Cleaver Blue - Halogen Halo - 28/02/2026
Beers, 28/02/2026. Photo by Evelyn Wilson
It was the last night of February, I had booked the night off and bought a crate of corona in anticipation for the BYOB evening situated in Kelham, a stones throw from familiar favourites Factory Floor, Yellow Arch and Alder Bar.
Halogen Halo had done little to promote the evening before the RSVP list had filled, an exclusive and exciting event in which the lineup had most definitely sold itself (at an extremely low price I might add). We approached the studio flat, up a number of flights of stairs and down a deceptively long corridor into the room which was tentatively ornamented with a CCTV camera projecting the trendy crowd to the white wall. Cables and pedals were strewn hectically across the stage area and lighting filled the gaps, bridging pinks, blues and purples. We were greeted with the option of a complementary glass of prosecco or a corona upon entry (I already had corona, so went with the prosecco). The room filled quickly after arrival, the crowd eagerly awaiting the start of Leo HC’s set off the back of his first headliner at the Lantern Theatre just days prior.
He took to the stage, accompanied by synthesist Bellza and Fenella on glockenspiel – a new lineup for Leo, one which perfectly compliments his reimagined, slightly more electronic sound. The once buzzing room falls silent, swaying in motion with Leo HC’s reverb soaked originals, paired with the winding slides of Bellza’s Korg, and the twinkling of the glockenspiel. The crowd were obedient, enjoying the likes of his first album and upcoming EP. It is always a pleasure to hear his latest single ‘Heart’, which I got to see him perform at the Lantern Theatre; it’s safe to say, this tune is as beautiful in a Kelham flat as it is in a 19th century theatre. This made for the perfect opener at such an intimate event, and it wasn’t long before we were treated to an out of town guest’s debut stage appearance.
Leo HC, 28/2/2026. Photo by Evelyn Wilson
Leeds based Cali Girl For Now took to the floor, microphone in hand. There had been a lot of buzz for this set. Her wispy vocals lay thick on bouncing electro-dreamscape tracks that she puppeteered in real time via her laptop. The crowd again stood completely captivated by her whispering sound. Expectations were met, exceeded. I found myself looking around the room, grateful to be involved in the situation (perhaps it was the corona), it is an exciting new scene. This event perfectly exemplified how taking risks is worthwhile in an area as historical as Sheffield in terms of scene. Despite my appreciation of the classic grassroots, DIY environment, this atmosphere was a refreshing change. It took bedroom production to a new level. With that being said, let’s discuss Cleaver Blue.
Cali Girl, 28/2/2026. Photo by Evelyn Wilson
This was my 4th or 5th time seeing Cleaver Blue, my hopes were high. The band got comfortable in the corner of the room (the designated stage area in this little flat). The windows had since fogged amid the hustle and bustle, and were glowing atmospherically over the quartet. The CCTV projection flickered behind as they warmed to the DIY of it all – a lineup complete with guitar, bass, keyboard and a full kit and commanded confidently by a Sheffield’s favourite sound tech, Jack Hardwick. Their set wound between new and old originals – opening the set with ‘Tick’. Newer tunes, ‘Look Up And Make Me Smile’ and ‘Home For My Head’ also made an appearance, ones which I have since had on repeat. Cleaver Blue plays with the conventions of electronic music; samples, a series of pedals and a keyboard, yet do so with a unique melancholy that the Sheffield scene has seen little of. It is the complete blend of skill and musical innovation from all corners. It seems Jake (lead vocalist) has mastered the art of keyboard playing that feels classically trained, with vocals that are far from classical convention. These avoid roboticism despite a thickly applied, extremely intentional use of an autotune pedal. This music sounds and feels like something altogether new, and you could sense that everyone in the room strongly felt that in the moment. In the second half of the set, we were treated to ‘All Night Long’, clearly a fan favourite. The room erupted into song and embraces, I experienced a real you had to be there smugness from the Sheffield alternative scene in that moment. It’s clear that Cleaver Blue can demand attention with their sound in solitude. Their stage presence, which I can only describe as them projecting as being four extremely normal, pleasant people, is refreshing and warm. The music itself is exciting, it’s a set which requires little crowd contribution.
Cleaver Blue, 28/2/2026. Photo by Evelyn Wilson
For first time promoters Halogen Halo, it’s safe to say the night couldn’t have gone much better. The night ended with rumours of what’s next for Halogen Halo, and I was met with worry that I won’t be able to get my RSVP for the next in soon enough. My last question is, was there enough corona? (The answer is yes, too much).