Yellow Arch has been well-known to musicians from near and far for years; the Victorian factory turned self-proclaimed “house of creative madness” is one of the city’s most popular recording studios and rehearsal spaces. Over its 18 years the likes of Duane Eddy, Sister Sledge and even Skrillex have been through the arch, along with the usual suspects of Richard Hawley, the Arctic Monkeys and Slow Club. In fact Hawley’s old rehearsal room is now one of the three bars in Yellow Arch’s public venue space.
“Now you can rehearse, record and perform something here,” says events and marketing manager Nina Kanauros. “It felt right to have all three under one roof.”
The main hall is the Neepsend complex’s former ‘rave cave’ – Yellow Arch is no newbie when it comes to events – and it’s recently been kitted out with a 10k sound system. Add on a lovely little outdoor courtyard, a new toilet block, lots of real ale on tap (alcohol is served from 5pm) and a Moroccan-themed coffee shop with a piano in the corner and you’ve got a nice, flowing set of rooms that’s somewhere a little bit different for a Sheffield gig.
“It’s completely Andy,” says Nina of the laid back nature of the layout and the Moroccan theme. Andy Cook founded Yellow Arch in 1997 and it’s his personality that Nina says also makes it a bit different. “We’ve welcomed a lot of big names here over the years and lots of different people come through our doors every day, so we have to be something for everyone. But also it’s Andy’s baby.”
There’s always a whole mix of stuff coming up at Yellow Arch – northern soul, blues, jungle, jazz and folk nights, regular open mic sessions. You’ll find the place in Neepsend, not far from the Shalesmoor tram stop and close to neighbouring Kelham Island.
Yellow Arch features in a short film we made with Sheffield Hallam Uni, alongside a bunch of other fine Sheffield music establishments – watch below.
- Words by
- Nat Loftus
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- 20 Sheffield music venue highlights
