When it comes to fostering a buoyant music scene, there are three key ingredients that often spell success: good small venues, a smattering of medium-to-large-sized venues and independent record shops.
In Sheffield, we’re blessed to have all three of the above dotted around the city centre, and in the case of record-store-cum-gig-spot Record Junkee and its considerably larger sibling Network, this holy trinity is united under one proudly independent banner spread across the space of a few hundred yards.
A vinyl hunter browses the wares on offer at Record Junkee.
Record Junkee’s Martin Leverton has been selling records in Sheffield since 1994 through various guises, previously owning iconic stores such as Reflex Records and running prolific dance music white label Reflective Records. He founded Record Junkee in 2009, originally based on Cambridge Street, before moving to its current home on Earl Street just over seven years ago. A record store by day and thriving 150-cap live venue by night, it has grown to become one of the city’s most integral grassroots venues, playing host to the likes of Idles, Blinders and Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes in the process.
Record Junkee has established itself as a popular live gig space by night, while punters browse an eclectic vinyl selection by day. Photo: Reece Pinches
“You need smaller venues like Record Junkee as it gives bands, promoters and DJs a space to hone their craft,” says Martin. “In every city, you need a few venues of that size to help alternative music scenes to grow. There are bands who’ve passed through here who are now doing stadiums; they cut their teeth at these types of venues before moving onto the next stage.”
It was partly seeing the development of bands passing through Record Junkee’s doors that inspired Martin to open a second venue in Sheffield, a larger space where these rising artists could play upon their return without having to lose them to corporate chain venues.
Some big names have played Record Junkee over the years.
Boasting a significantly larger capacity, Network (formerly Plug) has already hosted some of the hottest indie and punk talent on the live circuit, with the likes of Inhaler and Pigsx7 taking to the stage last year. But, as well as bringing the big names to its 1,000-cap main room, their small, dedicated team has been working hard to provide a genuinely diverse events programme across their three rooms: LGBTQ+ nights, drag shows, reggae festivals, doom music events, wrestling smackdowns, late-night bassline raves, live sporting fixtures – all just a small flavour of what’s been brought to the table in little over a year since reopening.
Since taking over the old Plug venue, Network has hosted a wide range of events across its three rooms. Photo: Reece Pinches
The large outdoor space – previously a car park – has also been revitalised, hosting all-day BBQs, street food vendors, acoustic gigs and DJ sets. They’ll all be returning from April onwards and through the summer, along with some upcoming new additions such as standup comedy nights and the usual plethora of live events. While over at Record Junkee it’s business as usual: gigs, in-store signings and selling a wide range of alternative music.
Reflecting on the impact both venues are making, Martin admits he’s proud of the progress, even though it’s a typically Sheffield trait to not shout too loud about what you’re up to.
“We don’t really bang the drum about ourselves much, but I think that needs to change. There can be lot of negativity and doom and gloom, especially when you take a look at some online forums, but shops and venues like ours – and there are plenty of others doing equally interesting things – are a reason to come and visit the city centre.”
“We don’t really bang the drum about ourselves much, but I think that needs to change.” Photo: Reece Pinches
“These places are run by local people, for local people. We’re passionate about promoting and selling local music. The independent factor is at the heart of everything we do; you need independent shops to support independent labels, and you need DIY venues to showcase DIY music. So, if you’re a DJ, promoter or a band, we can accommodate you from your first gig in front of 50 people to over 1,000 once you’re established. You can go through the rooms – 100-cap, 500-cap and 1,000-cap as you progress – and hopefully we can help sell your record in the store as well. That’s what we’re all about.”
