**Sheffield’s Leadmill to Host Emotional Farewell Show with Indie Icon Miles Kane**
Sheffield’s renowned Leadmill music venue is preparing to host its final gig later this month, after a lengthy and highly publicised eviction struggle. The legendary stage, which has been at the heart of the city’s cultural life for over four decades, will bow out on June 27th with a headline set from indie favourite Miles Kane.
News of the venue’s impending closure follows the conclusion of a drawn-out legal battle with its landlord, the Electric Group, who last month secured the right to repossess the premises. Leadmill’s management confirmed the date of the last show on Wednesday, describing Kane’s performance as “a remarkable full stop to The Leadmill’s concert history”.
Live promoter Ben Hartley reflected on the significance of the occasion, noting Kane’s longstanding connection to the venue. “Miles has been a cherished friend of The Leadmill for well over a decade,” Hartley said. “After the support he has shown us throughout our eviction campaign and the countless memories of sold-out shows, it feels entirely fitting that he joins us one last time. This marks a poignant end to The Leadmill’s position at the heart of the Sheffield music scene.”
It was back in 2022 when the extent of The Leadmill’s plight became public and the Electric Group, owners of venues in London, Newcastle, and Bristol, issued an eviction notice which triggered widespread outcry. High-profile musicians such as Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker were quick to offer their support to the club and campaign for its survival, illustrating its deep significance not just to the city but to the wider UK music industry.
Legal proceedings dragged on for months, but after losing an appeal last month, Leadmill management confirmed that the judgment would likely result in the loss of more than 70 jobs. The team described the outcome as “a heartbreaking moment for our team and the entire Sheffield community”, expressing sorrow at what they saw as a blow to the cultural fabric of the city.
Meanwhile, the Electric Group, which runs Electric Brixton and has significant experience managing music venues, has sought to reassure the public that their intention is to preserve The Leadmill as a live music institution. Following the February court decision in their favour, the company stated: “The successful legal outcome paves the way for a bright future for this venue, ensuring it will receive the substantial investment it needs to thrive. It will remain a cornerstone of the live music scene in Sheffield, supporting artists, fans and community projects for decades to come.”
Since opening its doors 45 years ago, The Leadmill has played host to an extraordinary list of artists—among them Pulp, Coldplay, Arcade Fire, Muse, Oasis, Stone Roses, The White Stripes, Jorja Smith and Michael Kiwanuka. The venue is deeply interwoven with the city’s musical history, with a blue plaque on the building even marking Pulp’s debut gig there in August 1980.
Miles Kane has a rich history with The Leadmill too, first playing there as a solo act in 2011, and selling out four of his own headline performances—the most recent just last December. His links to the venue stretch further back still: in 2007, he appeared as part of The Little Flames, supporting Sheffield’s own Arctic Monkeys.
Tickets for the upcoming farewell show are expected to be in high demand and are set to go on sale at 10am on Friday through The Leadmill’s website. Amidst the excitement, there is an underlying sentiment of sadness for regulars, artists, and staff alike, as Sheffield prepares to say goodbye to an institution whose influence reaches far beyond its famously sticky floors.
While questions remain about the future of the space under new management, one thing is clear: The Leadmill’s swansong will be an evening remembered by many, marking the end of an era for live music in Sheffield and leaving an indelible legacy for the city’s cultural heritage.