Sheffield’s original open-decks vinyl party joined The Spring Social at Sidney&Matilda as it celebrated 25 years. 

Various DJs such as Jo Jo and Smax performed using seven seven-inch vinyl singles, a change from the usual digital DJ scene.

Founder of Seven by 7, Tim Bowell (Lionel Vinyl) explained the humble beginnings of the group.

He said: “We thought that the DJ scene was really cliquey and if you weren’t part of that scene you couldn’t get an opportunity”

Mr Bowell decided to build a community which allowed anyone of any age or ability to have a go at DJ-ing. He said: “It’s completely non-elitist and completely inclusive and most people can find seven seven-inch singles as they aren’t too expensive.”

They began their journey with their first event at Sheffield Hallam Student Union in June of 2001 and continued every month in different venues for seven years.

In recent years the popularity of these Vinyl DJ events have increased in popularity, especially amongst students.

Mr Bowell said: “The resurgence of vinyl in the sort of last ten years has been something quite amazing because I’ve DJ-ed for 30 years and always just played records and now it’s really nice to see lots of other people discovering that it’s a really nice involving thing.

“What I’ve noticed in the last four or five years is a move to the younger generation getting involved – so many people are buying records that are under the age of 25.”

Abigail Malta, 18, a member of the younger generation who collects records, said: “As the younger generation we notice how everything we listen to and watch is found online and that we don’t actually own it, and with one click we can lose stuff, so having physical media allows us to own something tangible that won’t disappear.

“There is also the whole nostalgic and vintage aspect that makes it appealing.”

To find out more about Sheffield’s Sevenby7 events, or if you wish to get involved yourself, click here.