The O2 Academy Sheffield could finally be ready to turn the music back on, almost three years since its closure.
Sheffield’s live music fans may finally have something to sing about, after the O2 Academy appeared to tease its long-awaited return to the city.
The venue has posted a suitably cryptic video featuring a microphone asking the question: "Is this thing on?"
And, after nearly three years of silence, we certainly hope so.
The O2 Academy on Arundel Gate has been closed since September 2023, when concerns over reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), or 'crumbly concrete' in the building’s roof forced the venue to shut as a safety precaution.
Since then, Sheffield gig-goers have been left without one of the city’s biggest dedicated live music venues, with the 2,000-plus capacity space having hosted everyone from rising local acts to major touring artists.
There was a major step forward in February 2025, when Sheffield City Council approved plans to replace the venue’s roof, paving the way for the building to eventually reopen.
And now, things appear to be moving again.
Roof repair work has been progressing at the venue, with construction activity becoming increasingly visible around the building. In April, Time Out reported that much of the work inside was complete and that attention had turned to the exterior roof.
There is still no official reopening date announced, but the latest teaser from the venue is perhaps the clearest hint yet that its return could be getting closer.
The building itself has plenty of Sheffield musical history to live up to. It originally opened in 1968 as the Top Rank Suite, later becoming the legendary Roxy nightclub before being transformed into the O2 Academy following a £3 million refurbishment in 2008.
Over the decades, the venue has welcomed some seriously big names, including David Bowie, The Jam and The Police - so it’s fair to say the microphone has some pretty big shoes to fill.
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 -
7th September 2026 
