It’s once more the time where Sheffield throws the house out of the window (i.e. going all out for the win, spare no expense, etc) and assembles some mighty musicians to do their magic for the pleasure of the honourable guest, the audience.

With the cornucopia of bands on display, you could struggle to choose where to start. Fret not! We have been going through the lists, times and received plenty of bribes to bring you this lil’ mix. 20 songs. 20 bands. 5 blocks of 4 bands who go quite well together.

This mix doesn’t include all the bands we want you to check (that list is in another post) but it does include some mighty bands we haven’t included before in our podcasts (except The Payroll Union, but they are frickin’ ace. And they bribed me.)

So, let’s go:

Block # 1 : Electric Sheep Boogaloo

Sheffield has a tradition of great electronic acts and these four bands should be a good indicative of some of the bands we enjoy. Check Oxo Foxo‘s lovely vocals, looping and layering perfectly, swim along I like trains and their introspective tunes, gaze upon the mighty explosion of Tall Ships cinematic math rock and embrace 65daysofstatic, as they will achieve escape velocity with you.

Block #2 : 6 strings and a shot of bourbon

The Payroll Union have a love of all things American History (19th century) and their historically-rich songs are always a treat. Witch Hunt walk through the darkness between gothic folk and pop and we are thankful for this. Canyon Family are that memory of a family road trip you never took but somehow exists in your mind, shot with Lomo LC-A camera. David J. Roch makes the loudest sad songs and that says it all.

Block #3 : The Darkest Shade of Pop.

The halfway mark of this trip starts with Deaf Club and their mauve-tinted rock. Menace Beach grasps that summer song feel many aim to do and swing it with great expertise. Death Rays (of Ardilla) heard Sam Sham and The Pharaohs once and their lives changed, loudly and for the better. Vuvuvultures have the flair of a vampire disco club, like the ones from the film Blade.

Block #4: A Rock Revival

Sky Larkin: an expert arrow shot from a great distance, always hitting on target. Cheatahs, the fuzzy owners of your soul. Alright the Captain: where math rock and psychedelia collide. Slowcoaches: a contradiction of their name in 2:30 minutes or less (or your money back GUARANTEE).

Block #5: It got loud. 

Loosen up with Pjaro‘s diy punk attitude, swim along Smithereens and their final release (“The quarterback is toast!“), gaze at the madness that is Castrovalva and relish the experimental art of Nately’s Whore’s Kid Sister. All good, all the time.

Stage times

Oxo Foxo : 19:00, Friday @ Cathedral (St. George’s Chapel)

I Like Trains : 16:15, Saturday @ Sheffield City Hall Ballroom

65daysofstatic : 19:00, Saturday @ Millenium Gallery

Tall Ships : 18:00, Sunday @ Stage 2 O2 Academy

The Payroll Union : 17:00, Saturday @ The Folk Forest. 18:30, Saturday @ O2 Academy. 19:00 @ Sunday The Bowery.

Witch Hunt : 19:00, Sunday @ The Harley

Canyon Family : 16:00, Saturday @ Cathedral (St. George’s Chapel). 16:00, Sunday @ The Bowery.

David J Roch : 17:00, Saturday @ Cathedral (St. George’s Chapel). 13:30, Sunday @The Bowery

Deaf Club : 18:00, Sunday @ The Bowery

Menace Beach : 13:00, Saturday @ Stage 2 O2 Academy

The Death Rays of Ardilla : 18:00, Sunday @ Queens Social Road

Vuvuvultures : 20:30, Sunday @ Dada Bar

Sky Larkin : 17:00, Saturday @ Stage 2 O2 Academy

Cheatahs : 16:00, Saturday @ Stage 2 O2 Academy

Alright The Captain : 22:30, Friday @ Penelope’s

Slowcoaches : 17:00, Sunday @ Queens Social Road

Pjaro : TBA, Saturday @ The Audacious Art Experiment

Smithereens : 21:00, Saturday @ Penelope’s

Castrovalva : 19:00, Sunday @ O2 Academy

Nately’s Whore’s Kid Sister : 22:00, Sunday @ The Great Gatsby