Every year the BBC hosts a nationwide series of events that celebrates the art and power of music. This year, on 26 September, the city of Sheffield will partner with Sheffield University to stage live musical performances across the city from Orchard Square to Castlegate.
These unlikely scenarios will see the talents of Tixxy Bang, LIO, Opera on Location, Steve Edwards, Surf Muscle and the Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra performing up close and personal.
Sheffield University alumni Jon McClure will be bringing Reverend and the Makers along to form a Sheffield super group with Kweku Sackey and the Zongo Brigade and will see out the day at the Big Yellow Bus on Fargate at 6:30pm.
Professor Vanessa Toulmin, director of city and culture at Sheffield University said: “We’re delighted to once again be delivering Sheffield Makes Music in partnership with the city’s talented local musicians and venues. We were spoilt for choice in pulling together the programme as there is such an array of amazing and diverse talent across the city.
“By staging the vast majority of events in walking distance of each other, the city centre will be full of energy and life with a musical backdrop which only Sheffield can deliver. I challenge everyone to come along and perhaps listen to a different musical genre or sound that they haven’t before – you won’t fail to be impressed with how Sheffield Makes Music.”
Sheffield’s Poet Laureate Otis Mensah will host a feast of words and music at his Mash Up House in Orchard Square, as well as compering and performing at various points throughout the day.
He said: “I feel blessed to be a part of Sheffield Makes Music. It’s imperative that we celebrate and champion the artists that sow our music scene together and build up legacies of culture in the city; Sheffield Makes Music is an opportunity to do exactly that. On this stage are some of the most innovative artists of our time whose work embodies poetic vulnerability throughout; artists impacting and inspiring change, uniting people here in Sheffield and far beyond.”
The Leadmill will once again host its Leadmill Acoustic Trail, leading visitors on a merry dance around shops, bars and cafes to celebrate the city’s burgeoning talent.
Sheffield Makes Music takes place on 26 September.
