Sheffield University gigs

[Bilge]

Before the Octagon was built whereabouts did bands play at Sheff Uni? The Kinks, Who etc etc played there, but I'm wondering where exactly. Is the building still there?

[Vasquez Rich]

I have seen smaller bands play in "Bar-one" downstairs, and also larger touring bands in what used to be the "Lower Refectory", this was the lower part of the union building that was perpendicular to Western Bank towards the Childrens Hosp end of the original buildings.

[echo beach]

I have seen smaller bands play in "Bar-one" downstairs, and also larger touring bands in what used to be the "Lower Refectory", this was the lower part of the union building that was perpendicular to Western Bank towards the Childrens Hosp end of the original buildings.

 

Correct VR. The lower refectory was used in the '60s. I recall seeing, among others, the Swinging Blue Jeans, Manfred Mann and Johnny Kidd and the Pirates there.

 

echo.

[Bilge]

So was this building on the students' union side of Western Bank?

[Annie Bynnol]

The building that contained the Upper and Lower Refectory that was used for gigs and discos that you mention is still there. Its been added to and extended many times.

The original structures are best seen from Glossop Road/Durham Road junction. From left to right:

 

Octagon- Staff/Upper/Lower Refectory- Link Building and Bar One- Graves building, the original Students Union.

[echo beach]

In the '60s the entrance to the students' union was via a footbridge from Brook Hill. You couldn't gain entry from Glossop Road. That bridge has disappeared over the years and now I see there's a subway from the Arts Tower side of the road.

There are of course many more students at the Uni plus much busier roads nowadays as compared to way back then.

As Annie B mentions the building has also been altered and extended.

 

echo.

[Morts]

Only went once and that was to see Rick Wakeman. That must have been in 1975. Used to play his three albums constantly in the car cassette. And that’s a good cue to  see if Alexa can find it...

[stevenorfolk]

 I remember the students  union on western bank, I think the year was around 1969,  went to a see the crazy world of Arthur Brown there, singing his hit "fire", with flames coming from the top of his head!!!!, those were the days ?

This quote was from earlier in his career.

" During an early appearance at the Windsor Festival in 1967, Brown wore a colander on his head soaked in methanol. The fuel poured over his head by accident caught fire; two bystanders doused the flames by pouring beer on Brown’s head, preventing any serious injury.^[3] The flaming head then became an Arthur Brown signature "

 

Quote

 

 

Edited November 20, 2018 by stevenorfolk

[Bilge]

I'm just trying to picture if the 'Lower Refectory' space where the gigs of the 1960s/70s took place is still essentially the same space today? Maybe it's changed out of all recognition. Whenever I've been to gigs down there in recent years (at Fusion/Foundry) it seems  slightly different each time.

Has the 'Interval' always been a bar or was that space used for other things?

2 hours ago, stevenorfolk said:

 I remember the students  union on western bank, I think the year was around 1969,  went to a see the crazy world of Arthur Brown there, singing his hit "fire", with flames coming from the top of his head!!!!, those were the days ?

This quote was from earlier in his career.

" During an early appearance at the Windsor Festival in 1967, Brown wore a colander on his head soaked in methanol. The fuel poured over his head by accident caught fire; two bystanders doused the flames by pouring beer on Brown’s head, preventing any serious injury.^[3] The flaming head then became an Arthur Brown signature "

He played the Boardwalk a few years ago. Amazing that he had a career essentially based on one song (which presumably he always kept until the end).

 

 

[echo beach]

3 hours ago, Bilge said:

I'm just trying to picture if the 'Lower Refectory' space where the gigs of the 1960s/70s took place is still essentially the same space today? Maybe it's changed out of all recognition. Whenever I've been to gigs down there in recent years (at Fusion/Foundry) it seems  slightly different each time.

Has the 'Interval' always been a bar or was that space used for other things?

 

Sorry Bilge, can't help you there. I haven't been in the SU building since the '60s passed me by!

 

echo.