After our last outing in October, we were itching to get back on stage—and on Saturday 9th November we had the pleasure of doing just that, celebrating Ali’s 40th birthday at Alder Bar in Neepsend, Sheffield. The party was held in the function room to the side of the main bar, with a cosy setup, a small stage, and a buzzing atmosphere that made it the perfect spot for a night of 90s and 00s anthems.
We were joined once again by the brilliant Deacan on guitar, who gave the night an unforgettable opening. Before we even hit the stage, he spotted the upright piano in the main bar and treated everyone to Bohemian Rhapsody. It wasn’t planned, but it stopped the room in its tracks—Ali and her guests gathered round, singing along and cheering as Deacan worked his way through the Queen classic. It was the perfect warm-up for what turned into a fantastic night of music.
When it was time to start, we kicked straight into Song 2 and the energy was instant. Ali was front and centre, singing and dancing from the off. The first set had everything—Teenage Dirtbag, She’s Electric, and Alright got the nostalgia flowing, Dreaming of You had couples swaying, and Parklife brought some brilliant audience participation with the spoken lines. Local favourite Mardy Bum went down a storm, and by the time we reached Dakota, the whole room was singing in unison.
The small stage meant we were close to the crowd, and that made the atmosphere even better. It felt like one big party where everyone was in it together.
After a short break for drinks and birthday cake, we launched into the second set with Take Me Out. From then on, it was pure chaos in the best way possible—Valerie, Proud Mary, and I Believe in a Thing Called Love kept the room buzzing. Mr Brightside was a huge highlight, with every single person shouting the lyrics like it was the anthem of their lives.
The set only climbed higher from there—All the Small Things had everyone jumping, I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor was a Sheffield favourite that got the biggest cheer of the night, and Chelsea Dagger and Sex on Fire had the whole place bouncing. We closed the main set with Don’t Look Back in Anger, and as always, it was a spine-tingling moment to hear the entire room singing arm in arm, with Ali right in the middle of it all.
For the encore, we slowed it down with Can’t Take My Eyes Off You—a fitting touch for the birthday girl surrounded by her closest friends and family—before finishing with the unstoppable Seven Nation Army. The chant carried on even after we’d finished playing, a sign of a truly great night.
Happy 40th, Ali—thanks for letting us be part of such a milestone birthday. Alder Bar, you were brilliant, and this one will definitely go down as a night to remember!
