Live Picks (Mar '19): Hosted by Sam Gregory
I was tipped off about Singles Night at Pitsmoor's Bay Horse Inn by Martin Currie's column in these very pages last month. Only a few weeks later, I found myself there at the conclusion of one of Mick Nott's Sheffield Drifts, an irregular series of themed Friday night walks for urban flâneurs. Starting at Platform 7, we crossed seven bridges and traversed the Don seven times, arriving at the Bay Horse after passing seven other pubs. You may have guessed the theme by now.
At Singles Night, seven DJs each play seven 7-inch records to a packed dancefloor, spinning any music you can move to. This monthly night is part of a community effort to transform Pitsmoor, not through government largesse but by residents coming together to host events, groups and parties that make use of local businesses. Currie says that the pub has never been busier.
Tue 5 March | Washington | Free
Oldham's experimental duo Grok Enrol are joined by local riff-heavy rock group Naked Mess in this free Washy bash. There'll also be DJ sets from Jamie Headcharge and Zowie of indie record shop Bouquet Of Steel.
The Day After International Women's Day
Sat 9 March | Hatch | £5
To mark IWD, Hatch (formerly Audacious Art Experiment) present four female-led bands to raise money for Ashiana Sheffield. There's the noise-pop of Manchester's ILL, danceable Leeds group Crumbs, the sun-drenched pop of Precious Metals and DIY fun in the form of Duck.
Mayshe Mayshe / James Ewan Tait
Tue 12 March | Bishops House | £5.50
Mayshe Mayshe creates miniature musical worlds through the simple alchemy of a loop pedal, a keyboard and her spellbinding harmonies, plus the occasional special effect courtesy of a hairdryer. She's joined by local songwriter Tait, who uses layers of effects to draw out the nuances in his intensely personal songs. It's BYOB.
Jessica Radcliffe's Remembrance Project
Wed 13 March | Lescar | £8
Composer Jessica Radcliffe uses contemporary documents, letters, poetry and reports to construct a compelling and moving musical response to the bloody senselessness of the First World War. She's joined by trumpeter Tom Dennis, pianist Sam James, bassist Joe Downard and Will Glaser on drums.
Thu 14 March | Plug | £21.84
The Nottingham duo of Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn chart the inhumanity of austerity through caustically witty songs and pen portraits of modern Britons. They've got a new album out, Eton Mess, and are joined by post-punk Manchester band LIINES, fronted by Zoe McVeigh.
Objekt / Skee Mask / Josey Rebelle / rRoxymore
Fri 15 March | Hope Works | £19.60
Both based in Berlin, Objekt and Skee Mask break out of the quantized grid to take techno into new territory. Similarly forward-thinking are Rebelle and rRoxymore, two selectors geared towards party jams and oddball house. Tasha, 96 Back and Rian Treanor support.
David Thomas Broughton + Neil McSweeney
Sat 23 March | Merlin Theatre | £13.32 / £11.10 concs
Now Then is proud to present two of the most singular singer-songwriters currently on the scene in the special surroundings of Nether Edge's Merlin Theatre. Both take standard song forms and twist them into something unmistakably other. Unmissable.
Sat 23 March | Leadmill | £19.25
Lost In Space is the new album from this dub and ska outfit from Leeds, who "continue their mission to discover the ultimate bassline". They're known for their reggae-influenced grooves and ten-storey walls of sound, as well as live shows that are guaranteed to go off.
Sat 23 March | Secret location | £13.50
New crew Control continue their run of blistering form, booking another electro superstar in Berlin DJ Privacy for one more BYOB party. The capacity's capped at an intimate 100 ravers, who'll also be getting down to NTS host Black Eyes and the Control residents.
Gilbert & Sullivan's The Sorcerer
26-30 March | Grenoside Community Centre | £9 (£5 children)
Incredibly, the Grenoside & Birley Carr Players have been performing shows for over 70 years. At the end of March they present The Sorcerer, one of the lesser-known operettas in the G&S canon. It concerns a love potion that is accidentally given to an entire village to socially devastating effect.
Fri 29 March | DINA | £8
This submersed seven-piece are making a name for themselves as Sheffield party-starters par excellence, with a magpie's eye for the best bits of disco, pop and funk. Support comes from singer-songwriter Alfie Neale, as well as the synth-driven dance-punk of Stranger Chorus.
Sat 30 March | Yellow Arch | £13.20
Soundsystem crew Zion Train make their Yellow Arch debut after nearly 3,000 gigs worldwide. They're joined by our own K.O.G & The Zongo Brigade, who are launching their debut album, Wahala Wahala, as well as veteran reggae MC Brother Culture and soul-fusion group Necktr.
