Milestone birthdays deserve milestone celebrations, and in March 2025 TOAST had the pleasure of helping Paul celebrate his 50th in style at the iconic Yellow Arch Studios in Kelham Island, Sheffield.
Paul first got in touch with Mark back in February to enquire about booking us, and right from that first phone call it was clear he wanted to make his birthday a proper party. With Yellow Arch booked, friends and family ready to celebrate, and a set list packed full of 90s and 00s anthems, everything was lined up for an unforgettable night.
A Legendary Sheffield Venue
Yellow Arch is one of Sheffield’s most famous creative spaces, having hosted everyone from Arctic Monkeys to Richard Hawley, and it was the perfect backdrop for a 50th birthday bash. The venue’s mix of history, atmosphere, and brilliant acoustics made it feel like more than just a party – it was a real gig experience.
As guests began to arrive, the energy in the room was buzzing. You could feel that everyone was there not just to celebrate Paul’s milestone but to really let loose and enjoy a night of live music.
Set One – Warming Up the Room
We kicked off the first set with a bang – “Song 2” by Blur, which instantly had the dance floor filling up and the shouts of “woo-hoo” echoing around the room. From there, we kept the momentum going with “Teenage Dirtbag”, which had the entire room singing at the top of their lungs.
Britpop classics came thick and fast with Paul joining us on stage to sing “She’s Electric”, this was followed by “Alright”, while the harmonies in “Dreaming of You” brought a more sonorous moment for couples to bob along to. The storytelling of “Park Life” had the whole crowd chanting together, before we switched things up with the cheeky pop of “Love Machine.”
Greenday’s punk classic “Holiday” turned the dance floor into a mosh pit before the home crowd rose to the occasion for “Heavyweight Champion of the World.” Sheffield pride was strong, and it was brilliant to see people of all ages singing along.
As the set rolled on, the energy only grew: “Somebody Told Me”, “Roll With It”, and “Mardy Bum” kept the singalongs going, while “Last Nite” and “Dakota” finished the first half with the kind of anthemic punch that left everyone ready for more.
Set Two – Turning It Into a Party
After a quick break (and a toast to Paul, of course), we came back on stage to crank things up another gear. The unmistakable riff of “Take Me Out” got the whole crowd moving again, followed by the soulful singalong of “Valerie.”
“I Believe in a Thing Called Love” saw some incredible falsetto attempts from the audience, and “Shut Up and Dance” had the floor heaving with dancers. One of the big highlights of the second set was “Proud Mary,” with the whole room clapping along and joining in for the big chorus.
By the time we hit “Mr Brightside”, the energy was electric – everyone from Paul’s family to his oldest friends were belting it out together. “All the Small Things” and “I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor” kept the party at full tilt, before Sheffield’s own “Common People” brought the house down.
We closed the main set with a triple-whammy: “Chelsea Dagger,” “Sex on Fire,” and finally “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” That last chorus turned into one of those spine-tingling moments – the entire room arm in arm, singing their hearts out, celebrating Paul’s big birthday in true Sheffield style.
The Encore
Of course, the crowd weren’t going to let us go without an encore. We slowed things down with “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” a moment that brought smiles (and maybe a tear or two) across the room. Then, to close out the night, we dropped into “Seven Nation Army.” The chants carried long after the final note – the perfect way to end a party.
Final Thoughts
Paul’s 50th at Yellow Arch Studios wasn’t just a birthday party – it was a full-blown live gig with all the atmosphere, anthems, and singalong moments you could wish for. It was a privilege to be part of such a milestone celebration, and we want to thank Paul and his family for letting TOAST provide the soundtrack to such a special night.
If you’re planning a 50th (or any milestone birthday) and want to make it unforgettable, live music is the way to do it – and we’d love to help you make it happen.
Do you want me to keep this focused on Paul’s night and storytelling, or should I make it more promotional for booking TOAST for milestone birthdays?
