
An Evening with Paper Sparrows at Cafe No9
The Spiel
“Highly recommended” - Celtic Connections Festival "This Place You Call Your Home”, the new album from Scottish roots folk trio Paper Sparrows, is out now on Folksville Records. The follow up to 2023 debut “Hiding Away From the Light” retains the ‘rich songwriting craft’ (Shindig! Magazine) and distinctive twin-acoustic guitar style that won them plaudits on the folk festival circuit. The new album captures their close-knit sound as road-worn live performers, but is also elevated by cameos from fiddle player Pepita Emmerichs (Oh Pep!, Rain of Animals, Wayward Jane) and Graham Coe (Jellyman’s Daughter). The album firmly captures on record the three-part vocal harmony sound that has become so popular in their live sets, adding a delicate power to the quieter moments on the album and an uplifting joy to the singalong choruses. Their sound centres on their distinctive twin-acoustic guitar style, finger-picking, harmonies and double bass. Arrangements draw upon British and American 60s folk-revivalists (Dylan, Donovan, Jansch, Drever, Milk Carton Kids, Rawlings). Lead single ‘Wait For Me’ (released 12/06/26) sends a simple message of truth and compassion in the face of hardship and struggle and has proved to be memorable with audiences and a catalyst for communal singing. The follow up, title track “This Place You Call Your Home” (out 19/06/26) shows you the climate crisis through the medium of a breakup letter from planet Earth to humanity. Album opener “Everybody Wants To Be Your Friend” (a live version from the Pianodrome was released earlier this year) is a cynical but witty toe-tapper about the pitfalls of insincerity, that the band have wryly described as a ‘ragtime Bond theme’. Festival experience includes Cambridge Folk Festival; Celtic Connections; Folk East; Ely Folk Festival; Glasgow Americana; Fringe Festival; Assembly Festival. They’ve also opened for The Unthanks, The Shee, Often Herd and Seth Lakeman as well as collaborating with Kris Drever, Katherine Priddy and Rod Clements through their live music club. ********************************************************************************** Please note this ticket price DOES include a BYOB fee should you wish to bring alcohol to the venue. All additional purchases of non alcoholic drinks and home baked sweet treats from the cafe counter are always very much appreciated.
Goes well with…
Nether Edge & Abbeydale Road — All within a 5–10 minute walk of Café #9 — Abbeydale Road pubs and kitchen spots for a pre-show pint or post-gig bite.
Hagglers Corner
4.6£10–£25🍽️ Kitchen & café
Open · See venue for hours
Abbeydale Road neighbourhood kitchen — coffee, small plates, and a relaxed room a few minutes from Café #9.
The Broadfield
4.5£10–£20🍺 Real ale pub
Open · Closes at 11.00 pm
544 Abbeydale Road — Sheffield Ale Club pub with cask ales and a cosy front room, an easy stroll from Nether Edge.
The Sheldon
4.4£10–£20🍺 Traditional pub
Open · See venue for hours
606 Abbeydale Road local with pub food and a friendly crowd — handy before or after an acoustic set at Café #9.
Utility readout
Straight-line (approx.)
- Tram · University of Sheffield0.90 mi
- Tram · West Street0.98 mi
- Bus · Moorhead (Charter Row)1.06 mi
53
days to go