Exposed’s Mark Perkins has been a devoted Sensoria-goer since the Sheffield festival first fired up its projectors and plugged in its synths almost 20 years ago. With another typically eclectic programme on the horizon this month, he picks through the latest mix of music, film, digital art and immersive experiences to find out what’s worth catching.
As festivals go – and we do have a fair few here in Sheffield – Sensoria isn’t the largest by any means, but its approach always thrills me more than any other. When it comes to unusual and unique events, there’s nothing quite like it. Some remain in my head for months, even years, afterwards. And the great thing is, the most memorable are usually the hardest to predict.
I’ll attempt to give you a flavour of what to expect this year and let you make up your own mind but, as ever, check the festival website and socials (listed at the bottom of this article) for the latest news.
If you’re a fan of Warp Records, the independent label that grew out of Sheffield’s emerging electronic music scene at the end of the 80s, you’ll want to be at Warpvision on the opening night. It’s an audiovisual journey through the Warp archives, projected on the big screen with accompanying audio at the University Drama Studio.
Before that, in a separate show, there’ll be an ambient music experience presented by Slow Wave Sounds, with a soundtrack by Ince B depicting the impact of the Stanlow oil refinery on its surroundings.
Fans of the manga classic Tekkonkinkreet will no doubt want to see the 20th-anniversary 4K restoration of this seminal animated film (featuring a score by Plaid) on 23 October. After that, it’ll be a dash across the city to Hangr Warehouse to catch Plaid playing a live AV show, with support from musical polymath NikNak and her DJ beats.
2026 sees the return of the ever-popular SynthFest, which took a break last year. Where else but Sheffield would you expect to see dazzling displays of the latest synths and electronic music-making kit?
But if you’re like me, you’ll try to get into at least one of the hidden gems tucked away in the Upper Refectory. Here you’ll find lectures and talks to fascinate, educate and entertain throughout the day. Local author Daniel Dylan Wray will be chatting with Chris Watson and Stephen Mallinder about all things Cabaret Voltaire, plus there’s a talk on the history of synthesisers and even a synthesiser open mic session – again, you couldn’t get much more Steel City if you tried.
In the Drama Studio on Saturday night there’s another double bill. Turntablism and Tapes bringsa live mix of vinyl film scores from VHS cinema courtesy of Reel Steel and Zaron, while beforehand the Plantasia Collective will reimagine Mort Garson’s pioneering electronic works.
It all sounds unusual and alternative, and it’s just the sort of fascinating event Sensoria is so good at curating – the kind that so often turns into an unexpected highlight of the festival.
There’s a tempting selection of free stuff too. Air Giants: Hothouse will run for four days in the old John Lewis building, promising large interactive plant sculptures brought to life using Air Giants’ pioneering robotic technology.
There will also be a free installation at the Samuel Worth Chapel called Intertwining, combining some of Sensoria’s calling cards: soundscapes, electronic music, film and photography. Appropriately for its setting, it explores how graves become enveloped by the flora and fauna of a nature reserve. The chapel will be open from 10.30am to 8pm, giving visitors a chance to see the work at twilight.
One event you may well need to book early for also takes place in the old John Lewis building. In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats is an interactive VR experience intended for groups of one to four people. You’ll be transported back to 1989 and tasked with tracking down an illegal warehouse party, caught between the police and a pirate radio broadcast. Sounds intriguing, to say the least, so get in there before the slots get taken up.
The major event in the electronic and digital arts calendar is always ProDay at the Workstation. Top tip: the ever-popular scoring contest, open to anyone wanting to try their hand at scoring a predetermined piece of film, is a session not to be missed.
Local folk musician Jim Ghedi will be there this year too, telling the story of how he came to score recent Hollywood film The Death of Robin Hood.
In a nutshell, you can expect another few days of unforgettable and unusual experiences, packaged and presented to you as only Sensoria can. Go check out the full programme and support one of the city’s most innovative and stimulating homegrown festivals.
When: 22-25 October
Tickets: sensoria.org.uk
Socials: @sensoriafest
