November 2025. Sheffield.
In an era where folk spend £500 watching old Mancunians knocking out meat and potato pub rock in a park in Prestwich, £15 for a night of modern music in a club in Sheffield seems a bargain, though I’m sure one of you will tell me they’ve seen Dylan in a Dudley folk club for a shilling.
Back in the shabby but not yet chic Castlegate quarter, where I expect a night at the Hen & Chickens once cost £15, but unlike the Sheffield “Stella” Hatter I never experienced its many charms before its closure.
I’d never been in the Delicious Clam before, either,
the row of odd looking buildings comprising Exchange Street both the epicentre of Sheffield’s creative scene and its biggest eyesore.
Clam helps artists record and release music, all the stuff you’ll know,
and puts on small shows in a room holding about a hundred (if you “step forward please“).
I’ve edited the barmaid out of the shot, which makes rather a nonsense of the keg board,
which is basically Abbeydale Heresy or lager for a fiver.
A fiver your craft pint ! Beat that, Manchester.
Almost 1980 prices, and a soundtrack of “Heart of Glass” and “Funky Town“, which makes a change from the 1980 of Hall & Oates and Dire Straits in publand.
A top night, headlined by the Golden Dregs but I’m here mainly for a 3rd dose of Sophie Jamieson this year after Leeds and London, this set markedly different from those two.
“What’s she sound like, Retired Martin ?“
Glad you asked.
retiredmartin 
“seen Dylan in a Dudley folk club for a shilling”.
You forgot to add the “and he wasn’t worth it.”
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But the support act might have been.
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Your Sophie reminds me a little of Aimee Mann, but without the optimism. (Clarification: one or two of Aimee Mann’s songs sound optimistic but it turns out they’re just as gloomy as all the rest. I can’t get enough of them.)
I’m glad she (Sophie) has a following. Especially as he is a man of taste and discernment.
And thanks for reading my old review of the Hen & Chickens. You’ve gladdened the heart of an old man.
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I’m glad you wrote it, Will, or I’d have had nothing to steal.
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Loved those early Til Tuesday albums, but lost track of Aimee Mann about 30 years ago.
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Does Talking Heads supported by Dire Straits in 1978 at the University of Sheffield union count as a bargain? I was an imposter from the Poly.
TWM
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Depends how much a pint of Stones on electric pump cost in the bar.
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Probably Webster’s or Trophy in the union bar? IIRC bitter at 18p and lager at 22p in the poly bar in 1974. Exciting times when a pub near the university had the stylish Stella for the first time.
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Will is a big Stella fan, I read. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a pint.
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First off, you gave me a fright with the ‘recent posts’ on the left side bar. I thought “Meat Raffle, blah blah blah, To Be Adored was at least four posts! (phew)
“November 2025. Sheffield.”
(looks at pic above)
Yeah, sorry, but ‘dregs’ and ‘lichen’ aren’t doing it for me.
” £15 for a night of modern music in a club in Sheffield seems a bargain”
No argument here.
“”though I’m sure one of you will tell me they’ve seen Dylan in a Dudley folk club for a shilling.”
Yes, yes but… as we’ve mentioned earlier, when was this magical ‘shilling’ experience. Bargains change with time (and perhaps the will of the downtrodden?).
“but unlike the Sheffield “Stella” Hatter I never experienced its many charms before its closure.”
Missed it by, ten years?
“I’d never been in the Delicious Clam before, either,”
You do realise I stifle a snigger whenever I see that.
(maybe it’s a North American thing?)
“the row of odd looking buildings comprising Exchange Street both the epicentre of Sheffield’s creative scene and its biggest eyesore.”
(looks down)
Yeah, that’s… jumbled?
“I’ve edited the barmaid out of the shot, which makes rather a nonsense of the keg board,”
Yup. 😉
“which is basically Abbeydale Heresy or lager for a fiver.
A fiver your craft pint ! Beat that, Manchester.”
Hang on, the cans of Stella are only 3.50, or is that fiver for a pint?
“Almost 1980 prices, and a soundtrack of “Heart of Glass” and “Funky Town“, which makes a change from the 1980 of Hall & Oates and Dire Straits in publand.”
(slow golf clap)
“but I’m here mainly for a 3rd dose of Sophie Jamieson this year after Leeds and London, this set markedly different from those two.”
So, versatile? Or is it the venue?
Cheers
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The set being markedly different meant she’d written lots of new material since releasing an album at the start of the year, which is going some”.
And yes, bargain cans of Stella.
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Good for her, keeping prolific.
As for Stella, sheesh. My brother, who’s been living in France since December 1989, says almost no one in France or Belgium drinks it. It’s marketed as ‘premium’ in the rest of the world.
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That’s interesting. Wonder what the best selling lager is in Belgium, then ?
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Jupiler is the best-selling lager in Belgium. It is a popular pilsner-style lager produced by the Piedboeuf Brewery and is known for being a refreshing, easy-to-drink beer.
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Thank you, Reg. I remember the Jupiler glass now.
Good to have you back, too.
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I was going to say I’d check with my brother but when Reg said ‘Jupiler’ it jogged my memory. That’s the best selling lager in all the small bars/brasseries and whatnot, in both Belgium and northern France.
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Never seen it in the UK, except possibly in cheap cans.
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The other one that’s popular over there in pub/bars is Leffe.
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