The venues to go to for new and emerging live music in Sheffield.
A lot has changed in Sheffield’s music scene over the past decade. Here’s a fresh rundown of the live music venues in Sheffield you need to know about.
Picture House Social
Picture House Social has rapidly established itself as the go-to venue for emerging bands visiting Sheffield, boasting the most packed and eclectic roster in the city. Recent months have seen the gang at PHS bring in the likes of Hookworms, Flamingods, (Sandy) Alex G, Protomartyr, Ty, Goat Girl, Menace Beach, and Yazmin Lacey.
Arrive early for pizza and ping pong. What a place. See their full upcoming gig listings here.
Bungalows and Bears
The quirkiest bar in Sheffield is now home to an increasingly impressive bill of gigs, all of them free. Super bookings include New Zealand/Thailand soul-indie phenomenon Phum Viphurit, and London jazz pioneer Joe Armon-Jones.
Also check out Bungalows Jazz Night which brings in emerging jazz talent from around the country, including the likes of Tetes de Pois and James Beckwith Trio. Follow Bungalows and Bears on Facebook to keep up with their events.
Peddler Night Market
The legendary Sheffield night market is becoming the number one venue to catch emerging talent from the North – we would say that though, as Pink Wafer are now booking the artists.
Recent and upcoming performers include Universal Tree, Franz Von, Leeds electro-funk trio Galaxians, and Leeds soul fusion masters Necktr. Entry is free to these mad events, and the food and drink is top notch.
Peddler runs on the first Friday and Saturday every month, as well as other occasional days for events like Veg Out. View the listings here.
Jazz at the Lescar
If you think jazz isn’t for you, then you’ve probably not heard some of the incredible bands are playing Jazz at the Lescar every Wednesday. Known and respected by jazz musicians around the country, Jazz at the Lescar frequently bring in some of the most interesting emerging artists on the scene.
From Roller Trio, to Jonny Mansfield Elftet, to Robert Mitchell, to Vula Viel, the quality at this place is outstanding. View their full listings here.
Yellow Arch
Yellow Arch – recording studio for Sheffield greats such as the Arctic Monkeys, Richard Hawley, and Jarvis Cocker – is also a beautiful venue that’s home to some incredible events.
Examples of their awesome bookings include the Turbans, Patawawa, ONIPA (a project of the Sheffield legend K.O.G), and Henge. They also host a range of big club nights, working with promoters around the city. Check out their full listings here.
The Greystones
The Greystones is Sheffield’s number one venue for folk and blues, regularly bringing in top-drawer talent from around the UK.
With something good almost every week, The Greystones host the likes of Harry Bird and the Rubber Wellies (love these guys), Sam Amidon, and Martyn Joseph. Check out their full listings here.
The Leadmill
The venue that was so important to the indie scene of the early 00s remains an essential spot for live music in Sheffield.
Recent and upcoming shows include the amazing Superorganism, GoGo Penguin, and Cosmo Sheldrake, as well as noughties favourites Ash and The Coral. Long may it continue! Check out their listings here.
O2 Academy Sheffield
Sheffield’s biggest venue is a mixed bag for sure, but let’s not let that detract from the quality of some of the artists that they bring in.
Lo-fi Manchester soul duo Children of Zeus, and the seminal electronic producers Orbital are amongst the sort of bands you’ll find here, as well as the incredible Sheffield Beatles Project, recreating the Beatles’ White Album in full. Check out their full listings here.
Café Totem
Indie is by no means dead, and Café Totem is doing a great job of keeping it alive and moving it forward. Recent times have also seen the venue expand its musical offering, branching out to host hip-hop shows and club nights.
The venue formerly known as The Rocking Chair compromises of a Café-bar upstairs, and a nicely sized gig venue downstairs, with a capacity of around 100.
It’s the perfect size for intimate, sweaty gigs, and it’s definitely one of Sheffield’s top spots for it. A great place to discover local bands as well as to catch touring artists from across the UK and further afield. Keep up with their listings here.
Foundry
Based underground in the University of Sheffield’s award-winning student union, the Foundry brings in some great touring artists from across the UK.
Recent months have seen them host Beak as part of Sensoria Festival, and Gaz Coombes. Keep your eye on their listings here.
The Library Café and Restaurant
One of Sheffield’s most interesting new live music venues is the Library Café in Attercliffe.
The venue has been revived by US jazz musician Aaron Stewart, and they’ve been booking some of the finest local jazz and hip-hop artists including the likes Flok, Bad Brew, and Franz Von. Find more about their events here.
Corporation
If you’re inclined towards heavier music, Corporation is your place. It’s sort of renowned for its school disco nights, and it’s known as a sort of generally degenerate place for a cheap night out.
But it’s also Sheffield’s biggest venue for metal. Find out about their bookings here.
Plug
Along with the Leadmill, Plug has a reputation as one of Sheffield’s historically important venues. Today, they book quite a lot of cover bands, but you can also see some great emerging artists here.
Recent bookings include the likes of Self Esteem and the Sleaford Mods. Find out about all their events here.
Delicious Clam
If you want to get stuck in to the underground scene in Sheffield, which we would recommend, then Delicious Clam is a great place to go.
A DIY venue and studio, it’s the home to a bunch of great emerging bands. Keep up with them on their Facebook page.
Record Junkee
Another underground venue that’s quickly becoming a firm Sheffield favourite is Record Junkee.
By day, a record store, and by night, a no-frills gig space, Record Junkee is a great spot to catch emerging bands in the region, and an increasingly broad range of touring artists.
Keep up with their events on their Facebook page.
Header image: GRIT Multimedia
