Finally, one of Sheffield's leading music venues has revealed its reopening plans, almost three years after closing due to safety concerns.
Extensive work has been ongoing at the O2 Academy Sheffield, and after a brief teaser yesterday, they've now announced that their return is imminent.
Today, the Academy Music Group has announced the venue will reopen for live music and amazing nightlife events early next year.
There's been substantial investment into remedial works since the venue was temporarily closed in September 2023, including the installation of a new roof, air-conditioning and extensive works to service areas in both the main room and O2 Academy2.
When the doors reopen, our ears will be blessed with a new L-Acoustics K3 loudspeaker system, one of the world's most recognisable sound systems.
The O2 Academy Sheffield has an incredible history since its launch as Top Rank Suite in 1968, that includes hosting iconic gigs from The Police, The Clash, Joy Division and David Bowie, before rebranding to dance institution the Roxy Disco, which dominated the club scene and became the region’s biggest nightspot in the eighties and nineties.
The venue was acquired by AMG and reopened in 2008 following an extensive refurbishment and an opening week that highlighted the great and the good of South Yorkshire.
Reverend & The Makers and The Human League were among the first acts to take to the stage, with other notable shows including Elbow, The Prodigy, Kasabian, Self Esteem, The Streets, Bring Me The Horizon, The Killers, Wolf Alice, Stormzy, Milburn and The Black Keys.
Liam Boylan, CEO, Academy Music Group, said: "AMG is the backbone of the UK touring circuit, and O2 Academy Sheffield is an important venue in the region and one that promoters and artists will have missed being able to include on their routing whilst it has been closed.
"Our venue estate has not been complete without this landmark building and it’s wonderful to be able to announce its return to the group."
John Hughes, Managing Director of Adlib, said: "We're delighted to be working with the AMG team on this landmark venue in Sheffield. Having welcomed legendary artists to the stage, it has a brilliant musical heritage that we’re helping to carry forward.
"By integrating new audio and lighting systems in collaboration with our partners L-Acoustics and DiGiCo, we're ensuring the venue is ready for the demands of today's productions, while giving artists, engineers and audiences a great experience."
Justin Smith, Divisional Manager, Academy Music Group, said: “Having worked at the venue since opening night almost two decades ago, the wider team and I can’t wait to get artists back on our stage and welcome loyal customers through the doors again.
“We have invested in some fantastic improvements including updating the audio capabilities at the venue. We want artists who return to play here to have access to the best technical equipment and ensure our audience is given the very best live experience. Our programme, as ever, is varied and the new L-Acoustics system really delivers across different genres and event types”.
O2 Academy Sheffield will reopen in February 2027.
A Pulp pop-up pub is heading to Sheffield later this month, following unbelievable success over in Manchester.
The Sheffield icons will be taking charge of beloved local boozer and grassroots gig venue The Hallamshire Hotel.
The news was announced this afternoon by Rough Trade Records, along with Pulp themselves.
While they're keeping the exact details under wraps for now, we've got a pretty good idea of what we might be able to expect, based on their pop-up pub in Manchester in August.
There, there was a jukebox programmed by Jarvis Cocker himself, along with merch literally plastered on every wall and even the ceilings.
The previous Pulp pop-up pub had loads of merch for sale, from tees and totes to records and stickers.
The walls were turned into a shrine for the band, showcasing posters and photography from throughout their illustrious career.
And the crowds came through in a big way, queueing halfway down the street for a chance to be totally immersed in all things Pulp.
So much so, The Rat & Pigeon (who hosted the Manchester edition) have warned on social media: "Note to @hallamshire_hotel - you WILL be 10x busier than you expect - even if it’s pissing it down. Enjoy!"
For their Sheffield pop-up, all we know for sure is the location (The Hallamshire Hotel) and the date (30 October).
Crookes in Sheffield has been named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK
Clementine Hall
A Sheffield neighbourhood has been crowned one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK by Time Out Magazine.
Every year we wait with bated breath to see which UK neighbourhoods make the cut of Time Out's annual list of the world's coolest neighbourhoods.
But, the UK is just so damn cool that they've made us a list of our own.
In their recent guide of '11 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the UK', they set out to decipher the very best places to live in the country that are flourishing with new openings, community spirit and simply oozing 'coolness'.
Images: The Sheff
And a Sheffield neighbourhood made it onto the list - obviously.
Crookes is infact the only Yorkshire neighbourhood to get a shoutout, and to be honest we're hardly surprised.
We love it for its fantastic foodie offering, bustling independent scene and great people - but let's see what Time Out had to say.
Daniel Wray, contributing writer for Time Out said: "Once considered purely a place for students, Crookes has undergone a shift in its development and demographic in recent years, quietly and subtly morphing into a wonderfully self-contained neighbourhood that is now a go-to food and drink hotspot.
"Much like Sheffield, this little suburb is not flashy or fussy – it’s an under-the-radar residential area – but it packs a lot of punch for its size."
Images: The Sheff
He then goes on to describe his perfect day out in Sheffield, highlighting spots like Crumb, Pom, Tanaya Wines and Crookes Social Club.
He finishes by suggesting: "Crookes is excellent year-round, but perhaps try a June visit during Sheffield Wine Week when Bole Hills is home to a buzzy outdoor wine festival."
Daniel, we really couldn't agree more.
You can read the full list of the UK's coolest neighbourhoods here.
Daisy Jackson -
8th September 2026 
