’t a single choice for us but has turned into a fan favourite from the new record, so it’s amazing to play it live.

It’s clear you have a great relationship with the fans. What does that community mean to you?

Mat: Yeah, we’ve built a really cool relationship with them over the years, and a lot of our audience, I think, has grown with us. Although we are finding people who are listening to the new record as their first record of ours, there are people who have been fans for years, which I love. We just always make a conscious effort to listen to them, talk to them, and make our fans feel quite included in what we’ve done. We’ve done so many campaigns and stuff that they’ve been a part of, so I think they know and understand how much we appreciate them. It just creates a really cool live environment.

Loz: It’s mad to think when we first started the band, we were all so heavily involved in our local music scenes, and it was that community vibe that spoke to me. You’d see someone in the same hoodie as you, or you’re out on the weekend all listening to similar bands. I think it was always important for us to have that vibe, but actually achieving that and being able to witness these connections being made through our music is crazy, to think we’ve sculpted this kind of cult following of like-minded people. Mat: When I was going to my first shows, they were really pivotal moments in my childhood. Now, when we’re designing these shows, I love thinking, ‘Well, I was the kid in the audience, and if it was someone else’s first show tonight, what bits of it can we make memorable and enjoyable?’ I like using ourselves as the reference for that.

PHOTO: DANIEL BARNES (VOLCA MEDIA)

How has your creative process as a band changed over time?

Loz: We almost grow together as a small family. We know how each individual works best, and we try to drag the best out of each other. It’s about growing as a unit and giving ideas a chance to breathe.

Mat: We probably take each other’s ideas a bit more seriously now than maybe we once did. As we’ve gotten older and done it more, we’ve realised that you need to give everyone’s idea some light of day to hear what it’ll become, and just trust it.

Loz: The reason why this band has had the same lineup for so long is we’ve learnt over the years how to compromise with each other, and that’s what keeps us strong and keeps us creating.

Mat: We’re quite a well-communicated band. We hear each other out now, and there’s always a place for people to talk about their shit. You hear with other bands there’s so much under the surface that they’re just not saying, and that’s why so many bands break up. When you make a band, you don’t expect that to be your business for the rest of your life, so we’ve been on a constant learning curve.

The last couple of albums have seen a slight genre shift. Any particular musical influences that come as a surprise?

Loz: When the band first started, we came together over our shared love for early 2000s metalcore, but we don’t all listen to the exact same stuff anymore, so what you’re hearing now is a collaboration of all of us trying to channel what we want to get out of the new record and what we each enjoy.

Mat: On the new record, there are electronic influences like Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk...

Loz: ... and a bit of Britpop in there, DnB every now and again.

Mat: There’s even some Muse in there... and Radiohead. You wouldn’t put it on and go, ‘Oh, that sounds like Daft

IT’S MAD TO THINK WE’VE SCULPTED THIS KIND OF CULT FOLLOWING OF LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE.”

Punk’, but that’s because it’s the influence of an artist like that, performed in the way that we perform as the band. There’s probably not many heavy influences on that record, just everyone’s eclectic, nostalgic music taste.

Mat: It’s important to enjoy ourselves as creatives, I think. You’ve got to have your own creative journey and just do what you need to do rather than try and mould into what’s a current trend or what everyone else is doing. If anything, you should avoid and go in the opposite direction ‘cause if it’s already happening, what’s the point?

The new album Self Hell has a very raw, honest focus on mental health. How important is that to you?

Mat: For us, it’s an easy subject to write about because it’s something you’re always surrounded by. I liked the idea on this record that most of the time you write from quite a negative place, and a route out of that is to put those feelings into a song or poetry. Loz came up with the name for the record, and I love it because Self Hell is the place you are before you get Self Help.

Loz: You have to go through Self Hell to get Self Help.

Mat: Doing this for so many years, we’ve experienced and witnessed around us so many emotional and physical rollercoasters of everyone going through the ebbs and flows of life. So this is a good way to do it, and we always try to remind people that the conversation aspect of these things is the starting point of any resolution.

Loz: I think that’s always been our message. With Brainwashed, it was touching on a bit of politics and the state of the environment we’re surrounded by, but the >

> end resolve of that is always, ‘We’re all in this together. Everybody goes through this, and you’re not alone in these emotions, life experiences, or traumas. So when we’re in this room, and our band is entertaining you, try and understand that everyone goes through these same things, so you’re not alone in that.’

Mat: The gig is an outlet and space for people, including ourselves, who need somewhere healthy to let it all out. That’s why I love the culture of heavy music. It sounds aggressive, but it’s actually the calmest, most friendly, welcoming people who will do anything to help each other.

What’s it going to be like going from these shows all over the world to a tour of the UK ending with a smaller headline slot in your hometown?

Loz: That’s what’s so nice, being able to take your music to crazy parts of the world that, without being in this band, we maybe would’ve never had the chance to visit or experience! But there’s also that lovely feeling of, ‘We’re gonna hit Sheffield’, which is our hometown, in a few weeks. It’s a nice way to finish the tour, and it’s where we started. That’s where the support initially came from.

Mat: I often find hometown shows quite overwhelming because there’s so many people there that you know, and you’re thinking about all your family, worried that they’re not having a good time. But also, hometown shows are quite emotionally powerful spaces for us. We’ve done so much because of the music that coming back to somewhere we played when we were just the kids dreaming about going all over the world, being back in those spaces having now done all those things, is extremely powerful.

Loz: We’re the band now that’s selling out those rooms we used to watch our friends in, and it just never gets old. It’s

a constant cycle of being humbled by situations and also grateful.

Why Leadmill over a potentially bigger venue?

Mat: It’s actually the smallest show of the whole tour, out of 29 shows, and as it’s the hometown show, it probably could’ve been the biggest show of the tour.

Loz: We’ve played massive shows and festivals over the years, but we love the small, sweaty rooms just as much as we love a big festival stage. Leadmill was such a big part of us seeing shows when we were young, and that’s why it’s so important to go back and nurture those smaller rooms. They’re the undercurrent of the scene we have in Sheffield, so they need these shows.

Mat: There’s no point in us having a bigger venue unless the bands have the route up to the bigger venue. In the local scene, you need that ladder to climb.

Loz: We’re seeing a frequent trend of smaller venues suffering now because of how music is digested, and people having an easy route to think, ‘Ooo that’s not for me. I’m not gonna go and check it out,’ whereas when we grew up, we just went because we got a flyer for a gig, and there was a band on. Smaller grassroots venues are suffering, so it is important for us to keep returning to the rooms that once helped us.

Mat: We’re just quite grateful to still be doing this, and that things are bigger than they ever have been. I think it’s safe to say we feel that While She Sleeps is here for a while. Massive thanks to the Sheffield community for being at the very foundations. We couldn’t have done it without that local support at the beginning, so it’s cool to come back and celebrate that.

While She Sleeps plays The Leadmill on December 10

2 - 4 - £10 COCKTAILS til 10pm every day.

Monday - Thursday 12 - 11p Friday & Saturday 12 - 1am 44-46 Campo Lane, S1 2EG

KANGAROO WORKS

Right in the middle of Sheffield’s game-changing ‘Heart of the City’ development, Kangaroo Works is redefining city-centre living. This community-focused, pet-friendly haven on Rockingham Street has been thoughtfully designed to blend sustainable living with local character, providing residents with modern, high-spec amenities and a genuine sense of belonging rooted in Steel City culture.

“It’s about creating a real community where people can connect, immerse themselves in the local community and be proud to call home.” Esther Wright, Marketing Manager at ila tells Exposed.

The slightly unusual name Kangaroo Works is a nod to the site’s rich industrial history as a tool factory that manufactured and exported tools primarily to Australia. This commitment to heritage is carefully reflected in the development’s design and throughout the structure, with bespoke architectural details such as unique door handles, old factory signage and a brick façade all inspired by the building’s past.

From the very beginning, sustainability has been a key focus for Kangaroo Works. Built using eco-friendly materials and methods, the development prioritises reducing its environmental impact without compromising on quality. Inside, the furnishings and finishes are carefully curated to reflect these values

Residents are encouraged to make their space their own, welcoming pets free of charge, and providing the option to customise feature walls in their apartment from a specially curated palette. This personalisation ensures that each home can reflect individual choices and lifestyles, where residents can thrive.

The spacious layout includes landscaped courtyards, a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the Peak District and green spaces that ensure residents enjoy the perks of city-centre living without feeling crowded. Furnishings and decor are sourced locally, with plants from Plantology and prints by local Sheffield artists adorning

the plush downstairs lounge. A communal record player showcases vinyl from iconic Sheffield bands like Pulp and Arctic Monkeys, while niche touches, such as a framed reference to the city’s mention in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, add character to the living spaces. Even the names of the four entrances – are steeped in history; Sheaf, Rivelin, Porter and Loxley each named after the city’s rivers – and pay homage to the Steel City, tying Kangaroo Works ever closer to its heritage.

Through a dedicated resident app, ila organises events and activities on-site, from candle making workshops to movie nights, creating opportunities for residents to come together and socialise. “We’ve also partnered with local and nationwide companies like Sky to create exclusive perks and discounts for our residents,” Esther adds. “We’re lucky to have a bubble tea shop, a bakery and a Tesco right on our doorstep, with plenty of great restaurants and bars nearby and a brilliant park just across the street for families or anyone who wants some fresh air and space for the kids let off some steam.

The whole property is designed with a strong focus on convenience and wellbeing, welcoming pets at no extra charge and creating a popular space for families and young professionals alike. There’s a 24-hour concierge service, a modern gym space with female only sessions available and a convenient co-working space available with a meeting room available to book for added privacy.

Esther explains how Kangaroo Works attracts a mix of residents, and the diversity within the community brings people together in unique ways: “Whether it’s families gathering in the lounge to share a coffee and watch cartoons with the kids, a shared meal with friends in the dining space or a quiet afternoon relaxing in the courtyard with panoramic views of the Peak District – there’s a real sense of community at the heart of things here.” From one to three-bedroom flats,

Kangaroo Works offers a range of options to suit various needs, budgets and lifestyles. There are 365 homes in total, making it one of central Sheffield’s largest and most innovative mixed-use residential developments.

“It’s not just about having a great location with amazing amenities; it’s about creating a place where people can live their best lives, surrounded by everything that makes Sheffield special.”

@ila.kangarooworks

ORCHARD SQUARE: THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE THIS CHRISTMAS

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, The Body Shop to jewellers, hairdressers, barbers, tattoo artists, and an array of craft workshops – plus, the newly opened menswear store, House of Cavani – all alongside a range of favourite food, drink and leisure destinations, to suit all tastes and budgets.

Back by popular demand this Christmas is The Terrace Grotto

ORCHARD SQUARE: THE PLACE TO MEET, EAT, DRINK, SHOP AND RELAX THIS CHRISTMAS.

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.

As part of the festivities, throughout the weekends in December, the Square will be hosting a series of choirs and brass bands bringing the gift of Christmas music to customers as they shop, dine and enjoy.

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

BORN TO RUN

Exposed’s Kathryn Schoon shares her experience of joining the Run for Fun group, a women’s running club building safe spaces and community through regular beginnerfriendly runs and monthly socials.

Of the Gen Z trends that have taken off in the last year or so, running is definitely one of the best. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t just spend our time scrolling on social media and buying new shoes, we actually love a good run (obviously meaning I’m going to need more shoes).

What makes this trend so special is that Gen Z is determined to make it as social as possible. Across the country, social running has become a new way to make friends, forge communities and even meet a partner.

I’m part of this trend too. I started running in March and it took me a while to find my rhythm, but once I started running socially, it became so much easier. I like the discipline of exercising with a group, and having a time set in stone holds me accountable.

Sheffield student Libby, 26, set up Run for Fun after moving to Sheffield for her PhD and initially struggling to make friends: “I saw many female run clubs up and down the country, bringing joy and running to various areas, and I thought this was absolutely something Sheffield needed,” she explained. Now the nights are drawing in, I find there’s no time to run in the week before it gets dark. Run for Fun means that I can feel safe running in a group, and as we move as a convoy of hi-vis

jackets and head torches, we are easily seen by traffic. “I always wanted to help women feel safe whilst running. Running in a group, especially at night just adds that extra layer of safety,” Libby says.

A big part of the club is its open access to beginner runners. As a relatively new runner, I found the idea of running with a group very daunting. What if I can’t keep up? Or even worse, I try so hard to keep up that I fall flat on my face?

As Libby explains, Run for Fun “focuses on running at a manageable, slower pace, encouraging those of all running abilities to attend.

“We are a really relaxed running group. We don’t focus on pace at all, or even distance.

I CAN FEEL SAFE RUNNING IN A GROUP… WE MOVE AS A CONVOY OF HI-VIS JACKETS AND HEAD TORCHES"

We have a 3-kilometre beginner run every month, with paces from 6.30 min/km-9.30 min/ km, and we have a tail walker too. This ensures absolutely nobody is left behind, and I really hope this encourages people to attend even if they have no running experience.”

I asked Libby what she would say to people who, like me, might feel nervous to join or go alone. “Everybody is in the same boat,” she responds. “At the start of every run, I ask our ladies, ‘Who has come here alone?’ And I’d say 99% of them put up their hands! We really are the friendliest bunch and just looking for someone to have a good chat with.”

The club has amassed a over 1600 members since April this year. I found Run for Fun through their social media posts, and I receive updates about runs and socials via WhatsApp. It

couldn’t be easier!

Run for Fun has recently started collaborating with other health and wellness organisations, such as HotPod Yoga and Nomad Maison, to offer yoga, pilates and stretching sessions catered for runner’s bodies.

Libby is also hoping to expand the club further and cater for more people. “Starting in November I’ll be adding two more runs a month midweek. These additions are only possible with the help of our ambassadors, who help me out with runs, socials and general admin. The club has regular cinema socials and a sister book club called Read for Fun so the community can continue to grow and engage with each other in a different environment.”

@runforfunsheffield

A TURKISH TREASURE

Nestled in the heart of Handsworth, a 15-minute drive from central Sheffield, Engin’s Bar & Grill is a family-run Turkish restaurant that offers an authentic taste of Mediterranean grill cuisine. Run by Head Chef Engin and his wife, Gyonyul Dzhansever, the restaurant has quickly become something of a local hotspot, earning a reputation for hearty dishes crafted with passion, fresh ingredients and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Engin’s passion for cooking was sparked in his native Turkey, where his culinary journey began. After honing his skills for over 15 years in various kitchens, including some of London’s renowned Mediterranean restaurants, he finally fulfilled a dream of having his own place by opening Engin’s Bar & Grill in 2022.

Operations Manager

Gyonyul Dzhansever tells Exposed: “Engin does it all –sourcing ingredients, cooking and managing the kitchen. His dedication shows in everything we serve. People come for the warmth of his hospitality and the genuine Turkish flavours.”

Engin’s menu celebrates the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean. Diners can start with classics like hot and cold sharing mezzes of hummus, halloumi, saksuka, sucuk and more, perfect for those wanting to sample a range of textures and tastes. For mains, the Mixed Grill stands out as a customer favourite. This platter combines succulent chicken

shish, lamb shish, lamb chops and spicy Adana mince, served with freshly baked bread, bulgur and salad.

“The Mixed Grill is our most popular dish,” says Gyonyul. “It’s perfect for people trying Turkish cuisine for the first time. They get a bit of everything in one meal.”

Other highlights include Engin’s signature sauces, which he makes fresh daily, and vegetarian-friendly options like the Vegetable Kebab, best served with a side of grilled halloumi, and the Imam Biyaldi – slow-cooked aubergines stuffed with a rich medley of tomatoes, onions, garlic and fragrant spices, all simmered in olive oil until tender.

With space for just 22 diners, the restaurant offers an intimate atmosphere reminiscent of dining in a traditional Turkish home. Gyonyul describes it as “nice and cosy, with Turkish music and a warm vibe. We want our guests to feel like they’ve stepped into a neighbourhood restaurant village in Turkey.”

Due to its popularity, reservations are strongly encouraged. The restaurant’s small size also means a personalised experience for every guest. “Engin is here every evening, greeting customers and cooking. People love knowing that the name above the door is also the one preparing their meal.”

Full embracing its role as a community hub, the restaurant hosts special celebrations, including Women’s Day events, caters for corporate occasions and offers private bookings for up to 22 people (perfect for getting the family together over the holidays). For those preferring to stay home, Engin’s also offers a festive delivery service, providing generous portions of their finest dishes for gatherings.

“Our food is made to be shared,” Gyonyul says. “Whether it’s a special starter board or a mixed grill, we encourage people to come together and enjoy it as a group.”

Located on Handsworth Road, Engin’s Bar & Grill is easy to reach by bus or taxi from Sheffield city centre, and it’s well worth the journey. “It’s a hidden gem,” says Gyonyul. “We’re outside the city centre, but we’ve got customers coming from all over Sheffield and beyond. It’s about experiencing something real and authentic, not just another chain. Other places might pile up plates with salad fillers and bland food, but we focus on flavour. Everything is fresh, local and made with care. That’s what makes us unique.”

Engin’s Bar & Grill is located at 370 Handsworth Road, Sheffield, S13 9BY. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm to 10pm and Sunday from 1pm to 9pm.

To book a table or explore their menu, visit www. enginsturkishgrill.co.uk.

@enginsbargrill

Step into Engin’s Bar & Grill for a sophisticated dining experience that showcases the rich flavors of Turkish cuisine. Enjoy a cozy, neighborhood atmosphere where you can unwind and savor each moment.

Whether you’re planning a Christmas party, an office gathering, or a private dining celebration, Engin’s is the perfect choice for unforgettable events. Our menu features a delightful selection of Turkish wines and beers to complement your meal and enhance your dining experience.

For those looking to celebrate at home, Engin’s offers BBQ boxes for any occasion—perfect for gatherings, corporate office parties, and more. These can be easily delivered or collected, ensuring you can enjoy our delicious offerings wherever you are.

Join us at Engin’s Bar & Grill and elevate your dining experience today! Find us: 370 Handsworth Rd, Handsworth, Sheffield S13 9BY Contact: 0114 438 5812 // enginsturkishgrill.co.uk

TURNING UP THE HEAT

From a freezer full of chillies to an award-winning range of hot sauces. Exposed talks to the man behind Sheffield Dragon, Andrew Armstrong, about his journey to excite the palettes of spice-loving foodies across the region.

Andrew Armstrong, founder of Sheffield Dragon, began his journey into hot sauce creation due to an unplanned surplus of chillies in his freezer. “It all started in 2019,” Andrew recalls. “Someone brought a big bag of chillies into work. I didn’t want them to go to waste, so I made a chilli pickle that we had with our Christmas cheese board. Family and friends loved it and people kept asking for more, so I started making more.” What started out as a homemade stocking filler grew into an artisan brand renowned for its bold flavours and awardwinning sauces.

Five years on, Sheffield Dragon is continuing to spice things up in Sheffield and beyond, producing small-batch hot sauces that prioritise flavour over pure heat. “Everything I make is for people to enjoy. It’s all about getting the taste combination and profile right rather than overdoing the spice,” Andrew explains. To date, four sauces – Liquid Fire, Hot Fuzzz, Scorpion's Tale and the nowiconic Renegade Mango – have all earned Great Taste Awards. Cementing Sheffield Dragon’s status as a respected name in the global hot sauce community. Andrew’s approach to saucemaking is rooted in quality and inclusivity. “Our sauces are vegan, vegetarian-friendly and free from the 14 main allergens. Everything is natural – no additives or preservatives,”

he says. This commitment extends to sourcing top-quality ingredients, from premium vinegars to hand-selected chillies. “If you cut corners or reduce the quality at any step of the process, it always shows up in the final product.”

For Andrew, creating hot sauces is both art and science.

“Chillies are either a grower or a shower,” he says, referring to how some deliver an immediate kick while others build heat gradually. His sauces aim to strike that all-important balance between heat and complexity. “I use chillies like Scotch bonnets and Trinidad scorpions for their floral and aromatic notes, but the key is dialling down the heat so their unique characteristics shine through.”

This meticulous approach has resulted in a diverse range of products, from the versatile Lemon Drop Hop perfect for marinades and pizzas to the fiery Satan’s Ring, which Andrew describes as “extremely hot yet tasty alternative to 'da bomb' – a

super-hot sauce.”

Beyond the kitchen, Sheffield Dragon has forged exciting partnerships across the region including a collaboration with Sheffield Wednesday. The club’s executive chef worked with Andrew to develop a dish incorporating one of his sauces, which was served at half-time during a match and went down a storm with the faithful. “They made a Mexican-style rice bowl –it was brilliant,” Andrew shares.

Scaling up production is another major focus, with plans to introduce larger 750ml bottle sizes and offering businesses the chance to add their own branding to Sheffield Dragon products – perfect for events or gifting. He’s also exploring innovative ventures like spicy canned cocktails in partnership with a local distillery.

While Sheffield Dragon has its sights set on new markets and opportunities, its roots remain firmly planted in Sheffield. From selling at local markets to crafting special edition sauces for events like Sharrow Vale and Nether

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE EXPOSED20 SPEND OVER £20 AND GET 20% OFF YOUR PURCHASE.

Edge fairs. “It’s very much a local brand and what people will be getting is far better value than the mass-produced stuff you’ll get in a supermarket. This is very much a labour of love, something that brings and little heat and happiness to people’s lives.”

As for what’s next, Andrew is gearing up for a busy year ahead including appearances at major food festivals. “I’ll be at Alex James’s Big Feastival in the barbecue tent next year,” he says with excitement. He’s also submitted Sheffield Dragon’s products to the team at Hot Ones, the wildly popular YouTube series where A-listers take on wings laced with spicy condiments. “If they pick one of our sauces, it could be lifechanging – it’s the best exposure you can get!”

Find your local stockist or browse the online range at sheffielddragon.com @the.sheffield.dragon_ insta

famous

ChristmasEvents

At The Boston Arms, Woodseats

Wednesday 11th Christmas with Brew York 20:00pm

Brew York Brewery will be hosting a very special Christmas meet the brewer tasting session. Sample their whole Christmas range, followed by a Q&A with one of the brewers. £16 per ticket

Monday 16th Christmas Covers by Silvermill 20:00pm

Silvermill perform this years Christmas covers set. Come down for all your favourite seasonal pop tunes and traditional ballads. Free to attend.

Tuesday 17th Music Bingo with Silje 19:30pm

A Boston first for this Christmas. Music Bingo, with your host Silje! Absolutely stacks of prizes to be won. Spaces must be booked. £2 per player.

Thursday 19th Christmas Carols & Mulled Wine 19:00pm

The Night Chorus return for this years Christmas Carols. Grab a mulled wine and sing along, or just come to enjoy the music! Free to attend

Monday 23rd The Big Christmas Quiz 19:00pm

It’s this years big Xmas Quiz. Like our usual quiz, but ramped up with festive joy and bigger prizes. Free to attend but spaces must be booked… fast!

If you want to feel old, somehow, it’s 15 years since Brum indie rockers The Twang released their second album, Jewellery Quarter

To celebrate the milestone (or, for me, the unwelcome passage of time) they’re re-releasing the album on vinyl for the first time and playing it in its entirety at a series of shows over the festive period.

Ahead of the band's Sheffield date at The Leadmill on 20 December, I sat down with lead singer Phil Etheridge for a catch-up.

And it was a catch-up because, in a past life, the band I was in toured the UK with The Twang in support of their debut album, so, on a personal note, catching up with Phil after more than 15 years is a late entry to my 2024 highlights.

However, as much as I enjoyed chatting about mutual acquaintances, parenting and Emi Martínez, that’s not what we’re here to talk about. We’re here to talk Twang. And, more specifically, their now annual run of Christmas shows.

“It’s become a bit of a thing, a bit of a tradition,” explains Phil. “You want them to change each year, so the re-release of Jewellery Quarter on vinyl was the perfect excuse this time. We’d already done one of these ‘anniversary tax tours’ for the first record in 2017, and it was really good.

“We haven’t played any of these songs for years. Some of them, never. As long as we’re not arguing, I love it. It’s a good craic.”

Despite a couple of lineup changes over the years, the band’s core members – Phil Etheridge, Jon Watkin and Stu Hartland – remain, alongside long-time drummer ‘Grandmaster Ash’ Sheehan. The four of them will play the album in full, but fans will be pleased to hear they also plan to make space for some of the hits.

It’s hits like 'Either Way' and 'Wide Awake' that I remember seeing kids lose their minds to on that first tour, such was the excitement for The Twang when they burst onto the scene in 2006–2007.

The hype was enormous for that first record, but the comedown was arguably even bigger, as they were dealt some heavy criticism for album number two and were ultimately dropped from their label.

In a way, it’s sort of remarkable that they’re still here, still doing their thing, where many bands (including my own) failed. They managed to pick up the pieces and, against stiff odds and an ever-changing industry landscape, they’re still playing big shows to a devout fanbase.

“I wasn’t aware of how hyped we were until Jewellery Quarter came out and it got panned,” says Phil. “When the label dropped us, the guy said, ‘Do you want to go in writing with other people?’ We were like, ‘Fuck off, man.’ We took it as an insult because we felt we still had something to offer as a band ourselves. Whether that was a bit deluded or a bit mad, who knows?”

Over a decade later, now that the dust has settled on the madness, how does Phil remember those times?

“Honestly, I look back on it all fondly. It was a crazy few

years from 2006 to 2009.

“Normality is relative, isn’t it? I use that quote a lot, because I might have been looking at a band like Kasabian and thinking, they’ve made it to the shore, and we haven’t— we’ve fallen off the boat.

“At the same time, there’s always another band looking at us and thinking, how lucky were they to sign a record deal? It’s all relative, isn’t it?

“I’m happy with what we’ve achieved and really proud. I’m not embarrassed about it. We’ve done our thing. We’ve done what hardly anyone gets to do, which is make a living off music. I haven’t had another job for going on 20 years.

“We’re still in a room jamming, and I’m under no illusion how fortunate we are. People keep coming back to see us, and I’m really grateful for that.”

Like normality, gratitude is also relative, and life often has a way of putting things into context. For The Twang, being in a band became a trivial concern when set against the devastating news of bassist Jon Watkin’s wife’s passing last year.

Phil tells me he doesn’t feel comfortable talking too much about it, other than to say that he’s glad that Jon has decided to get back in the room.

He said: “It’s tough to see your friend go through something like that. These things make you see what really matters. The band and tunes, that doesn’t really matter. It puts things into context and makes you realise every day is a blessing and beautiful.

“Jon’s dealing with it as best as he can. One of the better moments since it all happened was actually at The Leadmill last year. Late into the gig, I’m thinking, that bass is fucking mad. I looked round, and Jon was whacking his bass, spinning round, big grin on his face. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen for ages. I’ll always remember that moment; it made me so happy.”

Happiness is key for Phil, it seems, and the band hope to carry the good feeling into the release of new music in the new year.

“While it feels good, we’ll carry on. As soon as I don’t want to do it anymore, I’m gonna knock it on the head. I know how I feel on stage at the moment, and I still feel okay up there, but as soon as I find myself questioning myself or I feel like I look like a twat, I’m gone.

“I’m definitely conscious of that nostalgia thing, and it does smell a bit, doesn’t it, when you see bands wheeling it out? But, at the same time, we’re lucky that our band creates that nostalgia. It means something to people.”

Tickets for The Twang’s Jewellery Quarter 15th Anniversary Tour show at The Leadmill, taking place on 20 December, are on sale now: leadmill. co.uk

WORDS: MARK PERKINS

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

I Am Kloot created some of my favourite music of the last 20 years, and I never tired of their live shows. At their heart was John Bramwell, a songwriting genius for my money. When I caught his solo gig at the Greystones in 2017, it was clear his future was heading in a new direction.

Aside from one solo album back then, things went quiet – until this year. In February, he returned with The Light Fantastic – a stunning record with his new band, The Full Harmonic Convergence, offering a fresh, vibrant sound worlds away from his Kloot days.

Before his Foundry gig in Sheffield, I spoke to him en route to rehearsals.

It’s been some time since we heard anything from you. What’s been happening in the meantime?

Really, I’ve just been gigging and gigging. I’ve actually been away 130 nights so far this year. I don’t just play live, as I’m sure you know. I try to tell stories and entertain that way as well. It’s all been very good. It’s been a busy year so far. I did a full band tour at the start of the year, then went on to do about 60 solo shows, and now I’ve got these gigs coming up as the year ends, including one at the Foundry. In fact, I’m just about to drive to Chinley right now, where I’ve rented a house for us to go and rehearse in.

I’m assuming that the I Am Kloot era is now over?

We did 16 years of I Am Kloot and played about 90 gigs every year. I had some really great times, but I got to the age of 50 and thought, I want some of my own life back, and I want to do more things musically. As my life and music are intertwined anyway, I thought, if I’m ever going to do anything else, it has to be now. I felt we’d explored the music we played in that genre, and after all that time, my heart just wasn’t in it.

The new album does have a different feel and sound to your I Am Kloot songs. I wrote an album of songs that

happy to hear both. I should warn people, though, that I do go on stage at 8 o’clock these days. People need to get there early, as there won’t be a support act. It’s me! I’ve been playing some stuff from really early on in my career, pre-I Am Kloot.

How did The Full Harmonic Convergence come together?

I was at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival, fully enjoying the food and drink, and I watched a guy called Dave Fidler playing in a marquee. I thought he was brilliant, went up to him afterwards, and said, I know it’s late notice, but I’m just about to tour Germany, do you fancy coming with me? And he said yes! I found out not only was he a bit of a Kloot fan, but we went to the same school –although years apart, as I’m a bit older. We grew up within a mile of each other.

We recruited his brother Andy on cajon and brought in Alan Lowes, who ran Airtight Studio, where we recorded with I Am Kloot. He was the keyboard player for our live gigs back in the Kloot days. When we were recording there years ago, we also met Harriet Bradshaw, a shy young cello player, and she’s in the band too. They are all multi-instrumentalists, so there’s a lot of swapping around. The unifying thing is the way they can all sing in harmony.

What can we expect in the future?

was intended to lift myself up more than anything, but I also wanted to write material for my new band. They’re so good at adding harmonies to my songs, which hasn’t ever been a feature of my music before. When we play songs from it live, it feels like it sits so easily with my older, more edgy, detailed stuff. In my solo shows, I really worked on becoming a good finger-style guitar performer. Now, when we do live shows, I play solo stuff that is just me and a flamenco style of guitar, but then we’ve got this more uplifting stuff to go with it. As well as that, though, I’m still enjoying performing songs I wrote for Kloot. The audiences seem quite

I’ve recorded a live album of just me and the guitar at The Ballroom in Totnes. I was listening to it the other day and thought, I don’t really need to go into a studio, I’ve totally got it there. Live recordings these days are equally as good quality, apart from an audience being there.

I’ve always been a fan of leaving space in music – not filling up every available bit. There’s a new song called 'Leave Alone The Empty Spaces', which is about just that. My solo shows are quite different from the band performances, and if I did everything in one night, it would be a three-and-a-half-hour show – although I’m not sure anyone’s ready for the Springsteen version of me just yet.

johnbramwell.com

Sheff snapper Benji Wilson (@jamburrito) has long been immortalising the city’s DIY music scene, and each month for Exposed, he turns his camera on a selection of Sheffield-based artists for a photo diary of some of his favourite live shots from the city’s best independent venues. Here’s what he got up to last month...

Vera SacraSidney & Matilda

Vorha - Sidney & Matilda

DECEMBER TOP TIPS

• Lawi Anywar / Mouse Teeth / Cleaver Blue – 7 December (Delicious Clam)

• The Sheffield Beatles Project: The White Album – 7 December (Octagon Centre)

• Peregrin! w. Teah Lewis + Masha Jana – 13 December (Hallamshire Hotel)

• I Set The Sea On Fire w. Water People + We Hate the Sharkman – 14 December (Sidney& Matilda)

• Jarred Up Xmas Party – 20 December (Sidney & Matilda)

BUY HIS BOOK... ORDER NOW AT JAMBURRITO.COM.

Mickey Nomimono - Castle Hotel (Manc venue, Sheffield artist)

Life Aquatic BandSidney & Matilda

Fat Dog - Crookes Social Club (London band Sheffield venue)

HART

Following the release of ‘These Days’, a hazy breakbeat track inspired by the downtempo sounds of Massive Attack and Bonobo, Sheffield-born artist HART reflects on her life in music.

THE FIRST RECORD I BOUGHT…

Was a jazz record I bought from Bending Sound in Bangor, just when I started getting into sampling vinyl. It’s called Jazz Odyssey Volume 1 - The Sound of New Orleans [1917-1947] Honestly, I bought it for its sick abstract cover, but it has some amazing horns in there. If we’re going back to the first bit of music I ever owned, it was Eiffel 65’s ‘Blue’ on CD, which really set me onto the dance trajectory!

THE FIRST GIG I PLAYED…

Last May in Sheffield (hometown, represent!), supporting Capriisun on his UK Tour. The lineup included Neo Sū, Morriarchi and Jackie Moonbather, amongst others. The venue was DINA, and I played all my own productions live on my Sp-404 MK2. The first gig I ever went to was, hilariously, to see KISS in LA when I was about 12. I’ll never forget when Gene Simmons’ tongue exploded with blood.

THE FIRST SONG I PERFORMED…

I’ve performed my Moon Jazz productions live in a few venues last year, but I am yet to sing live. Perhaps in 2024…

A SONG I WISH I’D WROTE…

‘Ironic’ by Alanis Morrisette or ‘Toxic’ by Britney Spears – both lyrical miracles.

I FIRST FELL IN LOVE WITH MUSIC WHEN…

My dad used to play his old records and rinse the Beatles over and over. I also have a distinct memory of jumping up and down on the sofa at

toddler age whilst my dad played ‘You Can Call Me Al’ by Paul Simon. Those first eight chords will always make me smile.

A SONG I CAN’T GET OUT OF MY HEAD AT THE MINUTE…

‘Let’s Go Back’ and ‘JOY’ by Jungle have been making an appearance in my brain quite frequently. Catchy, euphoric – total earworms. The Joy Anonymous remix of ‘JOY’ is also delightful.

A RECORD WHICH REMINDS ME OF A SPECIFIC TIME AND PLACE…

Whatever People Say I Am,

I’LL NEVER FORGET WHEN GENE SIMMONS’ TONGUE EXPLODED WITH BLOOD.”

That’s What I’m Not by Arctic Monkeys. From start to finish, I can relive key moments in my life: specific parties, bus journeys, love stories, breakups, and all the nuanced experiences a 15-year-old experiences.

It was the soundtrack to my adolescence.

MUSIC ALLOWS ME TO…

Enter a total flow state. When I’m making music, it feels like I’m on a different frequency and tapping into a part of myself that feels devoid of any weight or responsibilities. Time is irrelevant, and only the music guides my thinking.  @hartsbeats

LISTEN TO ‘THESE DAYS’ HERE

FAT DOG @ CROOKES SOCIAL CLUB

WORDS: ASH BIRCH PHOTOS: @JAMBURRITO1

Despite the band pulling out of Float Along Festival earlier this year, this is my third time catching Fat Dog live, having previously seen them in Paris and London. Continuing my run of capital city shows, tonight we get to see them in (ahem) the capital of the North, against the not-quite-Paris backdrop of Crookes Social Club.

After a slightly delayed start due to some minor technical difficulties, the stage is set by Fat Dog’s keyboard player, Chris Hughes, who launches into a now-customary monologue, exclaiming, "It’s fucking Fat Dog!" before the band begins building the synth-led intro to 'Vigilante'.

By the time the opener drops its heavy techno beats, the excitement – further stoked by the delay – has reached rabid levels and is released with an energy I haven’t seen from a Sheffield crowd (on a school night) for some time. Crookes Social Club is a jubilant, chaotic mess.

The crowd Fat Dog attracts seem to want to lose their shit, but in a polite way where you don’t fear for your nose piercing and can still have a bit

of a dance. There’s not a lot of posing (at least not down the front); everyone just seems really fucking happy to be there.

This gratitude is because there’s something special about Fat Dog’s live shows. Absurd, even. The second track of the set, 'Boomtown', sees Chris part the crowd like the Red Sea, making his way into the middle of the pit, performing his best crab impression (egged on by frontman Joe Love) and leading the audience in a sort of adult game of tiggy bob down!

There’s more of this caper throughout the night, and by the time they’ve rattled through 'All the Same', debut single 'King of the Slugs' and 'Wither', I find myself in the middle of it all, sweating through my misjudged jumper with the best of ’em!

They’re a band with a lot of hype and, in my experience, few bands manage to live up to the hype machine, but somehow Fat Dog have nailed it. They’ve successfully created something new-sounding without being too avant-garde, and they don’t appear to take themselves too seriously.

The band seem like they’re having fun. You can’t imagine

this group of people doing anything else, really. They’re a ragtag bunch of oddballs in cowboy hats and muskrats, creating daft dance routines to their own tracks. A career in finance was never on the cards for Joe Love and his crew.

Ultimately though, the music is what’s driving all this chaos and, having lived with the album for a month or two, the songs now fit like a pair of well-worn slippers when experienced live.

Their blend of punk and techno beats, mixed with Balkaninfluenced riffs, speaks to my soul somehow. It’s this bizarre bazaar melting pot that does it for me, in the same way Turkish punk band LaLaLar’s work really well, or when a band from a little closer to home, Femur, go down

this path with tracks like 'I Don’t Like'.

It seems to work for tonight’s audience too, and as 'Running' drops into the set just ahead of the encore, the mosh pit starts, predictably, running around in a huge circle, creating a massive vortex of sweaty bodies.

Following this tornado, after a moment to catch our breaths, the encore consists of a cover of Benny Benassi’s 'Satisfaction' followed by Skibidi (ask your kids), and just like that, we’re heading out into the Crookes night.

After an hour of wholesome moshing, we’re pretty spent and ready to make our way back down the hill to Hillsborough, hearts full but much in need of a shower!

DON'T MISS

SHE SINGS SHEFFIELD

Waterbear college will host what they hope to be the first of many concerts showcasing local female music artists on 25 November.

A group of students from Sheffield’s music college, WaterBear, have organised their first She Sings Sheffield event – a concert with a monthly women-only lineup to provide a platform for underrepresented voices in the “heavily male-dominated” music industry.

Lilly Hill, one of the four involved in running this project, explained how the group were inspired by their own experiences in being the only women on gig lineups. “It’s never a big deal when a lineup is all-male bands, it’s kind of seen as the norm. But it seems like it has to be a bigger deal when it’s all women, so we thought we’d make this to normalise having all-female lineups, more women

in music and to create a safe space.”

The first event of She Sings Sheffield sees a lineup of talented but so-far underappreciated female artists of Waterbear who haven’t yet had the platform to share their music, including organisers Lilly Hill and Alice Ede as well as some who are “more underground” and “deserve to be put out there”. In the future, Lilly hopes they can widen the scope from just their student community in order to take other local, female-focused talents under their wing, promoting upcoming talent through both their events and the She Sings Sheffield Instagram page.

Support from the university has allowed for tickets to this first show to be completely free of charge, and organisers plan to keep prices as low as possible so that this safe and supportive environment can be accessed by anyone. Alongside uplifting women in music, She Sings Sheffield will also have cash pots dotted around the venue to raise money for a Sheffield-based domestic abuse charity, ensuring that this event has a positive impact on both those attending and the wider community.

From 6-8pm at the Waterbear Live Room, She Sings Sheffield’s first ever showcase takes places on 25 November. But be sure to follow them on Instagram @shesingsheff for news of upcoming shows.

KAT EATON

5 DEC // YELLOW ARCH STUDIOS // £15

Having recently released her highly anticipated second album Honestly, Kat Eaton and her band are returning to Sheffield for another show-stopping soulful performance. Alongside her original discography, you can also expect to hear reimagined covers of musical greats like Aretha Franklin and Carole King. yellowarch.com

ACID KLAUS

7 DEC // YELLOW ARCH STUDIO // £13.50

World-class producer, DJ and Sheffbased songwriter Adrian Flanagan embodies the moniker Acid Klaus to grace Yellow Arch Studios with his debut album, the biography of a fictional DJ told through electronic dance pop. Promising to transport, engage and energise, Acid Klaus in live form is an experience you won’t want to miss. yellowarch.com

EVERYTHING EVERYTHING

7 DEC // THE FOUNDRY // £30.25

Bringing to life two decades of eclectic, imaginative art rock music on their massive UK headlining tour ahead of their long-anticipated tour with The Wombats next year, Manchester’s Everything Everything stop off at The Foundry. foundrysu.com

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC

14 DEC // OCTAGON // £27.50

The Octagon will be filled with festive cheer as singer-songwriter John Reilly teams up with Lewis Nitikman for a Christmas music extravaganza. Expect everything from gospel choirs to ‘80s classics at this standout seasonal staple. performancevenues.group.shef. ac.uk

BAD NERVES

16 DEC // THE LEADMILL // £15

Following their successful support slots with The Hives and Tigercub, this Essex punk group have sold out The Leadmill with their first ever Sheffield headline show. With their catalogue of highoctane, explosive tunes, Bad Nerves are guaranteed to get the crowd bouncing, walls shaking and mosh pits brewing. leadmill.co.uk

saturday 7 dec 2024 everything everything

£16.00, Doors 7:00pm

sunday 8 dec 2024 michael head & the red elastic band

£25.00, Doors 7:30pm

monday 9 dec 2024 bingo lingo christmas special

£6 / 8 / 10, Doors 6:00pm

tuesday 10 dec 2024

TTC 360°

Conducta, Prozak, Zubz & andy h

£12.50 / £15.00, Doors 11:30pm, 18+

thursday 12 dec 2024 soul jam

£7.00, Doors 11:30pm, 18+

thursday 12 dec 2024 emo karaoke night

£14.00, Doors 7:00pm

friday 13 dec 2024 turin brakes

£27.50, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 14 dec 2024 grace petrie

£18.00, Doors 7:00pm

SATURDAY 25 JAN 2025

THE MAGIC NUMBERS

£25.00, Doors 7:00pm

SATURDAY 25 JAN 2025 ania magliano

£17.50, Doors 7:00pm

thursday 6 feb 2025 ahir shah

£18.00, Doors 6:30pm

thursday 20 feb 2025

w h lung

£17.00, Doors 7:30pm

thursday 20 march 2025 alabama 3

£30.00, Doors 7:00pm

saturday 22 march 2025 geoff norcott: work in progress

£16.00, Doors 7:30pm

thursday 27 march 2025 overpass

£14.00, Doors 7:30pm

SATURDAY 12 april 2025 fleetwood bac

£19.00, Doors 7:00pm

SATURDAY 27 sept 2025 float along festival

£35.00 (early bird), Doors 12:00pm

SATURDAY 12 april 2025

Craig charles funk & soul house party

£19.00, Doors 7:00pm

SATURDAY 6 december 2025

808 state

£30.00, Doors 7:00pm all shows open to the public (14+ unless stated otherwise) tickets available from foundrysu.com box office: 0114 222 8777

scan for tickets

On

We

GET TOGETHER MAKES IT FIVE!

Independent Sheffield festival Get Together is set to pull out all the stops to mark its fifth anniversary on Saturday 17 May 2025

The first wave of acts includes the Mercury Prize-winning English Teacher, returning to headline after their triumphant year. Joining them are acclaimed American songwriter BC Camplight, Sheffield icons The Moonlandingz and Nottingham favourites Divorce, alongside a diverse lineup of rising talent from across the globe.

Taking place at its established home in Kelham Island, the festival’s multivenue format will feature seven stages packed with live music and late-night DJ sets. It’s not just about the music – Get Together also boasts a curated selection of independent food and drink, with street food from Peddler and brews from top-notch breweries on The Kelham Beer Mile, courtesy of Kelham Island Brewery.

The festival’s food, drink, live art, late-night events and community programme details will be announced in the coming months, promising more to look forward to as the event draws nearer.

Festival booker Kieran Crosby expressed his excitement to Exposed:

“I can’t believe it’s been five years already! We’ve had some amazing artists play since we started the festival, and it’s wonderful to see artists who have played previously come back to headline.

“When English Teacher first played in 2022 the room was packed and jumping. After the incredible year they’ve had, it’ll be a true Get Together moment to see them close our main stage.

“There’s so much more in the pipeline too – we’re going big for our birthday! See you in Kelham.”

Joining the lineup are Swim Deep, Adult DVD, April Tapes, Cardinals, Cosmorat, Freak Slug, Good Health Good Wealth, Gravy, HONK, Hungry, Midnight Rodeo and The Stingrays.

Tickets (currently £40+bf) are on sale now at gettogetherfestival.com.

Santa’s Got a Brand New Drag!

It’s the season to be merry and gay, and the Steel City does not disappoint this month as we’re gifted with a busy schedule of queer happenings.

First up, to get us in the festive spirit, is the return of Big Queer Carols [Sun 15 Dec] at St Mark’s Broomhall in association with One Body, One Faith, joined by SAYiT and Amnesty. For more festive music, join Out Sheffield as they head to the live, multi-sensory musical experience, Christmas Classics by Candlelight [Thu 19 Dec] at Sheffield Cathedral.

There’s more live music this month from folk-rock cult hero and queer icon Grace Petrie [Sat 14 Dec] at Foundry, and, touring his latest album Light It Up, Will Young [Sun 15 Dec] takes to the stage at City Hall. We also have two of the greatest tribute acts: the legendary Bowie Contingent [Sun 15 Dec] celebrating their 20th anniversary with a special show featuring guest appearances from former band members, DJs, and performances by their friends The Voltz and Blurz (Blur tribute) at Sidney & Matilda; and Kyla Porta’s amazing tribute show Almost Pink [Sat 7 Dec] at Malin Bridge Inn with Sassy DJ Brookes on the decks. Brooke will also be hosting her own Sassy DJ Brooke’s Christmas Party [Fri 6 Dec] with a few festive surprises up her stockings!

Over at Wig and Pen, Angela Bra’s Sheffield Showcase welcomes Sam Serrano [Wed 18 Dec], a selfdescribed gender-fluid, dyspraxic LGBTQ comedian from Liverpool. There’s more laughter at OEC with their Comedy Drag Lunch [Sun 15 Dec] and a fun-filled night of shenanigans at Slags & Drags Xmas Cracker [Sat 28 Dec] with Mrs Mary Christmas and her elves at Bagshawe Arms.

There’s plenty of drag action this month, including Festive Drag Bingo [Sat 7 Dec] at Crystal Bar, Christmas Queens with Emma Maezin & Vivian Twist [Fri 27 Dec] at Rose & Crown, and Christmas Karaoke with Emma Maezin [Sat 28 Dec]

at Devonshire Arms. We also have two unmissable drag shows (well, you’ll have to miss one as they’re on the same night!): King Confuza introduces his new and up-and-coming monsters and alt performers at Camp Cryptid The Show! [Sat 14 Dec] at Burton Street Foundation, while Andro and Eve return with A Reyt Queer Do: Camp as Christmas Edition [Sat 14 Dec], a festive party and queer cabaret hosted by drag artist and burlesque star Rhys Pieces, featuring performances from drag king Unknown Amazon and a lineup of fresh Northern talent at Sidney & Matilda.

Popcorn at the ready for this month’s film offerings: we have two queer screenings at Curzon Cinema – Queer [Thu 12 Dec], where American expat William establishes a connection with student Eugene, and Call Me By Your Name [Sat 14 Dec], the story of a sudden and powerful romance between a boy and a summer guest at his parents’ cliffside mansion on the Italian Riviera. More screenings can be found at Gut Level’s QTIBPOC Cinema Club [Tue 17 Dec], a monthly meet-up to watch films that disrupt colonial and straight narratives or uplift QTIBPOC

(Queer Trans Intersex Black and People of Colour) stories. It’s a busy month at Gut Level. We have two instalments of the Gut Level Pub Quiz [Sun 1 & 15 Dec], with resident bimbo Jane Norman hosting on the 1st and resident pervs Piss Burp & Josh Lant hosting on the 15th. Sheffield’s favourite pervs, LeatherDyke, will host their dyke-centred bar night for the freaks, Cruise [Thu 12 Dec]. There’s Queer Speed Dating #3 [Thu 19 Dec], which this month is for trans and non-binary people (if that’s not for you, bookmark 23 Jan for QTIBPOC and 20 Feb for pansexuals). Learn DJ skills or simply hang out with like-minded people at FLAW DJ Workshop & Social [Tue 3 Dec]. Dance the night away at Pump Up the Volume #2 [Sat 7 Dec], featuring a stellar lineup including Adam C-4, Creola, Ego Clash, Kirsty Tonner, and WD-Norty. Also, experience Jorg Kunning Live, Wow & Flutter, and YouYou [Fri 13 Dec] or join Zoe Pea & Floor Length Skirts [Sat 14 Dec] for five hours of mindwarping, genre-spanning tunes. Finally, Jane Norman returns for Christmas Eve Karaoke [Mon 23 Dec].

For partygoers, Grapefruit

return to Foundry for Grapefruit: LGBTQ+ Club Night! - Christmas Masquerade Special [Fri 13 Dec], while the team behind Kelham Pride take over Yellow Arch for NYE Proud [Tue 31 Dec]. Expect DJs, dragaoke, live music, games, freebies, and even fireworks, all raising funds for Kelham Pride. If you’re looking for more chilled community activities, Gut Level hosts Gut Pleasers [Wed 4 Dec], serving up a tasty communal meal, and Peak Queer Adventures Craft Social [Thu 5 Dec], which also offers bouldering trips [Mon 9 & 23 Dec]. Elsewhere, Rainbow Minds [every Wed] runs an LGBTQ+ drop-in at Mind Wellbeing Centre, Zest’s Over 50s LGBTQ+ Group [Thu 12 Dec] meets at Weston Park Museum, and Rainbow Gamers [Sun 29 Dec] gathers at Treehouse Boardgames Café. Lastly, start your New Year’s resolutions early with Trans Active Swimming [Sat 7 & 21 Dec] at Heeley Pool and LGBTQ+ Swimming [every Tue] at Ponds Forge. That’s your lot for this month! Make sure to check out the latest event announcements at www. facebook.com/sheffieldlgbtevents.

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REBECCA KENNY

Each month, Charlie Parker (@charlieparkerpoet) sits down with a fellow writer to explore what sparks their inspiration to put pen to paper.

For the last article, I spoke about the difficulties surrounding liminal spaces, British nationhood and writing of the difficult and uncomfortable truths that surround us. That is the beauty of writing; both the unravelling of trauma and transformation can begin with the hold of a pen. How do we heal through writing? Why do we feel drawn to novels, poems or songs in our time of grief, need or sadness? Is there always redemption to be found through the art of writing?

This leads me to this month’s writer, Rebecca Kenny.

A concussion. Superficial glass cuts all over the face, nose and mouth. Fractures on the C6 and C7 vertebrae in the neck, the Th11 and Th12 vertebrae in the middle of the back, and the L4 and L5 at the small of the back. The Sacrum – the triangular section at the bottom of the spine – was split down one side. The Pubic Rami, in the centre of the pelvis, was split. Multiple fractures on the sternum. Seat Belt syndrome, where the belt caused a huge haematoma across the stomach. This was all a catalyst, as it turned out.

“Weirdly, I didn’t break any ribs, which I thought was really strange. What was really interesting is that they were all stable fractures, so the bones were broken, but they hadn’t moved. And I genuinely think that’s because in the car behind me was a doctor, and the minute I crashed, he got out of his car and came and held me down. At the time that the crash happened, I remember looking down and saw my leather belt snapped. He put his hand on my head and pinned me back to the chair, and was like, ‘Do not move.’ Had he not been there, and had he not held me, if I’d have tried to move, my sacrum would have split, and I probably would have been paralyzed. So I really dread to think what would have happened had he not been there, but because he held me in place until the paramedics came and there was, like,

four fire engines and two police vans and... God knows what else would have happened. It was very dramatic.”

Dramatic indeed. Frankly, I shouldn’t be talking to Rebecca Kenny at all, much less in an interview talking about writing as healing and therapy. That car crash was almost three years ago, and it would be fair to say a few things have changed in the time since for us all. For Rebecca Kenny, however, their darkest moment became their light; two books of poetry and the creation of a successful small poetry press later, it is proof of the testament that things can always change for the better.

Would you say that the accident really was a catalyst for better things, in retrospect?

I think before that, if had the crash not happened, I would have probably stopped writing by now. I’d have probably got bored of the competition and the constant rejections. I was teaching at the time. I was really busy anyway. The payoff of that wasn’t great. I enjoyed writing, but you know the constant self-promotion when trying to get on stages and driving to and from places all the time was just a bit much. I think I probably would have stopped and focused more on my family, but with the crash kind of being such a massive event, it forced me to take stock of where I was in my life, and then everything changed as a result of that. I stopped teaching. My home life is very, very different now. I was in recovery for a really long time, so it allowed me to spend more time on writing and processing and developing things, and it’s got to the point now where I’ve learned that I write when I want to, and I write when I feel the need to, and I write to process the things that I need to process, and I enjoy it. I don’t think I would have been at that point had it not been for that massive event.

I want to understand your journey into

poetry, because, as I understand it, it did sort of spark from the crash. Was this your journey into poetry?

Not quite, I’d already started writing poetry at this point. I was writing and sharing on Instagram and sending my stuff to online lit mags and journals, and I’d had a couple of things published, but nothing too big. I’d been encouraged to get into it by a colleague of mine that wrote poetry, and I’d written when I was in my 20s. I wrote poetry, and I put it mainly on Facebook Notes back in the day.

I don’t even know what that is. I had a little poetry blog for some time in the early 2000s, but I never really went anywhere with it, just because I didn’t think that it was any good. I’d done some stuff online, and I joined a couple of online communities to share some poetry, then Lisa O’Hare from Manchester had recommended me to this event, and they asked me to come and perform. And I’d never performed anywhere before. I met some amazing people, like Antony Szmierek, Rebecca Phythian and Lisa O’Hare. I got a bit of a taste for performing just because the people were just thoroughly supportive and decent. And it was actually Antony Szmierek who came up to me at the end and said that one of my pieces that I’d done was his favourite one. So I started going to nights and events in Manchester, which were always incredibly busy and supportive. It was actually the day after a Blue Balloon poetry event in Manchester that I got up and went to work, and I was in the crash. I wasn’t allowed visitors, so I only really had my phone as the communication with the outside world. I couldn’t move much, but I could type, and I could video conference with people. It all became a bit of a way for me to process what had happened, because it was such an incredibly traumatic event. Before that, my poetry had been about kind of >

>love and family and the boring kind of mundane bits of life, because that’s kind of thing that I like to write about. And then after the crash, I found that I was writing more about my own processing of it, and just the general strangeness of life and how odd it is that it can just be kind of whipped away at any point. I guess at the beginning, it was very much me trying to process my own emotions and feelings existing in the world. And it still is that, but with that added layer of unpacking that massive trauma.

What was it about poetry that meant you’d found your writing medium? Would you have considered short stories?

One thing that’s become really plain to me since the crash is my neurodivergence. As I get older and I’m closer to menopause, my brain is getting noisier and noisier and noisier. And for me, if I sit down and try and do any kind of lengthy piece of writing, like a story or an article, or a novel, my brain is firing off in so many different directions that it just ends up being really convoluted and lengthy and boring. And I need the brevity of poetry, because I always imagine my head is like a big tangle of headphone wires, and it’s like a big knot. It feels like that all the time. I’m being assessed for ADHD at the minute, and one of the things with ADHD is the constant conversations going on in your head all the time. It can give

you loads of anxiety. Poetry allows me to kind of cherry pick specific things and shape them down to the necessary components; whereas if I try and do it as a lengthier piece of writing, I lose myself, and I end up not really knowing where anything’s going. Poetry is a way of whittling it all down and picking apart those wires one by one until you’ve got a really lovely piece of art that is the thing that I wanted to process.

Is this the origin of ‘The Poet Who Broke Her Back’?

Ah, that was the work that I did with people in the hospital! I had put a call out saying to people, ‘I’m in the hospital, broke my back; if anyone wants to just sit

and do some writing with me, I’d really appreciate it.’ Loads of people came out and wrote with me. It was a really nice way for me to just sit with what had happened and talk about it, but to a degree where I could control what bits I was letting myself process. And that came through poetry. And so then, when I left the hospital and I was on my own, recovering at home for that huge six-month period, I continued with that and just picking out specific things. So when I wrote Crash and Learn, which was my collection that I wrote in the aftermath of the crash, that’s almost like a selection of specific moments that took place throughout that period of recovery. And my way of unpacking those moments is by, like I said, untangling all those wires and focusing on a specific thing. One of the poems in there is about doing the shopping and how much you take it for granted, because going to do the shopping became this incredibly strenuous, painful activity. One of them is about cutting my toenails and how I took that for granted before the crash. And then other ones are a bit bigger. There’s one at the beginning of the collection, which is about those moments just before the car crashed. And that was my way of unpicking and unpacking those key points in that massive event, but in a way that was controlled to me. So ‘The Poet Who Broke Her Back’, I think, was a really good starting point for that, and made me realize that I did want to write about it. I see it as an incredible coincidence, and an incredible bout of luck that I survived at all. For me, it was a wakeup call of ‘this needs to change. This isn’t right’.

I THINK BEFORE THAT, IF HAD THE CRASH NOT HAPPENED, I WOULD HAVE PROBABLY STOPPED WRITING BY NOW.”

What do you think needed to change? I think everything. I mean, before the crash, I was married and I was in a job that I didn’t really like but it paid well. I was in a place I didn’t really enjoy living in because it was what I could afford. I had a child who was about to start school – a school I didn’t really want him to go to – but it was one of those things where I’d got into this position where it was what I could afford. This is where we’re at. We’ll just be thankful for what we’ve got. And then the crash happened, and it made me go, ‘Wel, actually, if I’d have died at that point, would I be happy with where I am right now? Would I feel like I’ve achieved something?’ I think there’s things I’ve achieved, but I don’t want to be in schools feeling stressed all the time. I don’t want to be living in this house, I don’t want to be in this relationship. >

No need to worry...

IN A SENTENCE…

What is your favourite word? Acquiesce.

Least favourite word? Flannel

Unforgivable writer trait? Clam Chowder rhymes!

One sentence advice? Set boundaries.

Would you rather write a poem with a Mecca dobber or a betting pen (where the nib goes up inside)? Betting pen.

You meet 18-year-old Rebecca. What do you say? I wouldn’t tell her anything about the crash. It’s made me who I am today.

Are you harder than metal? Yeah! They had to cut the car roof off and the car was a write-off, but I wasn’t.

You meet Simon Armitage in a lift. What do you say? I’d thank him.

Favourite poem?

‘I am very bothered’, Simon Armitage

And finally, a Pulitzer or bestseller? Bestseller.

> I don’t want to be in this position. And it was almost like it was a bit of a kick up the bum to say, actually, this does need to change. But, yeah, I’ve never, I’ve never thought of it as a spiritual thing or anything.

We can’t talk about you without mentioning Written Off Publishing. What was it that actually made you want to be a publisher as opposed to just being a writer?

That was just natural progression. I did ‘The Poet Who Broke’ because Steve Mingle, a poet and storyteller from Manchester, messaged me and said you should put these poems in a book and sell them for to raise money for Aintree hospital where I’ve recovered. I put in that pamphlet all of the pieces that I’d written with credits to the people that I’d written them with, and their Instagram tags and everything. And then I thought I’d like to write my own collection, and I knew I didn’t want to use Amazon just because they’re predatory and they’re exploitative. And so I did a little bit of research into things like ISBN allocation and how to get your book into Waterstones, how to sell to bookshops and I basically just taught myself how to create a book! And then off the back of that, I got a lot of messages from people saying, ‘Could you help me out? People started sending me manuscripts and asking me for assistance. It just made sense to me to publish my collection

under a publisher name and see where it went. I always remember I had my book launch on the 24th of February in 2022, four months after the accident. It was so busy, and people came out and really supported me, and then I had all these people around me that wanted to be a part of that, and that sense of community was really important to me, because I’d felt before the crash... I’d always felt quite alone in terms of my creativity. I’d never really had a community before. And don’t get me wrong, it’s been an adventure. I’ve met some really genuine people who just care about the craft and want great things to happen. And when I originally set up the publishing company, it was called Bent Key, and that’s because when I came home from Aintree, they gave me a bag full of my belongings. My car at the time had a push button ignition. My keys were in my pocket, and where the car had hit me on the side, the key had been in two like but bent almost in half. It had been embedded in my leg, and it just seemed to make sense to use that as the iconography. I remember I put a picture of the key online, and Antony Szmierek messaged me – he’s just the most supportive man in in the arts world at the minute. And he messaged me, and he was like, ‘God, that key is absolutely fucked, but you’re still here. Isn’t that amazing?’

A MONSTER HIT

Little Shop of Horrors is set to dazzle audiences at the Crucible this Christmas, bringing the classic rock ‘n’ roll vibes – and a touch of bite – to Sheffield. Exposed heard from Colin Ryan and Georgina Onuorah, who star as Seymour and Audrey, the lovable co-workers turned star-crossed sweethearts at the heart of the story.

What does this show in particular mean to you? Were you a fan beforehand, or is this your first time experiencing Little Shop of Horrors?

GO: I had watched the original film with Ellen Greene playing Audrey and she is just otherworldly. The story is so kooky and the music is so brilliant. Every song is an earworm for sure so yes I’ve always been a fan!

CR: I was already a big fan of Little Shop of Horrors, so I’m over the moon to be playing Seymour at the Crucible this Christmas. It’s such an iconic show with humour, horror and heart, and I can’t wait to bring this incredible story to life for audiences in Sheffield!

Welcome to Sheffield Theatres – this will be the first time performing here for you both! Have you ever been to or worked in Sheffield before? Do you have any memories here?

GO: I’ve never visited but I’ve been so excited to move up here! Everyone has said that the people are so lovely here and I can attest to that. Friendly faces everywhere and the Crucible Kitchen is also very, very good!

This musical has a strong cult following and has many fans from the 1980s film starring Rick Moranis. What do think it is about this story that people have such a fascination with?

CR: Howard Ashman and Alan

Menken are such an iconic duo, and Little Shop of Horrors paved the way for the Disney classics they went on to create. Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene were perfect as Seymour and Audrey, and the practical effects for Audrey II still look amazing today. It’s also the perfect blend of comedy and horror, packed with bangers, likeable characters, romance, and a big green alienwhat’s not to love!

GO: I think the story is really unique. It has flashes of pure absurdity as well as themes we can all relate to such as love, greed and yearning. I don’t think you could go home after watching Little Shop of Horrors and not have laughed and probably cried.

Georgina, musical fans may recognise you from Kiss Me Kate (at the Barbican) or Hamilton on the West End, but how are you preparing for the role of Audrey? Is it similar to the roles you’ve played before?

GO: Audrey has always been a dream role of mine so when I was lucky enough to get my hands on it, I really wanted to take a deep dive into the Little Shop of Horrors universe and all of Howard Ashman’s inspirations. I read a lot about how Little Shop of Horrors was inspired by B movies, rock music and dark comedy. A very interesting trio that I think makes this show extremely unique.

Colin, you have worked across many stage shows but also have acted for screen (Death in Paradise, Doctor Who). What are your favourite elements of each type of work, and do you prefer performing to a live audience, or to cameras?

CR: I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a varied career across stage, TV, and voiceover work, and I love every aspect of it. Each requires a different skillset, and it’s fun to jump between them. But at the core, they’re all about the same thing: telling a story that speaks to the human condition as truthfully as possible.

Perhaps the most iconic image of Little Shop of Horrors is the Plant. Without giving too much away, how are rehearsals going whilst navigating greenery?

GO: There is a lot of green in this show. We couldn’t not! We’re using puppetry and set pieces and of course Audrey II is played by our wonderful Sam Buttery. Her voice will absolutely blow you away. What we’re making is really shaping up to be spectacular I think.

CR: Rehearsals have been so much fun – it’s such a creative room to be in, with everyone bringing fresh ideas to the table. The Plant, though, is a total diva. Always demanding attention, constantly hungry, and gets snappy if it’s not fed on time…

Finally, what are you hoping audiences will take away from the show?

GO: I think it’s a beautiful musical that also has some strong messages that I hope will stay with audiences of all ages long after they get home. We’re really having a great time creating our version so I hope that joy can be felt through into the audience!

CR: I really want audiences to have the best fun they’ve ever had in a theatre. We’re pulling out all the stops!

Little Shop of Horrors runs from Saturday 7 December 2024 –Saturday 18 January 2025 at the Crucible Theatre. Tickets are on sale now and can be booked through the Box Office in person, over the phone on 0114 249 6000 or at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR

The Kelham Island Arts Collective (KIAC) has long been a creative hub in Sheffield, bringing together a diverse group of artists to share studio space and ideas. With their upcoming exhibition FOUR set to showcase the work of four talented painters, we caught up with one of the artists involved, Kieran Flynn, to learn more about the collective, the exhibition and the vibrant community that makes it all possible.

Could you tell us a bit about the Kelham Island Arts Collective and what you do? We’re a shared artist studio of around twenty-five artists, depending on studio uptake. We’re currently full, which is great. We run as a not-for-profit business, which means we all pay studio rent to keep the bills paid so we can all have an affordable studio space to create our art. We are a friendly, creative community made up of lots of painters, but also sculptors, potters, woodworkers and even a tool maker.

What inspired a quartet of artists to get together for the upcoming exhibition, FOUR? Well, we’re all painters, so we have that in common. We also happen to have studio spaces that are all pretty much next to each other, so we often bump into each other when we’re in and working. The main reason is that we all get on, love each other’s artwork and thought that our paintings would complement each other well. We all have very different styles, but none of us are what you would call traditional painters. We don’t paint typical landscapes or portraits. So, hopefully people will be able to find something different and original about the work of all four of us. Also, putting on a group show is lots of fun. It’s great seeing how your paintings work alongside other people’s. Curating the exhibition is just as much fun as having a drink on the opening night.

What can you tell us about the artists involved and their work?

Julian Wright is an abstract painter who predominantly paints about how he feels about

his environment. His paintings use lots of bright colours, are full of energy, with lots of interesting mark-making and unusual composition. He only works on recycled canvasses, so expect work painted over charity shop pictures or found pieces of board.

Kay Bainbridge is a semiabstract colourist who primarily works in oil paint. The imagery she paints often fluctuates between abstract and figurative elements, a play between form, colour and depth. Her landscapes are stylised, so you will recognise elements such as trees, clouds or birds, but the compositions are imagined and often fun and unusual.

Tony Caunce is a musician, writer and artist whose artistic practice has moved through landscape painting, abstract studio work, video performance

and installation. His current paintings explore imagined landscapes and interiors. The figures in his work are often haunting and Bacon-esque, his use of paint and mark-making creating a dream-like quality. People who know Kelham Island may well have noticed one of Tony’s huge abstract landscapes on Green Lanes.

Speaking for myself, the paintings in this show will be imagined landscapes and cityscapes. I have always been interested in creating odd worlds from my imagination. I used to run a theatre company and write lots of plays, so I think my love for creating a place or environment from scratch has transferred to my painting. I posted one on Instagram recently, and a friend told me that it looked bleak, which is probably a reaction to the world we are

currently living in. I enjoy using contrasting techniques of traditional oil painting with stencilled spray paint. Colour is a huge part of my process; you will often find me studying a colour wheel or a book of swatches.

How can people get involved?

The exhibition opens at the Two and Six on Friday the 6th of December and is up for that weekend. The Two and Six is a great venue with a white-box gallery attached to a lovely micropub. Dan and Juliet, who run it, really know their beer, so there are bound to be some great ones on offer. We will have affordable prints for sale, which we are doing on demand. So, you can put your order in and we’ll get it to you in time for Christmas. This way we don’t have to do a big, expensive run, and we can pass the savings on to the punters at the exhibition.

Is there anything else in the pipeline from KIAC?

We have just opened five new studio spaces, so our community has grown, which is great. Our gallery space has been closed for the last eighteen months, but the landlord has managed to get the roof in there fixed. This means we will soon have our own gallery again, and I’m looking forward to organising our first group show in there. Curating twenty-five artists will be a right laugh. We’ll definitely let you know about that.

View FOUR at Two and Six Micro Pub, Snig Hill, on Friday 6 Dec (7-11pm), Saturday 7 Dec (12-10pm) and Sunday 8 Dec (3-8pm).

E

THREADS OF THE PAST

Last month, Weston Park Museum welcomed a major new exhibition from one of Sheffield’s most iconic artists, Pete McKee.

Now open, 'The Boy with a Leg Named Brian: Memoirs' by Pete McKee invites visitors on a nostalgia-packed journey through the artist’s formative years in 1970s Sheffield, brought to life through over 90 original McKee works. Inspired by memories stitched into the fabric of McKee’s past – including a memorable patch sewn onto his jeans as a child –this interactive exhibition captures the artist’s treasured memories through paintings, prints and sculptures celebrating the everyday magic of growing up.

“Over the years my work has been a series of flash cards of my memories, along with general observations,” McKee says. “For this exhibition I wanted to truly focus on my own personal experience of growing up on a council estate in Sheffield and make this show truly autobiographical. I chose to focus on my life as a five-year-old through to my teenage years and [the exhibition] is split into five chapters. I thoroughly enjoyed creating this exhibition, as it gave me an excuse to be truly selfindulgent and reflective.”

Visitors can expect more than just artwork on display. This nostalgic journey features a mix of visual art and retro fun, with arcade classics like Space

Invaders to play, McKee’s own pop music playlist filling the space and even a Cartoon Workshop zone for anyone feeling inspired to get creative. The exhibition’s eleven-month run will also feature an event programme, a school workshop inspired by McKee’s work and an exclusive product line available in the museum shop.

“To have the work shown at Weston Park Museum is such a massive honour and it will be my biggest show to date,” says Pete. “The museums of Sheffield played a massive part of my life and development as an artist, as my dad attempted to nurture my creative tendencies and would take me to Graves and Weston Park so see exhibitions and the museum’s collection. I have had the opportunity to dive into the museum’s collection and included some key works that have played a significant and direct contribution to my own work.”

The exhibition will run until 2 November 2025, giving plenty of time to experience this heartfelt trip down memory lane from one of Sheffield’s most beloved artists. Tickets are free but can be booked in fortnightly batches at sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/mckee.

THE BOY WITH A LEG NAMED BRIAN: THE FIVE CHAPTERS

The Castle Market Years

Explores Pete’s relationship with and memories of his mother, including holidays and times spent together

My Family & Other Animals

Covers the period after Pete’s mother passed away, being looked after by his dad and other family members.

Acting the Goat

Explores life and times outside of family, with friends and others.

Rites of Passage

Celebrates Pete finding himself through music and fashion.

My Sheffield Looks at the places in Sheffield that made Pete who he is.

RANAA FAROOQ

What was your journey to becoming a full-time artist?

I was a GP for 10 years, but I’d always loved art as a child. There was always this voice in the back of my head telling me I should’ve gone down the art route and pursued a creative career.

Then the pandemic happened. When 2020 came along, it became a big time of reflection for many people, myself included. I had already started to feel increasingly disillusioned with being a doctor, and the pandemic forced me to stop and think: 'Is this what I want to be doing for the rest of my life?'

During that time, I began a lot of self-development. I started meditating, journaling and painting, initially as a way to reconnect with my inner child and bring some playful joy back into my life –something I hadn’t realised had been missing for a long time. Painting started as something fun and I began following YouTube tutorials. I started with realistic painting, which I loved because it rekindled my passion for art. But then I came across abstract paintings and something about them really connected with me. It felt like a voice was saying, "This is what you need to be doing."

At Sheffield’s Art in the Gardens event, I saw some abstract paintings and spoke to the artists, asking if they offered workshops. They didn’t but I kept searching and eventually found an online six-week abstract painting course. It was expensive and I hesitated, but I went for it – and that was the turning point. I completely fell in love with the process.

Not long after, I saw a local

art competition at Fronteer Gallery and debated whether to enter. I didn’t think I’d get in but told myself, You won’t know unless you try. To my surprise, I not only got in but also won the People’s Choice Award at my first-ever art competition. A few months later, I won another competition. A year after attending Art in the Gardens, I entered the abstract category and won.

I thought, 'This is a sign from the universe.' That’s how it all began. As my confidence grew, people started asking if my paintings were for sale. I began selling my work, secured a studio at Bloc Projects and now balance being an artist with my work as a transformational life coach.

On moving towards abstract art, what was it that particularly interested you about that?

As I started painting more and exploring abstract art as a way of expressing myself, I found this real freedom with it. There’s no right or wrong way to make abstract art, no rules or restrictions.

The thing I love about it is creating something that’s never been seen before or captured by a camera. It’s not a portrait or a copy of anything. That’s what excites me – you’re creating something from nothing and the possibilities are endless.

When I’m painting, I try to go into a bit of a trance. It’s kind of like a meditation for me, lowering all the noise and tapping into my subconscious. I let something flow onto the canvas in an intuitive way, without overthinking it. Often, it feels like the painting is talking to me. I know that sounds strange, but it’s like a conversation – I feel guided

by the work and trust my gut instincts about colour and placement.

What sort of themes tend to come out or be explored in your work? Because my work is unplanned and intuitive, it’s not inspired by specific themes in the way some artists consciously represent their influences. However, what I’ve noticed is that people often say my paintings resemble outer space – nebulas, galaxies or sometimes clouds.

I’ve realised those are things that fill me with awe. I love looking at James Webb telescope images and gazing at clouds. That sense of awe is what inspires my paintings.

When I’m painting, it’s a time for me to disconnect. I think I’m often processing emotions without realising it, which makes it a very cathartic process. My hope is that when people look at my work, it gives them a chance to stop, pause and be present.

Do you have any rituals or routines when creating? Through mindset work and life coaching, I’ve realised how important it is to approach painting with the right energy. Before I start, I do some breathwork or a bit of meditation – to forget about

the to-do list that’s constantly running in my mind!

I also do affirmations. I tell myself I’m going to connect powerfully with the canvas, that the work I create has value, and I take the pressure off by reminding myself I’m just playing and having fun. Even with commissions, I go through this process to avoid feeling restricted. It might just be painting, but it’s still easy to let negative energy creep in.

How does life coaching intertwine with your work? How do you see your life coaching informing or inspiring your work?

I think my own journey has been key. Transforming my life and moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset hasn’t been easy. That experience helps me relate to my clients on a personal level. Life coaching also allows me to highlight how powerful creativity is. Even people who don’t see themselves as creative can find ways to express themselves – gardening, dancing or singing can be creative. Creativity doesn’t have to be painting or writing.

With your previous job there were very tangible markers of success. What does success look like to you now as an artist? As a doctor, there was a clear path – you get a degree, complete your training and you’re a doctor. For me, there was initially this question of, 'When do I become an artist?'

I thought about doing a master’s in fine art and might still do that one day, but I realised I don’t need it to be an artist. Success now is about freedom – giving myself the permission to paint and not feeling like I have to follow a set path.

If people connect with my work, whether it’s at an exhibition or in their homes, that’s success for me. It’s about creating something that resonates and makes a positive impact.

@ranaa.farooq.art

KENREX @ SHEFFIELD PLAYHOUSE

In today’s oversaturated world of true crime content, it’s easy to become desensitised to another glossy retelling of a tragic series of events taking place in an isolated town. However, when a production like KENREX comes along, which combines an eye-popping story with gripping character performances from Jack Holden and immersive live music kicks from John Patrick Elliott –well, put it this way: you’re in for a hell of a ride, so buckle up.

Of course, there was reason to suspect that their opening performance at Sheffield Theatres’ Playhouse would be memorable. The duo previously collaborated on Cruise, a 2022 West End hit that similarly adapted a true story, blending a one-man performance with a live soundtrack. The play earned an Olivier nomination, while Elliott won the Stage Debut Award for Best Composer.

KENREX tells the real-life story of Ken Rex McElroy, an infamous resident of Skidmore, Missouri, who spent years terrorising his community. Despite repeated crimes, he continually evaded jail and what his neighbours saw as justice until, finally pushed to their limit, they felt compelled to take matters into their own hands.

What stands out is Holden’s versatility in one of the best solo turns I’ve ever witnessed on a Sheffield Theatres stage. Seamlessly embodying personas, he

moves from folksy charm to bonechilling menace with a fluidity that is mesmerising – and at times, comedically brilliant – to watch.

Director Ed Stambollouian’s minimalistic set design is elevated by atmospheric lighting and the imaginative use of soundscapes. The ghostly glow of old billboard signs and pickup headlights establish a mood of isolation and lurking danger, evoking the forgotten backwaters of 1980s America.

Elliott’s Americana-inspired music enhances the production’s immersive feel, spanning folk, country and dark, moody blues. His use of foot-stomping rhythms and ominous undertones, together with sound loops and eerie effects, guides the audience through scenes that range from uncomfortably subdued to alarmingly chaotic.

While true crime adaptations made for speedy consumption often steer to the banal, with priority given to cramming as many sordid details into the narrative, KENREX focuses more on plunging the viewer deep into the heart of an increasingly alarmed community. A superb epilogue, ‘The Widow’, provides a balancing of the moralistic scales, putting some key questions at the forefront of the audience’s mind: when, if ever, is mob justice justified, and what are the personal and societal costs of delivering such justice when the tipping point comes? 5/5

MILTON JONES –HA!MILTON

CITY HALL // 4 DEC // £38

This is not a musical. Milton Jones is tone deaf and has no sense of rhythm, but at least he doesn’t make a song and dance about it. He has more important things to discuss. Like giraffes… and there’s a bit about tomatoes. A whole new show of daftness – you know it makes sense.

sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

SNOW WHITE

LYCEUM // 6 DEC-5 JAN // £15-£43

It’s panto season! For this year’s Christmas special at Sheffield Theatres, we’ll be visiting the world of Snow White, featuring a bumper cast with stunning sets, hilarious jokes and fabulous music numbers. Plenty of fun for the whole family!

sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

CRUCIBLE // 7 DEC // £15-£47

When flower shop assistant Seymour acquires a mysterious new plant, he names it ‘Audrey II’ after his crush and co-worker. As the succulent grows and grows, it offers Seymour the kind of success he could only ever dream of… as long as he keeps feeding it!

sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

CITY HALL // 28 DEC-5 JAN // £7-£26

The Manor Operatic Society are back for their annual festive bash! This year, they proudly present Jack and The Beanstalk – a giant of a pantomime. Expect the usual mix of laughter, magical music, spectacular special effects and dazzling dancing.

sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

BULL

PLAYHOUSE // 16-18 JAN // £12-£14

A brilliantly savage play about workplace bullying, Mike Bartlett’s smash hit BULL returns to Sheffield to celebrate a decade since its Olivier-award winning transfer from Sheffield›s Playhouse to London’s Young Vic in 2015.

sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

WORDS: JOE FOOD PHOTO: MANUEL HARLAN