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Sheffield has long boasted a strong musical heritage – from The Human League, Cabaret Voltaire and Def Leppard in the 1970s right through to Arctic Monkeys and Slow Club in recent decades – and that’s without even acknowledging the contribution of Messrs Cocker and Hawley. The city’s music venues – from student clubs to community pubs, and even the odd classical venue – continue to play their part in this success.
Here are our picks
Plug Sheffield, 14-16 Matilda Street, Sheffield, S1 4QD - Visit now
An award-winning 1200-capacity, three-room venue in the heart of Sheffield city centre, Plug hosts a wide-ranging programme of live music – from up-and-coming acts like The Hunna and Spring King to established names such as The Bluetones and The Wildhearts.
The Greystones, Greystones Road, Sheffield, S11 7BS - Visit now
The flagship outlet of Thornbridge Brewery, The Greystones is a spacious, traditional, half-timbered community pub. Its Backroom, however is an intimate room for live music, meanwhile, which punches above its weight (and size) to welcome names such as Duanne Eddy, Chastity Brown and Richard Hawley (himself a local) over the years.
The Leadmill, 6 Leadmill Road, Sheffield, S1 4SE - Visit now
Situated in a former flour mill to the south east of the city centre, The Leadmill has been a music venue since opening (originally as a community centre) in 1980. As well as comedy, film and club nights, it offers a diverse mix of acts – with the likes of Peace, Miles Kane, Wilko Johnson, Brian Jonestown Massacre and GoGo Penguin featuring during any given month.
The Harley, 334 Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HW - Visit now
Based almost on the University of Sheffield campus, the Harley is a bar, restaurant, live venue, club, hotel and tea room all under one roof. As well as regular club nights aimed largely at its student patrons, the Harley’s relatively small, 220-capacity music room has been hosting live bands since 2003 – including the likes of King Krule, Jungle, Django Django, Slaves and Mykki Blanco.
The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA - Visit now
Part of the wider Sheffield Theatres complex, the Crucible’s 400-seater Studio hosts regular musical performances – often towards the classical end of the spectrum. Each May, its 25-concert-strong Sheffield Chamber Music Festival offers intimate performances by ensembles and soloists, including the resident Ensemble 360, to enjoy in-the-round.