Stars of audio and entertainment, including Nick Grimshaw, Angela Hartnett, Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, Chris Mason and Adam Fleming have appeared at iconic Sheffield venues as part of the Crossed Wires Podcast Festival. Highlights included an exclusive Monty Python performance by Michael Palin, a special Shipping Forecast for its 100th anniversary, and a star-studded launch night in the city's cultural heart.
Thousands gathered in Sheffield for the second edition of the UK’s biggest podcast festival, kicking off three days of live shows, exclusive audio moments and surprises.
For the first time in over a decade, Michael Palin performed Monty Python material on stage in his hometown to a packed audience for Nobody expects The Michael Palin Podcast! hosted by long-time fan Greg James.
Palin treated Sheffield to a world-exclusive reading of a deleted end scene from Monty Python’s Life of Brian. Titled ‘The Martyrdom of St. Brian’, Palin struggled to get through the scene without laughing at Brian’s “fingers full of naughtiness”, which led to roars of laughter from the crowd (watch the full scene HERE and read the transcript HERE).
With a spoof advert for protein powder setting the silliness for tales from Palin’s early dating days to Harry Nilsson’s Monty Python stage tumble, this retrospect of the life of one of the most iconic names in British comedy is not one audiences will be forgetting in a hurry.
Just hours earlier, Jarvis Cocker delivered an unforgettable moment as he lent his voice to a centenary edition of the BBC’s Shipping Forecast, recorded exclusively for Crossed Wires. The forecast, played during a live session at the Cole Brothers building, was followed by a tongue-in-cheek live “Sheffield Forecast” performed by Radio 4 announcers Lisa Costello and Viji Alles, featuring references to ‘arctic monkey conditions’ and ‘occasionally chundery’ festival-goers.
Meanwhile, over at the Crucible Theatre, Dish served up one of the evening’s most hotly anticipated sessions. Hosted by Angela Hartnett and Nick Grimshaw, the sold-out show welcomed comedian Lucy Beaumont as a special guest for a lively and laughter-filled recording.
The evening began with a buzzing launch party at Leah’s Yard, the production home of indie podcast studio Persephonica – co-founded by Dino Sofos, also the co-creator of Crossed Wires. Guests included broadcaster and festival co-founder Alice Levine, Crossed Wires creative director and BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James and comedy icon Michael Palin (pictured) – all of whom are appearing in live sessions throughout the weekend.
Crowds also flocked to live recordings of Football Daily, Newscast, and Making It with Audio Lab, as part of the BBC Sounds Fringe – a free programme of shows and sessions running across the weekend.
Newscast co-host and BBC Political Editor Chris Mason gave audiences the inside scoop on Keir Starmer’s February White House visit, reflecting on his first year as Prime Minister: “I can tell you on the flight on the way out there they [Starmer and team] were really really nervous!”
Football Daily’s Ian Dennis and John Murray brought audiences their encyclopaedic knowledge of the beautiful game with anecdotes on and off the pitch from Ghana to Russia. The audience got their chance to suggest additions to the ‘Football Glossary’ followed by a hilarious ‘clash of the commentators’ challenge.
Just across from the Cole Brothers venue, the BBC Sounds Garden offered a relaxing outdoor hub at Barker’s Pool. Visitors stretched out on deck chairs and bean bags, browsed curated podcast playlists, captured digital photo booth moments, and enjoyed drinks and food from the pop-up bar and street vendors.
With two more days to come, including exclusive appearances, first listens, and more homegrown talent, The Crossed Wires Podcast Festival has quickly become one of the most exciting new fixtures on the international podcast calendar.
The festival schedule is at CrossedWires.Live.
