Bramall Lane, the historic home of Sheffield United F.C., played host to an evening of Britpop nostalgia and working-class poetry as Paul Heaton returned for a special hometown-flavoured performance. With support from Lightning Seeds and Shed Seven, the event pulled in a lively crowd for a Bank Holiday Sunday night of singalongs and solid northern sentiment.

This marked my 15th time seeing Paul Heaton live – a testament to his staying power and his unwavering ability to deliver.

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The Journey

The trip to Sheffield was made with Hacks behind the wheel — smooth enough, with a conveniently located car park just ten minutes from the venue (although a bugger to leave later in the night!). A soundtrack of The Housemartins, The Beautiful South, and Lightning Seeds, along with plenty of political chat, made the three-hour journey fly by. Once in the city, we met up with Hammy and Gabs for a couple of drinks and some dinner, adding familiar faces to the evening’s social mix.

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The Support

Lightning Seeds kicked off proceedings and were an early highlight — melodic, tight, and warmly received. Unfortunately, their set was all too brief, and the decision to include “Three Lions” remains a divisive one — particularly for those of us who feel the football anthem detracts from an otherwise strong repertoire. Basically it turns grown men into idiots.

Shed Seven followed with a confident, polished performance. While they clearly connected with much of the crowd, I found myself watching with admiration rather than engagement — decent, but not a band I’m deeply familiar with.

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The Main Event

Former frontman of The Housemartins and The Beautiful South, Paul Heaton brought his rich catalogue to a sold-out Bramall Lane, offering a crowd-pleasing, career-spanning set. At just £35 a ticket, Heaton once again ensured that his shows remain accessible to all — a value-driven decision that reflects his ethos as much as his popularity.

The performance drew from every chapter of his career: songs from The Housemartins, The Beautiful South, his celebrated work with Jacqui Abbott, and newer solo material. With Abbott stepping back from live shows, vocal duties were once again masterfully handled by Rianne Downey, who was billed as a special guest. Special doesn’t quite do her justice — Downey delivered expressive harmonies and lead vocals with a natural confidence that suggests she’s going places.

Setlist Highlights

• “Bell Bottomed Tear” and “Good As Gold (Stupid As Mud)” (The Beautiful South)
• “Me and the Farmer” and “Bow Down” (The Housemartins)
• “I Don’t See Them” and “Heatongrad” (Heaton solo)

Heaton’s blend of biting wit and heartfelt lyricism was at its sharpest during “A Little Time”, as the crowd sang along to every word. His newer track “Fish ‘n’ Chip Supper” – quirky title and all – proved his pen remains both creative and culturally tuned in.

A standout moment came with “Song for Whoever”, which hung beautifully on Downey’s vocal delivery. A slight disappointment for me was the absence of the “Mary Mix” version, but the performance remained powerful nonetheless.

The final run of songs saw the crowd hit full voice — “Happy Hour”, “Perfect 10”, and “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere)” closed out the main set. But it was the encore — a soulful, a cappella “Caravan of Love” with giant balloons drifting over the crowd — that brought the night to an emotional close. A simple, unified moment that summed up the spirit of Heaton’s fanbase and his enduring appeal.

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The Venue

Bramall Lane proved a solid enough venue acoustically, and the wide sightlines helped give the event the right scale. However, the stewarding was a let-down: unclear directions, long entry delays, and disorganised crowd control created unnecessary frustration. The venue didn’t quite match the quality of the performances on stage.

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Overall Verdict

A memorable evening of outstanding music, genuine connection, and spirited crowd participation. Lightning Seeds impressed, Shed Seven held their own, and Paul Heaton was exceptional — unpretentious, generous, and as vital as ever.

15 shows in and still worth every mile. Here’s to the next one.