Thursday, October 24

Def Leppard play homecoming gig at small Sheffield membership in bid to avoid wasting venue

Def Leppard returned to their hometown of Sheffield for a one-off live performance at a music membership below risk of closure.

The Yorkshire rockers, who’re extra accustomed to promoting out stadiums and arenas, performed to a offered out 850 robust crowd at The Leadmill, a well-known music venue within the metropolis on Friday

On Monday, the band, whose hits embrace Pour Some Sugar On Me and Hysteria, will play to 44,000 at Sheffield United’s close by Bramall Lane floor.

Last yr, The Leadmill introduced it was in peril of closure after its landlords, Electric Group, issued an eviction discover – a transfer which provoked outrage from music followers and most of the household-name artists who’ve performed there because it opened in 1980.

Earlier this week, the venue issued a brand new plea to followers, saying the landlords “have recently moved forward with their plans to evict The Leadmill”.

Ahead of the present, the band mentioned they wished to shine a light-weight on The Leadmill’s plight, and proceeds from the gig are being donated to the Music Venue Trust.

Lead singer Joe Elliot
Image:
Lead singer Joe Elliot

Before the gig, lead singer Joe Elliott mentioned: “Sheffield is in the very DNA of this band.

“We are ecstatic to be beginning the European leg of our world tour at house at Bramall Lane.

“When considering of a warm-up, it made sense to do a particular set at The Leadmill, within the metropolis the place it began.

“We know there are a lot of small music venues struggling across the UK, so we wanted to give back to what gave to us.”

Ben Hartley, reside promoter for The Leadmill, mentioned: “The fact that a local act that has gone on to play stadiums across the world is willing to come back home and support us in a time of need – as well as thousands of other integral grassroots venues across the UK – speaks volumes of their character.”

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The venue is at risk of closure
Image:
The venue is liable to closure

Dominic Madden, CEO of Electric Group – which runs music venues in London, Bristol and Newcastle, mentioned the constructing was threatened with redevelopment into flats once they purchased it in 2017, and so they saved it with the intention of it persevering with to function as a music venue.

Mr Madden mentioned: “The current Leadmill campaign is unfortunately misleading people into thinking we want to close the venue with no regard for its history.

“We recognise the roots of the Leadmill throughout the group, and we’re decided to see it succeed and thrive.”

Content Source: information.sky.com