Sheffield Sessions...?

Subject: Sheffield Sessions...?
From: chrispin
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 12:54 PM

I'm a Sheffield-based guitarist-singer looking for somewhere to play other than my bedroom, but every session I've tried in Sheffield so far has tended to end up as an appreciation evening for Damian Rice or Coldplay... with a largely male clientele sitting round with guitars trying to outdo each other! Don't get me wrong - I can enjoy that sort of thing, too, to some extent - and Damian Rice is a fine songwriter.... but...

Does anyone know of or attend a session in Sheffield where traditional songs are the mainstay?

Chris

Subject: RE: Sheffield Sessions...?
From: GUEST,Rich
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 01:05 PM

Subject: RE: Sheffield Sessions...?
From: GUEST,Rich
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 01:08 PM

Whoops, try that again.

There's a trad song session tonight at the Kelham Island Tavern. It's unnacompanied but lots things to join in on.

Always the 4th sunday in the month.

Subject: RE: Sheffield Sessions...?
From: chrispin
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 01:12 PM

Thanks, Rich!

..and tracking back through your link I see there have already been any number of threads on the same issue!

Can't make tonight but I'll certainly check it out in the future!

Chris

Subject: RE: Sheffield Sessions...?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 01:19 PM

Tradition-based Sheffield sessions tend to feature dance music more than songs (it's more participatory) but try, for example, Fagans on Broad Lane (any evening except Thursday, which is quiz night) or the Kelham Island Tavern, Russell Street, on Sunday nights (the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month concentrate on songs, the latter night mostly unaccompanied). There are plenty more, but I work evenings nowadays and can't get to them to keep up with the inevitable changes.

The sessions listing at the South Riding Folk Arts Network website isn't there at the time of writing; due to a server failure there's only a partial site available, and restoring it will have to wait until I've finished more pressing tasks. The listing at Yorkshire Folk Arts needs updating, but is still useful. At Fagan's, you can pick up a copy of the local folk music magazine Stirrings, which also carries session listings.

Subject: RE: Sheffield Sessions...?
From: chrispin
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 01:27 PM

And thanks to you too, Malcolm. I have been along to Fagan's once or twice and everyone was very friendly, but still did come away with the impression that I was singing stuff that was just from another universe!

But then...maybe it's the WAY I sing rather than what I'm singing!

I'll certainly check out the links you've offered... Kelham Isalnd seems to edging up to the top of the list.

Thanks again!

Subject: RE: Sheffield Sessions...?
From: JulieF
Date: 25 Mar 07 - 01:51 PM

Try the Red Deer on Pitt street on the 2nd Thursday of the month.

J

Subject: RE: Sheffield Sessions...?
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 26 Mar 07 - 06:17 AM

You'd be best a Fagans on Mondays and Wednesdays for the type of stuff you appear to play. I'm also involved in mixed sessions at Hillsborough Hotel very Sunday except the 2nd of the month (when it's an excellent sesh run by Richard from Hekety) also 1st Monday of month at New Barracks.