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Finding itself increasingly in the spotlight Sheffield is becoming the place in the North for students. With two universities, a bunch of great bands and a ridiculous nightlife its worth climbing those hills for. Especially when you've got this lot to look forward to when you reach the top.
Pubs
For starters Sheffield has every pub imaginable, from the trendy to the traditional. The Rutland Arms (Brown Street) was threatened with closure earlier this year but has since been reinvented as the place for a quiet drink. Now run by The Plug nightclub owners you will find the walls littered with local musical appearances and friendly staff behind the bar. Also 5 minutes away from most music venues it's the perfect way to start a night. At the other end of town however is the indie haven of The Frog and Parrot (Division Street). Hell this place is so sceney that it can even be found on the back of the Arctic Monkeys album Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not. Hosting regular band nights you can find everything from Pulp to Cabaret Voltaire gracing its walls. If you're after something more student based however, The Globe (Howard Street) near Hallam University is where you can find most students and The Harley (Glossop Road) near Sheffield University is a great place to start the night.
Clubs
With the legendary Gatecrasher club recently burning to the ground Sheffield has been left with a rather dance shaped hole in its nightlife. But its not the end, Embrace (Burgess Street), the new Kingdom has been unveiled as the ultimate night spot for all chavs while DQ's (Fitzwilliam Street) night Razor Stiletto has become a regular for the latest dance and indie. Over at the Plug (Matilda Street) their Shuffle night every Saturday provides world class DJs with small bands such as Pull Tiger Tail and We Start Fires. Once a month you can also find Reverend Soundsystem run by Reverend and the Makers which includes of indie and live music. The Leadmill (Leadmill Road) also has club nights every night of the week with the usual club anthems.
Then, over at the universities, Hallam (Paternoster Row) keep their club nights firmly in the student union while Sheffield Uni (Glossop Road) has the Tuesday Club for the best drum'n'bass and the best indie student night in the form of Fuzz Club on a Thursday night. Starting the evening with an array of bands which in the past year has included I Was a Cub Scout, Polytechnic, This Et Al and Good Shoes, the night is then followed by underground indie tunes you wouldn't expect to hear at a nightclub. Also with their regular BBQs and their annual Fuzztival, this year headlined by Los Campesinos! It's a great experience for non- students too.
Venues
From the pubs to the clubs to even the libraries anywhere in Sheffield can be found hosting live music, the best place to start however is the Leadmill (Leadmill Road ). Booking the hottest touring bands of the moment the club has hosted some legendary gigs in its time and is still regarded as the place to play in Sheffield . Arctic Monkeys decided to premiere their new material at the venue with a secret gig only announced two hours before coming onstage and with its new Steel Stage you can find smaller acts before they hit the big time such as Kate Nash, The Maccabees and Patrick Wolf. The Plug (Matilda Street) is still the new kid on the block despite opening two years ago and explores all genres. With three rooms at a weekend you can find great DJs such as Erol Alkan with a mix of live music. They have great offers, great staff and secure one off shows outside tours such as Dizzee Rascal and Jarvis. They also have a smaller room for acts playing with weekly club nights. The Corporation (Milton Street) represents the heavier side of Sheffield branching into metal, though occasionally they book acts like Battles and heavy dance.
On the larger side of the scale Richard Hawley's favourite the City Hall (Barkers Pool) hosts larger mainstream acts while the Hallam Fm Arena (Broughton Lane) attracts acts like the White Stripes and the Killers. The Octagon (Glossop Road) at Sheffield Uni also the larger bands too big for the Leadmill.
Meadowhall or Meadowhell as its known is the largest shopping centre in the area and the place to shop. However it is always busy and unless you go at some unseen hour, chances are you're going to find yourself shouting at small children by the end of the day. Embrace (Burgess Street) nightclub has just reopened yet still resembles a smelly room straight from the nineties. Chances are on a night out all the drunk weirdoes will be drawn there like a moth to a flame.
Division Street is a must for most students, containing Freshmans the second hand student shop you can buy jeans for a tenner and find some real fashion gems. Also on the same street are designer shops such as Ark and Sa-Kis and in the Forum you can find anything from small boutiques to skater shops.
As far as music shops go on Division Street there is Rare'n'Racy which specialises in second hand books, vinyl and CDs and Jacks Records which focuses on new and local records. Record Collector (Fulwood Road) however is any music fans dream with two shops next door to one another stocking CDs and vinyl. Its here you can find the best records in the area.
Arctic Monkeys, Milburn, Little Man Tate and Reverend and the Makers are all bands you think of when mentioning Sheffield, however there is much more than meets the eye. The Yell have been covering the more electronic Fall side of things along with Lets Bitter Cinema. Late of the Pier have recently caused a fuss brandishing themselves the new electro pioneers while Kid Acne's hip hop can be found in every pub. The duo Slow Club are creating a fresh new rhythm along with Monkey Swallows the Universe and Neil McSweeney. Also how can you forget the legend Richard Hawley?
Rapper Kid Acne also paints graffiti which can be found on various buildings in Sheffield, but don't worry its all legal!
Michael Palin was born in Sheffield and was granted a star outside the Town Hall.
The Showroom Cinema has been subjected to many musical moments. Arctic Monkeys video 'Leave Before the Lights Come On' was shot on top of the building (you can also spot some Kid Acne graffiti) while Milburn have a song about the art house cinema on their debut album.
The boxer Prince Naseem was famously jailed at Sheffield Crown Court in 2006 for colliding with another car which lead to the driver breaking every bone in his body.
The writers behind Sheffield fanzine Go Sheffo! Are currently campaigning to save the Cooling Towers seen from Meadowhall as Powergen are threatening to demolish them. The two writers Tom and Tom have Sheffield divided with many thinking the towers represent the city, while others believe they are an eyesore. The two also design the look for Fuzz Club every year.
Jarvis Cocker worked on a fish stall at Castle Market before Pulp hit the big time.
