Fight for Make Noise: Keep Sheffield's Music Scene Alive
Dear Friends of Make Noise Studios,
We have faced some really tough battles, and have come close to closure.
Why We Need Your Help
Our building is being purchased by a residential developer, forcing us to vacate. For the past 18 months, we've been searching tirelessly for a new home that’s suitable for our needs. Several relocation schemes have fallen through due to matters outside our control, and we are now running out of time.
As a result, we will have to move to a smaller, temporary location. This has come with significant challenges:
- Loss of a Major Contract: Financial strain from losing a significant contract due to the instability caused by the lack of a permanent home.
- Scaling Down Operations: The smaller venue means no events, recording parties, academy, smaller bar, less ability for community services and the likely loss of customers.
- Increased Expenses: Due to a massive mistake by our current energy provider, we are now paying a large debt that was not expected.
We’ve always prided ourselves on being self-sufficient, but this situation is beyond our control. We need your support to help us weather this storm.
Timescales
We are in frequent contact with the Planning Department and the Director of the development company. We will not need to move until demolition works start, which we expect to be within weeks, but we have no way of knowing.
What We Do and Why It Matters
Make Noise Studios is more than just a space; it’s a vital part of Sheffield’s music community. Here’s the impact we’re making:
60-70 Bands Rehearse Weekly: For many, it's the only space available to start their musical journeys.
43% of Sheffield’s Rehearsal Rooms: We provide nearly half of the city’s rehearsal spaces.
10 Bands Perform Monthly: Our venue is a platform for bands to showcase their talent.
88% Local Artists: Most of our gigs feature local talent, helping bands grow.
7-10 Staff Members: Our dedicated team keeps everything running smoothly.
15-20 Music Industry Freelancers: Freelance sound engineers, producers, and technicians depend on us for work.
100% Sheffield Locals: All our staff and freelancers are from Sheffield.
5-10 Kids on Work Experience: We offer hands-on experience in the music industry.
5-7 Kids in Alternative Provision Weekly: We provide a supportive environment for students in alternative education.
Dozens of Artists Recorded: Our studios help artists produce high-quality tracks released globally.
Dozens of Kids in Recording Parties: We inspire young music enthusiasts with memorable experiences.
75% Revenue Spent Locally: We invest back into the Sheffield community.
Here is what some of the bands that practice and perform with us have said:
- Question - Have you performed at Make Noise? If so, how important was that for your band / you
"It was a great show for us, a charity gig for Sheffield Mind." = HEXE
"Those experiences as a band having a packed, intimate crowd are memories we will cherish forever and have pushed us to do solid gigs at a packed out leadmill crowd, a packed out nottingham and london crowd. It inspires momentum and optimism in everyone who preforms there never mind us." - Shabbah
"Yes. This was very important as it was our first gig, and it made us feel much more comfortable with the thought of performing." - Northern Rome
- Question - How affected would you / your band be if Make Noise was to close down
-"We'd be very disappointed. There are other practice rooms available but Make Noise is our favourite" - Trinity Road
-"we would be affected quite a lot as we practiced quite a lot as well as we come here for some of the free gigs to socialise so missing out on that would be upsetting" - Anonymous Band
-"We would be hit quite badly as it would reduce our access to your community which has helped us thrive in the first place." - Anonymous Band
"We would have to drive out of town to rehearse which would use up time we'd prefer to be playing music" - Otala
- Question - What are your honest thoughts about the business?
"The rooms are cheap and always have functioning equipment (...) They're easy to book and it's lovely being able to buy drinks during a practice" = Otala
"We regularly attend gigs and have also played gigs at this venue. They have always been very professional, and the bar has always been fairly priced." - HEXE
"it has created an amazing community. Before they put gigs on you would have people sat in the bar either waiting for their rehearsal slot or just finished. And we would always end up chatting and swapping details. Then after they set their gigs up it had just pushed this community and it’s a common place for up coming bands to come and gig. I cant think of any other venue that does such a thing for the local community to maintain the music scene Sheffield has. As a band we have shared many good memories there either watching other bands or playing on stage." - Shabbah
"I love the fact you do snacks and drinks, no other rehearsal places in Sheffield do that, deffo makes you stand out! Rooms and gear seemed in fairly good condition considering the constant use." - Anonymous Band
Our Services:
Rehearsals: 6 spaces hosting around 65 bands weekly.
Recording Studios: 2 studios, 3 live rooms, producing over 100 globally released tracks.
Live Events: 120+ artists performing annually.
Licensed Bar: Generating nearly £40k last year.
Academy: Music tech, theory, and instrumental lessons.
Community: Alternative provision and work experience for local youth.
The New Building: A Future Home for Sheffield's Music Community
We currently have a couple of good options that are affordable and suitable for our services. Management is actively discussing these options and will be making a choice very soon. We aim to be operating in exciting new facilities within a year.
No matter the building we go to, or how long it takes, Make Noise has big plans with lots of expansion and opportunities for the music and artistic communities in Sheffield.
We now need your help to bridge the gap between the closure of our current premises, and the creation of our new space the city needs and bands deserve.
Our new facility will offer:
- Eight (or more) Rehearsal Rooms
- Bespoke Live Events Venue:
- Bigger Studio and Live Room
- Daytime Café and Chill-Out Areas
- Five Gender-Neutral Toilets
- More Space for Community Services
Where the money will go -
After a lengthy and thorough financial analysis and cost-cutting sessions, we have decided that we need £30,000 in order to logistically manifest our transition.
Your donations will directly impact our ability to:
- Ensure Our Team is Paid
- Mitigate Loss of Customers
- Mitigate Loss of Big Source of Revenue
- Temporary Recording and Rehearsal Studios
- Aid the Creation of a Bigger and Better Make Noise
- Sustain Sheffield's Grassroots Culture
A Message to Our Valued Customers:
As we transition to our temporary location, we want to reassure you that our procedures will remain the same, and our rooms will be equipped just as you’re used to.
We'll keep you fully informed every step of the way. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to message us or speak with any member of our team.
If you want to support us, grab your friends, come to a gig, listen to some good local live music and buy some drinks. We want to fight this battle with good energy and vibes, so help us make the last memories of this fantastic building absolutely memorable. Gigs will carry on in the current venue for as long as we can
You can find a more detailed post about our temporary location by clicking HERE
Our Rewards for Your Support:
We want to give back to those who help us in this crucial time:
- £50 - The Brick Wall: Have a brick with your name on it in our new building (100 available).
- £200 - Make Noise T-Shirt: Receive an exclusive Make Noise Studios T-Shirt (10 available)
- £1000 - Personal Recorded Karaoke Party - Host a celebration at Make Noise all on us (5 available)
- £5,000 - Rehearsal Room Dedication: Have a rehearsal room named after you in our new building (4 available)
Other Ways to Support
Share our fundraiser, spread the word, attend our gigs, and help keep Sheffield’s music scene alive.
Thank you for standing with us.
Sincerely,The Team at Make Noise Studios.