A modern day guitar master. His music spans blues, folk, rock, pop and ambient. Whether he’s playing in fans' living rooms or at some of the most prestigious venues in Europe (or in tiny cafes in Sheffield), intimacy, passion and skill are a given.
Tom Roper
Our Favourite Places would be nothing without our contributors — a massive thanks to all of them!
Tell us about you…
I moved to Sheffield from Norfolk to study. Like most people, I fell in love with the city and didn’t want to leave; now I work at the University of Sheffield.
I enjoy making music, doing pub quizzes, playing cricket and watching documentaries.
What does Sheffield mean to you?
To me, Sheffield means having the opportunity to be creative. It has a great DIY culture where people who want to make things or start new projects can.
What’s your favourite Sheffield place?
There are so many! I’m lucky enough to live next to Two Steps fish and chip shop on Sharrow Vale Road which makes it a real challenge to not eat their delicious, well priced, generously portioned food every single day. In a similar, but slightly healthier vein, I love Blue Moon Cafe next to the Cathedral – it serves great vegetarian food at a low price and you get loads on your plate!
Bear Tree Records is my favourite new shop in Sheffield, Joe gets some great stuff in so it’s always worth a visit. Likewise, the Showroom always has something interesting to watch and is a great place to go for a cosy evening. My favourite places to go for a drink are the Sheffield Tap next to the train station, the Sheaf View in Heeley, and Picture House Social on Abbeydale Road.
What would you do to improve the city?
I’d ban the needless demolition of buildings and encourage renovation of all the beautiful empty spaces.
Latest contributions
Villagers
Mon. 22 August 2022
Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Road, S10 1TD
Irish singer-songwriter Conor J. O’Brien and his band specialise in soul-enriching, life-affirming music that straddles folk, chamber pop and indie rock. NME described their latest album as “woozy, psychedelic soul that conjures another world.”
Judy and the Jerks
Sun. 5 June 2022
Delicious Clam
This Mississippi four-piece are a band who champion all things weird in their fast, fun and frenetic hardcore punk. Pitchfork said: “their music splatters like mashed potatoes against concrete walls.” This show is sure to be messy but uplifting.
Neighbourhood Voices
Sun. 12 June 2022
The Montgomery
Neighbourhood Voices are a 60-strong community choir, who in the past year have performed with Self Esteem and opened Steve Lamacq’s show for BBC World Music Day. Expect unique arrangements of Laura Mvula, Caroline Polachek, All Saints and more.