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22 January 2025

Exposed Magazine

As Hallamshire Hotel celebrates its first anniversary, the West Street venue has announced a special run of shows for Independent Venue Week 2025, which includes the likes of Mercury Prize nominee C Duncan, several highly rated UK touring artists and some of the finest bands from the Steel City’s burgeoning music scene.

The two-floored bar and gig spot, affectionately known as the Hally, reopened in February 2024, returning to its roots as a live music haven established decades earlier. Its resurrection was met with enthusiasm from the Sheffield community, and the past year has been a whirlwind of live events, creativity and camaraderie. Jack Hardwick, Events & Technical Manager, reflected on this transformative year:

“We wanted to create a space that felt different, where people could walk in and immediately feel like they were part of something special. The response to our opening night was amazing, and it’s been great seeing the venue go from strength to strength since then. It’s a great feeling when people say they’ve never seen a bar like this before.”

“We wanted to create a space that felt different.” Photo: 93ft

From striking interior design to a thoughtfully curated cocktail menu, the venue offers more than just live music. “Sheffield has always had a strong musical identity,” Jack continues. “But what makes this place unique is the blend of history and innovation. Upstairs, we’ve got this amazing new stage that takes the venue back to its roots, and downstairs there’s this surreal, retro vibe and a dancefloor that you won’t see anywhere else.”

The Hallamshire Hotel’s story is one intertwined with Sheffield’s musical heritage. In its heyday during the 80s, it played host to legendary homegrown acts like Pulp, Clock DVA and Richard Hawley’s former band Treebound Story. Its recent revival plans to continue honouring that legacy while bringing a fresh, modern twist to the experience.

The Kubrick-esque dancefloor has gone down a treat with late-night revellers. Photo: Lindsay Melbourne

“When we reopened, there was definitely this sense of pressure to live up to the history of the place,” Jack admits. “But we’ve found our groove. It’s not about replicating the past but building on it. The reaction from the community has been incredible – it’s clear how much this venue means to people. It’s about creating a place where people feel at home, whether they’re here to see a band, dance with friends or just have a drink. That sense of belonging is something you can’t replicate in bigger, corporate spaces.”

As Independent Venue Week (27 January – 2 February 2025) approaches, the Hallamshire Hotel is set to host a series of special gigs to highlight the value of grassroots spaces. ““Independent venues are the lifeblood of the music industry,” says Jack. “They’re where artists cut their teeth, where fans discover new music, and where connections are made. Without them, we lose so much of what makes the industry vibrant and exciting.”

Their upstairs 100-cap gig space has hosted gigs from the likes of Norwegian punk outfit Sløtface to melodic rockers The Amazons. Photo: Lindsay Melbourne

To highlight this message, the venue is pulling out all the stops for IVW, hosting a week of gigs that celebrate the diversity and energy of independent music.

Kicking off on Tuesday 28th January with Sheffield’s Django Jones & The Mystery Men, Feral, and Bad Luck Crowd delivering an electrifying night of raw energy and big riffs. Highlights continue with Wednesday’s return of shoegaze favourites Cleaver Blue alongside Recovery Park, and Thursday’s heartfelt and gritty performances by Glasgow’s Humour, Kent’s TARMAC, and Sheffield’s Sundress.

On Friday, Life Aquatic Band will ignite the dance floor with synth-heavy grooves inspired by LCD Soundsystem, supported by Blue Bayou, and VOHRA. The week concludes on Saturday with Mercury Prize-nominated C Duncan, who will be bringing his lush indie pop compositions to the stage, supported by Alwyn Jones.

“Independent venues are the lifeblood of the music industry.” Photo: Tom Sunderlannd

For the Hally team, the importance of preserving Sheffield’s historic venues informs everything they do – from eclectic programming for the upstairs shows to upcoming acoustic slots offering a space downstairs for local artists to test out material. “We’re standing on the shoulders of giants here,” says Jack. “This place has such a rich history, and we’re committed to making sure it continues to thrive.”

As the venue heads into its second year, Jack signed off by sharing his hopes for the building’s future: “We want to keep growing, keep bringing incredible talent to the stage, and keep building our community. Independent Venue Week is a celebration, but it’s also a reminder of why spaces like this matter so much.”

@hallamshire_hotel

IVW 2025 @ HALLAMSHIRE HOTEL
Tuesday 28th January: Django Jones & The Mystery Men + Feral + Bad Luck Crowd
Wednesday 29th January: Cleaver Blue + Recovery Park
Thursday 30th January: Futuresound Presents… Humour + TARMAC + Sundress
Friday 31st January: Life Aquatic Band + Blue Bayou + VOHRA
Saturday 1st February: C Duncan + Alwyn Jones