And that’s it! The faders are down on Crossed Wires 2025.
Marking its second year, the Sheffield-based podcast festival brought together listeners from across the country and the world for a celebration of all things podcasting.
There was yet another stellar lineup of the UK’s top podcasts from the likes of Help I Sexted My Boss to Dish from Waitrose. A BBC Sounds takeover of the vacant Cole Brothers building also brought some of their own top series to the heart of the city for a remarkable programme of free shows and live recordings. Plus there was the added benefit of a the BBC Sounds garden, local food and drinks vendors, and the return of the afterparties taking the celebrations into the nights.
Didn’t get down to Crossed Wires 2025 and want to know what you missed out on? The Sheffield Tab went along to see some of the fantastic shows on offer at this year’s event.
Making it with Audio Lab
BBC Sounds Fringe Stage | Friday
Words by Grace Cunningham
Sheffield was greeted at midday by 2024 participants of BBC Sounds Audio Lab – a podcast accelerator programme – in Making it with Audio Lab.
Amongst the creators was Jay Behrouzi. Her show, Melting Pot, blends together culture, people, science and cooking. She spoke about her podcast, and where the podcast has taken her.
She talked about the different elements of the episode, keeping it focused on the science behind cooking, whilst paying tribute to the guests and their own personal touches. Balance is key, and it’s about chopping the different elements together… The cooking puns did not fall short in this panel.
The Making it with Audio Lab panel
Jay gave advice on pitching ideas, and told us to “pretend you’re sitting across from someone who thinks you’re the coolest person in the world”. Jay is now writing and producing episodes for shows like Archive and Illuminated.
Mia Thornton was discovered by Audio Lab for her idea, which was a podcast called Instrumental, all about casting light on the Black artists who have played a pivotal role in the advancement of British music.
From DJ to Classical, Mia spoke about weaving her episodes together, adding in music and effects, and even being told in the final edit that ‘it’s not quite right,’ including how to overcome this and move forward. Mia is now freelancing for BBC Sounds.
Khaliq Meer is the commissioning executive of the podcasts, and was also on the panel. He discussed ideas, saying that the best ones can be communicated in just a few words, and to think of podcasting as a narrowcast rather than a broadcast: you want your listener to feel like they are in the same room as you.
Nobody Expects The Michael Palin Podcast!
Sheffield City Hall | Friday
Words by Grace Cunningham
Later in the afternoon, we had the pleasure of seeing Nobody expects The Michael Palin Podcast! Which was a fun hour and a half of watching Greg James try to convince the legendary Sir Michael Palin to start his own podcast.
After some banter with the crowd, James chatted with Palin about his life and career, including his upbringing in Sheffield, from remembering the day he was born to walking down Division Street.
He of course touched on his inspirations for his work in Monty Python, during school Palin would do ten minute improv sessions in the milk room during break, where his love for comedy grew.
Greg James on stage with childhood hero Sir Michael Palin and pictured at a book signing in the 1990s
Palin recalled his early love life, including his first date to the cinema where he accidentally took a girl who loved horse riding to see a film where a horse dies, to his holiday romance who later became his wife.
After a comedic ‘ad break’ in which Palin and James promoted a made-up protein powder (“Around the World in 80 Wheys”), Palin sentimentally talked about the Pythons and missing them. “The great thing about the Pythons is you can trust them.”
The audience were so engaged with the pair and it was a hilarious and at times moving show, definitely deserving of its slot in the City Hall on the first day at Crossed Wires.
Rewinder
BBC Sounds Fringe Stage | Saturday
Words by Sam Burton
It was a second outing for the pairing of Greg James and his childhood hero Michael Palin on Saturday morning. Taking to the BBC Sounds Fringe stage, the live recording of Radio 4’s Rewinder – set to air later in the month – unearthed some rare Sheffield gems from the BBC archives.
Rewinder was a dive into the Sheffield archives
Among these were a woman very concerned by teenagers with long hair eating sandwiches and a 1960s radio jingle featuring cutlery sounds. Another clip – very apt for this moment in time – featured a clairvoyant called Simon who had been hired by Sheffield Wednesday to ward away bad luck on the pitch. Worth a shout? Maybe not, as the Owls ended up with their worst league finish ever later that season.
Archive material of Palin was also featured from his Python days, first travel documentary, and an interview about his successes with his former headteacher.
The unlikely pairing behind the mics once again bounced off one another as seamlessly as any established double act would. The show was witty, insightful, and worth a listen when it is released on BBC Sounds.
Radio 2 Book Club with Sarah Cox
BBC Sounds Fringe Stage | Saturday
Words by Niamh Brownhill
If you’re an avid book lover! You have probably listened to Sara Cox’s Radio Two’s Book Club and read One Day by David Nicholls, the book adapted into the hit Netflix series.
Sara Cox in conversation with David Nicholls
The two of them sat down and chatted all about his new book You Are Here and gave tips on how to get into writing yourself!
A heartwarming show, with laughter, inspiration and insight into the world of literature such as how the author rewrites his books five times before the finished and final draft. This free BBC Sounds fringe show was one me and many of the audience members were glad we didn’t miss.
Drunk Women Solving Crime
Playhouse | Saturday
Words by Niamh Brownhill
True crime with a comedic twist! Hosts name and name sat down with Pulp drummer Nick Banks, a Sheffield legend. With a bottle of Prosecco and Nick fetching a can of beer out of his Aldi bag, he and Hannah George had to solve a Sheffield gang crime dating back to the 1920s.
Co-hosts Hannah George and Taylor Glenn in conversation with Nick Banks
The laughter throughout the crucible playhouse was non stop, and the tangent of an additional Pulp sing-along this podcast was met with a warm welcome.
Nick Banks also reflected on times he had been victim of a crime: receiving ominous letters in the post when he became owner of The Washington pub, and finding dolls head with pins in after being reunited with a stolen bag. Stories that you would feel scared listening to, this was a show that defiantly turned the scary into the funny!
Indie Forever
BBC Sounds Fringe Stage | Saturday
Words by Sam Burton
Hosted by BBC’s Radio 6’s Nathan Sheperd and Emily Pilbeam, featured guests included Pulp drummer Nick Banks, Reverend and the Makers frontman John McClure, and Leadmill Head of Programming Rose Wilcox.
Between them they each chose an indie Sheffield song that meant something to them and covered tales incorporating numerous star artists and notable destinations. Nick spoke of when Jarvis Cocker was hit in the face with a kebab on a bus, and remembered the first time they met when Cocker would sit on the steps outside the Hallamshire Hotel on West Street listening to the live music instead of paying the 50p entry fee to watch it.
Fringe shows took place on the BBC Sounds stage in the Cole Brothers building
John talked about working with Arctic Monkey’s Alex Turner at the Boardwalk on Snig Hill, and Rose spoke of the sentimental value of Richard Hawley’s track The Ocean – the last song on the setlist when he performed his final gig at the Leadmill before its closure last month.
Nick referred to Sheffield being overly modest about its musical history, saying Sheffielders’ usual review was often “it’s alright”. For a music scene as influential and successful as Sheffield’s the consensus was that it is definitely more than “alright”. Listening to the panel and being reminded of what the city has produced over the years really highlighted how we should actively celebrate it more often.
Some shows are destined for a longer slot than an hour, and I’m sure more time could have been filled with those five on stage. However, this was a Fringe event. It was free. Yet it’s one that would definitely have been worth paying for.
Tailenders
Crucible | Sunday
Words by Sam Burton
Having recently returned from a three month hiatus, the team from Tailenders were firing on all cylinders with a dynamic, hilarious, and loosely cricket themed show.
If you aren’t a regular listener, the four behind the mics are: Greg James, former England fast bowler Jimmy Anderson, The Maccabees’ Felix White, and Matt “Matchin” Horan.
Tailenders receiving the latest result from England v India at Edgbaston
There were quizzes such as ‘Yorkshire Meet or No Meet’ drawing on a previous episode in which Anderson famously saying he had opted for a lie in over meeting the Dalai Lama. (He’d pass on Judi Dench and Jeremy Clarkson, but would happily meet Paul Chuckle.)
There was also some lovely bits of audience interaction through inviting audience members down to the Crucible floor to show off their cricket-themed tat. This culminated in a young cricketer batting against Sir Jimmy in a game of mini table top cricket to finish the show.
You didn’t have to be a cricket fan or even a regular listener to follow along. It was just a fun-filled, entertaining show and great way for us to finish off our time at Crossed Wires 2025.
Mark your calendars: Crossed Wires returns 3rd – 5th July 2026.
