Interview: Dryad Works

With club spaces closing down rapidly across the country, new venues that allow underground music and art to thrive are an invaluable asset to their communities. Ahead of its official launch party this Friday, we had a chat with the minds behind Sheffield’s newest event space - Dryad Works.

To kick things off, could you tell us a bit about how / when Dryad works came to be?

“In 2017 we operated a smaller premises in Neepsend. This place offered cheap, flexible workspace for creatives and small/start-up businesses. This property inspired us to find a larger venue to allow for more creative workspace in Sheffield. 

When we found Dryad Works we instantly fell in love. We knew the space was too good to be used as just workspace, so we split the warehouse up into creative workshops as well as separate performance space to be used as a platform for musicians, artists, promoters and much more.” 

How would you describe the general ethos / vision of Dryad works? 

“Dryad is all about celebrating unconventional talent and creation, it is about providing a comfortable creative space for like-minded individuals to network, innovate and lionize what they are passionate about. With so many home-grown figurative venues shutting down we wanted to bring back a dedicated space that could be used as a platform for out of city artists as well as Sheffield’s own acclaimed artists and promoters.”  

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Is there a music policy for events / any genres you're planning on pushing particularly?

“We love music in all its forms, It’s all about keeping an open mind, we want everybody to benefit from the space we offer. We can certify there will be a cheeky something for the likes of us all!”

On the Dryad Works FB page you mention 'collaboration through music, arts and culture' - could you expand a bit more on what this will mean?

“We want to bring Sheffield’s music scene to the map. There is some serious talent in Sheffield and Dryad Works is all about commemorating that. We will be joining forces with some of the most notorious promoters, artists and creatives to provide an eclectic array of eye-opening events, alongside providing creative workspace and recording studios. You can keep tabs on upcoming events on our Instagram, Facebook or website.”

On top of a focus on nightlife, are there any plans for daytime / workshop / gallery type activities in future?

“The project is continuously growing. We have an array of events in the pipeline, expect independent seller markets, creative industries workshops, majestic courtyard parties, and some of the most notable line-ups to be experienced ever before in the mighty Sheffield!”

The official launch event for the venue is this Friday, with a stacked line-up of heavy hitting, tasteful DnB from the likes of Spectrasoul (Metalheadz / Exit / Shogun), Halogenix (Metalheadz / Critical) and many more. Get a sneak peek of the new space below.

Tickets now available on Party For The People

Words: Alan Flindt

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