Billy Bragg live stream concert almost doubles fundraising target for Sheffield's Leadmill
and live on Freeview channel 276
Viewers from all over the world tuned in as the singer-songwriter performed the show last night (May 16) as part of the nationwide campaign to raise money to save independent music venues under threat due to the coronavirus lockdown.
More than £10,000 was raised on the day of the live event itself, with donations coming in before and after as well.
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Hide AdThe amount of money raised, which has now topped £17,000, will go towards paying staff wages, rent, venue upkeep and providing financial aid to freelancers out of work. Half of it will go into a central pot to help struggling venues up and down the country.
The Leadmill, which celebrated its 40th birthday last month, was forced to close on March 23 along with all other music venues and entertainment premises.
The venue has continued to showcase live music with a series of streamed gigs on the Facebook page throughout the lockdown, including a show from George Waite, the singer in former Sheffield band The Crookes.
The Leadmill also auctioned off memorabilia from some of its most famous gigs. A signed Arctic Monkeys guitar fetched £7,200 as part of the sale.
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Hide AdBilly Bragg’s performance was part of the Music Venue Trust Crisis Fund’s #SaveOurVenues campaign, which has been set up to help the UK’s grassroots venues and ensure they are able to re-open when it is safe to do so.
You can donate to the fundraiser here.