The Root is a three-part series delving into the root of community archiving in Sheffield, UK. Inspired by a central theme in Zadie Smith’s White Teeth, this series dives into generational identity through the sonic heritage of Sheffield’s marginalised communities.

Curated by Sheffield-based archivist and producer Ella Barrett and fused together by sound artist and producer Callum McMillan Rice, the second instalment of this three-part series explores Sheffield’s pirate radio scene through the lens of community archiving. Pirate stations like Fantasy FM, Dance FM, and SCR (Sheffield Community Radio) played a crucial role in sustaining the city’s local music economy. Active from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s, they helped nurture a vibrant and connected cultural landscape reshaping the sonic sound of the city.