From London via Addis Ababa, Krar Collective have been called "the White Stripes of Ethiopia" due to their stripped back take on contemporary African roots music. They play hypnotic, groove-laden jams centred around the Ethiopian krar harp.
Music picks
Make some dates with excellent bands and artists, with a hand from our Tom's picks of the gigs coming soon in Sheffield – or streaming online from the city to the digital world.
Browse the What's On calendar for even more music events.
The Monochrome Set
Sat. 2 July 2022
The Greystones
Legendary music journalist John Robb called the Monochrome Set "arguably the first truly postmodern pop band." A huge influence the Smiths and Franz Ferdinand, the band are noted for their wry humour and their crisp, well constructed post-punk.
Classics in the Gardens: Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra
Sun. 3 July 2022
Sheffield Botanical Gardens
An evening of classical music in the beautiful surroundings of the Botanical Gardens, with the Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra supported by the Keith Peters’ Big Band. Part of the Music in the Gardens weekend.
Both Sides Now: The Joni Mitchell Songbook
Fri. 8 July 2022
The Greystones
Both Sides Now are back in Sheffield to mark the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic albums ever made: Blue. Join them as they pay homage to Blue alongside other tracks from Joni Mitchell’s illustrious career.
The Chats
Sun. 10 July 2022
The Leadmill
This Australian band rose to fame through the release of their single Smoko, a song about smoking breaks that went huge on Youtube. Their no-nonsense attitude and anthemic singalongs have gained celebrity fans including Alex Turner and Dave Grohl.
Idris Ackamoor and The Pyramids
Thu. 21 July 2022
Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Road, S10 1TD
A seminal afrocentric spiritual jazz group led by alto and tenor saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, actor and tap dancer Idris Ackamoor. Formed 50 years ago and resurrected in 2007.
O Adversity, I Will Overcome Thee
Fri. 12 August 2022
Hatch
A varied night of bands all united by their love of very, very loud noise. Expect everything from heavy, doom-laden sounds to psych-infused post-rock to math-rock. Earplugs advised. Raising funds for CRIBS International, supporting pregnant refugees.
Mdou Moctar
Wed. 17 August 2022
The Foundry, Sheffield Students' Union, Western Bank, S10 2TG
A fusion of psychedelia, desert rock and folk from an artist who's been called "the Hendrix of the Sahara." Singing primarily in Tamasheq, he covers topics such as imperialism, women’s rights, the natural world, and oppression of people from Niger.
Villagers
Mon. 22 August 2022
Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Road, S10 1TD
Irish singer-songwriter Conor J. O’Brien and his band specialise in soul-enriching, life-affirming music that straddles folk, chamber pop and indie rock. NME described their latest album as “woozy, psychedelic soul that conjures another world.”
No Bounds
Fri. 14 October 2022 — Sun. 16 October 2022
A weekend of bleeps, beats and sweaty grins. Bringing together music, visual art, and technology. Earlybird weekend passes on sale now.