EXCLUSIVE: Sheffield indie rockers Little Man Tate 'concerned' about the future of grassroots music
We've been speaking to the band about the ongoing controversy surrounding the future of the Leadmill in Sheffield
Last updated 8th Apr 2022
Professional musicians across South Yorkshire fear the next generation of artists may find it more difficult to break through in the industry due to a lack of venues in the region.
It's after the current management at the Leadmill in Sheffield issued a statement claiming they're going to be evicted by the landlord of the building in the next year and forced to close down.
We've been speaking exclusively to Sheffield indie band-Little Man Tate-about these recent developments.
The group played one of their first ever gigs at the Leadmill and even went back to film a music video for one of their songs there further down the line.
Lead vocalist Jon Windle says he can't imagine Sheffield without the Leadmill:
"The Leadmill means a lot to us, and it means a lot to so many people.
"It's a classic venue, the name is known across the whole of the UK. It's something that should always be here and associated with Sheffield.
"We've lost so many prestigious venues in this city already when you think about the Plug, the Boardwalk and the Grapes. If we lost the Leadmill as well, it'd just be awful.
"There's so many local bands who've got their first break there and gone onto bigger things.
"We've recorded videos in the Leadmill, we've got songs based around nights out in the Leadmill.
"It's an iconic venue, we just need to make sure it can't be changed from what it is right now.
"If enough people want to keep the Leadmill as it is right now, then surely this can be achieved?"
The band filmed the music video to their 2007 single 'Man I Hate Your Band' at the Leadmill, which you can see below:
Little Man Tate's bass player Ben Surtees believes the venue means too much to too many people:
"When you think about touring bands who are just starting out-where would they play?
"You can't help but worry that we're going to end up losing music altogether in this city?
"The history is too important. We can't lose the Leadmill.
"The Leadmill gave us a bit of a break when we were just starting out.
"We ended up supporting the Damned there when we'd not been together that long, I think it was our third gig.
"It was like a dream come true after watching in the audience for years before that.
"I guess you could compare it to a footballer who gets to play in the FA Cup final after starting out in Sunday league.
"That's how it felt for our band when we first played at the Leadmill, and we want other bands in the future to feel that way as well."
The landlord of the building and Co-founder of the Electric Group-Dominic Madden-tells us The Leadmill will stay exactly as it is, but they plan to refurbish the dressing rooms and upgrade some of the backstage facilities.
He also says they're intending to retain both the name of the venue and all the staff there.