Website Special Areas

Bang Bang Romeo – ‘Carnival’ EP review

Leave a comment
Jade Knox

Jade Knox

In Sheffield and the surrounding area we are blessed to be vastly saturated in talent, extending through countless genres and every age bracket, and just recently I have stumbled across yet another astonishing act that have blown me away, writes Sheffield Live! volunteer Jade Knox.

After the incredible success of our home-grown Arctic Monkeys there have been innumerable new acts attempting a similar style of heavily accented vocals and I have been waiting patiently for this fad to pass.

Bang Bang Romeo are a Yorkshire based 4-piece who have brought something new and wonderful to the local music scene. Completely unlike anything I’ve heard of late I am ecstatic to have found something that sounds so emotive and real.  When I first listened to the EP I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, perhaps I had been cynical enough to first believe this could be just another bedroom indie band – and how wonderfully incorrect I was.

I played the first track from the EP ‘Carnival’ and set about doing some housework. It is tough to describe how intensely and immediately my attention was taken away from my intended errands. It felt as if my ears had done a double take, I had heard the music but then I couldn’t help but listen. I stopped what I was doing and sat captivated for the remaining tracks.

To put it bluntly; you could have no ears and still know that lead vocalist Anastasia Walker has phenomenal vocal talent. There is such an expressive element within her voice that her lyrics are no longer only words but characters, conjuring feelings of nostalgia with a somewhat haunting element. When I heard this powerhouse of a voice I was initially concerned that the rest of the band could be left sounding diluted and lacklustre and I was elated to learn that the reality was a million miles from this assumption.

Behind Anastasia are three wonderful musicians: Ross Cameron, Richard Gartland and Joel Phillips, whose riffs and rolls are powerful and meaningful and performed with technical grace. I have struggled to put into words how successfully the music can ‘fill a room’, it felt dense and almost heavy with soul and provoked much more of a reaction than simply “I like this.”

Bang Bang Romeo, I believe, will have no problems achieving success in what they do, they are perfectly formed and ready to go and will remain one of my favourite local groups.

Nathan’s football roundup – 10 April

Leave a comment
Nathan Murray

Nathan Murray

Sheffield Live volunteer Nathan Murray with the latest football roundup.

8th April: Sheffield Wednesday earn a point in a six goal thriller (Nottingham Forest 3 – Sheffield Wednesday 3)

Sheffield Wednesday opened the account with a penalty form Chris Maguire in the 15th minute. In the 44th Minute Jamie Murphy Headed in the equaliser for Forest. Just before the break Lewis Buxton headed in a goal in the 45th to put Wednesday ahead again.

After the break Sheffield were at a two goal advantage through Joe Mattock’s long-range effort in the 57th minute. Forest were then back in the game through Marcus Tudgay’s header in the 77th minute. Danny Collins was sent off due to another yellow card offence.

Ten men Forest then equalised through a Jamie Paterson free kick which hit the top left corner in the 87th minute. Sheffield Wednesday are 15th with 49 points. Wednesday’s next game is at home against Blackburn on the 12th April at 15.00

Attendance: 20,185.

8th April: Derby day see’s Ben Davies last minute penalty to earn United the win! (Sheffield United 1 – Rotherham 0)

Nigel Clough made eight changes to a younger side, resting players before the FA cup semi-final against Hull on Sunday. Craig Morgan made contact in the box with United Harry Maguire to award United the penalty. Ben Davies scored the only goal of the game when he converted a penalty to seal all three points in the 90th minute.

This result ended Rotherham’s 16 game undefeated run.

However with this result United remain 11th in the league, being eight points off the mark of the play-off places, with fives games to go.

The best chances in the game from Rotherham who had James Tavernier and Tom Hitchcock being denied by keeper George Long. United take the the win with a F.A cup semi final game looming away against Hull on Sunday 13th April.

Attendance: 21,529.

5th April – Sheffield United settle for a draw against Leyton Orient.

In the 41st minute Dean Cox blast Leyton orient into the lead, after skillfully lifting the ball over a United Defender and placing the ball in the back of the net.

United then equalised through a run from a loose ball to then tap the ball in home in the 63rd minute.

The Blades then had a chance to claim all 3 points through Conor Coady and John Brayford close chances.

Attendance: 16,809.

4th April – Sheffield Wednesday lose 2-1 against high flyers Leicester City.

Leicester went ahead through a Riyad Mahraz goal which was driven driven across Chirs Kirkland form 18 yards, in the 10th minute.

Wednesday then equalised in the 37th minute through a blast form Michail Antonio to beat Kasper Schmeichel.

However this was over shadowed by Anthony Knockhaert’s winner which was a super 20- yard free -kick which claimed all three points in the 61st minute.

Attendance: 26,103.

What next?

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

WIN: Darts tickets at Motorpoint Arena

Leave a comment
Peter Wright, 2014 World Championship finalist

Peter Wright, 2014 World Championship finalist

Betway Premier League Darts has developed into a must-watch sporting event for darts fans.

We have a pair of tickets to the next event which takes place here in Sheffield TONIGHT – on Thursday April 10.

You will see darts legends in action, from the likes of Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, Simon Whitlock and Raymond van Barneveld, targeting the Premier League Darts crown defended by 2013 debut champ Michael van Gerwen.

Premier League Darts 2014 sees the top ten players in the world battle it out over 16 weeks for a record prize fund of £550,000.

To enter the competition just email your name, phone number and address and the answer to the following question by 3pm TODAY to comp@sheffieldlive.org

Who is the defending Premier League Darts chamipion?

Entry is in line with our standard competition terms and conditions.

Lyceum lit by a ray of sunshine – “Morecambe” review

Leave a comment

What a treat it was to see Bob Golding’s portrayal of one half of the duo Morecambe and Wise who became the Nation’s favourite funnymen in a partnership lasting some 43 years, write Sheffield Live!’s Paul Gregory and Kevin Resley.

A one man show forged in the West End and brought to Sheffield for an all too brief visit, well suited to the Lyceum stage, it showed the development of Eric Morecambe from a “lanky-shire” lad to comedy genius.

Brilliantly written by Tim Withnall, Directed by Paul Hendy and produced by Gary Morecambe, the one-man show incorporated Ernie Wise “Little Ern” by way of clever use of a puppet. So well integrated as the diminutive straight man it was easy to accept and contributed much to the performance.

Touching on his mother’s guidance and support, it charts the beginning and end of the partnership through war, setbacks and the vagaries of showbiz to the heights of a career where over 28 million watched their Christmas special.

Touching, funny, engaging and totally believable as Eric, Bob Golding had the audience singing the pair’s theme tune “Bring me Sunshine.”

Fantastic and you couldn’t see the join. Pure sunshine from start to finish!

What next?

  • Morecambe is also on this evening (Weds 9 April) – details and tickets
  • Paul also reviewed Morecambe during today’s Communities Live show (every weekday, noon to 1pm)

Fame at The Lyceum – Review

Leave a comment
Andy Cooper and Julia Harrigan

Andy Cooper and Julia Harrigan

This week the kids from Fame have taken over Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre.

So we sent along our own all-singing all-dancing double act from Thursday’s Communities Live show, Andy Cooper and Julia Harrigan to find out more and bring us this review:

Whether you know them from the original movie, the spin-off TV show or the recent motion picture re-make, there can be few people in the world who haven’t heard of ‘Fame’ and its colourful cast of characters. Set in New York’s High School for the Performing Arts (known simply as PA in this new production) the story follows these young hopefuls throughout their student years.

If you were expecting to be reunited with your favourite characters from the 80’s TV show then you’re set for a little disappointment as this stage production has moved on to tell the continuing story. It’s now 2014 and the latest class to enroll at PA are set to be the last before the school moves out of its historic home and into a new building.

However the spirit of the original Fame survives thanks to original creator David De Silva and the musical numbers, many of which are unique to the stage show, are just as toe-tapping as ever.

There are also nods to the script of the original film with certain storylines involving the new characters closely following those of their predecessors. Tyrone is a great dancer just as Leroy once was, but is also dogged by the same problems in his more academic studies, and the production contains plenty of other references to the original film while still being fresh and different.

There’s also much more comedy in this production than any other incarnation of Fame. Molly Stewart’s portrayal of Mabel Washington has some of the funniset stage moments. But watch out for subtle one-liners and back references to the movie and TV show from the rest of the cast. “If you want to go outside and dance on cars then you’ve come to the wrong place!”

Tempering the comedy is the knowledge that fame costs, and this aspect of a performer’s life is vividly portrayed by Jodie Steele as Carmen Diaz. Her dark exit is a real shock in an otherwise very upbeat production.

In short, any fan of Fame will most definitely not be disappointed in this cleverly thought out production. The final five minutes with a capacity audience at the Lyceum all up on their feet and belting out the theme tune is worth the ticket price alone!

Kes at The Crucible – review

Leave a comment

KESA night at the Crucible Theatre with Paul Gregory and Kevin Resley

We set off to see the new production of Kes at the Crucible with talk of the film and recollections of the story, write Sheffield Live! presenters Paul and Kevin. A Kestrel for a Knave was written by local writer Barry Hines about a boy living in Barnsley in the mid- sixties.

Coming from this area of entrenched mining communities Barry was well placed to evoke the time and place, as seamed with grit and lost hopes as the land had been with coal.

Billy walks this lifeline with little to take him out of the hardness and hopelessness until he finds and adopts a young Kestrel. His hopes soar as the Kestrel flies and a bond is built between boy and bird.

Hines took this tale to the big screen in 1969 Doncaster, after a successful collaboration with the film maker Ken Loach. The resulting enthusiasm took the film to world wide acclaim.

That could have been quite a burden for a new presentation but Kes, at the Crucible, shirked none of the responsibility. A brave evocation of the story in dance took to the stage, with Jonathan Watkins’ direction and choreography gliding along with the hauntingly beautiful score courtesy of Alex Baranowski.

Billy, in the form of Chester Hayes, and his mother Laura Caldow were stepping out in style, while Laura Careless and Barnaby Meredith multi-charactered along with creating a plausible and captivating Kestrel.

Paul and Kev conclude: “A great ensemble performance that made the story of Kes its own. Go and see it, we are sure you will enjoy it.”

What next?

New show: Alphabet Sounds starts this week

Leave a comment

Alphabet SoundsEvery Thursday, 6pm to 7pm

Show starts from 3 April 2014

From Abba to Zappa, ABC to XTC, each week Ed Cosens brings you his musical alphabet featuring a walk through different genres, local artists, chat and interactive listener content.

Each week Ed will work his way through the alphabet playing his favourite tracks from well known and unknown artists and musicians as well as music from around the world and local artists relating to each week’s letter.

Ed Cosens is the guitarist and songwriter from Sheffield band Reverend and the Makers and brings his passion for music into this unique show.

Get involved in the show via Twitter @alphabetsounds

Steel Panther review: amazing sound; explicit banter

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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.