Richard Hawley announces shows to help support Sheffield Leadmill

nme.com:

Richard Hawley has unveiled details of two shows to help support Sheffield’s Leadmill venue, which is at risk of closure.These will be Hawley’s first headline shows at the Leadmill since 2005 and the announcement comes after news that the iconic Sheffield venue is under threat of closure.Last month, the venue told music fans of the “devastating news that in one year’s time, our Landlord is trying to evict us, forcing us to close” – leading to an outpouring of upset and support from the music world.Hawley, who had previously shared his support for the venue after the news was shared, said in a statement: “Richard first played the Leadmill in 1984 with his then band Treebound Story.

In the following decades he has played the venue more times than probably any other musician. Now to our horror The Leadmill is under threat from new landlords who have issued eviction orders after 42 years.“As a mark of support and love for this legendary and unique venue Richard is proud to announce two shows at The Leadmill…These will be his most intimate Sheffield shows in a long time, so we suggest setting your alarms to avoid disappointment.”The shows will take place on August 8 and 9 tickets for the gigs go on sale at the Leadmill  on Wednesday, April 13 from 9am here.A post shared by The Leadmill, Sheffield (@theleadmill)Speaking to Yorkshire Post last week, Hawley paid tribute to the venue – recalling how he’s played there “hundreds of times” as a solo artist and during his time with The Longpigs and Treebound Story, before likening it to other iconic gig spaces in the UK.“Basically it’s like our Cavern, it’s our Hacienda,” he said. “The thing about The Leadmill is it caters for human beings, it’s not like a niche thing.