JUNE 2021
GRUB’S UP! Getting stuck into some of Sheffield’s finest snap
Contents
25: Cover Story
Feeling peckish? For this month’s Sheffield food special, we greedily round up some of the city’s most iconic food dishes – everything from bangin’ brekkies to sumptuous sarnies.
For all the latest news, reviews and previews from Sheffield, head over to www.exposedmagazine.co.uk
exposedmagsheff
expmagsheff
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Fat Cats Phil Turner (MD) phil@exposedmagazine.co.uk
Nick Hallam (Sales Director) nick@exposedmagazine.co.uk
michael johnson (Accounts) michael@exposedmagazine.co.uk
Foodie by name, Foodie by nature Joe Food (Editor) joe@exposedmagazine.co.uk
From the Chips to the Grub-ble paul stimpson (web editor + design) paul@exposedmagazine.co.uk Ash Birch (web editor) ash@exposedmagazine.co.uk
Why do you only call me when you fry?
40: Bullion Chocolate
60: Dirty Freud
Sheff ’s very own Willy Wonka has moved into new digs around the corner from our HQ. We nipped over from some sweet talk with Bullion’s Max Scotford.
Did you know that one the UK’s most successful electrodub acts lives here in Sheff? Well, now you do, and we’ve decided it’s high-time Dirty Freud gets a shoutout.
63: The Lughole
The city’s finest DIY punk venue will be making a triumphant return. Ash Birch spoke to The Lughole’s founder, Avi, about what else the future might hold down at The Lughole.
on the regs
47: food + drink 54: things to do 60: music 67: comedy 68: film 73: LGBT 74: culture
Heather PAterson, Cal Reid, Frazar Mcdonald, suki broad, katie fisher, sarah howarth
D is for Delicious Exposed is published monthly by Blind Mice Media Ltd Unit 1b 2 kelham square kelham riverside Sheffield s3 8sd The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media Ltd and while every effort is made to ensure information throughout Exposed is correct, changes prior to distribution may take place which can affect the accuracy of copy, therefore Blind Mice Media Ltd cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific entertainment listings.
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uPFRONT: sHAFF
Shaff is back! In a unique year for adventure filmmaking, ShAFF is back, as tickets go on sale for the 2021 festival which takes place at the Showroom Cinema from 9-11 July. Bringing the wild outdoors into the heart of the city with a carefully curated three-day programme of over 100 of the latest outdoor adventure films from around the world. This year’s festival will offer a safe and spacious experience, with capacity reduced and more of the action taking place outdoors. For information on screenings and tickets, head over to shaff.co.uk.
300+
Films submitted from around the world, of which 100 of are chosen to show over the weekend.
Shaff in numbers
3
days of screenings, free talks and events will be heading to the Steel City next month.
16
years Shaff has been going, With thousands of film screenings and special events taking place since its inception.
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uPFRONT: news
Ushering in a New Era Following the difficulties of lockdown, Sheffield’s food and drink scene has recently received a huge boost with the opening of the £70m New Era Square development. New Era Square at St Mary’s Gate features restaurants, street food kiosks, the city’s largest oriental supermarket and shops – all located around a modern public square with impressive panda art installations. Developer Jerry Cheung said the 430,000 sq ft development promises to be an exciting destination for visitors looking to discover somewhere new and exciting to socialise following 12 months of lockdowns. “New Era Square blends the dynamism and energy of modern China and South East Asia with the best of Western culture,” explained Sheffield businessman Jerry. OISOI, Sheffield’s hugely popular Asian restaurant brand, has already opened its latest venue, OISOI Gathering, at New Era Square, while another new addition, Yum Yum Bites, is serving up Taiwanese street food. Several other new eateries, which are currently being fitted out and will open between June and September this year, include a stylish burger
restaurant, a large sports bar and a Japanese restaurant called Doki Kagoshima, which has ambitions to become the flagship Japanese restaurant in Sheffield. Lykke – a Scandinavian-styled café – will round off the truly global and multicultural offer at New Era Square, serving up Nordic and north European cuisine. Within the development, there are also several kiosks including a Taiwanese food shop, a breakfast restaurant, a BBQ restaurant, hair salon and travel agent. “The final pieces of the jigsaw are coming together and we’re close to completing several deals,” added Jerry, whose pioneering project attracted several multi-millionpound investors from China. “It offers a rich mix to its residents and visitors. The square itself is Yorkshire’s newest public space and we’ve installed a family of eyecatching panda sculptures to provide a striking welcome. Pandas are regarded as a symbol for friendship and peace, and they reflect what we are trying to achieve here – a destination with a unique identity where Sheffield’s residents and visitors of all age groups and cultures can come together and enjoy.”
A milestone moment Sheffield Hallam University leaders have revealed further details of their plans to develop the city campus site. Three new buildings for teaching and learning are planned on the site of the recently demolished Science Park and adjoining car park, which leads up from Sheffield Train Station. Richard Calvert, deputy vice-chancellor (Strategy and Operations) at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “These new facilities are designed to deliver significant benefits for our students and make Sheffield Hallam an even more attractive place to study and work, whilst also enhancing a key gateway to Sheffield city centre. A university green public space is also proposed, including the planting of new trees, more than 4,300 sq ft of greenery and space for up to 150 people to sit and relax. The predominantly brick buildings have been designed to preserve and enhance 12 | www.exposedmagazine.co.uk
the character of the surrounding Cultural Industries Quarter, which is home to several historic buildings from Sheffield’s industrial past. Richard Calvert added: “The space is designed to preserve the character of the surrounding area and a focus on environmental sustainability means the new buildings will be zero carbon ready – a key ambition for the university. “This development will play a major part in delivering on our ambitions as a university, including our contribution to the city and region. We look forward to engaging with our wider community through this consultation.” If planning permission is granted, construction could begin in early 2022 and be completed in the second half of 2023. The development is the first phase of wider plans to improve the city centre campus. The campus plans are being developed by a number of key partners as part of collaborative ‘Hallam Alliance’.
uPFRONT: news
Orchard Square puts it on a plate Sheffield Plate, a partnership between specialist market and food hall operators Market Asset Management Ltd and LAP PLC, owners of Orchard Square Shopping Centre, have announced a new independent food hall and entertainment venue opening in the heart of Sheffield city centre in summer 2021. The exciting new venue, named Sheffield Plate, will add to Orchard Square’s already top-notch independent food offer, which already includes Macpot and Terrace Goods. The site will bring together five street food traders, two bars, live music, foodie events, and entertainment across two floors. Centrally located in the Orchard Square Shopping Centre, Sheffield Plate sounds ideal for when you’re out and about in the city centre. John Heller of LAP says: “This new venue will be a fantastic addition to Sheffield and is the perfect fit for an innovative City that is successfully adapting to the challenges of the pandemic, retail evolution and growth. “We are creating a venue that will
invigorate the centre and drive footfall. Market Asset Management (MAM) have a strong track record in creating interesting and vibrant spaces, making them the ideal partner for this project.” Hayden Ferriby of Market Asset Management added: “Sheffield Plate is an exciting small-scale food hall format that puts fantastic independent food and drink vendors alongside the best live music and entertainment. “Working with LAP, who are forward thinking and understand the changes happening to our town and city centres, we are creating a location for our customers to meet friends and family, enjoy delicious fresh food concepts by independent businesses and watch their favourite local bands.” Due to open in summer 2021, this project will complement the two new independent local food traders that opened at Orchard Terrace last year – who offer food, drinks and an outdoor terrace into the evening. With the award of the Future High Street Fund from the government, and with continued investment from property owners like LAP, Sheffield city centre is looking up.
Beneath the Boardwalk
The Snig Hill building that housed The Boardwalk, a venue which has played host to a number of key moments in UK music history, including The Clash’s first gig and seminal Arctic Monkeys shows, could be protected from development after a bid was accepted to name it as an ‘asset of community value’ by Sheffield City Council. If successful, the designation will require that a community group set up to protect the venue are provided with the opportunity to bid in the event of a future sale. Del Tilling, the director of the not-for-profit community group hoping to take over the venue’s lease, has reportedly said that if the asset of community value was accepted, he hopes the ‘nationally important’ venue can become a destination for music lovers visiting the Steel City.
Pic: Dean Chalkley (2005)
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“Thank you, Sheffield. You’ve made a reyt good impression on me.” Even before I first stepped foot in the Steel City, I had roots binding me to it. Sheffield is the birthplace of my great grandma, the city my parents’ love story blossomed in and the home of my indie infatuation: Alex Turner. I moved to the city three years ago. As an energetic 18-year-old university fresher, I followed my mother’s footsteps to Hallam University and began to write my Sheffield story. Moving into my Bramall Lane accommodation, I soon realised that Sheffield was very different to the village life I was used to. I learnt quickly about the rivalry between Blades and Owls, my legs tired from steep city hills and I discovered the existence of five quid rounds on West Street. After a month of introductory lectures, gigs at Leadmill and many, many club nights, I had christened Sheffield as my own. As I write this, I have finished my undergraduate degree and, come September, I’ll be starting a master’s in journalism at Uni of Sheffield. For now, though, I get to experience the city in summer with no responsibilities. My only commitment is to make up for lost Covid-19 time and to enjoy, once more, beer gardens and the local music scene. I think back to what I have enjoyed most about Sheffield during my time here, and it would be rude not to mention the friendliness and proud northern patriotism of the place. Driving back into the city after visits to my Leicestershire hometown, I’m welcomed back with a tight Yorkshire hug; as I exit the M1 and see the green copper tops of Meadowhall, I feel a sense of security and instantly relax. Although I don’t plan to settle in Sheffield post-studies, the city will always have a piece of my heart – I know whenever I return, I’ll be greeted with open arms. Sheffield’s wonderful greenery also deserves a mention; being locked down here has certainly allowed me to appreciate the outdoor spaces a lot more. From the Botanical Gardens to the Peak District right on my doorstep, the pandemic has made me mature as a student and swap boozy nights
for walks along Stanage Edge. I’ve swam in Crookes Valley Park, watched endless sunsets at Froggatt Edge and enjoyed a traditional Bakewell slice in, er, Bakewell, of course. And, even though beer gardens have now reopened, I look forward to socialising in a sunny Endcliffe Park with friends in the coming months, enjoying my last Sheffield summer days the ‘Outdoor City’ way. In reflecting on my time here, I couldn’t but talk about my time at Hallam. It has been a huge part of my Sheffield experience and, alongside my degree, there is no doubt that I will graduate with a strong Hallam complex. When I talk about peaks and troughs of university life, Sheffield Varsity stands out as one of the highlights: the maroon and white face paint plastered across every student’s face, the creative, boisterous chants and the devotion shown to students’ respective establishments over this month. It’s an exhilarating experience to be part of; I will always bleed Maroon. Finally – Sheffield nights out. In my freshers year, I was a Leadmill girl. As the first taste of Hooch touched my lips and Arctic Monkeys played in the background, I milked the indie-pop venue for all it was worth, becoming a regular at the Club Tropicana nights. Since 2018, though, my nights out have moved onto West Street, where I’ve made some of my fondest memories. Crawling down from Players to Hallam Nation in fancy dress every Wednesday, and dancing into the early hours in West Street Live, making memories on what, to me, feels like Sheffield’s own holiday strip. I could gush about Sheffield all day; my memory bank of the city is near to overflowing. But I will leave it here. Now, at 21 years of age, Sheffield has watched my confidence grow; it has observed my drunken nights out; picked me up when I’ve felt down; watched me finally master the big ring road roundabouts; and, above all, has provided me with an inimitable university experience. Thank you, Sheffield. You’ve made a reyt good impression on me.
by sophie watson
“Sheffield’s wonderful greenery deserves a mention; being locked down has certainly allowed me to appreciate the outdoor a lot more. From the Botanical Gardens to the Peak District right on my doorstep,”
want to share your sheffield story? drop a line to joe@exposedmagazine.co.uk // Photo: Marc barker www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 15
Open up!
back in the game! If we’re honest, although we made the best of it, sitting on a pub bench with a meal and a pint in a hailstorm was not the one, so the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions last month came at just the right time. It’s been amazing to welcome back some of our favourite restaurants, bars, venues and cultural spots that hadn’t had the chance to get involved with the grand re-opening thus far, and with that in mind, we’ve put together a round-up of some of the Steel City’s finest that have been making their first appearance of 2021 over the last few weeks. Go see ‘em and be nice, will ya? It’s been a while. RESTAURANTS FOR INDOOR DINING That’s right, no more soggy chips, as all restaurants are now free to open their doors and welcome diners inside (with appropriate Covid measures in place, obvs). That means the return of fine dining experiences at Joro, No Name and Luke’s Place, as well as the return of the ever-popular Cutlery Works and Kommune food halls. If it’s vegan cuisine you’re after, we’ve also seen the return of a couple of faves: V|OR|V and Church. Elsewhere, Ecclesall Road’s Juke and Loe has finally got open, as has J H Mann’s latest venture on Gibraltar Street, Native, and Birdhouse Tea has had enjoyed a tidy refurb that’s well worth a look. Loads to go at there, and countless others that we haven’t mentioned, including all the venues that also have outside spaces and have opened up indoors. Special mention for True Loves, down by the quayside, who have been open for outside dining but haven’t had the chance to show off their shiny new interior. BARS WITHOUT OUTSIDE SPACES Boozers without outside spaces were forced to watch with envy over the last few weeks as their outdoorsy contemporaries flung open their beer gardens. Alas, patio heaters are old news now, and we can get back inside some of the cosier boozers as the Dog and Partridge, The Red Deer, The Crow, The Raven, Porter Cottage and The Old Workshop return for the sesh. London Road’s vegan pizza, dog friendly bar Pour is also back in action and the Public team have returned from their hiatus over at Picture House Social to sort some banging cocktails in the old bogs. Basically, if you need us, you’ll find us at the bar, even if it’s roasting out. 16 | www.exposedmagazine.co.uk
CINEMAS As well as indoor hospitality, cinemas were also allowed to reopen on 17 May and Sheffield’s Showroom Cinema revealed plans to return with an exciting range of films from around the world, including five Oscar winners. The largest independent cinema in South Yorkshire returns with a stellar line-up including the winner of three Academy Awards, Nomadland, winner for Best Sound, Sound of Metal, The Father, which features Anthony Hopkins, who received the Best Actor award at the grand age of 83 and two enchanting family films Wolfwalkers, a charming tale of magic and Irish folklore and Earwig & the Witch, the latest film from Studio Ghibli, both screening during the May half term. For more information or to buy tickets for Showroom Cinema’s opening programme visit: www.showroomworkstation.org.uk/cinema MUSEUMS Sheffield’s museums came back with a bang on Thursday 20 May, enticing visitors back with new exhibitions and displays, as well as free entry at all sites, including Kelham Island Museum and Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet. The introduction of free entry at all sites follows the formation of Sheffield Museums, a new charitable trust established last month which brought together Museums Sheffield and Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust. THEATRES The long-awaited return of live theatre is also back and Sheffield’s muchloved venues The Crucible and Lyceum have all sorts going on for their return. Following the successful staging of the snooker World Championships earlier this month, The Crucible re-opens with hotly anticipated performances from The Together Season Festival, a programme of work from local artists, curated by a panel of artists, audience members and theatre representatives. The Festival of thirteen works takes place from Monday 24 May – Saturday 5 June and will be closed by Sheffield’s former poet-laureate Otis Mensah. Other new shows on the horizon include the brilliant Victoria Wood’s Talent at The Crucible. Whilst in the Lyceum they welcome Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tell Me on a Sunday! Groan-ups, Heathers and Looking Good Dead are also back on sale with new dates. All shows go on sale to members on Wed 5 May and are on general sale and are available here: www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 17
Turning a corner down at hagglers Believe it or not, Hagglers Corner turns ten this year. Before you know it, it’ll be a surly teen at big school, staying out beyond curfew! While it’s still in the throes of youth, the lovely folk down at Hagglers have given the Queens Road venue a proper spruce up with a freshly refurbished courtyard, serving Indian-inspired tapas from The Bhaji Shop hatch until 9pm. The brand new mezzanine structure and sheltered areas brings the venue’s capacity up to 200 seats, which transforms from a cosy café by day to a beautifully lit bar by night. Sarah Ingolfsdottir, who owns Hagglers with her husband Dave Knott, said: “After ten years of love, music and community, we’ve totally transformed our courtyard and hand-built a sprawling mezzanine that lets you relax between the treetops. “Our in-house community of businesses are thriving and allow you to come and get your haircut whilst waiting for your guitar to be repaired! Or take a workshop in macrame, crochet, sewing, or willow weaving, then head upstairs for a tattoo or a piano lesson.” “We feel like we are finally evolving into the hub we have always aimed to be, a supporting place for both independent businesses and the public to be themselves, have fun and grow.” To help Hagglers Corner celebrate, pay them a visit at 586 Queens Road, S2 4DU, where they’ve even got a few special edition Hagglers t-shirts on offer!
hagglers corner 586 Queens Rd, Lowfield Sheffield S2 4DU hagglerscorner.co.uk 18 | www.exposedmagazine.co.uk
Images: alexandrawallace.co.uk
give it a go
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Spotlight on
Spread
your wings A new restaurant and bar has finally been given the chance to spread its wings in S6. Due to the Covid restrictions in place following its opening in 2019, The Orange Bird was initially only able to wow diners with a takeaway menu, giving a belly-teaser of what was to come when they were finally allowed to welcome diners inside. Thankfully, that day finally came, and from 19 May last month the neighbourhood bar and kitchen on Middlewood Road has been cooking up a storm for onsite guests with dishes from its South African-inspired menu. Co-owner Anne Horner said: “It’s not exactly how we envisaged opening, but we’re so excited to get going. I think the joy of this place is that we’re not already an established business trying to get back to normal, we don’t have a normal yet so we’re just going to get on with it.” Now that restrictions are lifted, The Orange Bird promises to be a ‘buzzy’ and inclusive restaurant and bar, filling a gap for a muchneeded top-quality restaurant in North West Sheffield. All of the dishes will be cooked over coals, or will at least include an element of charcoal, including the desserts, and will use an array of seasonal ingredients to create unique dishes such as pig’s ears, Koji buttered sweetcorn and homemade ice creams, as well as a whole host of interesting vegetarian, vegan and glutenfree options. Owners Anne Horner, who has lived in the area for 20 years, and Matthew DugganJones both honed their skills at Sheffield city centre café Marmadukes. Matthew also has experience in two different Michelin-starred establishments and will take on the cooking duties, while Anne takes responsibility for the front of house. Speaking back in September, Matthew said: “We want it to be a real neighbourhood restaurant that people can afford but is still
high end. The menu is going to constantly change but the main element will be the fire. We’re going to be cooking on charcoal, and hopefully, eventually wood. I’m a South African, so I was born there and lived there until I was 15, and BBQs is what they do there, similar to Australia. “Some of my best food memories are from the fire. I remember my dad cooking whole lambs over the spit and just tasting the fat dripping off and it just being incredible. I think I’ve just always been obsessed with cooking that way, so I think we’d quite like to incorporate fire into almost every element of the food, including the desserts.” The restaurant can be found next door to Pangolin Craft Beer, which also opened its doors last month. Anne commented on the area’s recent revival: “I feel like there’s such a buzz in Hillsborough, it’s a busy place, and it’s not being utilised. The area is crying out for it. We’ll be something independent and different” Matthew added: “I love the buzz of a busy restaurant. One of my favourite restaurants is Ivan Ramen in New York, where the
music’s really loud and it’s always full. There’s queues out the door, and I don’t know if we can achieve that, but I like the place to be busy. I don’t want people whispering.” For Anne and Matthew, the restaurant has been two years in the planning, Anne said: “We can’t wait to get going now. We’re really excited, but I don’t think it will feel real until it’s open.” For further updates head over to facebook.com/ orangebirdkitchen.
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movers + Makers
Making a difference
Clothing brand delivers school uniform donations in Sheffield
Clothing brand Akin Clothing have this week announced that their second school uniform donation will take place in their home city of Sheffield. The drop will go ahead in summer 2021, before the start of the academic year. In 2018, Akin teamed up with Drop Dead to provide school uniforms for children in the developing world, but due to Covid-related travel restrictions, they plan to focus their efforts closer to home this year. Ben Howells, Akin Clothing’s Founder & CEO, said: “It goes without saying that this year has been a little different and it’s become clear that there is a need for children here on our doorstep, in Sheffield. “I first started this company while I was living in Hawaii and spending a lot of time travelling and it was crazy to me that the lack of uniforms and supplies was a barrier to children attending school. “Growing up and going to school in Sheffield it was something that was a given. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. “In light of this, we’ve decided to run our first project on home turf. The aim is to provide school uniforms for school kids in Sheffield where families may be struggling to do so. “In doing so, we would like to bring the local community here in Sheffield together to help those most in need. The uniforms will be supplied ahead of the 2021/22 academic year, starting in September.” Akin Clothing uses net profits to help kids around the world attend school, by providing them with school uniforms and supplies. So far Akin Clothing has supported children from communities in 15 different countries all around the world. Currently there are approximately 67 million children who are not attending school around the world. akinclothing.com/impact
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Iconic Dishes
Sheffield’s Iconic Food Dishes is sponsored by...
Ashoka’s Taxi Driver Curry
GRUB’S UP!
For this month’s mouth-watering celebration of Sheffield scran, we’ve rounded up some our favourite things to chow down on in the Steel City: iconic dishes, snacky street food and traditional faves – a veritable smorgasbord of culinary delight. Time to get stuck in, dear reader!
Consistently knocking out ‘reyt good curreh’ since 1967, this Ecclesall Road restaurant is the oldest curry house still going in the Steel City and a regular haunt of the Arctic Monkeys when they’re back on home turf. In fact, owner Ramun tells us that their iconic Taxi Driver Curry is a favourite of the band’s frontman Alex Turner. So now you know. But there’s an even more interesting story behind this dish. It came about when a cab driver came in asking for a dish that his late wife used to cook, remembering “roughly in his head” what it tasted like. The chefs put their heads together and eventually managed to replicate it. The restaurant started getting requests for the dish when customers heard ‘Taxi Driver curry!” shouted from the kitchen as the cab driver stopped by to pick up his takeaway, eventually deciding to add it to their menu. It has become a real crowd favourite, comprising smoky chicken tikka with garlic minced lamb and a hit of chilli.
The Rutty Butty at the Rutland Arms
We can’t talk about iconic Sheffield snap and not mention the Rutland’s famous sarnie. Without a doubt, the everchanging menu at this beloved real ale establishment serves up some of the finest pub food in the city; but it’s this pimped up chip butty – bread, molten cheese, spicy tomato sauce and plenty of thick-cut chips – that has achieved legendary culinary status. In its previous incarnation as the ‘Slutty Rutty Butty’ (they dropped the first word and the bacon), it even featured in a Munchies documentary exploring the North of England’s tastiest food. How many chip butties do you know that have gone viral, eh? Sheffield’s Iconic Food Dishes is sponsored by...
Falafel Wrap from Fanoush
An Exposed takeaway treat favourite, ‘Fanoush Fridays’ have become a muchloved tradition in the office. You can go for the easily consumable 6-inch offering (£3.25), or, if you’re really looking to slip into a food coma for the remainder of the day, there’s a 10-inch option (£4) to stuff with an impressive range of hummus, salad and sauces. The main event, however, is the generous serving of crispy, crumbly falafel goodness wedged inside the pitta – a true thing of beauty.
Keep Calm and Curry On: We’d also highly recommend the following… - Lavang - Bhaji Shop - Urban Choola - Mowgli - Colombo Street Food www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 25
Sheffield’s Iconic Food Dishes is sponsored by...
Burgers from Twisted Burger Co
Again, we’re spoilt for choice here, and it would be remiss of us not to pay homage to recent mouthwatering additions on the bangin’ burger scene like Fat Hippo (Kommune), Saw Grinders Union and Slap & Pickle (The Teller); not to mention other well-established Steel City joints such as Unit (their Korean fried chicken burger is insane!) and the everdependable Bungalows & Bears. However, we’ve got to shout out the real OGs at Twisted Burger Co, holding it down now for over ten years with longstanding classics such as ‘Pig Daddy Kane’, alongside popular newcomers like their vegan ‘It’s the Sleeps’ burger – a collaboration with Sheff hardcore punk outfit While She Sleeps.
Want buns, hun? Like we said, there’s plenty to get stuck into…
- Fat Hippo - Saw Grinders Union
BBQ Ribs at Make No Bones
One of the leading lights of the vegan revolution in Sheffield, Make No Bones has made its way halfway across the city in the eight or so years it’s been delighting diners with cruelty-free comfort food in Sheff. Originally starting as a pop-up in the back of a pub where co-owner Dave Shaw worked, they then moved onto their own venue on Chesterfield Road, before being asked by Bring Me the Horizon frontman Oli Sykes to join his latest project, Church, in Kelham Island. They can now be found in another Kelham Island favourite’s kitchen, The Old Workshop. The whole menu is still great, but one of the constants has been their humble seitan ribs. That BBQ sauce is the one.
- Unit - Slap & Pickle - Bungalows & Bears Vegan Paradise at VorV
Thankfully, due to the exponential rise of impressive vegan/veggie eateries like VorV, a plant-based diet no longer means struggling for options when dining out. Fraternal duo Nick and Matt Burgess have firmly established their venue as one of the most exciting restaurants in the city, serving up an eclectic menu containing plenty of Asian and Middle-Eastern influences, seasoning and spices. The dishes are constantly changing, but the okra fries drizzled in a delicious coriander chutney are a popular staple. Otherwise, we’d highly recommend paying a visit – whether vegan, vegetarian or otherwise – to try something from their range of inventive, flavourful dishes. Sheffield’s Iconic Food Dishes is sponsored by...
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get More of that plant-powered goodness at the places below... - Church – Temple of Fun - Dishi - Icarus + Apollo - Gaard Coffee Hide - Blue Moon Café
Cronuts at the Steam Yard
There aren’t many finer ways to while away some time than with a brew and a bake at Steam Yard. Their sugar-coated bundles of doughy joy are easily up there with the best sweet snacks you’ll find in the these seven hills, made fresh by 4eyes Patisserie with fillings ranging from peanut butter to Oreo, and a key reason why this little independent café was recently judged to be the most Instagrammed coffee shop in the whole UK. That said, we’re going to suggest something a bit different and biggup their cronuts – a sumptuous doughtnut-croissant hybrid served in a range of flavours, from lemon mutang to salted caramel pretzel!
Iconic Dishes
Napoli Centro Pizza
Images: Alex Gray
Right, we know foodies take their pizza seriously, as they should do, and Sheffield is blessed to have many fantastic wood-fired/coal-fired/stonebaked offerings, so believe us when we say this one was a toughie. But after some careful consideration, and many ill-advised lockdown takeaways, we’ve got to hand it to Napoli Centro for their incredibly authentic Neapolitan pizza selection, topped with the finest ingredients imported from Campania and cooked in under 90 seconds at 500 degrees, resulting in a fresh, puffy slice of carb heaven.
Pina Tacos
Take it from us, Pina didn’t become the city’s favourite Mexican-inspired taqueria and late-night chill spot without good reason: their food and drinks menus are consistently top-notch. The signature tacos are what hungry punters come for, an explosion of vibrant flavours wrapped in corn tortillas perfect for mixing, matching and sharing – a nice reflection of the fun, social side of Mexican street food. The traditional fish tacos are particularly popular, combining battered white fish with pico de gallo, pickled cabbage and mayo crema. Plenty of tasty vegan options are on-hand too, perfect when washed down with a cold Pacifico or two...
Rejuvenator Breakfast Tamper Coffee
at
Praised for bringing their innovative slice of Antipodean breakfast culture to the Steel City, we can safely suggest that anything you opt for on the Tamper menu will be a treat – whether that’s their highly-rated sweetcorn fritters with pea, feta, apricot hot sauce & poached egg, or indulging in the Tamper French toast with bacon, caramelized banana, espresso maple butter & syrup. If you’re looking for the perfect way to fuel your day, the award-winning Rejuvenator breakfast is the one: poached egg on sourdough dressed with coriander & mango quinoa, cherry tomatoes, kale, pickled cabbage, mangetout, charred broccoli, paprika hummus, toasted almonds, plus a whole heap of add-ons. Ready to take on the world.
Deckards Bao Buns at Barrow Boy
Deckards are the street food vendor in charge of the kitchen at cosy Abbeydale Road hangout Barrow Boy, and the star attraction on their menu of bar bites are the baos – Taiwanese steamed buns stuffed with a range of tempting fillings and sauces. You can get these little containing a range of mouthwatering combos: Korean beef and cochugang mayo, buttermilk Asian-fried chicken and coriander hot sauce, fried halloumi and mango chutney, breaded aubergine and katsu curry… hungry yet? They’ve become a real staple of the foodie scene in the area, look no further than their award as Best Street Food Trader at the last Exposed Awards for proof.
Pizza lover? Make sure you get a slice of this lot too!
- Zizzona - Picture House Social - Nether Edge Pizza - Urban Pizza Co - Porter Pizza
Beres Pork Sarnie
Nothing short of a Steel City institution, Beres have roots in Sheff going all the way back to 1961, starting out life as a small specialist butchers based in Wadsley Bridge. Owned by Sandor Beres and his wife Eileen, the establishment soon built up a reputation for its delicous pork sandwiches, going on to open another three stores over the following two decades. Now firmly established as Sheffield’s favourite sarnie, Beres has just opened its 13th shop in the city. It’s a straightforward ethos that has successfully echoed through the decades: combine friendly, local service with freshly roasted pork, homemade breadcakes and zero skimping on stuffing, crackling and apple sauce. Loveleh. www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 27
Iconic Dishes
Sheffield’s Iconic Food Dishes is sponsored by...
Shy Boy Cantina Burrito
Following an absolute stinker of a year for our favourite local bars, the news that Mexican street food specialists Shy Boy were returning to the Gatsby had us practically jumping for joy. Not only that, but they’d be serving their bangin’ burritos both in-house and through a new takeaway hatch? We’ll have a bit of that too. It’s your usual plethora of tasty street eats – wings, loaded fries, stacked sarnies and tacos – but it’s the hefty meat and vegan burritos that always catch our eye.
More tasty Mexican street scran, you say? Seek these out, amigo: - Street Food Chef - Pelizco - Taco Mex - Burrito Y Mas - Amigos
Good as they are, Notty H don’t do the only pies in town. Here are some other belters: - Pretty much all True North wenues (Broadfield, York, Old House, etc) - Café Pie - Silversmiths - Waterall Bros (for your pork pies!) - Pieminister
Notty House Pie
As all self-respecting northerners should, the people of Sheffield go proper potty for their pie. Nothing says home comforts like some golden flaky crust drowned in gravy and generous lashings of Henderson’s Relish. As such, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to traditional pubs knocking out tasty pie and mash classics. When it comes to stature, however, the Nottingham House towers above the rest, having consistently warmed the bellies of locals and students for yonks now. Whilst keeping it traditional, variety is also the name of the game: there’s an impressive choice of fillings ranging from steak and ale to chicken, bacon, and mozzarella, as well as both veggie and vegan options. Sheffield’s Iconic Food Dishes is sponsored by...
Roast at the Broadfield
The ol’ Yorkshire pud cravings have kicked in, so you’re naturally in the market for a traditional boozer, preferably with a decent drinks selection to wash your roast down with. A decent beer garden for some al fresco dining wouldn’t go amiss either. Look no further than the Broady, a titan of the Steel City Sunday Dinner scene, knocking out hearty meat and veggie roasts served with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, braised red cabbage and real ale gravy.
Getting roasted? Stick these on the Sunday Dins list… - Silversmiths - The Beer Engine - The Cricket Inn - Brocco Kitchen - Thyme Café www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 29
sheffield food issue Oisoi Gathering
Oisoi gained a huge following and incredible reputation for some of the most refined Asian cuisine in the city at their former home in St. Paul’s Place. Their new venture, called OISOI Gathering, can be found on the first floor of the new £66million development and overlooks New Era Square, just of Bramall Lane. The new restaurant offers an artisan Dim Sum lunch menu, where each item is handmade to order and an evening fusion menu which includes OISOI’s signature Hong Kong dishes, along with newly presented Sichuan dishes and South East Asian curry dishes.
Terrace Goods
The team behind the Lucky Fox’s second venture, Terrace Goods, can be found on the first floor of Orchard Square, just next door to Macpot. With a nod to the Lucky Fox’s signature fried chicken dishes, Terrace goods is banging out Nashville Hot Chicken on the terrace, as well as pizza, poutine, deli sandwiches and a full cocktail menu (watermelon margarita, anyone?). Open all day for food and drink, the terrace is a proper sun rap perfect for the sun’s arrival (which, at time of writing, we’re told is imminent!).
Flavour of the month
Images: India Hobson
Despite the pandemic, Sheffield’s food scene has gone from strength to strength over the last 18 months and here’s five places that have still managed to create a huge buzz amongst foodies in the city.
Native
Following the recent easing of restrictions, the team behind J H Mann fishmongers on Sharrow Vale Road were finally able to welcome diners into their spanking new restaurant on Gibraltar Street, near Kelham Island. The new restaurant and bar promises to be a new ‘fish based with a difference’ dining experience and with dishes including roasted octopus and mashed potatoes, caviar, oysters and lobsters all on the menu, it’s not for the faint hearted. The cocktails don’t look half bad either.
LUKE’S PLACE
Leaving the white tablecloths and eye-watering final bills behind, Luke’s Place is a new dining concept bringing high-end small dishes served in an intimate setting to Infirmary Road. After working in restaurants around Manchester and the Peak District for years before going freelance, head chef and owner Luke Reynolds began looking for a space in Sheffield where the kitchen and restaurant were as one, rather than just an open kitchen. The concept has gone down a storm and with space for just eight guests, the restaurant is one of the hottest reservations in town.
Bench
Following successful pop-up events at the likes of Steam Yard and Swallows & Damsons, former Public trailblazers Jack Wakelin and Tom Aronica put roots down roots in the former Birdhouse Tea Company unit on Nether Edge Road in between the two lockdowns, last year. With all this talent on show, Bench was always going to sparkle, and they haven’t disappointed, serving up modern bistro-style food using British produce with cocktails, natural wine, and beer. Jack said: “Bench is something that we’ve been working on behind the scenes for a good few years, and we’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. We’re so excited to finally be able to have a place we can call home.” www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 31
BRUNCH DRUNK IN LOVE Feeling peckish? Time to get stuck in… Exposed’s Sarah Haworth has put the hours in sampling the city’s finest brunches – putting a not insignificant dent in the city’s avocado supplies in the process – to come up with a top ten list containing hearty bacon and egg classics, the best vegan/vegetarian eats and wonderfully indulgent stack-emhigh pancake dishes.
Tamper
As well as some of the best coffee you’re likely to get your hands on in Sheff, Tamper serves a range of Kiwi-inspired delicious brunch options. They offer an all-day menu, kicking off with the veggie-packed Rejuvenator, mixed mushrooms in black garlic sauce, or eggs benedict in numerous variations, as well as plenty of extra meat, vegetarian, or vegan toppings of your choice. Not forgetting the holy grail of French toast, which changes weekly with a variety of tasty combinations.
MARMADUKES Marmadukes are back with a bang at Norfolk Row and Cambridge St, and excitingly, there is now a glorious new hotspot ready and waiting on Eccy Rd. A plate of hot scotch pancakes with banana, crème fraiche, curried walnuts and caramel is just what you need to start the day – or you can take the savoury route, with an egg’s benedict variation or smoky campfire beans, made with slow-cooked ham hock, house molasses beans, Montgomery cheddar, jalapenos, chutney, and toasted sourdough. High-quality brunch levels guaranteed.
POM KITCHEN
The free-spirited, nature-loving Aussies have taught us a lot about brunching in recent years, and the pink neon lights of Pom Kitchen invite you in with the whole package. Expect to find fruit, vegetables and raw treats loaded into almost everything, including refreshing smoothies and nutritious breakfast bowls. The menu is fun-filled and ever-changing, and their range of vegan smoothies and shakes beautifully span the colours of the rainbow – the perfect place to visit with things starting to look a bit brighter out there. 32 | www.exposedmagazine.co.uk
THE CHAKRA LOUNGE Fusing together the best Indian and British food, The Chakra Lounge specialises in vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. Fill up on zesty naked sandwiches, spiced breakfast flat breads, turmeric porridge with seasonal fruits, Indian-style fry-ups, or vegan Nutella s’mores on a gorgeously flaky flatbread, which is perfect alongside their scrumptious blueberry mocha. They may be new to the city, but their unique combinations are already changing the face of Sheffield’s brunch scene.
brunch
THE DEPOT BAKERY THE CABIN As the North American pancake and waffle house of dreams, The Cabin is number one on my list to revisit this summer. Favourites include Nutella, banoffee or fruit compote, plus one-off specials to tempt you, including this zesty upside-down pineapple pancake stack! But it’s their signature, ‘The Works’, that has won them an array of pancakehungry fans – topped with scrambled eggs, smoky rashers, a sausage patty and drizzled with maple syrup. Can’t decide? You can mix and match to make your own creation.
Nestled in the heart of Kelham Island, Depot Bakery is the best of the best, and their infamous homemade bread is showcased gloriously in their brunch. There are mouth-watering choices including salt beef bagels, eggs Benedict and Florentine cooked to perfection, or thick, freshly baked brioche French toast with either cured bacon, fried egg and maple syrup, or an ever-changing sweet version. They also have top tier coffee and patisserie, ideal for fuelling those sweet cravings.
THE GRIND
BIRDHOUSE TEA COMPANY
The Grind recently celebrated its ten-year anniversary, and it remains known for one of the finest brunches in Sheffield. Visitors are presented with a counter full of healthy, homemade food that ranges from sandwiches and salads to indulgent sweet treats. They are now eagerly sharing a delicious new breakfast and brunch menu, including portobello eggs benedict, hash and eggs with Za’atar seasoning, and an ever-changing pancake flavour of the week.
Birdhouse Tea Co. are Sheffield’s favourite tea blenders, and their infamous tea lattes are a must-try, especially the signature ‘Sheffield Fog’ – a fusion of aromatic earl grey, sweet vanilla, and steamed milk. Alongside the tea, the brunch menu spans everything from eggs benedict infused with their signature earl grey bearnaise sauce, to fluffy sweet or savoury pancake stacks. Excitingly, they have recently planned to convert the other half of their building into a bakery, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this iconic spot.
AESTHETE COFFEE & KITCHEN
Sister café to Alyssum, Walkley-based Aesthete opened in 2019 to huge success, becoming popular amongst the local community for its beautiful homemade cakes and artistic ambiance. As well as sweet treats, the brunch scene here is also gorgeous. There’s a globetrotting line-up on offer: smoky chilli Mexican bowls, Venetian eggs Florentine, espresso martini pancakes and Rueben bagels, as well as toasties from around the world. With so many flavours, you’ll never run out of new things to try, and it makes for the perfect brunch destination for the coming months.
OLIVE & JOY New to Dyson Place in the past year, Olive & Joy became a hotspot in Sharrow Vale for takeaway coffee and brunch during lockdown, and it’s guaranteed that they’ll only continue to flourish now indoor dining is back. Folded eggs on toast with garlic yoghurt, harissa butter, dukkah and fresh dill; vegan and gluten-free luxury waffles topped with berries, candied pecans, coconut yoghurt and maple syrup; toasties cooked to perfection on sourdough bread… everything you could want to get your brunchin’ kicks is on this menu. www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 33
Waste Not Want Not
This month’s Chef: Danny Lynn
W
hat’s
cooking?
Ever wondered where Sheffield’s top chefs go to get their snap? No? Well, we’re gonna tell you anyway… Best for Takeaway: Maveli In my opinion, the best Indian food in Sheffield. Perfectly executed South Indian cuisine with some dishes you won’t find elsewhere in town, always delivered fresh and piping hot. The menu also boasts a large vegan/vegetarian section and they often host vegan banquets where even the most hardened carnivores will be left smiling. Date Night Meal: Grazie Don Vito and the guys down at Grazie are doing big things. Bringing the great taste of Puglia to Sheffield with fantastic fresh pastas and antipasti washed down with a glass of prime primitivo; nothing quite does date night like proper Italian hospitality. Top Value: Napoli Centro The best pizza in the North for less than the price of your big chain stuffed crust! We are truly blessed that Ricardo and the guys landed in Sheffield, via London and Napoli, to service us with lockdown pizza and fritti joy. They also do a mighty fine negroni for the price of a London pint.
Underrated Gem: Golden Taste I will regret this but it has to be Golden Taste on the end of London Road for the best Huan and Szechuan food you are likely to try, which is quite a claim as we are lucky to have some great Chinese restaurants in the city. Ask for the proper Chinese menu instead of the English one and let the staff suggest some dishes. Out for Lunch: Bench Has to be the Bench boys in Nether Edge. I was lucky enough to make it there for a nice, long lunch before lockdown 3.0, which involved some top-notch small plates and excellent wine. Heads-up that they now boast a suntrap terrace out front for when the Sheffield weather decides to play ball. Brunch Break: Forge Bakehouse Fingers crossed, they’ll open their intimate upstairs cafe in the near-future for the best baked eggs and kimchi bloody mary in town, all courtesy my favourite Frenchman, Flo, the head chef at Forge. In the meantime, they are providing the best baked goods for brunchin’ at home. Bookings at V OR V are now open at vorvsheffield.co.uk
rafters
Dining Fine Paying tribute to Rafters – a Sheffield fine-dining institution.
Rafters is a Steel City icon. Guided by the Bosworth brothers, it burst onto the restaurant scene here in the 90s, and has long since been the go-to venue for that special occasion. Good friends Tom and Al bought the restaurant back in 2013 from Marcus Lane, who had previously built up the Rafters name for 10 years. After starting out in the industry when they were just 16, the pair was eager to run a business for themselves, committed to bringing the finest European and British cuisine to Sheffield’s hungry locals. Rafters co-owners Alistair Myers and Tom Lawson. Today the restaurant holds 2 AA Rosettes and listings in the Michelin Guide, Waitrose Good Food Guide and Harden’s Guide. The restaurant focuses on the complete package: food, service and drink. For Tom and Al, a good meal is simply not enough; it requires excellent service and quality drinks as an accompaniment, and their
goal is to consistently deliver the best of the best. The kitchen brings a range of seasonal surprises, changing up their dazzling six-course menu in line with the times to add an element of curiosity every time customers return. In recent years, the restaurant has been given a makeover, with new solid oak tables made in the area and adorned with Sheffield cutlery from Carrs, fusing Steel City heritage with the art of fine-dining. Towards the end of 2019, Rafters extended their offering to the local community by opening Rafters Neighbourhood Bar, an elegant cocktail lounge located at 212 Oakbrook Road, just a few doors down from the restaurant. Perfect for pre/post-dinner drinks and specialising in cocktails and wines, the seated service bar has now reopened following lockdown. Reservations are open at raftersrestaurant. co.uk/reservations.
MAKE AND SHAKE Rafters loves to work with local suppliers and during lockdown a collaboration with Sheffield favourites Locksley Distilling and Bullion Chocolate led to the creation of their newest signature cocktail: The Bullion Chocolate Orange Martini. The key ingredient is a chocolate liqueur, served both in the restaurant and Rafters Neighbourhood Bar. Looking for a boozy treat at the end of a busy day? Here’s a quick and easy guide on how you can make your own! BULLION CHOCOLATE ORANGE MARTINI
Ingredients 50ml Bullion Chocolate Liqueur 25ml Cointreau 12.5ml Dolin Dry Vermouth 1 orange slice Cocoa powder Method Pour all the ingredients into a cocktails shaker over ice and stir for 1 minute. Rim a glass with orange, then dip into the cocoa power. Strain the cocktail into the glass and serve.
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Meze PUblishing
Doing it by the Book
If we’re putting together a magazine promoting the Sheffield foodie scene, it would be remiss of us not to give a shoutout to Meze Publishing – our sister company and the city’s leading specialist cook book publisher.
Meze Publishing were formed in 2013 by three publishing professionals: Paul Cocker, Nick Hallam and Phil Turner. Since then, they have worked with Michelin-starred chefs, won Best Newcomer at the Independent Publishing Guild Awards and moved into a new office development. During this time they’ve grown as a team and developed as a business, publishing over 80 titles for chefs and cooks throughout the country. Their first publication and runaway success was The Sheffield Cook Book back in 2014, which showcased a diverse range of independent food and drink businesses throughout the city and sold over 12,000 copies. The ‘Get Stuck In’ series followed in its footsteps with another 42 cook books, always showcasing the area’s best indies, that cover most of the UK from Edinburgh to Cornwall, and they even branched out into mainland Europe with Den Haag and Amsterdam editions. Alongside our regional titles, Meze work with chefs, cooks, foodies and producers to create tailored cook books full of great stories, delicious recipes and stunning photography. These publications have included Out Of My Tree by Daniel Clifford, chef patron of the two Michelin-starred Midsummer House in Cambridge, and of course Strong & Northern with Sheffield’s own foodie pride and joy, Henderson’s Relish. The company pride themselves on working with lots of local photographers, designers, illustrators, producers, and independent businesses along the way including PJ Taste, The Milestone Group and Make No Bones. Recently, Meze have also produced several books with charities, donating some of the profits from book sales back to the organisations, including
Whirlow Hall Farm in Sheffield. We have a small but dedicated team who all love food as much as our clients do, and relish the opportunity to work with the city’s hidden gems, golden oldies, new arrivals and everyone in between on our various local projects and publications. Recent successes include The Little Book of Sheffield, a celebration of the city’s best homegrown businesses; and they are currently working on a book promoting the local brewing scene! We hope you enjoy The Little Book of Sheffield and will continue to champion our hometown’s eclectic and inspiring independent culture long into the future. mezepublishing.co.uk @mezepublishing
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Bullion Chocolate
Home, SWEET Home Bullion are Yorkshire’s first ‘bean to bar’ artisan chocolate maker, running an all-day café at Cutlery Works food hall and recently opening a new factory space in Neepsend. Owner Max Scotford, who launched the business in 2017, told us how the opportunity to move to a space where they could invite customers to visit, show them how their products were made, allow them to taste the different origins, before heading back to Cutlery Works for a drink and more sweet treats, was simply too good to turn down. “We were really excited that we now have the chance to add another layer of experiencing our chocolate. Our main selling point is the bean to bar process, how transparent we are as a company, and the care we put to doing everything in-house: importing, sorting, roasting and hand-wrapping the bars. It’s great to be able to share that story now, talking our customers through each step we take.” After graduating from university, Max took a job in sales and marketing at a software company, but while working there he began to make chocolate as a hobby, using a small spice grinder to experiment with different origins and flavour notes. Seeing the rise of the craft beer, spirits and coffee industries sweep the country, he began to see a gap in the market for a craft chocolate company, one which would import the cocoa beans and make their goods from scratch. Once the vision for Bullion was fully formulated and enough market research completed to know there was plenty of potential, he went down to part-time hours at his job and opened a small unit in Neepsend, just a stones’ throw from where the new factory stands today. “There were a few people
who queried whether it was the right decision; I had a good job and leaving it to focus on chocolate might have confused some people,” says Max “But I knew that it was something I really believed in and would regret if I didn’t take the chance.” Then it was a case of building up the brand, perfecting their core range, making contacts, encouraging local places to stock their products, and, perhaps most importantly, spreading the word of bean to bar chocolate across the UK. Safe to say, they exceeded expectations: Bullion won a Silver Prize in the Academy Chocolate Awards and adding the Leeds’ branch of Harvey Nichols to their client list. Cutlery Works was the next big step. The largest food hall in the north of England brought Bullion onboard in 2018, and today they sell everything from brownies to hot chocolate to cocktails at their cosy café-cum-shop space. As well as this, the company focused on expanding their product range via collabs with a wide range of makers: coffee liqueurs, beer, gin, candles – all made with a special chocolatey twist. After being forced to close their shop and pivot to online sales only during lockdown, there’s been little slowing down for Bullion since the country’s retail and hospitality sector has reopened. Last month, the company joined 11 other independent Sheffield makers selling their wares in a new Meadowhall store, hoping to inject a bit of local pride and intrigue into a centre dominated by large chain brands. Now settled into the upgraded factory space and with their Cutlery Works venue back in operation, Max is looking forward to getting back into a customer-facing environment. “It’s been a mad year for everyone, but we’re really happy to be open again for customers at the café. The factory tours are starting this month and it already feels like the year’s racing by! It’ll be great to get people in here and give them the full Bullion experience.”
“We were really excited that we now have the chance to add another layer of experiencing our chocolate. Our main selling point is the bean to bar process, how transparent we are as a company, and the care we put to doing everything in-house: importing, sorting, roasting and hand-wrapping the bars.”
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You can book a Bullion factory tour and browse their full range at bullionchocolate.com
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Jack Martindale
The Culinary Arts A couple of years back, Sheffield-based illustrator and designer Jack Martindale decided to combine his two great passions of drawing and sampling the wares of independent eateries around the city. Today his online portfolio resembles something of a homage to the local food scene, a colourful burst of sumptuous treats and iconic venues.
How did food become such an influential part of your illustration? When I was at home my mum didn’t really let me use the kitchen; that was pretty much her domain. So, when I went to university and had the freedom of a halls kitchen, well, I just went crazy. I was the guy baking scones when everyone else was doing pre-drinks! One way I decided to discover Sheffield, to help make it feel like my city, was to go and visit all the best foodie places. I later went on a university trip to Japan, and while eating out one day, I realised that what I wanted to do with my personal life was to draw all the memorable stuff I’d eaten, sort of in a reflective way, as a form of reportage. I brought this idea back to Sheffield and it started from there. Can you remember the first dish you sketched? I think it was pancakes at The Cabin – I’ve sketched them a few times. It’s a nice way to work because if I’m ever having a block in my creative work, I can go out for some food, make myself feel better, and then try to draw that food. It’s a bit of a ‘two birds, one stone’ scenario. What are the best places and dishes to sketch? I always have fun when I go to Piña because they have such a wide, colourful range of food. It’s very typically Mexican in that way. The venue itself is also an interesting space, and I draw the whole scene, not just the food, so that’s a bonus for me. Barrow Boy is pretty cool as well; I like how it’s quite small, like those hidden bars you can discover, and it’ll feel full just with a few people inside. I really missed those sorts of environments during lockdown, the hustle and bustle you get in those bars. Considering all the restaurants were closed for eating in, was lockdown tough for you creatively? Yes and no. I feel like we all had blocks, but a lot of the time I drew my own bakes instead of the eating out drawings. One of the most recent posts I did was of one of Eve’s Kitchen’s doughnuts, where I took one out into the wild and took a photo of the food with an outdoor backdrop – it changed things up a bit. I do sometimes deviate from the photos; I draw things that aren’t always there. That’s why they are so overly detailed sometimes. Do you have any projects that you’d like to work on in the future? I’d love to do a food menu. All these independents that I go to regularly are close to my heart: Eve’s Kitchen, Pom Kitchen, Motore Café – all are pretty much on my doorstep. I really missed the conversation you’d have with the team behind these businesses. But in terms of other creative projects, I’d like to make a more tangible thing eventually, maybe like a book that could showcase all of these independents. At the moment though, it’s just a pleasure to be able to get back out there and see places open and thriving again. @mdale_art Etsy: MdaleArt
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Urban Pizza
Slice, slice baby Since opening in 2019, the very same day the UK was plunged into lockdown, Urban Pizza Co have overcome adversity to become a popular part of the food scene down at Steelyard in Kelham Island. Found in the vibrant hub of Steelyard in Kelham Island, this popular pizzeria is part of the Urban Entertainment group, which specialise in events including outdoor and drive-in cinema evenings both in the UK and the Middle East. They make pizzas using only the finest ingredients to ensure everything on their menu is as tasty as it looks; a real sense of passion and attention to detail is reflected in the food they produce. Being focused on bringing quality pizzas to hungry Sheffielders, they take pride in being a close-knit team. “Having the right people and balance around you is the most important aspect in any business,” Director Michael Hayes tells us. “Our team consists of amazing chefs that allow us to create truly delicious and unique pizzas; we can experiment knowing that our ingredients are something you would expect in the finest high-end restaurants.” These pizzas certainly stand out from the crowd. The specials menu includes their mouth-watering Chicken Tikka pizza, which consists of tandoori marinated chicken on a masala base, fior di latte mozzarella and fresh garnish. Other favourites are the El Mariachi, which is a Mexican-inspired pizza, the Burrata made with their in-house walnut pesto and the Nduja special, a sweet and spicy creation accompanied with their homemade dipping sauce (a secret recipe of course!).
They also offer many vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options throughout their menu, including the zesty Vegan Greek, a particularly popular choice for customers, while all vegetarian pizzas can be made vegan. The pizzeria itself is unique to the eye. Inspired by the quirkiness of Kelham Island, they are proud to be made entirely from shipping containers, and this cool architecture is designed in a way that reflects their urban brand, experimental menu and the space they sit in at Steelyard. The area is also home to an assortment of many other unique and independent businesses from restaurants to shops, redefining the conventions of food and retail platforms and connecting people to Sheffield’s industrial culture. Their plans are to roll this concept out in the UK and the UAE, with interest already from developments further afield and possible franchises and concessions, so we really are expecting to see even bigger things from the company in the future. urbanpizzaco.co.uk. Read about more of Sheffield’s finest independent businesses in ‘The Little Book of Sheffield’, available to purchase online at mezepublishing. co.uk
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food & drink: News
STick em up!
After well over a year’s delay, thanks in part to the various lockdowns and some well documented roof issues, Heist Brew Co’s brand-new brewery tap, on Neepsend Lane, is finally set to open this summer – and it sounds incredible. Ahead of opening, owners Adam Clare and Dan Hunt let us in on their exciting plans for the new ‘alternative hangout’ set to include shuffleboard tables, an arcade complete with 2p machines and grabbers, TV screens showing alternative sports and a projector on which you’ll be able to play Tony Hawks on PlayStation. If that wasn’t enough for you, awesome burger-slingers Slap and Pickle are making the venue their new permanent home, while plans for the bar include a massive 30 different lines of beer, giving them the most lines and biggest selection of draught beer in Sheffield. Adam explains: “We just wanted to create somewhere a bit more unique than anywhere else in Sheffield at the minute. We’re trying to bring something from each of our experiences, as well as our experiences together in Europe and the US. “We want it to be an alternative hangout where you can go sit in one room and have a quiet conversation with people, or you can come and hang out in another area and it’s a bit more of a lively vibe, full of fun stuff.” Danny, who has to this point been the head brewer for Heist after teaching himself to brew, adds: “In terms of the beers, loads of places are doing the same stuff from the same providers, but we’ve got enough lines to champion everybody, and we want to offer something that nobody else is offering.
The space will be split into three areas; a selfcontained brewery, allowing them to expand their award-winning beer operation, an events space and overspill area, where they will hold a range of events including Meet the Brewer and Homebrew nights as well as private hire events, and the main bar area, which will be home to the arcade and kitchen. Given the various trials over the last year, Adam and Danny are cautiously optimistic as their vision for the venue begins to come together. “Other than the last two or three months, since last March we’ve basically been thinking, what are we doing?” says Adam, “Things just kept coming up one after the other and it wasn’t a good time to be honest.” Danny adds: “It felt like it was never going to happen, and then all of a sudden it all hit us like a train, really. We had every contractor start at the same time and ever since then it’s felt like we don’t have enough weeks left! it’s definitely moving towards the finish line now though.” We cannot wait to see the finished bar and we’ll definitely be starting to save up our 2ps in anticipation.
Back to the grindstone The Grind Cafe has announced that they will be opening for drinks and light food on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday evenings from 10th of June. There will be a small rotating cocktail menu, fine wines, beers and light bites on offer. On the 25th of June there will be a special late night event with a live saxophonist accompaniment to the evening for a touch of class. Watch their social media for more details. Instagram - @thegrindcafesheffield Facebook - @thegrindcafekelhamisland
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food & drink: News
Kick OFf! A new late-night sports bar is set to join Sheffield city centre next month promising to bring an array of live sports, good beer and succulent wings to town. Extra Time Sports Bar will take over the previous site of Spearmint Rhino Gentlemen’s Club on Brown Street. The venue is set to offer customers a comfy, American-styled bar serving a wide range of alcoholic beverages and traditional US comfort food like burgers and chicken wings. Joe Morris, the Project Manager of Extra Time told Exposed: “I want to be known for having the best chicken wings in town – that’s my little mantra at the moment.” “We’re also going to have good vegan and vegetarian options, not just putting things on the menu for the sake of it. We want everyone to feel welcome. It’s not going to be high-end dining here – it’s going to be American style bar food, but it’s going to be done really well.” Extra Time will be decked out with comfy booth seating as well
Brew’s up With a tasty blend of Sheffieldroasted coffee and a broad range of vegan and gluten-free cakes, Copa Caffè is here to provide customers with a ‘copacetic’ coffee experience. Taking over the once home of Café Nero, independent establishment Copa Caffè has been open on Ecclesall Road now for three weeks. The cafe’s interior is decked out with plush leather sofas, bright lighting and a copper design. Charging ports are readily available across the venue for their working cliental too. The name Copa derives from the 1950s word ‘copacetic’ meaning ‘everything’s great’, reflecting the brand’s push for quality products in an enjoyable environment. Olivia Hunt, Copa’s Manager, told Exposed: “Cuppers Choice are really involved in the ethical side of the coffee production. They go to Rwanda and get involved with the charity based work to make sure the coffee is as ethical as it can be.” 50 | www.exposedmagazine.co.uk
“They brew the coffee for us fresh every single week. We’re using a light to medium roast, which takes a lot more time to get right. The coffee has a very fruity, chocolatey flavour but withholding the richness of it.” Cuppers Choice supply to other venues across the city, but the blend of coffee available at Copa is unique. The coffee is available to buy wholesale from the shop too. Olivia tells Exposed that the Caffè’s cake selection has received great feedback so far: “We’ve had people coming back in for the brownies – you cannot taste that they are vegan or gluten-free in the slightest. They’ve got a really nice moisture to them.” “Sometimes with gluten free items, you lose that moisture. The recipes Nevertheless Cakes use maintain a great standard of sweet luxury taste – it’s fabulous. She’s a one woman organisation. We’re here to support her business and help her grow.” www.facebook.com/CopaSheffield
as additional bar seating. There will be multiple screens across the venue streaming all the latest sports coverage. A variety of sports will be available for punters to enjoy. From American Football and ice hockey to basketball and Super Bowl coverage, customers will be able to catch all their favourites live and until late. Joe continued: “I want people to be sat at the bar chatting to each other. I feel like we’ve lost that a bit in sports bars. Everyone kind of feels like the bar is for service only, but because we’re doing the offering of table service as well, there’s going to be more scope for people sitting around.” “The sports bar is all seated. We want people to be sat down and to feel comfortable. We can change the screens to have multiple sports showing at one time – there’ll be plenty of choice for sports fans.” Extra Time is expected to be open for June 22nd, the day England take on Czech Republic in the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament. We’ll post further updates as soon as we have them!
food & drink: News
Cornerstone of the Community The guys behind awardwinning city-centre cafe Steam Yard have revealed plans to launch an all-new corner shop concept in a historic Sharrow Vale Road store. The Corner Store is set to take over from Ora Gallery, across the road from Seven Hills Bakery on Sharrow Vale road. Owners Matt Cottrill and Nick Pears are keen to point out that, although The Corner Store is from the same people behind Steam Yard, it is not another Steam Yard. “It’s a fresh offering.” explains Matt, “This is fully about the neighbourhood and community of Sharrow Vale Road. To me, it’s about the customers who will use it, the products and suppliers we will showcase, as well as the experience. “It’s all about a warm friendly welcome and heading off with a good coffee and bag of provisions to have a great day.” Those provisions will include
fresh bakes, sandwiches, sodas, shakes and ice cream, as well as a small retail offering with coffee (ground to your liking) teas, milks, preserves, bean to bar chocolate and more. Matt said: “For us Corner Store feels like coming home. Three generations of our family lived just minutes from this shop and visited it in its various guises over many, many years. “Over the last 150 years(ish) it has served Sharrow Vale Rd as a sheet music shop, greengrocers, dairy, a corner shop, and of course like many of us will know it, the Sheffield institution Ora.” “Owned and operated by the wonderful Sofos family this was at the heart of the Sharrow Vale Road community for decades. We love this road, the neighbourhood and community. We live here, we are raising our families here, and we want to add to the offering and atmosphere of the street.” @wearecornerstore
Expert vegan chef Rikki Wilson-Okrasa was appointed to Head Chef at The Old House on Devonshire Street before its re-opening last month, after overseeing a transformation in the popular venue’s menu to a 100% vegan offering. Rikki was employed throughout lockdown in a development role to cultivate the vegan options in True North Brew Co. venues, starting with The Common Room before moving onto Forum Kitchen + Bar and The Waggon and Horses. Speaking about his motivations behind joining True North, Rikki Wilson-Okrasa said: “I’ve been a Chef specialising in vegan food for just over a decade now, in the past couple of years I’ve particularly focused on the development of faux meat/dairy products. “Having worked with a few vegan independents in Sheffield developing menus over the years, True North Brew Co. seemed the next logical step being both independent and open
to innovation”. In his new role running The Old House’s kitchen, Wilson – Okrasa will work with Joel Granger, General Manager; and Thomas Hay Owens, Group Beverage Co-ordinator to eventually turn The Old House into a complete vegan city centre cocktail bar. Joel Grainger, General Manager at The Old House proudly talks about the evolution: “As more people are opting for vegan food, either as a complete lifestyle change, or simply opting to reduce their meat intake, we have decided to help make that journey easier, with our 100% vegan offering. As the only city centre venue serving a menu that’s completely meat free, you can expect an all-day brunch, pies, kebabs, burgers, desserts, and Sunday roasts. theoldhousesheffield.com
Image: Victoria Greensmith
THE OLD HOUSE GO GREEN
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About the writer Hop Hideout is an award-winning beer and cider shop established in 2013 by Jules Gray, now based in Kommune foodhall in the city centre. She’s passionate about Sheffield, good causes and making beer a welcoming space for everyone. Jules is also the founder and organiser of Sheffield Beer Week and Indie Beer Feast.
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Get Involved! Jules’ be running a Hop Hideout ‘Women in Beer’ curated box for the wonderful Women On Tap festival, celebrating women working in the beer industry and creative sectors. The festival will be a hybrid and in-person festival this year – more info at womenontap. co.uk. Look out for some of these beers appearing in that selection and why not join in...?
beer revere
women in beer Hop Hideout owner Jules Gray returns to Exposed with a monthly column discussing the latest from the world of beer and brewing. After many years of a writing hiatus, one of the benefits of the last awful 12 months (there’s not been many!) is that it’s given me more time to reflect and put pen to paper. In 2012, I returned to Sheffield after previously leaving the city for work opportunities in 2001, a storyline which seems to have been shared by many around the Steel City AKA ‘Real City’. At the time I was still commuting out of Sheffield for work and promising myself to find a more fulfilling job direction. Having then worked in beer on and off for over ten years, it seemed common sense to research further opportunities in the sector. A growing resentment at the lack of career development, support, mentoring and opportunity at my current workplace led me down a path of investigating running my own small business. As a female entrepreneur, I’ve never looked back. Though I can’t say it’s been an easy path, it’s certainly fulfilling. It was around this time I started writing for Exposed Magazine about beer. Life seems to have gone full circle and now I’m back here with a monthly column. Whit-whoo! The pandemic situation has been extremely tough for any small business owner. Those who have made it through, like Hop Hideout, are certainly hugely humbled and grateful for the support of all their customers. It has made us focus on our core ethos and people priorities with even more urgency, importance and clarity. As we always have, we continue to champion the importance of a welcoming and more diverse beer sector for everyone. According to the Rose Review, spearheaded by Alison Rose, NatWest Chief Executive of Commercial and Private Banking, the advancement of female entrepreneurs could be worth £250 billion to the UK economy. Entrepreneurship needs to be more accessible for women with increased support locally, accessible networks and relatable mentors – all strands that, in hindsight, I would have valued accessing. The review also found that women are consistently less likely than men to believe they have developed necessary technical skills for their required business sector; compounding this lack of confidence, another complex challenge is the underlying gender bias when a woman enters a maledominated area. Stanford University researchers conducted an experiment in which they showed a group of participants labels from fictitious breweries, then asked for their perceptions of the label, thoughts on quality and how much they would pay for the beer. The fictitious brewer was named on the label and, after splitting the group, they showed one with a female name and one with a male name, but otherwise completely identical. Results showed that participants given the brewery with the female brewer had lower expectations on taste, quality and that they would pay less for the beer. So it seems women can be penalised for entering a maledominated trade area. As more women enter these fields, though, I think it will eliminate the distinction between masculine and feminine tasks and ultimately be a positive thing (remember that £250 billion I mentioned earlier); not only benefiting the economy but increasing work opportunities for a wider demographic and benefiting local communities in conjunction.
Interestingly, when researching statistics on this topic, I found that many of the cities with higher female entrepreneurship were located in the north of England, and Sheffield was cited as one of the two best cities by Clydesdale Bank, with a 38% growth in the last 12 months prior to the pandemic (Business Leader 2019). This is a real positive. I hope Sheffield can be seen as a leading light and I’m pleased to see many great female business owners across the sectors such as Rebecca English from Birdhouse Tea Co, Deborah Moon from MoonKo, Annalisa Toccara from Our Mel and Martha Holley from Saint Mars of the Desert. On that note, in this month’s beer column I’m highlighting some fantastic women-led breweries around the UK and just because they brew brilliant tasting beers (that I do you hope search out!).
Saint Mars of the Desert (Sheffield) – Bam Bam 5.7% A koelship hopped IPA with bags of citrus and tropical notes from the Azacca and Olicana hops. Wild Card Brewery (London) – Blackcurrant Gose 4.4% Big, bold red fruity tart kick with a more-ish salinity, which makes this an absolute summer thirst quencher (when the sunshine comes back!). Neptune Brewery (Liverpool) – Molly 4% Dry Irish stout using Northern brewer hops with roasted coffee notes and layers of bittersweet chocolate. Duration Brewing (Norfolk) – Little Fanfare 3.8% Spritzy grisette style, which is a lower strength Belgian style saison. Dry, light and a perfect ‘table beer’ to accompany food. Queer Brewing – Flowers 4% A vibrant wheat beer in the Beglian tradition with coriander and curacao orange peel. Saaz and Tettnang hops leaning to the traditional element of the style with a balanced bite. www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 53
when we were bullies
Lights, Camera, Action!
Blondie: Vivir En La Habana
Mark Perkins previews the return of Sheffield’s famous documentary film festival. If it’s June it must be DocFest, surely? Well, yes, but *not quite* DocFest as we know it. Not this year anyway. We’re so tantalisingly close to opening up festivals, but we’re not fully there yet, and, unlike last year, when they postponed until October and went totally online, DocFest 2021 will be back to taking place in June, and will be in cinemas... sort of. With restricted audience numbers, the screenings this year will be spread over a longer period and simultaneously made available to stream online. The main thing that will be absent, of course, are the thousands of film professionals from around the globe, who make the city their home for the week of the festival. The giant film industry shindig that DocFest has become in the last 30 years will have to wait until 2022. This year, audiences will be mainly us Sheffield folk, but as we’ve shown in previous years, we’re more than up to the task of embracing new and cutting edge documentary in all its incarnations, so expect many of these films and events to sell out quickly. One other innovation for 2021 is synchronised screenings up and down the country, in cinemas from Bradford to Belfast, and from Brighton to Inverness. In summary: DocFest will once again be a national event, but done 2021 style. The Showroom has always been the spiritual home of the festival, and along with its fellow regular The Abbeydale Picture House, that’s where you will catch the films again this year. There will also be the usual associated exhibitions and installations, along with talks and workshops, which will be a mixture of events staged both here in Sheffield and online. The festival has developed the idea of organising showings into themed strands under a diverse range of headings, so I’ll dip my toe into the DocFest pool and come up with a few recommendations. One note of caution though: be prepared to ignore everything I say. Every year some 54 | www.exposedmagazine.co.uk
tales from a hard city
doc/fest
the story of looking jaw-dropping, unforgettable film sneaks in totally unannounced by me, and steals the hearts of everyone who sees it. My best DocFest films over the years have been the ones I knew nothing about, took a chance on, and was blown away by – so what do I know? That said, the opening film is always a sure-fire hit, and this year it’s being shown simultaneously on two of the Showroom screens. Summer of Soul is a film about a forgotten 1969 music event held in New York, The Harlem Cultural Festival. Unseen since it was filmed, it features Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone and Gladys Knight, amongst others. Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson has discovered and compiled the footage into a film that should kick the festival off with a loud and funky groove. For the rest of the extended 10-day run, I’ll pick a few highlights from the many and varied themed strands. One thing DocFest always delivers on is music documentaries, and this year it’s all going under the banner of ‘Rhyme and Rhythm’. If forced to choose one, I’m going for Blondie: Vivir En La Habana, the story of when Debbie Harry and her band were invited to play in Cuba in 2019. Robb Roth has worked with the band to create a kind of love letter to the city of Havana. They’ve probably changed a bit since I saw them at Sheffield University in 1977, but I’m sure they still put on quite a decent show! In the ‘Ghost and Apparitions’ collection, there’s what looks to be an intriguing film about a film-maker, Jay Rosenblatt, who, after some extraordinary coincidence occurs, decides to track down his schoolmates from 50 years ago, to see what they collectively remember about a bullying
incident that happened in his 5th grade classroom. What emerges is not just an understanding of the incident, but of how we all take part in bullying to some degree or other. Northern Focus seems to be a strand that will resonate with local audiences, and there are a couple of feature-length films that stand out. The rarely seen Tales From A Hard City, made here in 1995 using mainly local amateur actors, tells the story of four characters determined to survive after the collapse of Sheffield’s heavy industry. Look out for a few local celebrities, including the legend that is Sabino, who is still cutting hair in his shop on Abbeydale Road to this day. Alongside that film, I Get Knocked Down has its world premiere. Sophie Robinson’s film tells the story of Dunstan Bruce, the Leeds-based founder member of anarchic pop band Chumbawamba, and his struggle to cope with the anger and frustration of an aging, retired radical who still feels he has a role to play as a left-wing activist. Lastly, I’ll go for another guaranteed crowd pleaser, the closing film. This year it’s The Story Of Looking by Mark Cousins. It’s a world premiere showing at the Abbeydale Picture House, and recounts his experiences as he prepares for surgery to restore his vision. The film will be preceded by a conversation with Mark, followed by the festival award ceremony – a perfect way of finding out the films I missed that need putting on my to-watch list. Away from the cinema, the Site Gallery, S1 Artspace and the Hallam University Performance Lab all host exhibitions for the duration of the festival. These will feature a mixture of moving images, mixed media, installations and performance; if previous DocFest experiences are anything to go by, they will be unique, inspiring and fascinating. Just a word of caution here though: they are free, but you will need to book and bring your own plug-in headphones. Even in its scaled down form, DocFest is a major cultural event, and you will need to spend some time browsing the full programme to get an idea of what’s on offer. From the 4th to the 13th of June, films and talks will take place at the Showroom and the Abbeydale Picture House. And if you go to a film before 5pm on weekdays, you only pay £5. Online streaming is also available with often a 72 hour window to watch the film at home, after the scheduled screening time of the film. All sorts of ticketing options are available – full details, timings, updates and much, much more can be found online sheffdocfest.com www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 55
Cecil Beaton’s Bright Young Things Until 4 July 2021 Millennium Gallery Cecil Beaton’s glittering portraits from a golden age are brought together at the Millennium Gallery this spring in a major new exhibition direct from the National Portrait Gallery, London. The exhibition presents a dazzling leading cast of 1920s and 30s society figures, artists, writers and partygoers, each seen through the prism of Beaton’s portraits. Featuring 150 works, many of which are seldom exhibited, the images on display present a playful spectacle of costumed theatricality and unbridled creativity. This exhibition in Sheffield, which comes after the pandemic sadly brought the original run in London to a close after just one week, is a rare opportunity to see these extraordinary portraits together on such a scale. museums-sheffield.org.uk/ museums/millennium-gallery
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Image: john davies
things to do
things to do
Image: tim smith
The Sheffield Project: Photographs of a Changing City Until 28 November Weston Park Museum
Image: KEn Phillip
Image: tim smith
Image: KEn Phillip
During the 1980s, Sheffield’s Untitled Gallery, now Site Gallery, commissioned a series of photographers to document the city at a pivotal moment in its history. It was a time of great upheaval, which saw the aftermath of the Miners’ Strike, the steel industry’s workforce decimated, mass unemployment and dereliction. But it was also a time in which the city began to imagine its future, one that would include the Meadowhall retail development, the transformation of the lower Don Valley, and the World Student Games. The Sheffield Project will show how these sociallyengaged photographers, including John Davies, John Kippin, Anna Fox and more, reflected on this monumental period of change for the city and its people. museums-sheffield.org.uk/museums/westonpark
My Path: Art by People in the Criminal Justice System Until 20 June 2021 Millennium Gallery My Path is a creative walk through the criminal justice system. Every work on display has been made by someone in a prison, secure hospital, young offender institution or on probation. The exhibition has been created in partnership with Koestler Arts, a charity that recognises the uniquely transformative power of art. For almost 60 years, they’ve worked across the criminal justice system to help creativity become part of people’s rehabilitative journey. Curated by a group of young people working with Sheffield Youth Justice Service, My Path showcases artwork from across Yorkshire which were submitted to the 2020 Koestler Awards for arts in criminal justice. Many of the artists who are featured in the exhibition experienced lockup for 23 hours a day during the pandemic. With often limited access to materials, each work they’ve created represents a significant artistic achievement. museums-sheffield.org.uk/museums/millennium-gallery/
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no bounds is back! After the success of Sheffield’s premium electronic music and visual arts festival last year, No Bounds Festival organisers have announced that the three-day event will return to full capacity venues in October 2021, promising plenty of innovative installations and soundsystems ‘cranked to trance.’ The festival will begin with an opening concert at Kelham Island Museum on 15 October, before heading over to Hope Works for the opening rave until 6am. Saturday (16 October) will see the museum open up for the full day as well as the second all-nighter, until 7am, at rave central, Hope Works. Sunday (17 October) will be their usual combination of wind downs and chill out sessions with immersive sound and visual experiences. They also plan to retain some of the brilliant things they learned and loved from 2020’s exploration of online collaboration and Virtual 3D live streaming with events such as The Huddersfield Immersive Sound System (HISS), who previously created multichannel performances on a 16:8 multichannel soundsystem. This year, they deepen this partnership with performances planned to full live audiences. Other highlights include spatial sound commissions in 3D sound from leading lights in global electronic music, including 96 Back x Human Studio VR & Live 58 | www.exposedmagazine.co.uk
Images: Eddy Maynard
nightlife
in 3D, who will collaborate on both VR viewable content via Oculus/iPhone 360, but also in a new live performance where the lines between live and VR are blurred with installations in the audience area and music performed on a multichannel soundsystem. The debate and discussion strand will be looking at subjects from the future of clubbing though to ecology via accountability in music and mental health impacts of COVID 19 in the creative industries. No Bounds Festival also plan to significantly enhance the workshop and educational strand this year. They will have their usual DJ Workshops (mixed plus women/non binary only), Live Coding and music production, but this year Resident Advisor are partnering to deliver a series of workshops offering people interested in music journalism vital support and opportunity to grow their skills in the art of writing about the good stuff. More details will be uncovered in July’s announcement, including details on the visual art, poetry, wellbeing, film, talks, workshops and technology strands. They will also announce our lead commission for 2021. For more details, including full lineups, head to noboundsfestival.co.uk.
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Image: Daniel Allison
Exposed meets Rumbi Tauro
Did you know that one the UK’s most successful electrodub acts resides right here in Sheffield, in a sleepy suburb on the outskirts of the Steel City?
Music
Sheffield’s best kept secret Luckily for you, we can’t keep our mouth closed and are ready to let the cat out of the bag on one of Sheffield’s musical secrets, because, despite the fact producer Danni Skerrit and lead vocalist Ruby Tingle, who make up Dirty Freud, have already headlined a stage at Glasto, as well as a host of gigs in Europe’s capital cities, for some reason, they ain’t that big in the city they call home. We’re sleeping on them, so here at Exposed we decided to fire up Zoom, get on to Danni, and try to find out why it is they seem to be in Sheffield’s blind spot. “I suppose it’s because I’ve always done loads of underground stuff ”, says Danni, “and then it’s only been over the past three years where I reckon all these other cities have started to buy into it. We ended up playing Leeds Festival and that helped loads. That was massive, and suddenly it was like I got claimed as a West Yorkshire artist! “I think, when it all started going well, the only place I was playing religiously in Sheff was The Harley, which was really gnarly. I was doing a lot of little gigs with Rite Tracks as well, although they weren’t called Rite Tracks at the time, and it was one of those where I wasn’t really out there. “I always knew that the sort of music me and Ruby was making at the start was like proper dubstep, like proper horrible ear-bleeding stuff. I could tell why it was kind of niche. It wasn’t really like, ‘oh, why isn’t anyone booking us for gigs.?’ “Whereas now, there’s a whole arrangement, we write lyrics, and we make sure it’s an actual song instead of like, ‘hold on everyone, this drop is going to be so horrible, it’s gonna break your rib cage!” Thankfully, with ribcage fully intact, it seems Danni has chilled out a bit since the early days of Dirty Freud and Danni’s youth. Originally from Holloway, in North London, he spent much of his younger days traveling around the capital, partying in famous clubland venues such as Fabric, but he tells us his true musical upbringing happened here in the Steel City, in an infamous Sheffield institution. “The original reason that I ended up coming to Sheffield was because of my cousin”, explains Danni, “I think I was about 14 when he met a girl from Sheff and he kept talking about this place called Niche, and he was like, you need to get yourself up here. “So I lied to my parents, and ended up getting into this beaten up Vauxhall Nova with three of my mates, and we drove all the way up, like, I don’t even know how we made it! “It blew my mind. All I’d heard up to that point really was garage, but this was like some four-four and four-to-the-floor stuff with this heavy bass and I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness.’ We watched Dr Cryptic do his thing and it was eye opening. I was like, this is the kind of sound that I want to make. “It was a beautiful moment. Then, you know, as often happened at Niche, it all got a bit unruly. Suddenly, we got asked for ID, even though we’d been in there all night,
and it just all went off. Like, seriously went off, but it was probably one of the best nights of my life.” From then on, he had a lifelong affinity with Sheffield, despite going to university in Manchester, before dropping out and going to the University of Central Lancashire, in Preston, where he had mates who ran a night that was Preston’s equivalent to Niche, called Beats of Rage. It was in Preston, where he began to meet more and more people from Sheffield and started doing nights in The Harley and Night Kitchen. Around this time, while Danni was running open-mic nights in Manchester, he met future Dirty Freud vocalist, Ruby Tingle. “She’s got like a really exotic look, like always, it’s not just an act, that’s how she looks! Then she went on stage, and she was playing the piano in a really strange way, and she was singing with this kind of siren vocal, and I was like, that sounds outrageous. “We met like that, but we didn’t actually get doing stuff for a while. One day she came into the studio where I was working, and I was playing these proper heavy basslines, and she came in proper screw facing. I couldn’t believe she was into it, and she was like, ‘I’m from Sheff, mate!” That was seven years ago, and after years plugging away on the live scene and ‘ripping people’s faces off ’, Danni says it only really started taking off over the last three years. They are now releasing tracks through Modern Sky, where they are label-mates with fellow Sheffield band The Blinders and have become the label’s ‘first legit dance act.’ They have also welcomed ‘massive’ help and support from Ninja Tune and famous indie label, Rough Trade, who gave them gigs when they couldn’t get booked locally. Although lockdown put a grinding halt to live performances, it has led to an outburst of productivity from Dirty Freud that, thanks to support from the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music, more and more people have begun to get on board with. “People have really engaged with the sort of stuff that we’ve been throwing out. Usually I’m trying to grab people’s ankles to get them to take a listen. So, in some ways, lockdown has helped us. I’m not saying this is a great time, because it’s not, but before all this it would be like we’d be shouting into a hurricane.” Despite their recent success form the comfort of their own home, they are really hoping to be able to get out playing again this year and they have festivals booked all over the country, however they would still love to play some shows closer to home. Danni said: “I’d love to do loads more in Sheff. Things like playing Glastonbury, Berlin, and Amsterdam, all those sorts of things let us know that we’re doing the right thing, and things are going well for us, but it would still be great to play Sheff. We used to dream of headlining the Harley in the early days. “But, you know, we’re not the only band where this has happened. Moloko had to leave Sheffield. I’m not saying we’re like Moloko, but that’s an instance where a similar thing has happened before. You know, it’s not for everyone. I get it.” Dirty Freud also recently launched their very own independent record label, No Such Thing and have set themselves the ambitious target of 70 per cent releases to come from LGBTQ+ and Black and minority ethnic artists. Their first artist release, Szou with Rose-Tinted is available now.
“Now, there’s a whole arrangement. We write lyrics and we make sure it’s an actual song instead of like... hold on everyone, this drop is going to be so horrible, it’s gonna break your rib cage!’”
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SLIPKNOT @ FLYDSA ARENA
Children of the State play The Leadmill with Temples on 27 Feb. Tickets and more info available at leadmill.co.uk.
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Music
d iy or die Lost Sheffield music venue The Lughole plots its return… Words: Ash Birch A Sheffield music venue, famed for its electrifying 100 capacity gigs in a disused warehouse in Sheffield citycentre, is set to rise from the ashes this year with a new venue in the heart of Kelham Island. The Lughole, which began life as a ‘DIY punk cooperative and venue’ in 2013, is hoping to emerge into its new 200-capacity space just as soon as the current restrictions are eased. The venue’s DIY ethos, which is all about providing facilities and support to help people get involved in making and producing music at all levels, is set to continue at the new site and they will still be reliant on passionate volunteers and music lovers who are resolute in their efforts to address issues of affordability for both musicians and fans One of the venue’s founders Avi, who has been involved with the punk scene for around 20 years and describes himself as ‘a punk, family man, musician, sound person and organiser’, told Exposed: “The Lughole was a dream we had after losing two regular venues we held gigs in (for the older music heads you will remember Cricketers Arms and Under the Boardwalk). “The gigs we put on were mainly in pub function rooms so availability depended on what might be booked that night, on occasion being turned down as there was a darts or snooker league on. As pubs started closing or became more homogenous, we found it harder and harder to host gigs.” “We decided then that we wanted our own space so we can do things our way. The Lughole started as, and still is today, a volunteer collective with approximately 25-30 volunteers. We initially aimed to address the issues around affordable venues, practice spaces and equipment availability in our scene that had a knock-on effect on ticket affordability, audience diversity and
artist fees. “We established scaled entry fees that covered basic operating costs and ensured that artists received the majority of the door takings. The on-site practice rooms meant more flexibility and better costs for bands and artists, and the house backline meant that they didn’t have to hire large vehicles to transport their equipment to the venue.” Despite all their hard work, in 2018 the venue was forced to close due to new capacity restrictions that made running gigs unfeasible. Undeterred, they continued to run gigs at other venues until they found a new home. “In 2019 we registered The Lughole as a cooperative and found a new building in the Kelham Island area.” says Avi (who is pictured overleaf in his natural habitat), “Having received the relevant permissions and licenses, we moved in in Feb 2020, ready to start the small renovation work, then Covid hit and the world changed.” “We were on the brink of extinction, but postponing the project was not an option as we had invested so much money through planning, solicitors, acoustic checks and all the rest of the groundwork that got us to the point. “It left us feeling very nervous as we committed to a substantial project, and ongoing costs, without a plan of when we would be able to do gigs again.” Thankfully, with the support of a collective friend Danny and the Music Venue Trust, they submitted grant applications to Arts Council for the gap in rent/utilities and to support the building work and the founders who are no strangers to adversity when it comes to the venue, are now hopeful they can get through this period. Avi said: “Throughout the seven years we have been in existence we have experienced numerous difficulties which overall www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 63
Music “With a vaccine being rolled out we are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel and are hoping we can survive long enough to see it off Innovation will not come from big corporate bodies but from individuals with passion for what they do. Lughole will rise again.”” boiled down to lack of understanding of community and collective based venues and the fact that it is ran solely on the goodwill of the collective volunteers. “More recently we have experienced some barriers with official routes such as planning, licensing and the various professionals involved. I would highlight that without our pro bono Architect/bureaucracy fighter James’ support we would not be at the good position we are today.” Once allowed to open, the venue hopes to relaunch its peer support collective and deliver a wide range of live music events. The new venue has a larger 200+ capacity room which will enable them to accommodate larger and higher profile DIY artists. There are also more practice spaces and communal areas, allowing them to support more new artists, establish a promoter’s peer support forum and strengthen the collective. Avi said: “The Lughole started as a punk rock venue but has evolved to encompass DIY artists across genres. Our improved space will allow us to work with new promoters to further diversify our programming. It will improve audience experience, with a member’s bar area and better accessibility to create a welcoming safe environment for people who struggle to access mainstream gigs.” As it stands, the venue is still unable to open to its full capacity, although some elements of the building including practice rooms are already operating and with the rest set to be rolled out in stages. “With a vaccine being rolled out we are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel and are hoping we can survive long enough to see it off.” Says Avi, “My last parting words would be, support your local independent shops, pubs, restaurants, artists etc. and check out other DIY venues in Sheffield such as Hatch, Delicious Clam and newly opened Gut Level.” “Innovation will not come from big corporate bodies but from individuals with passion for what they do. Lughole will rise again. DIY or DIE!” In order to help the volunteer-led venue survive this uncertain period, any financial support is very much appreciated. They have an ongoing Go Fund Me running at uk.gofundme.com/f/lughole-ii and you can check out their social media for updates on the ways you can support them. If you are interested in volunteering or becoming part of the collectives, please email: Lugholesheffield@gmail.com
boiled down to lack of understanding of community and
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comedy
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE Following a year where genuine laughs were few and far between, Sheffield’s first purpose-built comedy club opened its doors to audiences last month. ROFL, a stand-up comedy company with venues in Preston, Derby and Newcastleunder-Lyme, took over the former Pizza Express building on Division Street, committing to a £200,000 refurb of the venue which would also boast a cocktail venue and upstairs beer bar. The company’s founder, Lee Jones, told Exposed of the story behind the clubs: “ROFL Comedy Club started in 2014 in Stoke On Trent as the only dedicated comedy club in Staffordshire. Since then, we have opened in Derby, Preston and now Sheffield. It began when I was diagnosed with cancer and wasn’t expected to live to see the five-year mark, so I decided on a do-it-before-I-die project as I used to travel all over the country to watch stand up.” Having beaten the illness, Lee continued building the ROFL brand and bringing in audiences. “It’s a night for comedy fans looking for a great night out. We ask all our customers to pre-book; we don’t sell tickets on the door as we don’t want to encourage people who have been drinking since lunchtime to stumble in. We want the provide a welcoming environment and showcase the best talent on the professional comedy circuit.”
The venue, which is over three-and-a-half floors, will contain the 100-capacity comedy club, while on the same floor you’ll find the elegant Hemingway’s cocktail bar. The upper ground-floor is home to a well-stocked Belgian beer bar, where customers will soon be able to sample some delicious hot stonecooking. Lee tells us that as well as offering a second-to-none live comedy experience, punters will be able to let their hair down in the Hemingways bar, which will also be open to guests not booked in for the comedy club. “Hemingways will be open seven days a week. It’s a cocktail bar with a relaxed vibe and regular live music after the comedy finishes upstairs. Once restrictions are lifted there’ll be live music every night – the hot stone cooking menu will be arriving. We’re looking forward to people joining us and trying the food and drinks on offer.” After a side-splitting opening soiree last month, June looks set to be another belter featuring a whole host of top comedians such as Catherine Bohart, Rob Rouse, Phil Nichol, Sarah Keyworth, Ben Norris and Markus Birdman. Time to turn that frown upside down, eh? Tickets available via roflcomedy.com (£12pp).
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You talkin’ to me? Revisiting a Scorcese/De Niro classic combo on the big screen Following the recent easing of lockdown restrictions, Vue cinemas up and down the country have been running re-screenings of Martin Scorsese’s 1976 neonoir classic, Taxi Driver. With very little choice on offer in cinemas at this stage, I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to watch it on the big screen. Unsurprisingly, the film is still magnificent. A hypnotic and often uncomfortable descent into one unfortunate working man’s madness down the dirty neon-bathed streets of New York. Despite De Niro’s hypnotic and immersive portrayal of Travis Bickle, the real star of the film is Bernard Herrmann’s haunting jazz-inflected score that accompanies Travis’ night shift sequences. This is possibly the composer’s finest work, even surpassing that of Vertigo. What I find most compelling about Travis is that despite how demonstrably insane he is, the insanity is quite relatable, and one can’t be surprised that he ends up going down the particular path he does. Ultimately, Travis is a decent man that has been bent spectacularly out of shape by his experiences in Vietnam, but also by the world he’s come home to. Each night the streets he traverses are filled with the slime of civilisation: how can anyone expect Travis’ perception of the world to be anything else? The downward spiral into madness is chronicled by Travis in his journal, an unhinged Chandler-like narration that gives the audience an intimate peek into a collapsing mind. The final few minutes reminds me greatly of the closing shot in The Searchers, hardly surprising since Scorsese has always been a vocal champion of the John Ford classic, and Travis can be seen as the ’70s equivalent of John Wayne’s Ethan Edwards, a misanthropic veteran who for all his faults is strangely admirable, reflecting the darkest elements of humanity that lie within all of us just beneath the surface. 68 | www.exposedmagazine.co.uk
Film
Review: Army of the Dead
Review: The Unholy One of the new releases has been the supernatural horror film The Unholy. The reviews for this recent Sam Raimi produced chiller have been pretty poor, to say the least... It has a solid lead in Jeffrey Dean Morgan, famous for The Walking Dead and Watchmen, and the premise is not completely original but compelling. A has-been reporter is on the hunt for a story in a Massachusetts rural community, and comes across a tree that apparently cures those with untreatable diseases. One girl, who had her deafness cured by the vision of the Virgin Mary, begins encouraging others to come forward and be healed. Very soon it becomes national news, and many more followers are drawn to the town. As you can imagine, the source of these miracles is anything but divine. I’ll start with the positives because there are a few, despite the almost universal dismissal it’s received. There are some well-shot sequences in the film that provide an adequately creepy atmosphere. The actors, particularly Jeffrey Dean Morgan and an oddly-cast Carey Elwes make the most of a very wobbly and at times cringeworthy script. The ghoulish nasty that plagues the protagonists is well-designed and genuinely frightening at times, with a Doctor Who monster style quality to it. I mean that in a Weeping Angels way, not a Kandyman way. The film gets on with it and doesn’t try to be anything other than what it says on the tin. No, it’s not original in any way, and you can point out parts you’ve seen in The Exorcist, Exorcist III, The Borderlands, The Wicker Man, The Blood on Satan’s Claw and countless others. It does, however, have a sense of well-done efficiency for the most part. That being said, there are three or four shots of ghastly CGI which do unfortunately bring the quality down. If all of these had been cut, I think this really would have elevated the film, which gives you an idea of just how poor these scenes are. I’ve already mentioned the iffy script, but it gets particularly daft during the ending, which is actually quite engaging for the most part, so it does sadly sour the last few minutes. If anyone does decide to give this a watch, disengage your brain and enjoy it as a mindless scare with some interesting elements and a few rubbish ones too. As a seasoned horror fan, I’ve seen many poorer flicks than this. It’s totally unpretentious and unoriginal, but awful and unentertaining it is not. There is a genuinely good film somewhere in there, but it is heavily hampered by mediocrity and some very poor sequences. 2.5/5
Finally, if you want to avoid the cinema for a few more weeks, you may have been drawn to the much-publicised Netflix release, Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead. Right, where to begin with this film… perhaps it’s good to begin by saying that Snyder, for all his very divisive contributions to cinema, knows how to direct a zombie film. His debut feature was the remake – or rather, the reimagining – of Dawn of the Dead, a really fantastic action-horror film. One of the best zombie films ever made and just as good as original if I dare say so. Whereas 2004’s Dawn had real bite and a good running time of around 110 minutes, Army of the Dead, much like its zombies, is a shambles. Awful? No. Good? Well, that is debatable. For a film with a baffling running time of 2 hours and 28 minutes, it’s never boring, but it’s certainly not exhilarating either. You get all the traditional set-ups seen in better heist films like The Italian Job, Ocean’s Eleven and Heat, mixed in with the ragtag fighting team you’ve seen in Aliens, only unlike the Colonial Marines, these idiots aren’t even slightly compelling. One of them is dressed more or less identically to Vesquez from Aliens! There’s a punky blonde French lady, a German with a bad haircut that looks a lot like Jake Paul, Dave Bautista and a bunch of others put together by a shady Japanese businessman to collect a lot of money from the vault of a casino. There’s also a time limit involved where Vegas is going to get nuked in a certain number of hours. All that is very uninteresting, and all you want is to see these guys shootup some zombies which have now ‘evolved’. Snyder might think this is original, but to anyone who’s seen Day of the Dead, Land of the Dead or played Left 4 Dead, it’s been done better and more intelligently. Everything you expect to happen happens,
but amazingly the running time never becomes unendurable. I’m still not exactly sure how. It’s serviceable in its action set-pieces but, again, just very uninspired and nothing you can’t see in other shorter and more narratively satisfying horror films (and a zombie tiger isn’t going to make that much of a difference!). It’s something to have on whilst doing the ironing or cooking; you’re better off half-paying attention to it… at most. Some people have really taken against it, which seems to be fashionable amongst critics when it comes to reviewing a Zack Snyder film. As I’ve stressed, it’s not awful by any means, but it’s barely an average experience. This is a real shame because, like this fact or not, Snyder has directed some genuinely strong films. Watchmen, Man of Steel, and Dawn of the Dead are all really good, and even parts of his other more uneven films like Batman vs Superman have frequent moments of brilliance. Army of the Dead is nowhere near the dismal standards of Sucker Punch, but that’s not saying much. The running time, to me, is just insane. No horror film needs to be that long and even classics like The Shining suffer from long running times. The original Dawn of the Dead only justified the similar length by being a complex exploration of the fragility of American civilisation and consumerism. Now I think about it, a lot of what features in Army is present in Peninsula, the Train to Busan sequel. It’s shorter, just as bombastic, but far more entertaining. The zombie movie has evolved so much over the years, bringing us clever riffs on the subgenre like #Alive, The Night Eats the World, REC and countless others. Army of the Dead, for all its craziness, seems rather tired. My advice? Go back watch Dawn of the Dead, it’s genuinely brilliant and will have you on the edge of your seat throughout. 2.5/5 www.exposedmagazine.co.uk | 69
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Film
Made in yorkshire FRAZER MCDONALD EXPLORES THE CULTURAL IMPACT OF THE CLASSIC KEN LOACH FILM ‘KES’, LOVING ADAPTED FROM THE FAMOUS BARRY HINES AND BROUGHT TO LIFE THROUGH SOME MEMORABLE PERFORMANCES. It’s kind of pointless to give an introduction to Kes; particularly if you’re from the area, it will be the first film that comes to mind when someone says ‘Yorkshireset film,’ but for the uninitiated, Kes was directed by the master of social realism, Ken Loach, who is still making films today. His last effort was Sorry We Missed You, which is based around a delivery driver living in poverty, but the story of Kes centres on something quite different. The titular Kes is not the main character, as you might think, but a kestrel adopted by the film’s protagonist, fifteen-year-old Barnsley lad Billy Casper. The film is adapted from the 1968 novel A Kestrel for a Knave (which, full disclosure, I have not read). But I have seen Kes, and on the surface, the story of a boy living in a poor area finding meaning while caring for a bird might sound the kind of heartwarming fare you’d seen in a Disney movie. Kes, though, is much more morose than those sort of films, concerning itself far more with loss and familial tensions than the animal-human relationship. Like much of Loach’s work, those tensions stem from the fact that Billy lives in a city marred by poor government policy which, historically, has neglected the North of England, and the people in the area who uphold those norms such as teachers, social workers, and so on. Billy is caught in the middle of all of this: he is in education, but his career choices are fairly narrow. His brother is a miner, and his bitter personality prevents Billy from going down that path; he could work in a shop or become an apprentice, or take on various other reliable career paths, but none of these solve the issue at the film’s heart: Billy’s experience in his hometown has made him want to leave. In Kes, Loach puts forward a cynical worldview. The film is bookended by two moments of tragedy: the first of Billy sleeping in the same bed as his brother having been up working at the same time as he needs to go to the mine; and the second of Billy finding out his brother has killed the Kestrel. The symbolism in Kes isn’t as subtle as in other anti-capitalist films, like Kyoshi Kurasawa’s Tokyo Sonata,
which has a relatively similar theme, but the ease with which Kes can be understood democratises the artform: Ken Loach isn’t making films for college graduates and academically-minded people; he’s making films for those represented by his work, and he’s not talking down to them. This democratisation of art is the reason Loach has remained popular over the years. On top of that, Kes doesn’t approach its subject matter from a distance, in a chin-stroking manner; Loach puts the audience right in the middle of it, engaging them emotionally and putting them directly in Billy’s position. Films like Kes are ones which could really only be set in ex-mining communities (or, in the context of Kes, a current mining community), because there were few other places in the UK in which poverty and social inequality were like blankets covering the entire area; social inequality exists in other areas, of course, but the South – London, Cambridge, Oxford, etcetera – exist in two halves, and this is why social realist films in those areas are based around the conflict between the rich and the poor, whereas ones set in the UK’s devolved nations or the North of England will be about existing with it – and how that affects the self and the people surrounding it. Ken Loach’s film is the purest, and most effective, example of this. Kes has retained classic status over the years because of the finer details included in the simple tale of a boy and his Kestrel.
“Like much of Loach’s work, those tensions stem from the fact that Billy lives in a city marred by poor government policy which, historically, has neglected the North of England”
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LGBT+
SOLID AS A DOC Summer is finally here, and *hopefully*, by the time this is printed the sun will have emerged, coinciding nicely with the city’s reopening after a year of Zoom calls from our kitchen tables. If, after a year on the sofa, you are craving some physical activity, TransActive are back with sessions open to all trans, non-binary and gender questioning people with weekly online fitness sessions on Mondays and swimming sessions at Heeley Pool on Saturdays. For those of you who are missing the dancefloor, CuckooBox Carnival is heading to Sidney & Matilda (Sat 26 Jun) with two rooms playing a mix of funky vocal, tech house, nu disco and electronica. The big screen makes a return with Sheffield’s internationally renowned DocFest at Showroom Cinema, which this year features its largest queer lineup yet. Year of the White Moon (Fri 4 Jun) features a series of telephone conversations between a superstitious mother living in the Russian Provinces and her gay son. Gender-fluid time travellers feature in Octavia’s Visions (Sat 5 Jun), imagining a queer utopia. Short film selection Tales of the City (Sat 5 Jun) features Something Said, a queer exploration of black British history; and Twilight City
featuring Octavia and her friends’ demonstrations for gay rights. Black Queer photographer Ajamu and his one-man show in Huddersfield is the feature of The Homecoming (Sat 5 Jun), while filmmaker Isaac Julien invokes Langston Hughes as a black gay cultural icon in Looking for Langston (Sun 6 Jun). As well as queer history, we have documentaries bringing us right up to date looking at the impact of modern events on LGBT+ communities with Alone Together (Sun 6/Mon 7 Jun) taking a deep dive into the personal stories of Charli XCX’s decidedly global, predominantly LGBTQI+ fanbase, many of whom are navigating precarious situations, including unemployment, isolation and anxiety. Elsewhere, Caught (Wed 9 Jun) acts as a tribute to the work and legacy of Lorena Borjas, the mother of Latin trans women living in Queens, one of the first victims of Covid-19 in New York in March 2020. Two Sons and a River of Blood (Thu 10 Jun) explores a self-made family unit of two dykes and a trans man. Maisie (Fri 11 Jun) features David Raven, still shaking his sequins at 85-years-old, as ‘Maisie Trollette’, Britain’s oldest drag artist. The story of the queer comic, Gay Comix, first published in 1980, is told in
No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics (Sun 13 Jun) detailing a period of censorship in the USA and marginalization even among underground cartoonists. And more art is featured in Drawings of my BF (Sun 13 Jun): when Artist Wilfrid Wood meets his muse, Theo Adamson, on a gay hook-up app, what begins as an artist-model relationship develops into something deeper. The queer highlight of the DocFest calendar is Destroy | Disturb | Disrupt – Decolonising Queer Desire (Fri 11 Jun) curated by Campbell X. Black queer filmmakers craft an intervention into desire for the Black queer body on film with shorts including The Attendant, Fetish, Blackn3ss, Bloom, Batería, BMB (Black, Muslim and Bi) and Umbilic. Campbell returns for Reframing Our Desires (Sat 12 Jun), joining filmmakers from his programme to explore how they create their own filmic language to disrupt our colonised historical framing by the white, straight cisgender lens. That’s your lot for this month, readers! Keep an eye on facebook.com/sheffieldlgbtevents for updates and announcements on the latest events and news.
Until next time, socially-distanced Love and rainbows...
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Culture
Everybody’s Talking About…
The eagerly anticipated big-screen adaptation of the Sheffield-based musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, has finally been given a new worldwide release date. The West End hit, which stars Max Harwood as a Sheffield teenager who dreams of a drag career on stage, was originally set for release in October 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic forced an indefinite postponement. The good news is that last month a new trailer was unveiled confirming that Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will be released on 17 September both in the UK and internationally, via streaming service Amazon Prime. “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has quickly become one of the most beloved musicals of recent years,” says Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “Jamie’s story is one that resonates across all generations – it’s about unconditional love and we know our global audiences will fall in love with Jamie as he overcomes adversity to truly find his authentic self. We are so thrilled to share this joyful and inspirational story with the world.” Director Jonathan Butterell added: “I am thrilled that our film – the story of taking your place in the world with joy, pride and acceptance – will be winging its way across the world with the Amazon Family. “Let’s come together to celebrate the glorious and fabulous uniqueness of each and every one of us.” Everybody’s Talking About Jamie co-stars Sarah Lancashire as Jamie’s mum, Sharon Horgan as Jamie’s uninspired careers advisor Miss Hedge (played in the West End by stars including Michelle Visage, Rita Simons and Faye Tozer), and Richard E. Grant as local drag legend and mentor Miss Loco (played in the West End by stars including Bianca Del Rio, Shane Ritchie and Rufus Hound). Everybody’s Talking About Jamie premieres on 17 September 2021 on Amazon Prime.
At the drive in! South Yorkshire youth homelessness charity Roundabout has revealed that Sheffieldborn West End Disney star Matt Croke will be topping the bill at their eagerly awaited live musical theatre event this summer. The Musical Theatre Drive-In is set to be a theatrical extravaganza coming live from the Orange car park at Meadowhall Shopping Centre, on Saturday 12 June. Four full performances throughout the day (10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm) will feature some of South Yorkshire’s most talented actors, singers and theatre companies, all taking to the stage for the first time since the pandemic lockdown saw all live performances cancelled. Each show is completely individual and will feature a different line-up of both performers and content and topping the bill at 4pm will be actor and singer Matt Croke, best known for his starring role in Disney’s West End hit stage version of Aladdin. “I am really excited to be part of the Drive-In and to be sharing this great day with so much great talent and all for such a good cause.” Theatre Drive-In will feature Hairspray, Wicked, We Will Rock You to Mamma Mia, Kinky Boots and Chicago. our shows simply visit roundabouthomeless.org and follow the Musical Theatre Drive-In link.
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Culture
Sheffield Through the Lens For this month’s spotlight on Steel City snappers, we spoke to Rob Nicholson, one half of Sheffield-based creative duo Pedalo Photography. What initially drew you to photography? I’ve always been interested in photography. My uncle was a photographer at the Sheffield Star in the early 90s, so I think that probably planted a seed at an early age. I’d always taken photos on my phone and my brother [Andy Nicholson] is a great photographer, so I drew inspiration from what he was doing and only recently committed to taking it to the next level. I bought a second-hand camera from Harrison’s, the great camera shop on London Road, then my brother gave me a lens and it just progressed from there. I’ve upgraded everything in that time as I’ve developed as a photographer – I’ve gone from a small bag to a spare room full of equipment! Could you tell us a bit about how Pedalo Photography came about? It was during lockdown that me and James [O’Hara] were going out on the bikes and riding around the peaks, as much for the company and our mental health as anything else. I was off work, James had had to close all his bars, so it became an essential part of us staying sane. I’d started going out and learning how to use the camera in different environments, doing some more staged work at home, shooting still life, using flash, and essentially using the time I had to channel into this positive thing that I could throw myself in to. James’ film photography is great; he’s got that natural eye for a shot in any setting, so it was just a general chat about it that lead to us thinking it could be something that we can get in to, an actual free service (to begin with) that we can offer to some of the independent businesses we love. Given all these chats had happened in and around the bikes, the name ‘Pedalo’ was suggested and stuck straight away. What motivates you creatively? I like to think I have a creative mind but never really had a proper outlet for it until I started with photography. It can be a shot I’ve seen that I’ve taken inspiration from, or an idea that develops as a collaborative effort with other people, but I think my main motivation comes from wanting to create something people will enjoy. That was the same with music. Its great seeing people’s profile pictures on their social media change to a shot I’ve taken of them or work we’ve done for the businesses we shoot at – Ashoka, Public, Gatsby, Picture House Social – receive such positive feedback. That definitely keeps me motivated to work harder and keep doing what we’re doing.
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How would you say Sheffield lends itself to creative pursuits? For example, many photographers cite the accessible contrasts between urban/brutalist settings and plentiful areas of green space as being particularly inspiring. We’re a city that makes things and always has, whether that’s steel, music or art. I think we have a unique advantage over other places and that’s partly down to the environment we’re in: you can go from brutalist architecture and modern buildings to the Peak District in the space of 20 minutes. We did a bit of a test shoot for a project the other day and within an hour we had three unique images that you just can’t get anywhere else in that timeframe. It feels like a city that has a unique canvas for creative photography. What sort of settings do you enjoy shooting in the most? It’s changed over the last year. It was originally going out and shooting landscapes in the Peaks, but recently I’ve started doing more portraits of people – whether it be outside, in a studio or even a documentary style shoot where you’re just in the background, capturing a moment. I think I’m drawn to that more because of being inspired by shots like David Bailey’s candid Lennon & McCartney photograph – these iconic, fleeting moments captured on camera.
“We’re a city that makes things and always has, whether that’s steel, music or art. I think we have a unique advantage over other places and that’s partly down to the environment we’re in: you can go from brutalist architecture and modern buildings to the Peak District in the space of 20 minutes.”
On that note, what would be your dream shoot? Either a certain person or setting – or, if you like, a certain person in a certain setting. We’re still not even a year into Pedalo and we’ve managed to do so much in that short space of time, but maybe working with more musicians and bands in a studio setting? Now everything is getting back to normal, we’ve talked about doing documentary photography of bands in a studio leading back up to a gig – a post-covid journey from the practice room to the stage. I’d like to go to other places and shoot as well. As much as we love Sheffield, it would be nice to travel and see more of the world after this period of isolation. A shoot for a band or artist out in New York or L.A. wouldn’t be bad, I guess! Do you have any projects currently in the pipeline? We’ve got something very exciting we’ve been working on with one of our football clubs, and I probably can’t say any more than that at the minute without giving the game away! We’re also going to continue our journey with the city’s independent businesses. Seeing others make something great in this city is so inspiring and benefits all of us, so we love helping out and getting involved. pedalophotography.com @p_e_d_a_l_o
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