Richard Hawley has spoken to NME about the closure of The Leadmill in his native Sheffield, launching a plea for the government to change the law to stop this from happening to another music venue.
- READ MORE: If Sheffield’s Leadmill – the venue that helped break Arctic Monkeys – goes, we all lose something
Last week saw the iconic Steel City venue denied an appeal against their eviction notice from Electric Group and given three months to vacate the premises on Leadmill Street – where it has operated since 1980 and played host to local legends including Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, Self Esteem and Bring Me The Horizon, as well as the likes of Muse, Coldplay, The Strokes, Oasis and many more.
The venue was first served an eviction notice in 2022 – to the uproar of music fans and artists alike – when it emerged that Electric Group had bought the freehold for the site of the Leadmill in March 2017. The Electric Group runs a number of venues across the UK, including Brixton Electric, and has vowed to keep the building as a music venue that will “continue to be a cornerstone of the live music scene in Sheffield, supporting artists, fans, and community projects for the next 100 years”.
Hawley – who has been a vocal supporter of The Leadmill and played benefit gigs there with local stars Jarvis Cocker and Self Esteem – has now told NME that he felt an “overwhelming sense of sadness” at the news that the venue would be shutting before the new owners take over.
“I’m trying not to get angry, but it’s very difficult because they say I’m the musician that’s played there the most by a long, long way,” said Hawley. “It’s probably true. I don’t want that to stop, and not just for me but other people. It’s a rite of passage. The people running it now are best placed to do so.”
He continued: “There desperately needs to be a change in legislation. If someone comes along and buys the land under your business and building and throws you out and turns it into flats – which happens all the time – or if they kick you out but steal your business, we’re talking about a serious moral issue.”
The singer-songwriter and former Longpigs and Pulp guitarist argued that “The Leadmill is not a failing business, it’s not something that needs to be propped up”. Hawley said the space operates as “a highly successful multi-million pound business that employs over 70 people, and has a huge impact in a positive way on the local and national economy”.
“Not to mention its impact on growing young talent and artists,” he went on. “It’s not just rock ‘n’ roll bands, they let loads of arts develop there rent-free. I don’t want to get into shit-slinging because I don’t see the point, and there’s been enough of that. I don’t do social media as an individual and I’m not interested in ‘He said, she said’. Anyone of a reasonable mindset can see quite easily that they’ve had their business stolen from them. That’s disgusting.
“I’m appealing for the lawmakers of this country to change the law. If they don’t, who’s going to be next? This can’t be allowed to happen.”
Last year saw the UK lose one music venue every fortnight, with warnings that the rate would increase to one per week in 2025 without urgent government action – only adding to regional areas suffering from what’s been called “the complete collapse of touring”.
Over the last few years, there has been an increased call for music venues to own their own buildings to prevent them from being kicked out by landlords. As a result, the Music Venue Properties scheme has been buying up buildings for beloved gig spaces and is now stepping up its efforts in what’s been described as a “National Trust for music venues” scheme.
Hawley said that he “100 per cent agreed” with the concept and the notion that music venues should be allowed the same protections enjoyed by many theatres, opera houses and art galleries, as music has just as much cultural value. He also argued that the local knowledge and Sheffield spirit in The Leadmill’s DNA could never be replaced.
“The Leadmill is like our Cavern Club,” he said. “It’s our Marquee, it’s our Hacienda, it’s our 100 Club. People from this city know best how to run that venue. I can’t see how a corporate-structured company can possibly understand the difference between clubbers, audiences and artists that come from here. Even people who go to gigs in Manchester and Newcastle are completely different. The vibe is different and it’s insulting to think that we’re all the same. That’s arena-level homogeneous thinking that we’re all this big burger.
“Cities are living, breathing things, and it’s individuals that make up the vibe. Living in Sheffield is completely fucking different to living in Manchester or Newcastle. Unfortunately, I predict that they’re going to fuck it up and turn it into flats like they did with The Hacienda.”
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“Something very beautiful has been stolen from this city, and nationally,” Hawley added. Asked if he thought loyal Leadmill regulars would boycott the new iteration of the venue, he replied: “It’s yet to be seen. I can’t speak for the city – that would be wrong – but I know that I and a lot of people I know will never step foot over that threshold again.
“It’s just sad. I hope that someone in government reads this article and the reasoned argument as to why this is a moral issue and a wider issue. As a country that produces the best music in the world… and if we don’t protect the grassroots, then it’s gone.”
In the wake of the news of the closure, The Leadmill said it’s “looking to their final weeks to host some very special farewell events” – calling on fans to share their favourite artists, comedians and creatives to get involved.
“Let’s make these final weeks the best in 45 years,” the venue told fans. “No act is too big.”
The post Richard Hawley on the loss of Sheffield’s Leadmill: “I’m appealing for the lawmakers of this country to stop this happening again” appeared first on NME.