I’ve walked down West Street, what seems like a million times in my first year and, even
drunkenly, never stumbled into the Hallamshire. What I found upon my first visit was a
refurbished upscale bar, which I hear wasn’t always quite the case. The neon lighting and
interior decor brought an ambiance that aligned perfectly with the music that would be
delivered in the hitherto unknown floors above. I had no idea what the night would bring and yet, I was overcome with intrigue to see what the three bands on show had to offer.
Entry was swift thanks to the brilliant Forge Radio team, who had worked tirelessly to put this night together and most importantly, ensure that people flowed through the open doors, culminating in a sell out venue. Orchidelia were up first and having had the chance to speak to Marcus Swift, one their two guitarists, he waxed lyrical about the Beatles and the Kinks being their main sources of inspiration. Four of the five had met in school and that tight knit bond shone through with their on-stage chemistry. Their set highlighted the passion and joy they have for their craft, bringing energy and some feel-good originals.
Orchidelia were an absolute delight to watch and chat to, coming across as simple people with great talent. They definitely made their idols proud and if you see them nearby, head on down and you won’t regret it! Following on, Shaene was a complete departure from the power pop set that preceded them, with their excellent vocals accentuated by the intimate, more contemplative style emblematic of an emo style. The stark contrast in style took a little adjustment before I could settle in again, tucking into a house lager through it all.
They finished strong as more people poured in, eagerly waiting to take in the headlining act. Junk are a band of four with a commanding stage presence that ratifies why they are considered the band to watch out for within Sheffield. Musical skill was displayed throughout as they got the crowd going; helped by their loyal fans, who were not missing an opportunity to see their favourite Sheffield group.
The excitement for their performance was palpable the entire night and I had been waiting patiently to see them for myself. The shoegaze genre was one I had not experienced
before, though I found myself to be a great fan of the guitar mastery coupled with the
introspective lyrics. Their style evoked that of a 90s rock band and the humour between
songs bought themselves a fan!
A massive thanks to Forge Radio for putting on a night that
showcased the diversity and complexity of a young, developing local music scene with each
band highlighting their unique flair (some brilliant outfits from Shaene and Junk) and giving
me the chance to encounter it all.
