What do you think of the range of concert venues we have in Sheff these days and the bands that play here? What improvements would you like to see?

In general it seems to be pretty good for small-to-medium size gigs and there's the Arena for massive acts (but personally I'd always avoid it unless it's the only way of seeing someone).

But we could do with a proper big stand-up rock venue (ideally with a sloping floor) for the stuff in between - like Mcr Apollo or Brixton Academy. A big ex-cinema/theatre is what you need for this - maybe the refurbished Abbeydale will have gigs on. The restored City Hall will be lovely I'm sure, but seats are never right for proper rock gigs. The Octagon is OK but it's the wrong shape and a bit too small. Maybe we need a big multi-purpose conference centre thing in the centre that could also put bands on.

As I understood it, the refurbed city hall's seating will be removable so stand-up gigs can be held there.

Does anyone know if this is definitely the case?

it was before though

I vaguely remember standing at a gig at city hall mid-80s but thought maybe it was just the front bit near the stage. Could be wrong though - memory's fading.

anyone been to Glasgow carling academy? Thats the kind of venue i'd love to see in sheff- an old theatre with a grand circle and stuff. Went to see interpol there and it suited them perfectly.

Seats were taken out at the front but not very much stand room to be fair. I managed to sneek into the standing for rich ashcroft and OCS (yay!)
Wolves civic hall is a great venue id love city hall to be like that .And the brum carling place is ****ing huge and very cool

I saw loads of my favourite rock and heavy rock heroes at the City Hall. It is definitely the best venue in sheffield. Been to the Arena, [been to lots of arenas] not going to any arena ever again, you get a better view on tv. Arenas are just a rip off.
Lower refectory or whatever it's called now is ok, Octagon is ok, and especially good for boozing, and used to see lots of great gigs in the NMB. Leadmill has been good although bar and toilets there are poor. And I have been to gigs with terrible sound there, in last 10 years.

City Hall, I want you back.......:clap:

Did anybody ever go to the lyceum for the rock gigs they did there.
The Grapes is my favorite.

I'm more into pop, so it probably doesn't matter much about how that sounds in these places, but I like the City Hall because it's small and personal and no matter where you're sat you'd havea great view.
The arena is like a second home when it comes to boybands touring for me! Luckily for the past three years I've never been any further back than 5th row and if I can't get as close as that I won't bother going.
Being that close is good, but sound wise it's rubbish. You can't hear the music because the speakers are pointed over and out, not in your direction.
I vaguely remember Take That concerts from when I was younger and we were always about half way across the arena for those, on the side, and it was rubbish because you couldn't see the group properly.

Originally posted by gemma86
I'm more into pop, so it probably doesn't matter much about how that sounds in these places, but I like the City Hall because it's small and personal and no matter where you're sat you'd havea great view.

Well said Gemma
It's the same for any music, The City Hall is a wonderful venue. I have actually played there in my orchestra days, also the Albert hall in london, [not old enough to remember the sheffield albert hall] and the experience is similar. Wonderful fully fledged propper concert hall / theatre with great views from all sides, intimacy, good acoustics and pleasent and atmospheric venue.

I am not slagging pop. Good luck to you girl, Enjoy your concerts.

I think the Octagon is an excellent concert venue - ok size, quite wide but not too deep, always feel close to the stage wherever you are. Idlewild were the best band I have seen there in past few years (and their coming back in April!). Leadmill is a wee bit dingy but has the best choice of bands play there. Great mix of new stuff and classic acts. Seeing Ash there again last year after so long was kinda cool, especially after seeing a good number of new bands play there. Not seen anything at City Hall but would love to see it becoming a Manc Apollo type venue. Corp is a good place to mosh the night away if you like the type of bands they get. What would be great would be for Shef to get a proper music festival going, esp in 2006 when glasto is cancelled and there is space on festival calender for one. Leeds has a bit of a reputation for being a violent mess now so lets get something going down here. Relaunch the Phoenix Festival (3 day fest in Warks circa 1990s) in the steel city.

Originally posted by HottyMcBuff
I think the Octagon is an excellent concert venue - ok size, quite wide but not too deep, always feel close to the stage wherever you are.
Yes it is I seen some great bands there,
but acoustics are a bit crap. You get tin box reverberation off the back wall. Less bad if venue is very full.
Saw Bands Like Faith No More at their height, Terrorvision, Air Fun Lovin' Crims [great band bad concert] and loads and loads more there.

Best point about Octo is Bars, you can get served relatively fast when you consider how many are inside. always seem to have quality barstaff.

regarding the worst venue I've been to, it's not in Sheffield, but it's local, the Dome in Doncaster is appalling. I've been to two concerts there and they sound was AWFUL. It's in tennis courts and they put black sheets on the wall. The sound just echoes round the room and put together with teenie screaming you can't hear much of the show. The first one I went to there was worse than the second because I was quite far back (the view and layout is also terrible), but the second I was right at the front so it was much better, the sound was bouncing around by the time it had got to me!

Originally posted by carcrash
Did anybody ever go to the lyceum for the rock gigs they did there.


I saw the Boomtown Rats and Ray Davies & The Kinks at The Lyceum - sometime in the mid '80s I think?

I was really disappointed to find how cramped the seating in Hallam Arena is. I was only just comfortable, but I'm only 5' tall. Mr Strix (6'2") doesn't fit in the seats at all :mad:

Edit: Free train tickets at the ready for the journey to the NEC next time :thumbsup:

Originally posted by gemma86
regarding the worst venue I've been to, it's not in Sheffield, but it's local, the Dome in Doncaster is appalling. I've been to two concerts there and they sound was AWFUL.

I saw Janes Addiction there the other year (as Rock City had sold out) and it was terrible venue - it did also lead to one of the more bizarre exchanges I've heard with Perry Farrel asking the crowd "if they were all studying to be doctors". Que general stunned bemusement. He'd assumed it was a college town as he was playing in a gym in town he' d never heard of. "Is this not a college town?" "No, its a **** hole" came the waggish reply from the crowd....

I alwys used to really like the old Lower Refec, but generally I think Sheffield is pretty good for venues - but its always been lacking decent small/mid sized venues. The Boardwalk is good - though sadly the booking policy doesnt really focus on new bands.

I've never liked the Octagon though...

the boardwalk is brilliant for small gigs,one of the best in town i think
.zero is alright for gigs,sounds good,not enough space but its nice.
the leadmill would be better if it was bigger and had a better system..
and corp is alittle crap for stuff,but have seen some of the best bands there..roni size with live band,bad manners etc..