From underground parties to a permanent home in the city centre, Gut Level marks a new chapter for Sheffield’s queer and DIY nightlife with a summer programme celebrating the local music scene.
Gut Level is a volunteer-led music venue, community space and members club based in Sheffield – a hub for the freaks, angels and queers. Founded by four friends who met through Sheffield's underground party scene, Gut Level grew out of a shared desire to create their own inclusive spaces, pooling resources to build their own DIY party spaces.
After many events and meanwhile spaces, they undertook the a challenging journey to setting up their first permanent, independent music venue in the city centre on Chapel Walk. A multi-purpose members venue that aims to expand social and creative opportunities for underrepresented communities in Sheffield, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+, women and gender minorities – continuing Gut Level's commitment to safer, more accessible nightlife.
To celebrate the opening of their new venue, Studio Monkey Shoulder collaborated with Gut Level to support the launch of their music programme. Gut Level curated a series of nine music events and community showcases between July and October 2024, dedicated to uplifting wider Sheffield scene and representing the music ecosystem across the north of England.
Collaborations included Mondo Radio, Interworld Media, No Binaries No Borders and Flaw Collective.
The series kicked off during Sheffield's annual Tramlines Festival weekend with the Tanlines Weekender, presented as part of the Off-Tramlines programme taking place in independent grassroots venues across the city.
Worldwide FM founder and DJ Gilles Peterson attended and played a special opening set.
Gilles also sat down with the Gut Level team to discuss why spaces like theirs are essential in Sheffield and across the UK for supporting grassroots music culture, the challenges they face in opening the venue and the ongoing fight to remain financially sustainable amid a wave of independent venues closing around the country.
"This venue totally encapsulates the current narrative I'm so passionate about, the role independent DIY venues play in building and nurturing music communities across the UK." Gilles Peterson
Watch this video here to learn more about Gut Level's journey, the community they support and why independent DIY music venues are vital for a resilient and diverse music ecosystem.
This project is part of Studio Monkey Shoulder – a music initiative by Worldwide FM and Monkey Shoulder Whisky dedicated to empowering and celebrating innovate grassroots music communities around the world.