Sheffield is set to host a brand new podcast festival including “never-seen-before” performances from names such as Katherine Ryan, Jamie Laing, Sophie Habboo, and many more.
Alice Levine, alongside James O’Hara and Dino Sofos, have set up Crossed Wires, an event celebrating podcasting, which is set to take place on the 31st May to the 2nd June.
The festival will be held in various venues across Sheffield including City Hall and The Crucible Theatre and will see live and uncensored shows from some of the biggest names in podcasting.
Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee, said: “We are very pleased to be welcoming the Crossed Wires Festival to Sheffield in May.
“Looking forward to welcoming people and celebrating what is becoming an increasingly important medium for news, social affairs and comedy.”
Alice Levine told the BBC that they chose to host the event in Sheffield as it has a ‘great heritage for cultural events’. The trio, all from the North of the country, have said they wanted another ‘vibrant city’ to host this national event, instead of London.
Over the past couple of years podcasts have become a lot more popular and events like this are giving an opportunity for a community to grow between podcast lovers.
Dino Sofos said in a BBC article: “People are more and more wanting to experience community” and essentially “feel part of something”
Presenters of ‘We don’t know either babe’, Charlotte Colley and Larissa Kirby aren’t performing at the festival but have shared their views of why they think podcasting has risen in fame.
Charlotte Colley, 19, said: “I think podcasts have become so popular because we live in a really fast paced society and we overlook genuine human connection.
“Podcasts give a sense of community that we often miss out on.”
The festival sets out to create a party-like atmosphere and has been described as ‘The UKs biggest podcasting party.
Larissa Kirby, 19, said: “I think it’s important to celebrate any and all forms of media expansion.
“Creativity should always be celebrated.”
For more information about the festival follow this link https://www.crossedwires.live/
