A Sheffield supermarket has become an unlikely destination for music lovers after its freezer section began producing what visitors describe as an “angelic” symphonic hum.
The Co-op on Ecclesall Road, affectionately dubbed “Eccy Road” by locals, has sparked a viral sensation across social media platforms.
The phenomenon first emerged on the Sheffield Reddit page in January, when one user enquired whether others had noticed the musical sound emanating from the freezers.
“It’s like all the fans have been carefully tuned to the calmest droning chord ever, it’s like being in an electrical gong bath,” the original poster wrote.
The discussion subsequently exploded across Reddit and X, drawing widespread attention.
Online debate quickly centred on the precise musical qualities of the freezer drone.
Enthusiasts speculated the sound appeared to be tuned to a C# chord, whilst others detected echoes of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U within the electronic hum.
“I think it’s developed a slight discordant edge over the last couple of months,” observed one Reddit contributor. “It’s ageing like fine wine.”
A supermarket in Sheffield has become an online sensation for the musical sound emanating from the freezers
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Those who visited the store described the experience as akin to listening to an orchestra submerged underwater.
One ambient music enthusiast drew comparisons to Brian Eno’s celebrated Ambient 1: Music for Airports, noting similarities to the synthesised choral voices on that record’s second track.
Staff at the store appeared largely oblivious to their newfound fame.
One employee behind the till expressed confusion, noting she had not witnessed anyone visiting specifically to experience the drone.
The Co-op on Ecclesall Road, affectionately dubbed ‘Eccy Road’ by locals, has sparked a viral sensation across social media platforms
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A colleague manning the self-checkouts remarked: “We’ve only noticed it today. It’s like an orchestra.”
Dr Benjamin Tassie, an Ivor Novello-nominated composer based in Sheffield, offered insight into why such accidental sounds captivate listeners.
“We go around the world blocking out sounds a lot of the time,” he explained.
“These sounds are unexpected. They jolt us out of ourselves and attune us to the world in a different way.”
The online response has been enthusiastic to say the least, with one Redditor pleading for someone with technical skills to produce a 10-hour YouTube version, offering to crowdfund the project.
Another user promised their friend would visit the store to capture the sound using professional recording equipment.
Sheffield’s musical heritage was not lost on commenters, with one X user joking that the freezers ranked as “probably the fourth best musical group to come out of Sheffield” after Def Leppard, The Human League and Pulp.
Co-op responded with characteristic wit: “While we’re unable to confirm whether the freezers are rehearsing for their next orchestral recital, it’s good to hear our shoppers are enjoying the freezer section at Ecclesall Road Co-op.”