O2 Academy Sheffield
The O2 Academy Sheffield (formerly the Carling Academy Sheffield) is a temporarily closed live music venue in the centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. It is a £3 million refurbishment of the former "Roxy Nightclub" (originally the "Top Rank Suite" opened in 1968, becoming The Roxy in 1985) and opened on 11 April 2008. The O2 Academy is currently closed due to concerns relating to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete used in the construction of the venue.
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 Interactive map of O2 Academy Sheffield | |
| Location | Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England |
|---|---|
| Owner | Academy Music Group |
| Capacity | 2,150[1] |
| Events | Rock, comedy |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 2008 |
| Website | |
| www.o2academysheffield.co.uk | |
The O2 Academy Sheffield (formerly the Carling Academy Sheffield) is a temporarily closed live music venue in the centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. It is a £3 million refurbishment of the former "Roxy Nightclub" (originally the "Top Rank Suite" opened in 1968, becoming The Roxy in 1985) and opened on 11 April 2008.[2]
The O2 Academy is currently closed due to concerns relating to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete used in the construction of the venue.[3]
History
[edit]In 2007 the Academy Music Group announced that it had acquired the former Roxy Disco nightclub and was to transform it into the Carling Academy Sheffield. The conversion of the venue was subject to some opposition from rival nightclubs in the area on the grounds of crime and disorder.[4]
The venue opened on 11 April 2008, with Reverend and the Makers playing on the opening night.[5] On 6 November 2008, it was announced that Telefónica Europe (owners of the O2 Network in the UK) had become the new sponsor of all Academy venues, in a deal with music promoter Live Nation. The deal, which lasts for five years, sees all venues rebranded "The O2 Academy", in line with Telefónica's purchase of the Millennium Dome (now The O2).[6]
Reverend & The Makers' second live album, Reverend and The Makers Live in Sheffield, was recorded at the venue and released in December 2012.[7]
The venue was temporarily closed in September 2023 due to safety concerns relating to the used of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in the construction of the venue.[8] On 10 February 2025 planning permission was granted to replace the roof by Sheffield City Council, with a view to then reopening the venue.[3]
Structure
[edit]There are two separate performance areas for both live music and smaller club events.
O2 Academy Sheffield
[edit]The O2 Academy Sheffield includes "a large main auditorium with a capacity of 2,350 and a secondary smaller room, emulating the success of its multi-room format at other AMG venues across the country, to hold 600."[9] It will aim to attract British and international touring artists in the same way that AMG's other venues do.[2]
O2 Academy Sheffield 2
[edit]The O2 Academy Sheffield 2 is capable of hosting smaller, up and coming artists or other small-scale events. The capacity for this room is 500.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Company: O2 Academy Sheffield | Academy Music Group". academymusicgroup.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ a b c O2 Academy Sheffield – Venue History
- ^ a b Ulke, Alastair (10 February 2025). "Planning permission granted to replace 'crumbly concrete' roof at O2 Academy". The Star. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ "Protest at bid to reopen Sheffield nightclub". The Star. 24 December 2007. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ Ents24 – Reverend & The Makers To Launch O2 Academy Sheffield
- ^ Sweney, Mark (6 November 2008). "O2 to sponsor Academy music venues". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
- ^ "Zoetrope Pictures Limited". Nyquest.bigcartel.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "Sheffield O2 Academy closure leaves fans 'out of pocket'". BBC News. BBC News. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ "O2 Academy Sheffield, Venue info on AMG". Academy-music-group.co.uk. Archived from the original on 31 December 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
External links
[edit]
- O2 Academy Sheffield – Official Website