On a warm Friday Sheffield Summer’s evening, it was a special night for one East-Anglian band making their debut in the city at Sidney and Matilda.
Fresh off the release of their latest EP “Swing and Miss” and fresh off the back of some local shows to them, Crowned Hyenas were ready to go.
First up though the supports, it’s clear that that all three bands had built a bond and to open up the night was local Sheffield band Concrete Cats…
On their social media, Concrete Cats describe themselves as giving “surging chords, snappy tones and a longing for the authenticity of punk.” – I can confirm that is the case, to add to that, they’re all mad as a box of frogs, but in the best way possible, in the fact that they don’t care what anyone thinks, they embrace the madness, and smile whilst doing so.
Concrete Cats on stage at Sidney and Matilda, supporting Crowned Hyenas – July 2026 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
Alongside some of their originals, they did some cracking covers with their own punk twist, including Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walking” – which they did absolute justice, plus a cover of Rage Against The Machine’s “Killing In The Name”, which Crowned Hyenas frontman Matt joined them for and the crowd really got involved too, it was nice to see that a lot of the crowd were down for the first support too.
They clearly love what they do, so if you’re looking for a punk-rock, mad house party in Sheffield, chances are, Concrete Cats are there or at least providing the entertainment.
CHECK OUT CONCRETE CATS HERE
Next up was a band slightly further down the M1, Black Water Fiend from Coventry…
Half of Coventry’s Black Water Fiend on stage at Sidney and Matilda in Sheffield, supporting Crowned Hyenas in July 2026 Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
The four-piece took to the stage and immediately drew the crowd back in, with witty banter and charm, plenty of energy and some impressing hair flip action (if you know then you know…) of course Crowned Hyenas frontman Matt made yet another appearance, downing a pint of all things, which I can’t decide to be impressed or concerned at the speed, maybe both…
The set was solid, the crowd got involved, dancing and jumping around, even if they didn’t know the words and it was just a very feel-good support act, well worth seeing if you get opportunity.
FIND ALL THINGS BLACK WATER FIEND HERE
And now of course for the main event, East Anglian 3-piece, Crowned Hyenas…
Crowned Hyenas on stage at Sidney and Matilda in Sheffield – July 2026 – Photo Credit: Hayley Grice
As you can see in the photo, it was a brilliant touch to see the crowd all wearing crowns, we were all immediately part of the pack so to speak, frontman Matt had a way with the audience, telling stories and giving hints to each of the songs in the setlists.
The main highlight for me was “Stay” where members of the audience really came to life, what was described as a slower, more emotional song, turned into what Matt described as a “medieval dance banquet” with people joining arms, embracing their loved ones and dancing away, it really was quite wholesome.
The set was seamless, the newer material felt like it had been on people’s radar for some time, there was even a cover of “Bittersweet Symphony”, famously by the Verve, in a way that I never thought I’d hear it, sublime.
It ended with a marathon of tracks, big dance moves in the crowd, some impressive guitar riffs and generally having the time of their lives, as far as Sheffield debuts go, it was a pretty solid one.
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CHECK OUT CROWNED HYENA’S HERE