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Latest news from the Sheffield Live! teams

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

Television programme proposals workshop

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Our current call for the submission of programme proposals closes soon.

We’re seeking proposals to join the programmes currently under development for inclusion in our launch schedule.

Individuals and organisations interested in pitching programme ideas to SLTV are invited to complete a short programme proposal form.

If you’re interested in submitting a programme proposal you are welcome to come along to a programming workshop, at the Workstation in Sheffield on Thursday 20th March. The workshop will take place from 6pm – 7.30pm.

At the workshop you’ll meet some of our team and programming mentors and can get any questions you have about programming answered.

It’s not obligatory to attend the workshop if you’re submitting a programme proposal, but you might find it useful.

Book your place at the programming workshop here.

Please note the deadline for submission of programme proposals in this call is 31st March 2014.

Proposal forms are available here.

Programme proposers should be prepared to contribute their own voluntary time or other resources. Selected programme proposals will benefit from development support, access to production facilities to produce a pilot programme, and potential for inclusion in the SLTV launch programme schedule.

We’re also open to new proposals for radio programmes on Sheffield Live 93.2FM. To propose a show, just download and return the radio programme proposal form from here.

The Digital Media Exchange is supported financially by the European Union as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the 2007-2013 Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme.

Lee Ford appointed as television launch manager

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Lee Ford

Lee Ford

Many of our listeners and readers will know that SLTV – awarded the licence to operate the new local digital TV channel for Sheffield – will work in partnership with Sheffield Live! 93.2fm, the city’s community radio.

Sheffield Live! will become the first cross platform local and community media service in the UK, available on radio, TV, web and mobile.

The local TV channel will be broadcast on Freeview (Channel 8), Virgin cable and the Internet, carrying local news, music, arts, community affairs, sports and entertainment. The channel will encourage local talent and support local media producers.

We’re delighted to announce that Sheffield Community Media, the SLTV holding company, has appointed Lee Ford, an experienced television, video and film producer, to the role of SLTV Launch Manager, a six month appointment.

Lee is Sheffield based and is a highly experienced television, video and film producer – and radio broadcaster. He’s presented shows on BBC Radio Sheffield (and BBC Radio Leeds) as well as producing and shooting programmes, films, music videos and commercials for many broadcasters and clients.

Lee commented: “It’s going to be exciting and a great pleasure to bring SLTV to launch. Sheffield is diverse city, crammed with creativity and needs a television channel that reflects how unique this city is. SLTV will finally provide our city’s folk with the television coverage they want and deserve. There are many challenges ahead but I can’t wait to our launch date.”

Steve Buckley, chair of the SLTV Ltd board, said: “SLTV will be an open, diverse and inclusive channel, locally owned, and a great opportunity for the city to showcase local talent and creativity and to build the digital and creative economy.  After much interest in the launch manager role we are delighted to have Lee in post, bringing a wealth of varied experience to take SLTV to launch.”

What next?

Calvin’s world of running Payne for half marathon

Calvin in training

Calvin in training

Calvin Payne, the much loved host of our Communities Live show on Wednesdays, will be running in the Sheffield Half-Marathon on Sunday 6th April – and he’s doing it to raise money for Sheffield Live!

Calvin’s never taken part in a half-marathon before, and admitted he’s nervous about the distance.

“I’m aiming to complete the race just inside three hours – and looking forward to talking with other running virgins during the race.”

So if you’re running the half marathon for the first time look out for Calvin in his Sheffield Live! t-shirt and make sure you say hello.

You can sponsor Calvin’s run, which will be a huge effort on his part – and all sponsorship raised will support Sheffield Live! – going towards the costs of bringing you our wonderful, varied and diverse schedule of content.

Sponsor Calvin via a donation through Paypal here:

When you sponsor Calvin, please send a short email of support. Thank you!

The Sheffield Half Marathon route.

Running store Accelerate gave Calvin some tips when they appeared on the Business Live show last week. Listen to the podcast here (available for 60 days).

Second half goals secure 3-points for the Blades

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Ben Davies, the on-loan midfielder from Derby County, curled in a beautiful free kick in the 47th minute of his home debut, before Chris Porter scored the second later on in the second half, writes Sheffield Live volunteer Nathan Murray in this summary of the Blades’ victory over Peterborough United on Tuesday.

The Blades moved up to 10th in the league after their sixth clean sheet in a row.

Earlier on in the game Stephen McGinn hit the post for United. He was also kept out by the keeper Bobby Olenjnik and Callum Mcfadzean’s low shot.

It was a second defeat for Peterborough, who didn’t produce a lot during the game.

The Blades’ next encounter will be at home against Charlton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

Attendance:16,051

Gig review (and interview): Back to Verona

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Review: Back to Verona, West Street Live, 25/02/14 by Jade Knox

Back to Verona at West Street Live. Photo © Jade Knox

After meeting these lads while I sat in on the Local Talent Show on 28/02/14 (podcast of this show – featuring an interview with three of the band – is here), I wanted to see the band in action and showed my support at West Street Live last Tuesday, writes music-loving Sheffield Live listener, volunteer and gig correspondent Jade Knox.

I’d been intrigued by them initially by the range of different genres they appeared to move through, and in the Sheffield Live! studio I heard three tracks that all felt entirely different.  The vocals of one of the tracks played in the studio reminded me of one of my old favourite bands Avenged Sevenfold – a pretty big compliment.

Arriving the at the gig I managed to catch a couple of bands before Back To Verona played their headlining set. It became apparent very suddenly why the group took the top slot. Musically and vocally the band outshone any previous acts I saw that evening a thousand times over, it was a completely different ball game.  The entire group performed confidently and looked as if they were having an amazing time whilst doing so – which in turn made me have a wonderful time too! Stage presence and audience interaction is something I will always mention as I find it can truly make or break a gig but Back To Verona were very likeable and fun to watch.

Back to Verona. Photo © Jade Knox

Back to Verona – click to view at full size. Photos © Jade Knox

Although it is clear the band are still deciding on their sound, elements of every genre they have experimented with have been spot on. It was mentioned in the interview on the Local Talent Show that there had been a change in relation to band members and I must say if the group dynamics weren’t beautiful before – they certainly are now.  I look forward to seeing where these guys go because I’m certain it will be far.

Luckily West Street Live had no issues with me bringing my DSLR and I was able to take a few shots of the band at the gig.

What next?

Gig review: The Twang, Leadmill, 28/02/14

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Unfortunately due to work commitments I was unable to see the support acts, writes music-loving Sheffield Live listener, volunteer and gig correspondent Jade Knox, but I arrived promptly for 9:15 to see Birmingham six-piece The Twang.

I was a little concerned when I walked towards the venue to see five police vans, two horses and a handful of police cars but nothing terrible seemed to be occurring.

The atmosphere from the moment I walked in was like nothing I’d witnessed at a gig before, it had the air of a football match more than a music performance with a lot of testosterone and chanting. There were more windbreakers and track jackets than an Oasis fan club and I can imagine the venue took a good amount of money on just Red Stripe alone.

I was glad to see a great variance in the age of fans; this certainly just wasn’t a gig for just the young ‘uns. Despite being stood almost at the back the whole room was filled to the brim so I still got a taste for being amongst the crowds.

The band kicked off and so did the fans, with general rowdy excitement which I’m certain was harmless. This kind of hooligan, Britpop subculture is one that I’d never seen besides on television but it is very present and definitely didn’t die in the 90’s.

It was a little scary that vocalist and guitarist Phil Etheridge made an announcement during the gig to “keep the peace” which suggested to me there had been a couple of incidents at previous venues during the tour. From what I could tell the rowdiness was just alcohol induced enthusiasm and passion, boys lifted girls on to their shoulders and everybody got together to celebrate the music.

Martin Saunders looked like he was having the most amazing time of his life and was easily comparable to a modern day Bez, The Twang actually had a very Happy Mondays vibe in several ways.

Musically the group did not disappoint playing the most popular tracks mixed in with some new material; everybody seemed to adore the set. It was a great performance and I eagerly await the release of their new album N E O N T W A NG on the 10th of March.

Business Live: avoiding twitter tangles; supporting independent restaurants

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What do digital law and independent restaurants have in common?

Well, both topics were covered on our Business Live radio programme this morning.

Most businesses, social enterprises (and of course charities and public facing organisations) will agree that social media is an essential part of their marketing, communications or customer engagement strategy.

But high profile examples of organisations (large and small) getting things wrong on twitter or facebook – and paying a costly price whether legally or in loss of reputation and business, show that social media can be a minefield.

Digital Law is an interesting area; in some ways legislation is only just catching up with reality.

Peter Wright is the managing director of Digital Law UK and specialises in the law relating to websites, copyright, social media networks, intellectual property, data protection, privacy, security and encryption. Peter was a guest on our Business Live show this morning and helped to navigate through the legal minefield of the law relating to social media.

Also in the studio on today’s Business Live programme was Otto Damahi, owner of The Mediterranean Restaurant and Otto’s Restaurant in Sheffield.  Independent restaurants in Sheffield are warning customers to “use them or lose them” as they face competition from chains offering huge discounts. But local independents circulate more money into the Sheffield economy, buy more local food, and are often considerably less expensive for a meal out. Otto joined me to explain how his restaurants have managed to survive and thrive for so long and through a tough climate – by offering great value and building customer trust.

The show today also covered businesses news – RBS; equity investment into British firms; and the new State of Sheffield report.

You can listen to the show via the podcast (which will be available for 60 days from today 28.2.14) – access it here.

Review: Little Comets / Catfish and the Bottlemen

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Jade Knox

Jade Knox

Despite treacherous conditions fans flooded from all directions and lined up patiently outside of one of Sheffields’ long established and loved venues, The Leadmill, writes music-loving Sheffield Live listener, volunteer and gig correspondent Jade Knox.

The bands we’d come to watch (on 12th February) were Catfish and the Bottlemen and Little Comets.  I was taken aback but totally chuffed by the fully loaded Leadmill – the venue can certainly pull in a crowd!

The first band to play were a band I’d not previously heard of called Catfish and the Bottlemen who had a massive fan base; I’d go as far as to argue that they had a bigger audience than the headliners. I was slightly shocked by the band’s sound, it was heavier than I was expecting but it was a welcome surprise. Despite clearly being very much loved by their fans, personally, I just wasn’t blown away, not through any lack of talent or enthusiasm I guess it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I think without the silence and announcements I wouldn’t have been able to differentiate between tracks and I wasn’t much fond of all the swearing between songs either. The group did have fantastic stage presence however and everybody got involved, the lead singer was charismatic and humorous which are both brilliant qualities for a frontman. Although it wasn’t something I think I could get into it was clear that a lot of people were very into Catfish and the Bottlemen and I’m certain they will go far.

This would be my second time seeing Little Comets play, my first at the BBC Introducing stage at Leeds Festival 2012 where I quickly fell in love with them.  The group were welcomed by a huge cheer when they arrived on stage and they by no means disappointed. Little Comets are one of those bands that are flawless when they play live, I’ve attended gigs in the past where I’ve barely recognised my favourite songs being performed because it’s sounded so different from the heavily tweaked studio recording. They made beautiful smooth transitions from slow gentle melodies into much more energetic lively songs such as “One Night in October” and “Joanna”. This group have a considerable amount going for them and it does not go against them that they are all absolutely adorable. Keep doing the north proud!

Call for television and radio programme proposals

Sheffield Live Television(SLTV), the local digital television channel for Sheffield, is opening a second call for the submission of programme proposals, to join the programmes currently under development for inclusion in our launch programme schedule.

Individuals and organisations interested in pitching programme ideas to SLTV are invited to complete a short programme proposal form.

Please note the deadline for submission of programme proposals in this call is 31 March 2014.

Proposal forms are available online by clicking on the link below.

SLTV – programme_proposal-form [doc]

SKTV – programme_proposal form [text]

Programme proposers should be prepared to contribute their own voluntary time or other resources. Selected programme proposals will benefit from development support, access to production facilities to produce a pilot programme, and potential for inclusion in the SLTV launch programme schedule.

Please return television programme proposals to: SLTV Programme Proposals, Sheffield Live, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2BX or email prog@sheffieldlive.org

We’re also open to new proposals for radio programmes on Sheffield Live 93.2FM. To propose a show, just download and return the radio programme proposal form:

Radio – programme_proposal_form [doc]

Radio -_programme_proposal_form [text]

Please return radio programme proposals to: Radio Programme Proposals, Sheffield Live, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2BX; or email prog@sheffieldlive.org