SYMCA HELPING TO BRING BRAND-NEW PODCAST FESTIVAL CROSSED WIRES TO SOUTH YORKSHIRE THIS SUMMER

Published 7 March 2024 at 9:53am

A brand-new festival, which will bring the UK’s top names in podcasting to South Yorkshire, has been made possible thanks to sponsorship from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

Crossed Wires, The Podcast Festival, will be held in Sheffield between Friday 31 May and Sunday 2 June. Audiences will have the chance to be part of the live recording of many of the nation’s top podcasts over the weekend.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority will be Crossed Wires' regional partner and host sponsor, providing funding of £325,000. 

During the festival, Sheffield's most iconic venues will be packed for blockbuster lives shows, never-seen-before performances and special guests - all hosted by the most respected names in podcasting, across comedy, current affairs, culture, sport, family and wellbeing.

A fringe festival, in venues around the city will offer free events with the podcast stars of tomorrow.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “The Crossed Wires festival is further evidence of the world-leading strength of arts and culture in South Yorkshire; putting us at the forefront of one of the most innovative, exciting parts of the entertainment industry. 

“This three-day festival is going to be home to unique conversations and content, bringing some of the brightest and best talent from across the podcast industry here, to our region. 

“Arts and culture make a huge contribution to South Yorkshire, so I couldn’t be more pleased to support the development and growth of our cultural offer; giving the whole world the chance to work with us and see what we can do.”

The first wave line-up announcement includes: 

• The Adam Buxton Show with guest Self Esteem
• Brown Girls Do It Too (Poppy Jay & Rubina Pabani)
• Jon Ronson
• Katherine Ryan
• NewlyWeds (Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo)
• TalkArt (Robert Diament & Russell Tovey)
• Uncanny (Danny Robins)
• Wolf and Owl (Tom Davis & Romesh Ranganathan)

Crossed Wires is set to be podcasting’s biggest party. This new festival will host the most exciting podcasting talent in Sheffield for three days, so expect to bump into the voices you always have in your headphones. 

There will also be festival fringe events held in venues around the city that will offer experiences that “money can’t buy”. 

The brand-new festival is being brought to the city by some of the most respected names in British podcasting, such as Alice Levine, Dino Sofos and James O’Hara. 

Tickets are available to buy now at www.crossedwires.live