A monumental year for Sheffield Music
Think of any major music era in the last 60 years and there will be a Sheffield band/artist helping define it.
From the bluesy 60s to emerging electronica in the 70s, synth-pop and glam metal of the 80s, through to chart-topping 90s Britpop and the New Yorkshire indie movement of the noughties, Sheffield’s popular music credentials rival that of any UK city.
And so, it goes without saying that Sheffield has staged its fair share of live music spectacles over the years too. However, 2023 is set to be a landmark year in the city’s music history, as several of Sheffield’s best-known exports return to play historic headlining shows.
Huge Sheffield Homecomings...
Arctic Monkeys
Hillsborough Park, 9 & 10 June
One of the biggest bands in the world, Arctic Monkeys return to play two special homecoming shows this summer.
Ahead of another headline slot at Glastonbury Festival and following the release of their latest album, The Car, the band are set to takeover Hillsborough Park for their biggest Sheffield homecoming yet.
Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe
Bramall Lane, Monday 22 May
Def Leppard are set to play a huge homecoming gig in Sheffield as part of a co-headline World Tour alongside fellow iconic rock legends, Mötley Crüe.
The first stop on the European leg, the Sheffield show is set to take place at the home of Sheffield United FC, which will be especially sweet for Joe Elliot who is a devoted Blade.
PULP
Sheffield Arena, 14 & 15 July
Reunited once again, PULP return to Sheffield Arena for two homecoming shows this summer. It'll be their first show in the city since their emotional farewell performance at the very same venue in December 2012.
Long-time friend and fellow Sheffielder, Richard Hawley will also be joining as a special guest for the Sheffield dates.
Self Esteem at Rock N Roll Circus
Don Valley Bowl, Saturday 2 September
Having blown away fans with two sold out shows at the O2 Academy Sheffield earlier this year, Rotherham-born Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem will be back in September for her biggest Sheffield gig yet!
Returning to headline the Saturday of new festival Rock N Roll Circus at Sheffield's Don Valley Bowl, expect another high octane performance of hits from her critically acclaimed album, Prioritise Pleasure, along with a lineup of supporting guests, specially curated by Self Esteem herself.
Sheffield: DIY Party Capital
Anyone who doesn't think Sheffield has a thriving local music scene, just needs to look a little harder, as a new wave of DIY venues and promoters have stealthily cultivated something which is now attracting national press.
The latest in a few feature articles exploring Sheffield's DIY scene recently, is this great in-depth piece published by TimeOut Magazine, written by Daniel Dylan Wray.
The Sky's the limit for Sheffield musical
Sheffield-made musical 'Standing at the Sky’s Edge' recently won TWO Olivier Awards, with the beloved Sheffield Theatres production picking up gongs for ‘Best New Musical’ while Sheffield singer-songwriter, Richard Hawley and Tom Deering won ‘Best Original Score and New Orchestrations'.
To add to that, the musical will now transfer to the West End in 2024, meaning many more people will get to experience this musical love letter to Sheffield, written by Chris Bush with Hawley's back catalogue providing the soundtrack.
Major Music Festivals
Get Together 2023
Get Together has earnt a reputation as one of the best new festivals for original and independent music. For 2023, this multi-stage festival has a new home and will be relocating to take over the vibrant warehouses, breweries, studios and bars of Kelham Island & Neepsend on Saturday 20 May.
Rock N Roll Circus (Friday)
Taking place at Sheffield's Don Valley Bowl, Rock N Roll Circus Friday (1 September) will see Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds in the headline spot, along with special guests Happy Mondays, The Cribs, The Joy Formidable and Somebody's Child.
Rock N Roll Circus (Saturday)
A music festival blended with meets the weird and wonderful world of the circus! The Saturday (2 September) line-up of Rock N Roll Circus will see Self Esteem in the headline spot, along with a host of special guests in support including Confidence Man, Bimini and Arctic Numpties.
Rock N Roll Circus (Sunday)
Rock N Roll Circus present Sheffield’s iconic Gatecrasher for a classic all-dayer and completing a three-day music celebration at Don Valley Bowl this September.
Float Along Festival 2023
Back for their second year, Float Along festival makes a welcome return to Sheffield on Saturday 23 September, with an encompassing mix of post-punk and psychedelic rock, as well as the best in indie and alternative music.
No Bounds Big Weekend 2023
Taking place 14 & 15 October, The Big Weekend will comprise of two massive No Bounds parties, held over multiple rooms at the festival's spiritual home, Hope Works.
