Sheffield’s alternative and underground electronic music scene is one of the best in the UK.
It’s a well-kept secret. But for those in the know, the range of underground club nights that happen in Sheffield is amazing.
From techno, to house, to bassline, to grime, and everything in between. Whatever your taste in electronic music, there’s an underground night in Sheffield for you.
Here are 24 alternative nights you need to check out.
Pretty Pretty Good
Genre: Techno, house, IDM, electro
Vibe: All things deep, wonky, soulful, and experimental
Recent bookings: Joy Orbison, Gerd Jason, Young Marco, DJ Sprinkles
Resident DJs: Alief, Coe, Kudan, Smorsli, Triple Point, Yak
With frequent nights at The Harley and raves at Hope Works and the Southbank Warehouse, PPG have been consistently throwing some of Sheffield’s highest quality parties. Fans of techno, house, and IDM – this is top drawer stuff and you need to get on it.
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud.
Bluewave
Genre: Everything with bass
Vibe: Inclusive parties with mad tunes and great people
Recent bookings: So Solid Crew, Loefah, Zed Bias, Lenzman
Resident DJs: Korra, Flint, Aztek, Ackroyd, Trell
Super fun, inclusive bass parties with crazy decor – think flamingos and gold mannequins. Bringing in major bookings from around the UK to venues including The Night Kitchen, The O2 Academy, and Hope Works, Bluewave are the essential crew for all things bass music.
Follow them on Facebook.
Mango Disco
Genre: Reggaeton, digital cumbia, kuduro, merengue
Vibe: Everything from big carnival raves to intimate live gigs
Recent bookings: DJ Cucurucho, Cal Jader, Tropical Pressure DJs
Resident DJs: Alex del Mango, Cara Branca, Brother Deluxe, Coconut Selecta, The Empress
Mango Disco do everything from raucous carnival raves at Yellow Arch and The Night Kitchen, to intimate gigs at Haggler’s Corner and The Washington. Crazy, inclusive parties with tropical decor, tacos, and an eclectic mix of reggaeton, digital cumbia, kuduro, Latin boogie, and more.
Follow them on Facebook.
Planet Zogg
Genre: Psytrance, techno, breaks
Vibe: Neon colours, diverse crowd, 100% psytrance hyperdelia
Recent bookings: Nanoplex, Meat Katie, Sabretooth, Chris Liberator, Hedflux, Monkey Logic
Resident DJs: Greg Zogg, Dill, Johnny M
Psytrance veterans Planet Zogg have been running hyperdelic parties for nearly two decades, and they know how it’s done. Recent events have seen them packing out The Night Kitchen and Plug, drawing a super diverse crowd who share one thing in common – they’re all up for a mad party. Events include live hula-hoopers, cosmic visuals, and chai tea served by Freak Street CafĂ©.
Follow them on Facebook.
Nice Like Rice
Genre: House, disco
Vibe: Quality, immersive, innovative
Recent bookings: Red Greg, Jayda G, Brian not Brian, Marcellus Pittmann, Esa Williams
Resident DJs: Stevie Risotto, Leroy, Maiden (aka “Team Rice”)
By focusing on creating artful and immersive experiences, Nice Like Rice have thrown some of the most enjoyable parties Sheffield has seen in recent times, and their emphasis on quality and inclusivity has made their nights a massive success. They’ve thrown mega-parties at The Night Kitchen and Hope Works, multisensory experiences with Cosmic Disco at Theatre Deli, as well as more intimate events at Bal Fashions.
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Force Majeure
Genre: Instrumental grime, bass
Vibe: Weird sounds, nice vibes
Recent bookings: EMMA, Iglew, Jawside, Luru
Resident DJs: DJ Gazprom, DJ Shareware
Force Majeure put on amazing nights on the more experimental end of bass music. Generally opting for intimate venues and DIY spaces, FM have hosted some of the nation’s most cutting-edge instrumental grime producers at venues including S1 Artspace, The Audacious Art Experiment, and Bal Fashions. Most bookings are DJs, but FM also frequently feature live analogue acts.
Follow them on Facebook.
Cut Some Capers
Genre: House, techno, acid, industrial
Vibe: Small, secret, and slightly silly
Recent bookings: DJ Fett Burger, DJ Bus Replacement Service, DJ Gurl Power, HMT Hard Cru
Resident DJs: Deus Ex Macheda, Unlikely
Cut Some Capers are relative newcomers to the scene, and they’re rapidly making a name for themselves with their quirky parties. Their policy is that all guest DJs have an experimental side – as the above sample shows – and their nights guarantee a taste of musical weirdness, branching out from a house and techno base. Watch out for the awesome posters that herald each event, and get yourself along to one of these nights.
Follow them on Facebook.
Barang!
Genre: South African house, soca, gqom, UK bass, hard drum
Vibe: Global rhythms, inclusive, friendly vibes
Recent bookings: Tash LC, Love Carnival, Maga Bo, Afriquoi
Resident DJs: Nimble Jack, KomKom, Kwaitek, Moreece
After moving from Nottingham to the fertile fields of the Steel City, Barang have been regularly putting on percussive bassy dance music from around the globe, bringing in some major international bookings. They host most of their nights at DINA, and usually open the evening with a beautiful veggie dinner before the music gets going. People literally travel from all over the UK for these super nice party vibes – true story.
Follow them on Facebook.
The Tuesday Club
Genre: Bass, house, garage, DnB, and beyond
Vibe: The best in underground electronic music since 1998
Recent bookings: Jackmaster, Mall Grab, Floating Points, My Nu Leng, Skepsis
Resident DJs: Andy H
The Tuesday Club has been the unshakeable core of Sheffield’s underground electronic music scene for two decades. Still at the cutting edge with consistently high quality bookings, their parties are as special today as ever. The Steel City’s longest-running independent night, TTC is, quite simply, an institution.
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Fruit n Juice
Genre: RnB, garage, jersey club, ballroom, UK funky, disco, hiphop, queer anthems, and everything in between
Vibe: Empowering, feminist, inclusive, uplifting, and fabulous
Recent bookings: A.G, plugkeisha, Manara, Mina & Tino
Resident DJs: Cherry B
New kids on the block Fruit n Juice are an arts collective, launched toward the end of 2017. So far they’ve hosted just a handful of eclectic nights, plus a few DJ workshops. In just a few months they’ve made a real mark on the scene. Keep your eyes peeled for more.
Follow them on Facebook.
Riddimtion
Genre: Conscious roots, reggae, ragga, dancehall, and dub
Vibe: Conscious, positive, diverse
Recent bookings: Roots Manuva, Parly B, Daddy Freddy, Zion Train
Resident DJs: Rootsfella, Duncan Disorder, Early P
Riddimtion has a long and illustrious history in Sheffield, spreading good vibes and hosting dozens of top-notch reggae and dub nights for over a decade. Check out their regular nights at The Blues Bar in Broomhill, and watch out for special big events.
Follow them on Facebook and Mixcloud.
Saul’s Sessions
Genre: Disco, world, eclectic
Vibe: Simple, unrestricted, pure vibes
Recent bookings: Sadar Bahar, Project Pablo, Mafalda, Dego
Resident DJs: Adam the Steve, Simian Funk, DJ Johnnie Deep, Ben Slater
Saul’s Sessions spin discs regularly at The Wick at Both Ends and The Harley, as well as making recent appearances at Peddler Night Market, and forthcoming nights at Bal Fashions. They like to debut fresh talent from outside the city, and they keep their nights small, inclusive, laid back, and affordable. Watch out for their cheeky alter ego, Saul, who makes an appearance on all their artwork.
Follow them on Facebook.
Sheffield Techno Institute
Genre: Techno
Vibe: Quality music, friendly and inclusive, intimate and wild
Recent bookings: Alex Downey, Sync 24, Objekt, Call Super
Resident DJs: Randy Lahey, Linnemann, Terry Dragatis, Cellar Dweller, Anagramm
For several years, Sheffield Techno Institute have been spinning techno from across the spectrum, from model 500 and kraftwerk to modern acid, electro and techno – from chilled to fast and furious. They only throw about three parties a year, but when they do, they’re special ones, at venues like The Night Kitchen and Hope Works. Make sure to follow them to stay in the loop with these super special parties.
Follow them on Facebook.
Lady & The Trap
Genre: Footwork, DnB, Trap, IDM
Vibe: Fresh, outlandish, eclectic
Recent bookings: Iglooghost, Madam X
Resident DJs: Clouwds
Newcomers Lady & the Trap have put on just a few nights since launching in the latter part of 2017, including a joint effort with Peachy, and it’s been non-stop good times since square one. Probably the only night in Sheffield that regularly spins footwork and trap. Keep your ear to the ground for exciting things to come.
Follow them on Facebook.
La Rumba
Genre: Globally-inspired movement music
Vibe: Celebratory feel-good atmosphere, eclectic music
Recent bookings: Adesse Versions, Krywald & Farrer, Freddie Norwood, Romare
Resident DJs: Román Rocha, Marcelo Mader
La Rumba have been getting themselves everywhere since launching in early 2017, and it’s been a joy to see. Playing a mixture of house, techno, disco, and global rhythms, they regularly host nights at The Harley and at The Wick at Both Ends, as well as collaborating on bigger raves with the likes of Mango Disco, Decibel, and Pretty Pretty Good. Not-to-be-missed for fans of global dance music.
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Sourdough
Genre: Disco, afrobeat
Vibe: “Disco orgy in a bakery”
Recent bookings: N/A
Resident DJs: Joe Problemo, Mr Slice Guy
Focusing on “people and places” rather than DJs, Sourdough may not have any big bookings to gloat about, but they’ve been creating great vibes in some of Sheffield’s most exciting underground venues. Prepare yourself for an eclectic platter of disco and global grooves, with a healthy serving of bread-related puns on the side.
Follow them on Facebook.
Off Me Nut
Genre: Bassline, jungle, happy hardcore, donk
Vibe: Madness, hilarity, and bass
Recent bookings: Surreal, Ben Suff Donk, Sekt 87, Phatworld
Resident DJs:
The inimitable Off Me Nut crew have been throwing some of the most insane parties in the UK for several years. They spin bassline, jungle, happy hardcore, donk, and more, creating all manner of craziness and hilarity. They regularly take over the big spaces in Sheffield from Hope Works, to The Night Kitchen, to Trafalgar Warehouse. Check out their weird and wonderful Facebook group to keep up with these jokers and their nutty community.
Follow them on Facebook and Soundcloud.
Decibel
Genre: Techno, house
Vibe: Good underground music, minimal industrial aesthetic
Recent bookings: Ejeca, Seb Zito, Mella Dee, Billy Turner
Resident DJs: Josh Hvaal, Moults, Tiqué
Decibel strike that delicate balance of showcasing local, up-and-coming, and big name DJs, while keeping things affordable and accessible for all. Decibel is mostly about techno, but guest DJs often explore the limits of the genre, leaning towards the deeper, darker side of things. Get along to their regular events at The Harley and further afield.
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Écoutez
Genre: Various, from weird disco and ambient house to techno
Vibe: A good vibe and wholesome time
Recent bookings: PLO man, DJ Eliot, Bake, Jenny Cheng, Melly, Local Artist, Cabasa
Resident DJs: Ikura Imprint, Nepa Tiz, Sleepsang, Fizzy Bedlam, INTJ Deadlift, DJ Paul Blomfield MP, Ciggy de la Noche, DJ Swirly Swirl, Fred
Ecoutez have been putting on sporadic events for a few years, and have recently been gracing Sheffield with fairly frequent nights as part of Foodhall’s Friday Lates program. Truly eclectic, it’s something different every time – but it’s always vibrant and fun.
Follow them on Facebook.
ROOTS
Genre: Reggae, Dub, Dancehall, steppas, dubstep, garage, old and new school jungle
Vibe: Massive heavyweight soundsystems, nice vibes, positivity and love
Recent bookings: Mungo’s Hi-Fi (full rig), Aphrodite & Micky Finn, Mala, Ras Demo
Resident DJs: A-Kid, Displace
It’s never been difficult to find reggae and dub in Sheffield, and crews that need a mention include Dubcentral, Dub Shack, Shanty Town, and Riddimtion (above). Sheffield is also home to the mighty Sinai Soundsystem, and Chief Pukka Soundsystem. But for regular big soundsystem nights in Sheffield right now, ROOTS are the ones flying the flag. Get yourself down to one of these for nice vibes and serious soundsystems.
Follow them on Facebook and Mixcloud.
Poggerz
Genre:Â The weird and messed up love child of bass music, old skool dance music and Disney songs
Vibe: One big chaotic family with Sheffield basement party vibes
Recent bookings: Benton, Six Sunsets, TC4, Claybrook
Resident DJs:Â Harry Bailey, Hatchet, Namena, Raffi, TylerC, Smooth Eeze (MC)
Poggerz grew out of big university house parties, with the aim of sharing these chaotic, hedonistic, magical events with more people. With their big community vibes, Poggerz is constantly growing, taking over venues from The Harley to DINA. Super fun.
Follow them on Facebook.
BHAUS
Genre: Everything house, everything disco
Vibe: High energy party feels, delving into the deeper side of the underground
Recent bookings: N/A
Resident DJs: Wavvid, Aaron James and Sam Wellings
BHAUS go for emerging, underground names with them aim of showcasing them to their growing crowd, playing house and disco from across the spectrum. Listen out for their sick new lo-fi house productions from The Native Project, and watch out for nights at The Harley and The Wick at Both Ends.
Follow them on Facebook.
Dusktildawn
Genre: Multi-genre with a breakbeat backbone
Vibe: Breaks and DnB
Recent bookings: Deekline, Serial Killaz, Fish & Sherry S, Phil Hartnoll (Orbital), Hybrid Residents DJs: WheresNorth, Charla Green, Benny Strafford, Tremo
Dusktildawn have been putting on multi-genre nights in Sheffield for years, putting on a diverse multi-genre mix of music that always culminates with breakbeat and DnB headliners. Check out their regular nights at The Harley and big events at The Night Kitchen.
RiteTrax
Genre: House, techno, acid, garage, bass, bassline, DnB, jungle (depending on the night)
Vibe: Inclusive, diverse, underground, artistic
Recent bookings: A Guy Called Gerald, Mark Archer (Altern-8), Ceephax Acid Crew, Dr Cryptic, Phatworld, Sammy Virji, Joedan
Resident DJs: Bourbon Muncher, Dalts, Perkocet, Da Varik
RiteTrax are truly special bunch within the Sheffield music scene. As a social enterprise, existing specifically to support and provide a platform for underground artists, nights are just one of the things they do (read about their other activities on their website). For nights, their two main offerings are The Wub Club for wobbly bass music, and Zone 88 for house and related genres. Also watch out for their amazing free annual festival, RiteTrax on the Bole Hills.
Follow them on Facebook and Mixcloud.
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This guide exists to introduce people to new nights and to showcase the variety of what’s happening in Sheffield. If you’re a promoter and you think your night should be on this list, please get in touch.
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Header image: James Reilly – Nice Like Rice
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