The Plug
Encyclopedia
The Plug Nightclub is a 1200 capacity live music venue and nightclub located in Matilda Street, Sheffield
, UK. It is situated on the edge of the city centre close to The Moor.
The venue opened in October 2005 after the owners of the existing .Zero nightclub, Scott Bailey and Adele Armitage, purchased the adjoining building, a disused discount superstore, and converted it into an arena to accommodate live music. The premises were amalgamated to create a three-roomed venue themed on the wiring of an electrical plug. The rooms were branded Live, Earth and Neutral. Live and Earth are contained within the converted building and Neutral is the former .Zero building, well known to club goers for hosting such events as Razor Stiletto, Urban Gorilla and Planet Zogg.
and the first dance orientated club night hosted a rare UK appearance from Detroit techno DJ and producer Jeff Mills
. Other notable shows in the early days included Editors
, Four Tet
, Explosions in the Sky
and two successive sell-out Saturday night appearances by emerging Sheffield act Arctic Monkeys
. The second of these concerts preceded the band's debut single, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
", reaching number one in the charts. Plug's instantly became known for a venue that promoted diverse musical events. The versatility of the venue meant that bands could often play to a later curfew. It also provided a number of popular club nights. House music promotion Hustle
, underground music night Tonic
and drum n bass promoters Metropolis
all featured, some proving more successful than others. Jon McClure
of Reverend and the Makers
also hosted Reverend Soundsytem. Thursday proved to be the most consistently popular night with the student friendly Jump Around
event regularly attracting capacity crowds with a formula of themed nights, popular music and discount drinks.
and Felix Da Housecat
. By consolidating the most successful club events such as Shuffle
, Uprising
, Reflective, Grounded
and Jump Around
and introducing newcomer night Covert, the diversity of live music bookings has continued to develop. Established stars such as US punk icon Patti Smith
, Grammy award-winning folk singer Lucinda Williams
, bluesman Seasick Steve
and contemporary indie acts such as The Hoosiers
, Foals and 2007 Mercury prize winners Klaxons
are among the highlights of the past year. There continues to be an emphasis on local bands making regular appearances. Jarvis Cocker
, whose band Pulp
originated in Sheffield, played two sell-out dates early in 2007 and Sheffield-based act Little Man Tate
, have sold the venue out three times. Their latest gig in August 2007 was in aid of the Sheffield Flood appeal which involved everyone at the venue working for free to raise money for city dwellers affected in the serious July floods. Roisin Murphy
, formerly of Sheffield electronica act Moloko
, is set to perform live in December. In 2010 Shuffle
celebrated its sixth birthday with Crookers
, A-Trak
, Fenech-Soler
. Sasha
and James Zabiela
are Plug favourites. The diversity of these concerts has been helped by Plug collaborating with other promoters based in the city such as The Gig Cartel and Jewels Promotions.
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, UK. It is situated on the edge of the city centre close to The Moor.
The venue opened in October 2005 after the owners of the existing .Zero nightclub, Scott Bailey and Adele Armitage, purchased the adjoining building, a disused discount superstore, and converted it into an arena to accommodate live music. The premises were amalgamated to create a three-roomed venue themed on the wiring of an electrical plug. The rooms were branded Live, Earth and Neutral. Live and Earth are contained within the converted building and Neutral is the former .Zero building, well known to club goers for hosting such events as Razor Stiletto, Urban Gorilla and Planet Zogg.
Early days
The official opening of Plug featured a performance by The Ukulele Orchestra of Great BritainThe Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is a musical ensemble featuring ukuleles in different registers and a bass ukulele .-History:...
and the first dance orientated club night hosted a rare UK appearance from Detroit techno DJ and producer Jeff Mills
Jeff Mills
Jeff Mills is an American techno DJ and producer.-Career:Starting in the early 1980s, Mills, using the name "The Wizard", was a recurring guest DJ on "The Electrifying Mojo" radio show on WJLB...
. Other notable shows in the early days included Editors
Editors
Editors are a British indie rock band based in Birmingham, who formed in 2002. Previously known as Pilot, The Pride and Snowfield, the band consists of Tom Smith , Chris Urbanowicz , Russell Leetch and Ed Lay .Editors have so far released two platinum studio...
, Four Tet
Four Tet
Kieran Hebden is a post-rock and electronic musician. Hebden first came to prominence as a member of the band Fridge before establishing himself as a solo artist under the moniker of Four Tet....
, Explosions in the Sky
Explosions in the Sky
Explosions in the Sky is an American post-rock band from Texas. The band has garnered popularity beyond the post-rock scene for their elaborately developed guitar work, narratively styled instrumentals, what they refer to as "cathartic mini-symphonies," and their enthusiastic and emotional live shows...
and two successive sell-out Saturday night appearances by emerging Sheffield act Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
. The second of these concerts preceded the band's debut single, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
-Charts:-External links:* Mapped on Platial....
", reaching number one in the charts. Plug's instantly became known for a venue that promoted diverse musical events. The versatility of the venue meant that bands could often play to a later curfew. It also provided a number of popular club nights. House music promotion Hustle
Hustle
Hustle commonly refers to:* A confidence trick, deceptions performed by hustlers or grifters* The tradecraft of a hustler who deceives others by hustling, usually in sports* A slang word in America, meaning to get money, with no concern as to the legallity...
, underground music night Tonic
Tonic
Tonic may refer to:*Tonic water, a drink traditionally containing quinine*Soft drink, a carbonated beverage*Tonic , the response of a muscle fiber or nerve ending typified by slow, continuous action...
and drum n bass promoters Metropolis
Metropolis
A metropolis is a very large city or urban area which is a significant economic, political and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections and communications...
all featured, some proving more successful than others. Jon McClure
Jon McClure
Jon McClure, known as the Reverend, is lead singer and frontman of Reverend and The Makers and ex-vocalist of 1984 and Judan Suki. He claims that the name "Reverend" became his moniker because "I'm a big mouth and always running on at people"....
of Reverend and the Makers
Reverend and The Makers
Reverend and The Makers are an indie pop band based in Sheffield, England and signed to Wall of Sound. The band is fronted by Jon McClure, nicknamed "The Reverend"...
also hosted Reverend Soundsytem. Thursday proved to be the most consistently popular night with the student friendly Jump Around
Jump Around
"Jump Around" is the title of a song by the band House of Pain, produced by DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill. This song became a hit in 1992, reaching Number 3 in the USA. A 1993 re-release of the song in the UK, where the original had been a minor hit, peaked at Number 8. On VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of...
event regularly attracting capacity crowds with a formula of themed nights, popular music and discount drinks.
Recent times
Plug celebrated its second birthday in October 2007, with performances from Simian Mobile DiscoSimian Mobile Disco
Simian Mobile Disco are a United Kingdom-based production and remix team formed in 2005 by James Ford and Jas Shaw of the band Simian. Musically, they are known for their analogue production...
and Felix Da Housecat
Felix da Housecat
Felix da Housecat is an American DJ and record producer, mostly known for house music and electroclash. His name was inspired by Felix the Cat....
. By consolidating the most successful club events such as Shuffle
Shuffle
Shuffling is a procedure used to randomize a deck of playing cards to provide an element of chance in card games. Shuffling is often followed by a cut, to help ensure that the shuffler has not manipulated the outcome.-Shuffling techniques:...
, Uprising
Uprising
-In music:* Uprising * Uprising , album by Concord Dawn* Uprising , album by Entombed* Uprising , album by Universal Poplab...
, Reflective, Grounded
Grounded
Grounded, may refer to:*Grounding , restrictions placed on movement or privileges*Grounded, a song by My Vitriol*Unaccompanied Minors, a film*Grounded , a comic book by Mark Sable for Image Comics...
and Jump Around
Jump Around
"Jump Around" is the title of a song by the band House of Pain, produced by DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill. This song became a hit in 1992, reaching Number 3 in the USA. A 1993 re-release of the song in the UK, where the original had been a minor hit, peaked at Number 8. On VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of...
and introducing newcomer night Covert, the diversity of live music bookings has continued to develop. Established stars such as US punk icon Patti Smith
Patti Smith
Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses....
, Grammy award-winning folk singer Lucinda Williams
Lucinda Williams
Lucinda Williams is an American rock, folk, blues and country music singer and songwriter. She recorded her first albums in 1978 and 1980 in a traditional country and blues style and received very little attention from radio, the media, or the public. In 1988, she released her self-titled album,...
, bluesman Seasick Steve
Seasick Steve
Steven Gene Wold, commonly known as Seasick Steve, is an American blues musician. He plays guitars, and sings, usually about his early life doing casual work.-Childhood and early life:...
and contemporary indie acts such as The Hoosiers
The Hoosiers
The Hoosiers are an English pop/rock band, consisting of members Irwin Sparkes , Martin Skarendahl and Alan Sharland ....
, Foals and 2007 Mercury prize winners Klaxons
Klaxons
Klaxons are a British indie rock band, based in London. Following the release of numerous 7-inch singles on different independent record labels, as well as the success of previous singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans", the band released their debut album, Myths of the Near Future on 29 January 2007....
are among the highlights of the past year. There continues to be an emphasis on local bands making regular appearances. Jarvis Cocker
Jarvis Cocker
Jarvis Branson Cocker is an English musician and frontman for the band Pulp. Through his work with the band, Cocker became a figurehead of the Britpop movement of the mid-1990s. Following Pulp's hiatus Cocker has led a successful solo career...
, whose band Pulp
Pulp (band)
Pulp are an English alternative rock band formed in Sheffield in 1978. Their lineup consists of Jarvis Cocker , Russell Senior , Candida Doyle , Mark Webber , Steve Mackey and Nick Banks ....
originated in Sheffield, played two sell-out dates early in 2007 and Sheffield-based act Little Man Tate
Little Man Tate
Little Man Tate is a 1991 motion picture drama directed by and starring Jodie Foster.It tells the story of Fred Tate, a 7-year-old child prodigy who struggles to self-actualize in a social and psychological construct that largely fails to accommodate his intelligence...
, have sold the venue out three times. Their latest gig in August 2007 was in aid of the Sheffield Flood appeal which involved everyone at the venue working for free to raise money for city dwellers affected in the serious July floods. Roisin Murphy
Róisín Murphy
Róisín Marie Murphy is an Irish singer-songwriter and record producer, known for her electronic style.Murphy first came to note as part of the electronic music duo Moloko. Her partner in the band was then-boyfriend Mark Brydon. After the two ended their romantic relationship, Murphy released her...
, formerly of Sheffield electronica act Moloko
Moloko
Moloko were an Anglo-Irish electronic/pop duo consisting of Róisín Murphy from Wicklow, Ireland and Mark Brydon, from Sunderland, England.- Origin of band name :...
, is set to perform live in December. In 2010 Shuffle
Shuffle
Shuffling is a procedure used to randomize a deck of playing cards to provide an element of chance in card games. Shuffling is often followed by a cut, to help ensure that the shuffler has not manipulated the outcome.-Shuffling techniques:...
celebrated its sixth birthday with Crookers
Crookers
Crookers are an Italian DJ/production duo who have worked together since 2003. When the two artists met, both were trying to branch out of their genre and explore dance music. Their first collaboration worked...
, A-Trak
A-Trak
A-Trak is a Montreal-born DJ, turntablist, and owner of the record label Fool's Gold.- Career :...
, Fenech-Soler
Fenech-Soler
Fenech-Soler are a British electropop band from Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire that formed in 2006. It consists of four members: Ross Duffy, Ben Duffy, Daniel Soler and Andrew Lindsay. The name Fenech-Soler is taken from Daniel Soler's full surname, which is Maltese...
. Sasha
Sasha (DJ)
Sasha is a Welsh DJ and record producer. Sasha began his career playing acid house dance music in the late 1980s...
and James Zabiela
James Zabiela
James Zabiela is a DJ and producer from Southampton in the United Kingdom. In his early years his signature style was a fusion of Breakbeat and House music, more recently however, he is regarded as a Tech House DJ although his use of Breakbeat music is still key to the more flashy parts of his sets...
are Plug favourites. The diversity of these concerts has been helped by Plug collaborating with other promoters based in the city such as The Gig Cartel and Jewels Promotions.