A Sheffield singer and her husband are livestreaming a gig from their front room to help save The Leadmill – and they’re taking requests

A campaign to rescue The Leadmill by raising money to stave off debts and redundancies at the venue is getting a boost with a charity gig.
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Singer Kat Eaton, who was raised in Sheffield, will be performing with her guitarist husband Nick Atkinson via Facebook Live from their front room on Thursday, May 7, starting at just after 8pm.

The pair will be playing songs by artists that have performed at The Leadmill across the club's 40-year history – and they’ll be taking requests, meaning audiences can expect to hear numbers by a vast range of acts, from Oasis, The Stone Roses and Pulp to The Killers and George Ezra.

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Those watching will be encouraged to donate to the Music Venue Trust's #saveourvenues campaign, a national initiative aimed at saving hundreds of at-risk venues that are recognised as fulfilling a crucial role in developing British music, boosting local economies and creating cultural vibrancy.

Independent clubs, bars and theatres have all had to close during lockdown to enforce social distancing rules, leading to an unprecedented number of event cancellations – and a steep loss of income.

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Read more: Why Sheffield's music scene will be one of the worst affected in the ...

In Sheffield, The Leadmill has signed up to the appeal and is seeking to raise £10,000 to lessen the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“If these forced closures continue into the rest of the year we could also be looking at some pretty high debts and inevitable staff redundancies,” the venue said on its crowdfunding page.

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Kat, who now lives in London, said: “Nick and I loved playing and going to see other bands at The Leadmill. We want to pay tribute to a venue that's been integral to the careers of so many musicians and songwriters, not just from Sheffield but from all over the globe.

“Any money raised through this fundraiser will be split 50/50 between The Leadmill and the Music Venue Trust's nationwide pot to help save the UK's venues from closure.”

Kat, who went to Silverdale School in Bents Green with Nick, supported Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra on tour last year, including a date at Sheffield City Hall.

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Kat Eaton.Kat Eaton.
Kat Eaton.

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Kat Eaton with her husband Nick Atkinson - the pair are playing live online in aid of The Leadmill. "I'm pretty sure this picture was taken before we started dating, when we were 16, just before we went to watch a gig there," Kat said.Kat Eaton with her husband Nick Atkinson - the pair are playing live online in aid of The Leadmill. "I'm pretty sure this picture was taken before we started dating, when we were 16, just before we went to watch a gig there," Kat said.
Kat Eaton with her husband Nick Atkinson - the pair are playing live online in aid of The Leadmill. "I'm pretty sure this picture was taken before we started dating, when we were 16, just before we went to watch a gig there," Kat said.

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