Richard Hawley to Play His Final Show at Sheffield's Leadmill Venue

Sheffield icon Richard Hawley announces his last Leadmill performance before the venue’s closure this June.

A Bittersweet Farewell to The Leadmill

Richard Hawley, the cherished Sheffield musician, has revealed plans to perform one last time at the legendary Leadmill venue this June. This poignant concert will mark the end of an era as the current owners face eviction and the venue prepares to close its doors.

The Leadmill, a cornerstone of Sheffield’s music scene, was recently denied an appeal to overturn an eviction notice issued by its landlord, Electric Group. The venue has been given a three-month deadline to vacate its premises on Leadmill Street, with the final event scheduled for Saturday, June 28.

Richard Hawley: The Man Who Owns The Leadmill Stage

Hawley, renowned for having performed at the Leadmill more than any other artist, will take the stage for his farewell show on Wednesday, June 18. The venue affectionately described him as a “Sheffield icon and Leadmill family member.”

Supporting Hawley for this special night will be fellow musician Tom Hickox. Tickets for this intimate farewell show went on sale Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. and can be secured online.

“One final time with the man who has played here more times than anyone else – Sheffield icon and Leadmill family member Richard Hawley joins us for one last show this June.”
— The Leadmill announcement

The Emotional Impact of Losing a Musical Home

Last month, Hawley shared his deep sadness over the Leadmill’s closure, expressing his hope for legislative changes to protect beloved music venues from similar fates. “It’s a rite of passage for many musicians,” he said, highlighting how difficult it is to see a venue that has been home to so many broken away.

He emphasized the need for laws to prevent landlords from evicting businesses by buying the land beneath and turning it into flats or otherwise displacing communities. “We’re talking about a serious moral issue,” Hawley added.

The Leadmill’s Historic Legacy

Since 1980, the Leadmill has been a hub for some of the biggest names in music, both local and international. Famous Sheffield acts such as Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, Self Esteem, and Bring Me The Horizon have graced its stage. It has also been a launchpad for bands like Muse, Coldplay, The Strokes, and Oasis.

The venue shared the bittersweet news on social media:

“After over four decades of unforgettable nights, historic gigs and a community that has stuck with us through it all, Saturday 28th June 2025 will be the final event held at The Leadmill. We will miss our home more than words can say. Let’s make these last weeks count.”
— The Leadmill

Though the physical space will change, the venue’s community spirit remains strong as they prepare for new beginnings beyond Leadmill Street.

Other Final Performers and The Future of The Leadmill

Besides Richard Hawley, artists like Miles Kane, The K’s, Dinosaur Pile-Up, and King Creosote are lined up to perform before the eviction.

The Leadmill first received its eviction notice in 2022 after Electric Group, which owns several UK venues including Brixton Electric, purchased the site freehold in 2017. Despite the closure, Electric Group has committed to maintaining the building as a music venue and supporting Sheffield’s live music scene for the next century.

The Bigger Picture: UK Venues Facing a Crisis

The closure of the Leadmill isn’t an isolated case. The UK has seen a dramatic loss of grassroots music venues, with one closing roughly every two weeks last year. Predictions warn this rate could accelerate to one per week without urgent government action.

This decline is partly blamed on the “complete collapse of touring” and rising property development pressures. Campaigns are underway to encourage venues to own their buildings, protecting them from sudden evictions. The Music Venue Properties scheme is one such initiative, acquiring venues to safeguard the future of live music spaces—a sort of “National Trust for music venues.”

Final Thoughts

The impending closure of the Leadmill is a reminder of how fragile beloved cultural spaces can be. While the venue’s story at Leadmill Street may be ending, the legacy lives on in the memories, music, and community it fostered.

Will Richard Hawley’s final show be the ultimate tribute to a venue that shaped generations of musicians and fans?

Frequently Asked Questions

• What date is Richard Hawley’s final Leadmill show?
  Richard Hawley will perform his final show at the Leadmill on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
• Who will support Richard Hawley at his farewell show?
  Tom Hickox will be the special guest supporting Richard Hawley for this event.
• Why is the Leadmill closing?
  The Leadmill must vacate its premises due to an eviction notice issued by the landlord, Electric Group, who owns the freehold.
• When is the Leadmill’s final event?
  The venue’s last event is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025.
• What efforts are being made to save UK music venues?
  Initiatives like the Music Venue Properties scheme aim to purchase and protect music venues to prevent closures from landlord evictions.

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