“The streets of Neepsend were alive”: Get Together 2023

On approach to Get Together, blessed with sunshine, the festival’s first artist-in-residence, Corbin
Shaw, had his posters and artwork displayed around the multi-venue
site.

From the brick walls surrounding Burton Road to the inside of
Peddler Warehouse, the London-based, Sheffield-born artist celebrated
his roots, the city’s industrial history, his father’s occupation (he
still works in Kelham today) and our musical prowess in the form
of “IT’S BASS UP NORTH”. Corbin’s artwork was a warm welcome to the festival, promoting a sense of community for punters and passersby.

With diverse acts including CMAT, THE GOA EXPRESS and Ziyad Al-Samman,
Futuresound group’s triumphant one-day festival showcased the best in
new music at some of the best bars in the city.

Starting at Neepsend
Social Club & Canteen, the chaotic punk rock trio Drastic//Automatic
injected fast-paced energy into the afternoon with their
fiery, hysterical set. They may have broken a guitar during their
first couple of songs, but help was on the way and as soon as they
restarted they had even stronger zeal than before.

Due to the scope of talented acts billed for Get
Together, clashes were inevitable and having to leave a set early to catch the end
of another was expected. Quietly exiting Drastic//Automatic, a brisk walk took us to Alder bar, where we witnessed the last few
songs of Ziyad Al-Samman.

The Jordan-born, London-based singer brought a
slice of Arabic disco pop to Sheffield with his shimmering final track,
‘Yeah Habibi’, which had people singing along even after he’d
finished. Al-Samman describes himself as “your favourite Habibi music
maker.” His songs have a sweetly psychedelic aura, merging otherworldly sounds with confessional musings on everyday life. ‘I Can’t Behave’ and ‘Hard To Say’ were just as
captivating, with everyone swaying their hands in the
air in the back room of Alder.

In high spirits, groups of attendees made their
way to Yellow Arch Studios to catch KEG and then THE GOA EXPRESS, with
both sets reaching full capacity quickly. Hooked on KEG’s art-punk
charisma, the Brighton-based seven-piece entertained with their frenzied
riffs and pummeling percussion. THE GOA EXPRESS’ set was
refreshing, sun-drenched indie at its best. Performing newer tracks like
‘Good Luck Charm’ and ‘Portrait’, the Manchester group had both a uniqueness and a comforting familiarity that left fans excited and
wanting more.

Hosted in the location where the idea for the
festival was originally conceived, Kelham Island felt like Get Together’s natural
home. With sunlit warehouses and pockets of music
bursting from small stages in bars like Alder and Heist Brewery, the
streets of Neepsend were alive.

With the evening drawing to a close, Irish icon
CMAT took to the main stage at Peddler Warehouse. Blending euphoric
country-pop melodies with relatable lyrics, she charmed the audience
effortlessly. ‘I Wanna Be A Cowboy, Baby!’ was a real crowd-pleaser,
transporting fans to a retro western film landscape.

Ending where we began at Neepsend Social Club
& Canteen, Devon and Sheffield came together to produce a perfect blend
of shoegaze pop in the form of Pale Blue Eyes. Songs like ‘TV
Flicker’ provided expansive, spacey sounds to the packed-out bar.
Having recently announced their support slot with legends of the genre Slowdive, they are only just getting started.

Similar to other multi-venue festivals
in the North, like Liverpool’s Sound City and Manchester’s
Neighbourhood Festival, Get Together was the perfect precursor to
festival season as the summer months kick in. Offering a change of
scenery, the Futuresound group helped bring music lovers to a different
part of Sheffield to showcase the wealth of independent spaces, from
vendors to music venues.

Whether it was interacting with other
like-minded people, catching your new favourite band or enjoying great
food, Get Together 2023 was a wonderful experience. In the same way that the
Fringe during Tramlines and Float Along Festival concentrate on
different pockets of the city, from West Street to Leadmill Road and
Sidney Street, Get Together brought Kelham Island to life from morning
to night. Next year can’t come soon enough.