Rock N Roll Circus 2025: Writer's Picks and Local Artists To Watch

Images provided by Rock N Roll Circus

Rock N Roll Circus has been such a fun addition to the Sheffield events calendar since first moving to Don Valley Bowl in 2022. One of the most endearing aspects of the festival is the sheer variety of acts on display each year, as well as the abundance of local artists that the festival choose to platform. We've put a quick list together of our most anticipated performances over the weekend, read on to find out who we’re most excited to see at Don Valley Bowl this year!

Writer's Picks

Circa Waves

Electric Carousel, Thursday @ 17:30

Scouse quartet Circa Waves always put on a fantastic show, and have earned their place as a festival staple. Having established themselves with their debut Young Chasers a decade ago, the band have gone from strength to strength since, developing a knack for crafting indie bangers that are just as fun to hear live than they are in recorded form. We can’t wait to see them perform in the unique Rock N Roll Circus setting. T-shirt weather, anyone? - by Sophie Walker

The Lottery Winners

The Big Top, Saturday @ 16:30

“I don't think of you at all, except the fifty-five times a day I check if you called…” The Lottery Winners are guaranteed to put on a great show! They’re riding high at the moment, celebrating their second number 1 album after KOKO” (aka Keep On Keeping On) topped the charts back in March (their second number 1 album!) They’ve built up a great back catalogue of fan favourites already, and they’re guaranteed to play hit “You Again” which features Jon McClure on vocals who’ll be headlining later in the evening with Reverend and the Makers. Thom Rylance is a brilliant frontman who loves interacting with the audience, this is one set you won’t want to miss! - by Dave, Steel City Snapper

Sleeper

The Big Top, Sunday @ 15:00

Sleeper were one of the coolest bands of the Britpop era, and it's great to see them back on the scene after disappearing for 20 years! They owe much of their coolness to frontwoman Louise Wener - the disparity between her glamorous appearance and the plainness of her all-male bandmates coined the term 'Sleeperbloke' to describe amusingly ordinary-looking men in rock groups. Fun stuff! - by Jack Starr

Local Artists to Watch - by Matt Codd

Alice Ede

BBC Introducing Stage, Friday @ 16:15

A Sheffield Magazine favourite, Alice Ede continues to be one of the most promising singer-songwriters from our city over the last few years. Still just 20 years old and having accomplished so much already, hers is a career we’re so excited to see blossom. Alice has performed across the city, been a part of The Leadmill Studio Orchestra project and has also received support WaterBear College of Music, showing that we’re not the only ones taking a keen interest. Alice is one to watch on Friday. 

Sundress

BBC Introducing Stage, Friday @ 18:15

A band truly worth getting to know on Friday again, Sundress capture a feeling and sound with their music that is both classic and fresh, relaxing and exhilarating. We got a small taster at Tramlines’ Main Stage as the band put their infectious, genre-hopping melodies on display at their biggest show to date. Debut single 'Meet Me In Montauk' has already racked up over 100k streams on Spotify, showing just how exciting this band is already. This is one set we cannot wait for and one career we cannot wait to see take off.

FEMUR

BBC Introducing Stage, Friday @ 20:30

Another band we were lucky enough to get a preview of at Tramlines earlier in the summer and we can safely say it’s impossible not to have a blast at a FEMUR show. Their music, and stage presence, is undeniable and furiously addictive and they looked totally at home on The Main Stage, so will no doubt look even more at home in their spot headlining the BBC Introducing Stage on Friday at this year’s Rock N Roll Circus. 

CRUZ

Electric Carousel, Saturday @ 13:45

A band to get excited about in Sheffield’s favourite genre. CRUZ are one of the most exciting bands emerging in the UK, let alone Sheffield. With high energy live shows and a catalogue of songs that feel like a shot of adrenaline, complete with infectious melodies and no-nonsense lyricism. Latest release ‘Hold On’ is one of our favourite new releases of the year and their set promises to be the best way to start your Saturday. 

Work In TV

BBC Introducing Stage, Sunday @ 12:30

A band that always produces a buzz with their hometown shows, consistently selling them out whenever they perform in the Steel City, Work In TV’s set at Rock n Roll Circus will surely be no less talked about. Drawing influence from the likes of Foals and Talking Heads, their tunes are full of the soaring synths and disco rhythms. It’s indie pop with a healthy dose of realism and a good deal of humour too, a fantastic band to discover on Sunday.