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Sheff Herd.
We are a community magazine, bringing you the best of Sheffield.
Herd Hangouts - Venue Spotlights
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Herd the Word
EVENT OF THE WEEK w/c 4th May 2026
Showroom Cinema launches its first Working Class Film Festival this May, with a three-day programme that puts contemporary class-based storytelling firmly back into focus. Running from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May, the festival brings more than 35 films to Sheffield’s independent cinema hub, centring work made by filmmakers from working‑class backgrounds while also widening the scope of what working‑class cinema looks like today. Over half of the programme reflects working‑class communities across the UK, complemented by international films from countries including Canada, Ukraine, Greece and Palestine.
The selection deliberately moves beyond familiar social‑realist territory, embracing experimental shorts, ambitious documentaries and imaginative future‑facing narratives about labour, life and survival. Films range from If Not Now, documenting Bengali workers’ resistance to National Front marches in 1978, to Ffasiwn, which stages a fashion catwalk across South Wales housing estates, and Gan Canny, a darkly comic theft caper built around siblings stealing a hearse to give their nan a proper send‑off. Together, the programme showcases the range, humour and formal invention emerging from working‑class filmmakers today.
The festival opens with a screening of Horace Ové’s Pressure on Friday evening, widely recognised as Britain’s first Black feature film and a landmark of British realism, using non‑professional actors to confront systemic racism head‑on. It closes on Sunday afternoon with Ken Loach’s Kes, followed by an onstage Q&A with lead actor David (Dai) Bradley, returning one of the most enduring films of Northern working‑class life to the big screen in the city it continues to resonate with.
Alongside screenings, the festival also offers practical routes into filmmaking, including a production talk for young people led by BAFTA‑ and BIFA‑qualified director Yorgo Glynatsis.
Festival Director Elle Short says: “We’ve all got an image in our heads of what ‘working class film’ looks like, and for most of us, it’s stuck firmly in the past. This festival is a crossroads for those working in the industry, those aspiring to do so, and those that exhibit and watch working class cinema, to find and celebrate excellence that is extremely present.”
Johnathan Ilott, Head of Programming at Showroom Cinema, adds: “With access to opportunities tighter than ever for those entering the film industries, we’re proud to support the festival in celebrating and spotlighting the artists that preserve and remain resilient. We are at the heart of the region that led the British Realism movement, and this wonderfully diverse lineup start a whole new conversation about the contemporary working class experience”.
To read more about the festival and to buy tickets, click here
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Scene and Herd
EVENT OF THE WEEK
w/c 4th May 2026
Get ready for a night of classic rock as Rollin’ Stoned bring the sound and swagger of The Rolling Stones to Network 2 on Friday 8th May. Covering the band’s golden era from 1962 to 1969, the show features iconic hits like Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Paint It Black, Not Fade Away and (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction. Described by The Times as “probably more authentic than the Stones themselves would be inclined to muster,” the band has earned a reputation for delivering a high-energy, faithful recreation of the Stones’ early live shows.
A typical two-hour set blends the biggest crowd-pleasers with deeper cuts for dedicated fans, all performed with the raw edge that defined the Stones in their prime. “Just like the real thing,” according to renowned rock photographer Gered Mankowitz, Rollin’ Stoned have even received praise from within the Stones’ own circle - Doris Richards calling them “outstanding” and fit to “stand in for the Stones.” Whether you remember the era first-hand or are discovering it for the first time, this promises a lively step back into one of rock’s most influential periods.
Supporting the night is Green, a four-piece tribute to Peter Green, widely regarded as one of Britain’s greatest blues guitarists. Their set draws from his work with Fleetwood Mac during the Peter Green era, alongside material from his time with the Bluesbreakers and later projects, making it a fitting addition to a bill steeped in blues-driven rock heritage.
Advance tickets are £16 and available here
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SHEFF HERD X KELHAM FILM CLUB
MAY 2026 FILM GUIDE
Sheff Herd is delighted to be sponsoring the fantastic Kelham Film Club - a community cinema night that holds weekly screenings of unique films, with great drinks deals in the welcoming Alder Bar. Each week, we will keep you updated with the events and screenings on offer.
Thursday 7th May @8pm (arrive early to make the most of the drinks deals!)
A special edition of Film Club this week - Mission G.I.G.G.L.E. Daniel Hutchings is a filmmaker and comedian, who has been showing his 'Thingys' around the north since 2012, to a growing fan-base.
"Hutchings is back with further comedic misadventures on the outskirts of the entertainment industry. In a series of unbelievable stories, Hutchings will take you from inner to outer space, and back again, to show you his hopes to try and make the world a happier place... One laugh at a time."
MAY 2026
TOP 4
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Your guide to the month ahead.
Check out our weekly event recommendations every Monday.
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Get Together Festival
Kelham Island and Neepsend’s Get Together on 16th May is one of Sheffield’s key indie all-dayers, and 2026 is looking great.
The lineup is led by The Horrors, Fat Dog, Erol Alkan, DEADLETTER, Lime Garden, Jessica Winter, Gwenno, and Alexis Taylor, alongside a deep bill of emerging bands spread across lots of venues: Peddler; Yellow Arch; Heist,
Neepsend Social Club;
Alder; Grafters and
The Victoria
It’s very much a “bounce between stages and discover your new favourite act” kind of day, with a mix of indie, electronic and left-field pop. Tickets are selling out but available here
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Weston Park Fayre
The Weston Park May 17th Fayre is a free, day-long event that brings together live music, performances and local stalls in the centre of Sheffield. It’s designed as an accessible, family-friendly occasion with activities spread across the park so people can dip in and out throughout the day.
Music plays a steady background role, with performances from local brass bands, folk acts and acoustic musicians, alongside the occasional indie-style set. Around this, visitors can browse craft and food stalls, watch roaming circus performers, and use the children’s rides and activity areas.
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Sheffield Food Festival
Sheffield Food Festival returns to the city centre from Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th May, marking its 15th year as one of Sheffield’s largest free public events. Taking place across key central locations including the Peace Gardens, Town Hall Square and Millennium Square, the festival brings together street food traders, artisan producers, bars and drinks specialists, with a clear focus on local and regional businesses. The layout encourages people to move between areas at their own pace, with food stalls, markets and pop-up kitchens spread throughout the heart of the city.
Alongside the food and drink, the festival also programmes live music and family-friendly activities across the weekend. A dedicated grassroots music stage showcases emerging Sheffield artists, while demonstration kitchens host chef-led talks and cookery sessions.
There’s also a strong emphasis on accessibility and participation, from fairground rides and children’s activities to informal spaces to sit, eat and take a break.
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Too Damn Loud Festival
At Sidney & Matilda, Too Damn Loud Festival puts its full weight behind the heavier end of Sheffield’s DIY music scene.
Taking place on Saturday 30th May, the festival is built around punk, noise, hardcore and abrasive electronics, with a tightly packed line-up that prioritises energy over polish. The focus is very much on bands and artists who thrive in intense live settings, making the most of one of our city's best venues.
Running from mid‑afternoon into the night, Too Damn Loud leans into the raw character of the basement space, where volume, sweat and proximity are part of the appeal. The line up is really strong with acts including Skint Knees, Mannequins, Harlot, Ratpakk and The Red Stains, amongst others.
It’s a festival that reflects Sheffield’s long-standing grassroots culture and is a great way to end the month.