Def Leppard play homecoming gig at small Sheffield membership in bid to save lots of venue
Def Leppard returned to their hometown of Sheffield for a one-off live performance at a music membership underneath risk of closure.
The Yorkshire rockers, who’re extra accustomed to promoting out stadiums and arenas, performed to a offered out 850 sturdy crowd at The Leadmill, a well-known music venue within the metropolis on Friday
On Monday, the band, whose hits embody 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 at risk 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 stated they wished to shine a lightweight on The Leadmill’s plight, and proceeds from the gig are being donated to the Music Venue Trust.
Lead singer Joe Elliot
Before the gig, lead singer Joe Elliott stated: “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, stay promoter for The Leadmill, stated: “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 vulnerable to closure
Dominic Madden, CEO of Electric Group – which runs music venues in London, Bristol and Newcastle, stated the constructing was threatened with redevelopment into flats once they purchased it in 2017, they usually saved it with the intention of it persevering with to function as a music venue.
Mr Madden stated: “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 inside the neighborhood, and we’re decided to see it succeed and thrive.”