Sheffield musicians unite for concert to raise cash for tree campaign

The Everly Pregnant Brothers and there will be DJ sets at the Get Off Our Trees fundraising event, which will be held at Sheffield City Hall on Friday, March 16.

Chris Rust, co-chairman of Sheffield Tree Action Groups, said the musicians had organised the event themselves to help fund STAG's campaign.

He said: "This is all the musicians doing. They have decided to get together to do something to help with the campaign. It's great to have their support and it's an amazing line-up."

Mr Rust said STAG had not yet decided what any money raised would be used for but added it could be used to help fund the campaigner Calvin Payne's £16,000 legal costs.

Mr Payne owes Sheffield Council after being found guilty of contempt of court the cash after three times breaching an injunction stopping people from protesting inside safety zones.

"They might decide to divide the money into different pots. They may decide to put it towards the legal costs because clearly the legal costs are always so high.

"The council always use very expensive solicitors in these cases so it's obviously a lot of money."

Sheffield Council's Cabinet member for environment and Street Scene at Sheffield City Council Coun Bryan Lodge said: "Whilst we fully support campaigning and peaceful protest, unlawful behaviour displayed by some members of the protest group is in breach of a High Court injunction and cannot be tolerated.

"Following two individuals being given suspended prison sentences, along with costs totalling £27k owed to the Council, we hope that any funds raised through this event will go towards the money which is ultimately owed to the taxpayers of Sheffield."

Tickets for the concert, which will start at 9.30pm, are priced at £15 per person.