This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
Fans of Love to be can sign up for tickets
The iconic UK music culture brand Love to be, established in 1994, will bring its celebrated event to the newly renovated O2 Academy Sheffield in February 2027, with a headline set from house music legend Sam Divine.
This announcement follows a huge night in the city on Saturday, October 17, 2026 where Love to be took over HANGR Warehouse with a heavy-hitting lineup featuring Mousse-T, Groove P, Trimtone and Sheffield’s finest resident DJs.
Now it is set to bring it all back to the rebooted O2 Academy Sheffield, with Defected’s very own First Lady, Sam Divine, and many more to be announced.
Established in 1994 by Tony Walker at Sheffield's famous Music Factory, Love to be… has been a driving force in UK clubbing for over three decades. The brand has regularly paired legendary house acts with emerging talent—welcoming iconic names like Frankie Knuckles, Masters At Work, and Basement Jaxx alongside global favorites such as Claptone, Sam Divine, and Sonny Fodera.
With Tony Walker and Director Marc Dennis (also known as the DJ collective Trimtone) leading the way, Love to be… balances rich dancefloor heritage with fresh energy, uniting different generations of clubbers through a shared passion for music.
The upcoming tour spans nine Academy locations across the country, with O2 Academy Sheffield featured as a key date where Love to be will showcase a blend of global headliners, top UK talent, and essential local DJs.
Headlining in Sheffield is Sam Divine, one of the most recognisable names in global house music. With more than 25 years behind the decks, the Defected mainstay and Dvine Sounds founder has built a career around high-energy sets, worldwide touring and an unwavering connection with dancefloors.
From heavyweight appearances at EXIT Festival, Tomorrowland and Ushuaïa Ibiza, to gracing the cover of DJ Mag and receiving Best House DJ at the Ibiza DJ Awards, Sam continues to evolve creatively while remaining one of house music’s defining figures.
Like Love to be, the history of O2 Academy Sheffield is synonymous with the city’s music scene.
The history of O2 Academy Sheffield is deeply intertwined with the city’s music heritage, much like Love to be itself.
The iconic venue first welcomed crowds in 1968 as the famous Top Rank Suite, hosting now-legendary performances by David Bowie, Joy Division, The Clash, and The Police. It later transformed into the Roxy Disco, cementing its status as one of the region’s premier nightspots throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
After closing temporarily in 2023 to undergo extensive refurbishment, the venue is raising its mirror ball once more. Love to be will be among the first to relaunch the space, putting its brand-new L-Acoustics K3 sound system to the test.
Stay tuned for upcoming lineup announcements as Love to be gets ready to launch 2027 with an unforgettable house music event.
Follow Love to be on social channels for more info: @lovetobeevents