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Gig review: Cold Summer, Corporation

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Jade

Jade

Cold Summer – Corporation Nightclub 18/03/2014

It was an impromptu decision to go and watch my second favourite group from Wakefield (after The Cribs of course) play Sheffield’s wonderful Corporation nightclub, writes music-loving Sheffield Live listener, volunteer and gig correspondent Jade Knox.

The first thing that was in stark contrast to a lot of groups I’ve been watching lately was the showmanship of Dan Feast (lead vocals) who actually jumped off stage to interact directly with his audience and (at the risk of sounding unprofessional) ‘went mental’ dancing and pouring his soul into his performance. When an band or artist truly believes in the sound they are producing it provides a superior experience for everyone involved, just the occasional glance from drummer to bassist and smile from guitarist to singer can make a gig just that little bit more pleasurable to attend.

My one and only grumble about this show was the ever-so-slightly preachy feel that came over me when the lead vocalist gave a small speech on the topic of the music of today, expressing that he felt that none of it was really any good, which is something I completely disagree with.

There are plenty of hardworking non-manufactured DIY bands – not only in Sheffield but all over – that work incredibly hard and sound fantastic, however on the same note I also understand that you do often have to separate the wheat from the chaff.

I did agree with the message that artists and bands should be assessed and judged on a measurement of their talent and sound rather than how they look or decide to dress, but this is a bit of a utopian idea of the music industry – a business where how you look is makes a huge difference.

The band played in Corporation’s smaller room; excellent for a gig like this one which allowed Dan to get right up close and personal. It was an immensely engaging performance and musically the band were above and beyond what I was expecting. The genre they work with is post-hardcore/rock, a genre which I’ve not a lot of experience with, however, it doesn’t take an expert to see just how technically talented this group is.

The set felt a little short and it would have been nice to have heard one or more tracks as after twenty minutes I was quite immersed in the music.

Twitter: @ColdSummerUK

Nathan’s football roundup

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Nathan Murray

Nathan Murray

Another exciting week for Sheffield football fans, writes Sheffield Live! volunteer Nathan Murray.

Sheffield Wednesday take three points in injury time (25th March: SWFC vs Brighton & Hove Albion, 1-0)

Leon Best helped to claim all three points with an 18 yard strike after a powerful break from the left of the park into the the penalty area to claim his fourth goal of his campaign in the 90th minute.

David Rodriguez went close to opening the goal account for Brighton by heading the ball against the cross bar.

Another chance was wasted by Will Buckley when his chance hit Wednesday’s goal keeper Chris Kirkland straight on, after he was clean through on goal.

Wednesday go 13th with their next meeting against Watford at home on 29th March at 15:00.

Attendance was 18,192.

United 7 points shy of playoffs (25th March: Crawley 0, Sheffield United 2)

Sheffield United are 7 points shy of the playoffs after double from Conor Coady.

Jamie Murphy’s cross helped Conor Coady to strike home his first goal in the 18th minute.

Mark Connolly and Andy Drury missed out on opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net for Crawley Town.

The combination of Jamie Murphy and Conor Coady increased Sheffield’s lead with another right footed shot from Coady, which came from a cross by Jamie Murphy again.

Attendance was 3,622.

Sheffield Wednesday down against Doncaster (22nd March)

Derby Day saw Wednesday go 1-0 down against Doncaster Rovers.

Wednesday started off the brightest in the first half against Doncaster with chances from Leon Best missing a close range shot and the second chance being a header that was well saved by Sam Johnstone in the second half.

Wednesday came into the game with two wins before against Birmingham and QPR.

The only goal of the game came from Chris Brown who put Rovers 1-0 ahead in the 32nd minute with a tap -in. This saw Rovers go eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Attendance was 12,609.

Sheffield United celebrate 125 years as a football club (22nd March; United 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2)

Wolves’ James Henry’s long range shot dodged team mate Dave Edwards and United goal keeper Mark Howard who was caught out, for the ball to bulge the back of the net, in the 12th minute.

Henry was then at the heart of the attack again by striking the post.
At the other end Richard Stearman’s cleared ball from the line after John Brayford’s Shot.

The second half saw James Henry again looking sharp with a cross into Dave Edwards who then converted the ball into the back of the net in the 52nd minute.

This loss also ended United’s 11 game unbeaten run.

Despite losing 2-0 Sheffield United celebrated the day with starting the game at 1.25pm to commemorate 125 years of the club. Celebrations started at the beginning of the day with music from the Dinnington Colliery Brass Band and fans sipping on the special ale from the Blades’ brewers, amongst a sea of red and white supporters.

Attendance was 21,659.

What next?

Tune into our Talking Balls sports show, every Friday on Sheffield Live! at 6pm.

Steel Panther review: amazing sound; explicit banter

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Steel Panther are a spandex-clad American spoof glam metal band made up of excellent musicians who dress like, and perform like a combination of Van Halen, Bon Jovi, and Twisted Sister, writes Sheffield Live volunteer Graham Marshall.

This is combined with inter-song banter which was a cross between Beavis and Butthead, Jedwood and Chubby Brown.

The band have gone from strength to strength since supporting Def Leppard a couple of years ago on their European tour.

Graham and Natalie from our Local Talent Show went along to review their sold out show on 20th March 2014 at O2 Academy, Sheffield.

Here’s what Graham and Natalie had to say about the experience (click the play button to listen):

Hallé Orchestra’s Assistant Conductor, Jamie Phillips, interviewed

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Jamie Phillips is the youngest person to hold the post of Assistant Conductor of the Hallé Orchestra.

He will conduct the Hallé next week for Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.6 ‘Pathétiqué, “one of the great swansongs in musical history. From dark beginnings, full of foreboding, it proceeds via an uneasy waltz and a far-from triumphal march to a closure of near-unbearable poignancy.”

Jamie was interviewed today by Sheffield Live! presenter Dale Le Fevre on our Communities Live programme.

Listen to the podcast here.

Sheffield Half Marathon – top tips for 1st time runners

Banana

Banana boost for your half-marathon (image by http://www.flickr.com/photos/vizzzual-dot-com/, used under Creative Commons License)

With the Sheffield Half Marathon fast approaching, we asked Chris Hough (@HoughboyRunner on twitter) of local running store Accelerate UK for some top tips or points to consider if this is your first time running the distance (like it is for Sheffield Live’s half-marathon virgin Calvin Payne).

Here are Chris’ 5 top tips:

1.  Have a Banana.  Whether for pre-run breakfast, during the race – or both, good quality natural carbohydrates like bananas are great. Bananas are easy to swallow, taste great and contain Potassium, Magnesium and Vitamin B6.  All very useful in aiding hydration and efficient running.  Green Bananas help prevent diarrhoea, which can’t hurt! Make sure you have tried out your race day food plan in training.

2.  Don’t over train.  If you’ve done the work, by now you’ll want to be into your ‘taper’ phase, which means doing fewer and fewer miles – allowing your body to rest and recover from all that hard effort.  This means you’ll feel fresh and ready to run strong on the day, rather than still aching on the start line.  At this stage, less is definitely more.

3.  Set off easy and build toward a fast finish.  Negative splits are based around the idea that for as long as possible you should run well under your threshold and build to a sprint finish as soon as the end is within reach, so you avoid running past your ability to maintain the maximum effort.  Try starting slower than your average race pace and increasing through the middle section, before squeezing that last burst of speed over the final mile.

4.  Hydrate in advance.  Days before the race, try to take on plenty of water/juice.  Keep away from Tea and Coffee if you can and allow your hydration levels to reach a respectable level.  Then avoid drinking too much first thing on the day, which will get you to the start line on time and not queueing for the loo.

5.  Don’t speed up to overtake.  You should resist the temptation to blast past slower runners.  Hold your pace and trust that you’ll pass plenty of people in the process.  Sudden speed is the equivalent of that sprint finish while you’re far from done and will cause your body to suffer massively later in the race.
Have a great race – good luck!

What next?

  • Stu Hale and Debs Smith of Accelerate UK were guests on our Business Live show on 7th March. Listen to the podcast here (available until end of April).
  • Sheffield Live! volunteer Calvin Payne is running the Sheffield Half Marathon this year – read about Calvin here.

Queen Mother of Taxis is star of new ad campaign

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Karen Rodgerson - "Queen Mother of Taxis"

A dispatcher considered a member of the family at Mercury Taxis who always ensures Sheffielders get their taxis on time swapped the call centre for the radio studio to star in Mercury’s latest advertising campaign on Sheffield Live! 93.2FM.

Karen Rodgerson has worked in Sheffield’s taxi industry for the past 33 years working mainly for Mercury Taxis (Sheffield) Ltd for around 25 years. Karen’s name has probably been known by every taxi driver in the city at one time or another – and now the drivers get to hear her on Sheffield Live on the hour, as well as through Mercury’s despatch system.

Mercury’s latest 3-month campaign on Sheffield Live! features Karen voicing a number of destinations in her unmissable voice.

Dermot Griffiths, General Manager of Mercury Taxis, said “Taxi drivers respect and fear Karen in equal measure, but she has always made sure the people of Sheffield got their taxis on time, something that she is as passionate about today as she’s always been.

“Regarded as a member of the family by the Eales family (owners of Mercury), Karen – the Queen Mother of Taxis in Sheffield – was a natural choice to take a starring role in our latest ad campaign on Sheffield Live, thanks to her unmissable voice.”

You can listen to Mercury’s ad, featuring Karen, here.

Sheffield Wednesday 3, QPR 0

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Nathan Murray

Nathan Murray

Cracking ‘Hat Trick’ for Manager Stuart Gray to secure third straight home victory over QPR.

Wednesday’s 3-0 win last night over Queens Park Rangers, made it seven goals in two home games and their third home game win in row, writes Sheffield Live! volunteer Nathan Murray.

The crucial turning point was when Richard Dunne challenged Leon Best, which gave the Rangers defender a Red Card.

A 35th minute penalty was awarded, which was placed expertly in the back of the net by Chris Maguire.

The Owls rise to 14th place in the Championship table with goals being added by Leon Best in the 51st minute and Lewis Buxton in the 71st minute.

Sheffield Wednesday’s next game is a Derby game away, at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday 22nd March.

Attendance: 18,029

Family fun for marathon spectators

A host of family activities have been lined up for spectators at the SIG Insulation Sheffield Half Marathon 2014.

Organisers have created a hub at the race’s new home – the Don Valley Bowl – to keep family and friends entertained before, during and after the race.

At the grass Bowl, there will be a fairground with a helter skelter and number of different rides for children. Stalls will also be serving coffee, crepes and breakfast for spectators and runners.

Margaret Lilley, chairperson for the SIG Insulation Sheffield Half Marathon, said: “Moving to the Don Valley Bowl provides us with a great opportunity to revamp the race start and finish area to create much more of a fun, carnival feel.

 

“We are hugely exciting by the activities we’ll have on the grassed area, as well as the wide-range of food and drinks stalls, and we hope it encourages runners and spectators to make the race a fantastic family occasion.”

This year the 13.1 mile route will start at Attercliffe Common and end at Don Valley Bowl.

The grassed area will also feature a charity village and information tent. At the adjacent iceSheffield, people can skate for a £1 on the morning of the race.

The SIG Insulation Sheffield Half Marathon and 3k Fun Run, which attract runners of all ages and abilities from across the county, will take place on Sunday 6 April from 9am.

For more information and to secure a place to run on behalf of the event’s 10 chosen charities, call 0845 388 3438, or visit www.sheffieldmarathon.com to enter online.

Sheffield Live! volunteer Calvin Payne is running the Sheffield Half Marathon this year – read about Calvin here.

Our Big Gig – funding available to organise music events

Our Big Gig, a community music celebration which will take place across the UK from the 11 – 13 July 2014, has grants and support available for event organisers who wish to programme community events.

Funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government, Our Big Gig will “see the country once again come together to celebrate local music at community events, showcase new and existing talent and give people the opportunity to have a go at making music.”

For 2014, all types of community organisations are being urged to apply to put on an event in their local area and bring together diverse groups of people through music. All successful applicants receive grant funding and event management training is provided.

Organised by music and arts organisation Superact, this annual event – which was formerly known as the Bandstand Marathon – “brings communities together to improve community cohesion and inspire more people to take part in music making opportunities in their local area.”

Superact is looking for 150 event organisers to run events across England. All successful applicants are given a £400 grant, support from Superact’s Project Managers and event management training.

Application details and criteria:

  • Applicants can apply to put on a new community event or an established event scheduled for a date between the 11th and 13th July
  • Superact can only provide funding to community organisations with a bank account
  • All events need to: be at least four hours long; be free to attend; present opportunities for people to participate in a range of musical activities.The deadline for applications is 12 noon on 4th April 2014
  • Read more at: http://www.superact.org.uk/ourbiggig/our-big-gig-2014