About

Crossed Wires is a celebration of the podcasts you love, the hosts you obsess over, and the stories that stick with you long after your headphones are off. From Friday 4th to Sunday 6th July 2025, Sheffield becomes our stage.

Expect live podcast recordings, a packed Fringe, after-parties, and one-off events across the city’s most iconic venues - including Sheffield City Hall and the Crucible - all within easy walking distance, so no need for an ordinance survey map!

We’ve curated a line-up that reads like a scroll through your "Recently Played": Help I Sexted My Boss, Tailenders, Dish, Paul C. Brunson, and many more. Whether you're into comedy, current affairs, food, true crime, sport, love, life… or all of the above, we’ve got you! You’ll go from belly-laughing in a live show to dancing at one of our after-parties, or catching up with your favourite hosts at our festival bar. 

We’re also proud to say that our Fringe programme is bigger than ever. We’ll be announcing more details in the coming weeks. Make sure you’ve signed up to our mailing list so you can apply for tickets as soon as they’re released.

How did it all start?

Crossed Wires began — as all the best ideas do — on a muddy walk in the Peak District. Three friends — podcaster Alice Levine, producer Dino Sofos, and festival founder James O’Hara — wondered why there wasn’t a place for podcast lovers to come together… so they made one!

In May 2024, thousands of people poured into the city for had-to-be-there moments; from Uncanny’s spooky stage spectacular to Self Esteem’s impromptu DJ set. The weekend had the electric unpredictability of something brand new — and the warmth of a community finally finding its place.

Nothing was more exciting than drawing up a fantasy podcast show lineup; Adam Buxton, Jon Ronson, Wolf & Owl, Katherine Ryan, Brown Girls Do It Too, Uncanny, Elis & John, Jane & Fi — just to name a few.