Music

“The longer we play the more connected we become.” – Penumbra on their Steel City summer | Exposed Magazine

It’s been a jam-packed season for Chesterfield-born five-piece Penumbra, who’ve spent the summer making their mark on some of Sheffield’s most iconic venues. Though they hail from just south of the Yorkshire border, they’ve long called Sheffield their spiritual home, earning a loyal following while playing headline sets and supporting some local favourites. Following a standout final show at one of their most beloved spots, The Washington, Exposed’s Ruby Deakin sat down with frontman Patrick Mil...

“It’s like the dream tour for this stage." Studio Electrophonique ahead of a debut album and shows with The Divine Comedy | Exposed Magazine

Named after a modest but influential DIY recording studio that helped launch some of Sheffield’s biggest musical talents, James Leesley’s solo project Studio Electrophonique is a piece of pure Steel City goodness. He brings together the charming history of this hidden powerhouse with his own original material, carrying on its legacy with his songwriting techniques that feel straight out of the 80s.


James’s self-titled debut album will hit the shelves on 26 September, featuring a booklet with...

"The pressure is good" - we chat to Whitehorse and ex-Blinders frontman Thomas Haywood | Exposed Magazine

Sheffield’s got some big new players on the music scene. Ex-The Blinders frontman Thomas Haywood returned to his home county from Manchester a little over a year ago and rounded up a stellar group of lads for his next adventure. Tom, along with Bobby Glaister, John McCullagh, Nathan Keeble and James Keith, forms Whitehorse – a dynamic new collaboration blending deep bass, mellow guitars and punchy lyrics.


Their new track ‘Red Riptide’ is released on 2 September, with the band next performing...

Tramlines 2025: The view from S6 | Exposed Magazine

Seventeen years in, Tramlines shows absolutely no signs of slowing down – Ruby Deakin takes us through the iconic homecomings, nostalgic singalongs and a powerful sense of local love at Hillsborough Park.


Tramlines once again stormed Hillsborough Park for a phenomenal weekend of live music. While early forecasts threatened dreaded drizzle and dark clouds, unexpected blue skies made for a sun-soaked spectacle of electric performances, northern pride and a powerful sense of togetherness across...

Sheffield youth orchestra to play Tramlines main stage | Exposed Magazine

Young musicians from Sheffield Music Hub’s Senior Orchestra prepare to play Sarah Nulty’s Main Stage at Tramlines on Saturday 27th July.
The Leadmill Studio Orchestra project combines emerging local artists with the youth orchestra’s array of talent, offering young people an unforgettable opportunity to pursue their passion for music on a huge stage.
The project first launched in late 2021, culminating in two breathtaking performances at The Leadmill and Crucible Theatre in Spring 2022. Now with...

5 mins with...Rumbi Tauro | Exposed Magazine

We caught up with the rising R&B/soul artist to hear about a brand-new live album recorded at Band on the Wall in Manchester.
Hi Rumbi, great to catch up! How are things with you?
It’s always a pleasure, thank you for having time to chat with me! I’m doing well, really enjoying the days where there’s rest involved.
Let’s talk about ‘Live in Manchester.’ Was a live EP something you’d always wanted to create?
Absolutely. I just didn’t anticipate I’d be ticking this off so soon! I had a headline s...

Arts & Culture

"It's a real roller coaster." Hit Joy Division play New Dawn Fades heads to The Foundry | Exposed Magazine

The legendary post-punk band’s iconic story is set to return to Sheffield on 20 October as part of a nationwide tour, featuring a revamped script and stellar new cast.


When writer Brian Gorman moved from Chester to Salford almost 20 years ago, his imagination was instantly sparked by the rich history and cultural legacy of his new city. He stumbled upon the unforgettable story of a band he barely knew, a story he couldn’t wait to transform into something creative, heartfelt and honest. Origin...

The diary of a filmmaker: Charlie Levers talks making connections, finding your niche and following your passion | Exposed Magazine

Words: Ruby Deakin


The end of school feels like standing at the edge of a cliff – no map, no parachute, and no sense of what’s waiting at the bottom. The uncertainty of the first steps can be paralysing, and it takes serious guts to embrace the unknown on the other side of those looming exams. For now-20-year-old Sheffield filmmaker Charlie Levers, that fear was very real, but passion and determination for putting heartfelt, moving narratives on the big screen soon turned fear into fuel for a...

“This is not just my story.” - Tafadzwa Muchenje on SBC Theatre's bold play 'Ripples' | Exposed Magazine

Inspired by his own lived experiences, Tafadzwa Muchenje lays bare the impact of the UK’s hostile environment in a bold new show with SBC Theatre.


The UK has always been home for Tafadzwa Muchenje. After leaving Zimbabwe at just six months old, he and his family built their lives in this country, immersing themselves in every opportunity that came their way. One day, Tafadzwa returned home from university to find that his right to remain in the UK had been refused while his family were allowe...

UK’s first theatre company of sanctuary celebrates 15 years of creativity, community and empowerment | Exposed Magazine

Founded in 2010, Stand and Be Counted Theatre, the UK’s first theatre company of sanctuary, has transformed countless lives across Sheffield and beyond. At the core of their work is one simple message: art has the power to change the world. 15 years on, and SBC continues to provide a staggering array of creative opportunities, workshops and empowering projects, reflecting the strength of community to overcome barriers to access. To celebrate their anniversary, Exposed’s Ruby Deakin took a front...

Together Festival brings free performances to Sheffield Theatres | Exposed Magazine

Community theatre extravaganza Together Festival is back at the Crucible, showcasing the work of talented Sheffield groups in a two-day celebration of new productions.


The free festival, taking place from Friday 1 – Saturday 2 August, will feature live theatre, dance and music inspired by the theme of ‘wonder.’ The lineup of family-friendly events also includes parades, poetry, workshops and interactive performances, with an outdoor stage turning Tudor Square into an all-day party.


Day 1 p...

Then and Now: Joe Scarborough 60-year retrospective to open next week | Exposed Magazine

Featuring original oil and watercolour paintings spanning over 60 years of experience, the new exhibition “Then and Now” celebrates a lifetime of work by beloved Sheffield artist Joe Scarborough.


From 28th July to 19th September, the Showroom Cinema Workstation will be home to Joe’s final collection of new and old pieces, showcasing his bright and vibrant life embodied in paint.


Joe’s iconic characters and colourful Sheffield scenes make his work instantly recognisable, and depict the busy...

'Hidden Depths': Burton Street Foundation announces new mural by Rob Lee | Exposed Magazine

Known for his use of bold colours and optical illusion designs, Rob Lee’s large-scale art is instantly recognisable across the streets of Sheffield. Charity Burton Street Foundation is welcoming his latest piece, ‘Hidden Depths’, to the exterior of their community centre in Hillsborough, which holds a central message close to their hearts.


The foundation’s motto, ‘Everyone has a part to play’, is the subject of Rob’s striking new design. Marketing Coordinator Lexy Webster said: “The idea spea...

Sheffield Showcase returns for 2024 | Exposed Magazine

Sheffield Showcase is back for its fourth year with a jam-packed weekend of culture and arts events taking place across the city. Featuring work by a multitude of artists, musicians, speakers, heritage enthusiasts and filmmakers, visitors are invited to explore the huge array of talent through a range of live shows and exhibits.
The collaborative showcase, taking place from 6th to 8th September, combines a wide variety of independent events hosted at many of Sheffield’s most beloved venues inclu...

No Bounds announces second phase of its 2024 lineup | Exposed Magazine

No Bounds Festival returns for its 7th edition to venues across Sheffield this autumn, held from 11th to 13th October.
Continuing to celebrate the city’s love of art, music, and technology, this year’s theme ‘Agency and Revelation’ sheds light on hidden stories and spaces interwoven in Sheffield’s cultural fabric. The festival highlights connections between communities and opens up new conversations, inspiring audiences to engage with Sheffield’s culture in innovative ways.
Already announced for...

Dead Cat Bounce: 'Experimental Opera' heads to No Bounds | Exposed Magazine

Arts organisation Arts Catalyst in collaboration with No Bounds festival is set to host new experimental opera ‘Dead Cat Bounce’ for an immersive performance experience like no other.


The creative piece is the collective work of artist and writer Gary Zhexi Zhang and experimental music collective Waste Paper Opera, taking place at Soft Ground on 12th October. It will feature a choir of local singers forming a chorus alongside the cast of performers and musicians.


Exploring interweaving rea...

News

Coventry City Council to reassess £500k annual deal with Palantir after protests over ties to Israeli military

Following a demonstration urging Coventry City Council to end its partnership with technology firm Palantir on Tuesday 2 September, cabinet members have announced that they will review the contract over the next four weeks.
As reported by The Guardian, the contract expands on a one-year pilot scheme which uses AI to summarise social workers’ records and transcribe case notes. The agreement would see the increased use of Palantir’s AI technology in services supporting children with special educat...

Warwick among universities that attended anti-protest coaching webinar hosted by law firm

Staff from the University of Warwick attended a webinar which coached universities on how to secure sweeping protest bans on their campuses, an investigation by Liberty Investigates and The Guardian has revealed.
Documents obtained as part of the investigation show that Warwick staff attended the webinar, which took place last October, alongside representatives from other UK universities.
The webinar was hosted by the law firm Shakespeare Martineau LLP, which has helped Cardiff University acqui...

LGBTQUIA+ societies call for boycott of University's Pride Month over trans policy chaos

LGBTQUIA+ societies at Warwick, alongside Students’ Union (SU) representatives, have called for a boycott of Warwick’s Pride Month events, after condemning the University’s handling of its transgender inclusion policies.  
In a joint statement, Warwick Pride, Warwick Trans* Soc, Warwick Sapphic Soc, The Qulture, and Warwick PLAN all criticised the University for perpetrating “institutional transphobia” which seeks to “eradicate the histories of trans people and the reality of Pride Month.”
The s...

Business & Events

Sheffield makers head to Meersbrook Art Fair this November | Exposed Magazine

On Saturday 1 November, Meersbrook Park Church will welcome local artists and crafters for the ultimate celebration of independent handmade goodness.


Meersbrook Art Fair will feature 16 talented makers and small businesses from the Meersbrook area and beyond, showcasing an enormous range of artistic mediums and craft styles. From paintings and photography to ceramics and metalwork, there’s something for everyone!

One such business is Quirky Metals by Jim and Laura Stringer, who have had the...

Brand-new ‘Light Up Sheffield’ set to dazzle across the city this Christmas | Exposed Magazine

For ten festive nights, Sheffield will be brought to life with stunning new light projections across some of its most iconic landmarks. Light Up Sheffield, taking place from 5-14 December, will see beloved Sheffield artists displaying their work on a huge scale, taking inspiration from the city’s heritage and culture.


Created in collaboration with Sheffield Business Improvement District, The Art House, Sheffield Cathedral and Sheffield City Council, the illuminations are the perfect family-fr...

Sheffield creatives join UK’s Small Biz 100 - unLTD Business

Siblings Martha and Hepsie have spent 15 years building a bold, joyful and uplifting creative brand rooted in community, creativity and a love of the natural world. Now, they’re being recognised as part of the 2025 Small Biz 100 list – a nationwide campaign celebrating the incredible contribution of independent businesses across the UK.For the duo, it’s a meaningful nod to the highs and lows of running a small business while navigating life’s twists and turns. They joined unLTD’s Ruby Deakin to...

True North announces opening date for new Abbeydale Picture House basement venue | Exposed Magazine

The newly dubbed Abbeydale Ballroom will open on Thursday 2 October.


Since closing its doors in March, the basement venue of beloved Sheffield landmark Abbeydale Picture House is beginning to show signs of life. The newly dubbed Abbeydale Ballroom, revived by independent Sheffield hospitality group True North Brew Co., will be a thriving social hub for the community.


The Picture House renovation plans are certainly bold, and with just a short timeframe to complete the project, it’s all han...

Art in the Gardens returns to Sheffield's Botanical Gardens | Exposed Magazine

The North’s largest outdoor art market is back at the Botanical Gardens on 6–7 September, hosting a huge range of artists and makers from across Sheffield and beyond. Featuring fine art, jewellery, sculpture, glasswork and more, the picturesque backdrop of the gardens provides the perfect setting for this much-loved celebration of artistic talent.


As well as welcoming back regular vendors, this year’s market features a wide variety of brand-new exhibitors, from photographers and painters to s...

Sheffield City Council's 10-year growth plan and what it means for our region - unLTD Business

By Ruby DeakinWith the launch of Sheffield City Council’s brand-new 10-year growth plan, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) welcomed the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to celebrate economic growth and groundbreaking local innovation in Sheffield and the surrounding region. unLTD’s Ruby Deakin digs a little deeper into what this could mean for the region.Sheffield’s Growth Plan 2025–2035, rooted in the Council mission “Together we get things done”, aims to build on established...

Sheffield Vegan Festival announces 2025 return | Exposed Magazine

Sheffield Vegan Festival is set to return on 12 October for a one-stop celebration of delicious food, inspirational talks and sustainably-minded shopping.


Taking place at Sheffield College’s City Campus on Granville Road, the event will feature over 60 stalls offering plant-based food from across the globe, as well as vegan beauty brands, eco-conscious fashion and ethically-sourced artisan goodies.


Whether you’re an experienced plant-eater, a newly-turned vegan, or just looking to introduc...

New Sheffield wine bar with ‘loft party’-style entry and 'hidden door' opens in city centre | Exposed Magazine

From the minds behind the Old Shoe comes a quirky new wine hangout with an intriguing name. Playfully mocking the pretentious wine-bar craze sweeping urban hotspots, ‘Not Open; Don’t Come’ offers something new and refreshing for connoisseurs and novices alike.


The bar, located above the Old Shoe in Orchard Square, leans into all the stereotypes of a pretentious wine bar, with a speakeasy-style “call-to-get-in” policy, a covert entrance, and a hand-picked selection of over two dozen wines serv...

Showroom Cinema announces ambitious new plans alongside 30th anniversary | Exposed Magazine

Opening in 1995 with just two small screens, the Showroom cinema was born from a simple dream to promote the proto film industry in Sheffield. Since then, it has expanded to become one of Europe’s largest independent cinemas, a thriving hub of culture, art and industry, and an institution championing the work of up-and-coming filmmakers and creators.


With the beginning of its fourth decade in 2025 comes an ambitious vision to propel the cinema into its next phase of growth. The new developmen...

World's largest chicken wing festival arrives in Sheffield | Exposed Magazine

The ultimate chicken wing extravaganza is coming to Sheffield for its 10th edition in a three-day wing-eating showdown. Hosted by street food hotspot Peddler Market, Wing Fest will showcase the best chicken wings from the UK’s top vendors, alongside live music and many wing-themed activities.As well as being a celebration of one of the nation’s favourite foods, Wing Fest’s jam-packed entertainment schedule includes axe throwing, eating challenges and an array of live bands and DJs. Over 100,000...

Features & Opinion

Destroying the seeds of hope: How Israel prevents Palestinian freedom by denying food sovereignty

On 31 July, without any warning or legal notice, Israeli forces used bulldozers and heavy machinery to destroy a seed bank in the West Bank city of Hebron. The central control room was demolished, infrastructure was ruined, and many genetic strains of native Palestinian species were lost forever.
Ecocide has long been a central tactic of settler colonialism, and environmental devastation has made Palestinian land almost unrecognisable. As well as destroying olive groves, contaminating soil, and...

Warwick, accessibility, and neurodiversity: creating opportunities for change

There is no singular ‘neurodivergent experience’ at university. Not only do many labels fall under this umbrella term, but all neurodivergent conditions are experienced uniquely by the individual, and our relationship to aspects of university life is far from equivalent. Though ‘neurodivergent’ implies deviation from some abstract notion of ‘normality,’ there is no ‘norm’ within our community either. Despite this, there are similarities between the challenges we often face – the simple fact of h...

Where do our loyalties lie? Just Stop Oil and the value of art

“What matters more, art or life?”
Phoebe Plummer’s question echoed through the National Gallery on October 14 2022.  Now, nearly two years on, the law has stepped in to give its answer: art. Well, more specifically, the framing of art. It was the “corrosive effect” of tomato soup on the frame of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers that resulted in two-year and 20-month jail sentences respectively for Just Stop Oil protestors, Plummer and Holland, painting (or, rather, trashing) a grim picture for the future o...

The extinction of the campaign poster in the digital age: A 2024 General Election special

The Conservative Party’s 1978 poster ‘Labour Isn’t Working’ is widely considered the blueprint of political party banner campaigning. Awarded Campaign magazine’s ‘poster of the century’ in 1999, the long and short term impact of the piece has cemented it as the benchmark from which most political marketing is now measured. The poster depicts a snaking queue of individuals lined up outside the ‘unemployment office’, with the intent to illustrate the scale of unemployment’s new high of five to six...

Fantasy literature: The capitalist roots of our desire to escape

Fantasy novel sales are on the rise, having doubled since 2010 and are now forecasted to break the £50m mark for the first time ever this year. Aside from social media’s enormous contribution to the genre’s popularity, the take-off of fantasy’s success can be attributed largely to a growing desire for ‘escapism’ – increased political turmoil, conflict, climate catastrophe, and the rapid spread of global news are enough to make anyone retreat into the world of the fantastical and absurd. But are...

Interviews

"It's a real roller coaster." Hit Joy Division play New Dawn Fades heads to The Foundry | Exposed Magazine

The legendary post-punk band’s iconic story is set to return to Sheffield on 20 October as part of a nationwide tour, featuring a revamped script and stellar new cast.


When writer Brian Gorman moved from Chester to Salford almost 20 years ago, his imagination was instantly sparked by the rich history and cultural legacy of his new city. He stumbled upon the unforgettable story of a band he barely knew, a story he couldn’t wait to transform into something creative, heartfelt and honest. Origin...

“The longer we play the more connected we become.” – Penumbra on their Steel City summer | Exposed Magazine

It’s been a jam-packed season for Chesterfield-born five-piece Penumbra, who’ve spent the summer making their mark on some of Sheffield’s most iconic venues. Though they hail from just south of the Yorkshire border, they’ve long called Sheffield their spiritual home, earning a loyal following while playing headline sets and supporting some local favourites. Following a standout final show at one of their most beloved spots, The Washington, Exposed’s Ruby Deakin sat down with frontman Patrick Mil...

Sheffield creatives join UK’s Small Biz 100 - unLTD Business

Siblings Martha and Hepsie have spent 15 years building a bold, joyful and uplifting creative brand rooted in community, creativity and a love of the natural world. Now, they’re being recognised as part of the 2025 Small Biz 100 list – a nationwide campaign celebrating the incredible contribution of independent businesses across the UK.For the duo, it’s a meaningful nod to the highs and lows of running a small business while navigating life’s twists and turns. They joined unLTD’s Ruby Deakin to...

The diary of a filmmaker: Charlie Levers talks making connections, finding your niche and following your passion | Exposed Magazine

Words: Ruby Deakin


The end of school feels like standing at the edge of a cliff – no map, no parachute, and no sense of what’s waiting at the bottom. The uncertainty of the first steps can be paralysing, and it takes serious guts to embrace the unknown on the other side of those looming exams. For now-20-year-old Sheffield filmmaker Charlie Levers, that fear was very real, but passion and determination for putting heartfelt, moving narratives on the big screen soon turned fear into fuel for a...

“This is not just my story.” - Tafadzwa Muchenje on SBC Theatre's bold play 'Ripples' | Exposed Magazine

Inspired by his own lived experiences, Tafadzwa Muchenje lays bare the impact of the UK’s hostile environment in a bold new show with SBC Theatre.


The UK has always been home for Tafadzwa Muchenje. After leaving Zimbabwe at just six months old, he and his family built their lives in this country, immersing themselves in every opportunity that came their way. One day, Tafadzwa returned home from university to find that his right to remain in the UK had been refused while his family were allowe...

“It’s like the dream tour for this stage." Studio Electrophonique ahead of a debut album and shows with The Divine Comedy | Exposed Magazine

Named after a modest but influential DIY recording studio that helped launch some of Sheffield’s biggest musical talents, James Leesley’s solo project Studio Electrophonique is a piece of pure Steel City goodness. He brings together the charming history of this hidden powerhouse with his own original material, carrying on its legacy with his songwriting techniques that feel straight out of the 80s.


James’s self-titled debut album will hit the shelves on 26 September, featuring a booklet with...

"The pressure is good" - we chat to Whitehorse and ex-Blinders frontman Thomas Haywood | Exposed Magazine

Sheffield’s got some big new players on the music scene. Ex-The Blinders frontman Thomas Haywood returned to his home county from Manchester a little over a year ago and rounded up a stellar group of lads for his next adventure. Tom, along with Bobby Glaister, John McCullagh, Nathan Keeble and James Keith, forms Whitehorse – a dynamic new collaboration blending deep bass, mellow guitars and punchy lyrics.


Their new track ‘Red Riptide’ is released on 2 September, with the band next performing...

Chris Bush on A Doll's House: "We wanted something that really blows the dust off" | Exposed Magazine

Exposed’s Ruby Deakin had the opportunity to sit down with acclaimed playwright Chris Bush to discuss her latest creative venture – a fresh adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s iconic 1879 play ‘A Doll’s House’.


What was your initial vision for A Doll’s House?We wanted something that feels really clean, that really blows the dust off. We’re not radically updating or transposing the play to somewhere else. It keeps it in that original setting but tries to get rid of anything that’s stopping you from...

5 mins with...Rumbi Tauro | Exposed Magazine

We caught up with the rising R&B/soul artist to hear about a brand-new live album recorded at Band on the Wall in Manchester.
Hi Rumbi, great to catch up! How are things with you?
It’s always a pleasure, thank you for having time to chat with me! I’m doing well, really enjoying the days where there’s rest involved.
Let’s talk about ‘Live in Manchester.’ Was a live EP something you’d always wanted to create?
Absolutely. I just didn’t anticipate I’d be ticking this off so soon! I had a headline s...

Dig Where You Stand: Shedding Light on the City’s Unheard Stories | Exposed Magazine

Words: Ruby Deakin
With the launch of their Biennial on 20th July, Dig Where You Stand is inviting locals to explore the untold history of the region with a city-wide showcase of artistic talent. Exposed Magazine spoke with Creative Director Désirée Reynolds about the upcoming exhibition.
The ‘archival justice movement’ aims to shed light on the city’s unheard stories through art, dismantling the myths of a purely white history maintained and entrenched for centuries. Dig Where You Stand powerfu...