The iconic Sheffield venue is opening up its archives to the public through a free exhibition of rare photos, press cuttings and signed setlists, gathered across its 43-year history.
The popular event series kicks off the new year with a bang on Wednesday 4 January, with sets from Mick Ferry, Jack Gleadow and Jonny Pelham, and compering from Hayley Ellis.
Returning to The Leadmill after three years, indie rockers Bombay Bicycle Club performed a set full of fan favourites ahead of their run of summer festivals.
From its daytime café, artistic workspace and theatre workshops, to youth training, live gigs, and club nights, the Leadmill is not a performance venue with an ordinary history.
The Long Blondes’ history is connected to The Leadmill in the same way many of our formative and favourite moments are. Sahar writes about first discovering the band on a night out at the historic venue.
If we want to save the Leadmill, the community must organise
together to make Sheffield such a toxic environment for Electric
Group that they never dare to touch the city again, says Zac Larkham.
While it might be challenged in court, a compulsory purchase order is the strongest tool we could useto protect this iconic space from what amounts to a hostile corporate takeover.
Huge backlash from Sheffield musicians, businesses and individuals as London-based Electric Group, which owns the Leadmill site, declares intent to end existing lease and manage the venue itself from March 2023.
Rather than evict in order to redevelop the site, it appears London-based Electric Group could plan to take control of managing the iconic Sheffield venue itself.
