The best things on in Sheffield this weekend, 4 to 6 September: Rock N Roll Circus brings a full festival to Don Valley Bowl on Friday, From The Jam play Network on Saturday night, Mall Grab takes over Electric Studios, Martin Kemp does an 80s DJ set at the Steel Yard on Saturday afternoon, and The Howl & The Hum are at Sidney & Matilda. Away from the big names there’s a DIY radio fundraiser at Gut Level, a family-friendly sound system afternoon at Hagglers Corner, a soul and Motown white party at the OEC, comedy for a fiver-and-a-bit at the New Barrack Tavern on Sunday, and the usual early start at Oldcotes car boot. Thirteen picks below, with my reasons; the full weekend listing, on a map, sits underneath. Doors and prices are on each event page, and every one links out to the official tickets.
Friday 4 September
Rock N Roll Circus Festival, Don Valley Bowl, from 11am
A proper festival in the city, and Friday is the day to go if you want it without the Saturday crush. Don Valley Bowl is a good site for this: flat, easy to get to on the tram, and close enough to Attercliffe for a pint after. Wear something you don’t mind getting mud on if the week turns.
Mall Grab, Electric Studios, 10pm
One of the biggest names in house to come through Sheffield this year, in a room small enough to actually feel it. This is the one I’d expect to sell out first. If you’ve only got one late night in you this weekend, make it this.
Kitchen Radio fundraiser, Gut Level, 9pm
Kitchen Radio is Sheffield’s volunteer-run DIY station and these fundraiser parties are how it stays on air. MAEVE, 0PM, RAE, Sam J and Algorhythm on the decks, Gut Level’s usual warmth, and your money goes somewhere that matters. My pick of Friday if the big room isn’t your thing.
Sons of The City + guests, Arundel Emporium, 7pm
Local band, local support (Rocketsmith and Mad Love), a room on Arundel Street that keeps putting on nights like this. The kind of gig where you’ll know half the crowd by the second band.
Saturday 5 September
Martin Kemp: Back to the 80s DJ Set, SYSheffield (Steel Yard), 2pm
Yes, that Martin Kemp, and yes, it’s a daytime one. Neon, nostalgia and every 80s anthem you’ve pretended not to like. Go in a group, leave hoarse, and you’re still home for tea. Featured on the site this week for a reason.
From The Jam, Network, 7pm
The Jam’s songbook, played by people who were there for it. Network on Matilda Street is a big enough room for the singalongs and a small enough one that the front rows will get sweaty. Saturday’s safest bet for anyone who owns a parka.
The Howl & The Hum, Sidney & Matilda, 7.30pm
Sidney & Matilda has become the hardest-working venue in the city and this is a good example of why: a band with a real following, in the Cultural Industries Quarter, on a Saturday. Get there for the support.
Surface Noise, Hagglers Corner, 3.30pm
Hagglers Corner closing out the summer with a double sound system takeover, and the whole family is invited, which is rarer than it should be for a sound system afternoon. Bring the kids, bring a chair, stay until the light goes.
Summer Soul & Motown White Party, The OEC, 7pm
Wear white, dance to Motown, wave goodbye to summer. The OEC does these big themed nights well and the soul crowd in Sheffield is loyal. Not one for the cool kids; very much one for a good night.
The False Flag, The Hallamshire Hotel, 7pm
Sheffield alt-rock at the Hallamshire on West Street, with The OneTwenty, Infrared and The Flitz in support. Four local bands for the price of a round. 18+.
Sunday 6 September
Funhouse Comedy Club, New Barrack Tavern, 7pm, from £7
A Sunday night comedy club in a proper pub for seven quid. Funhouse have been doing this a long time and the line-ups are consistently better than the price suggests. The right way to finish a weekend.
The Burgers + Duck + All Ashore! + Pink Opaque, Sidney & Matilda, 7.30pm
Four acts on a Sunday, back at Sidney & Matilda. This is the sort of bill where you turn up for one name and leave with a new favourite.
Oldcotes Car Boot & Sunday Market, from 5.30am
Not glamorous, always worth it. The good stuff goes before nine, the bacon sandwiches are honest, and it’s the cheapest Sunday out on this list by a distance. Our markets guide has the rest of the city’s regulars.
Everything else on this weekend
Those are my thirteen. The full list for Friday to Sunday, updated daily and on a map, is below and on the weekend page. If you’re putting something on and it’s not here, add it. It’s free.