The Leadmill, an independent music venue close to WaterBear HQ, has been the mainstay of the Sheffield community and music scene for over 40 years. A former flour mill, The Leadmill was first opened in 1980 as an arts and music venue to provide a cultural space for local people.
Supportive of new music and the indie artist the venue has welcomed a rich array of musical genres from new wave, electronic and hip hop through to rock and pop, attracting artists from Sheffield, South Yorkshire and around the world. It has played a pivotal role in the careers of many bands and artists, Franz Ferdinand sealing its status by deeming The Leadmill a ‘rite of passage’ for artists.
Over the years acts such Oasis, Culture Club, The Housemartins, Kasabian, Kate Nash, The Stone Roses, The Killers, Elliot Smith, and The Damned have graced their stage as well as local icons, Def Leppard, Pulp, Artic Monkeys, Richard Hawley, Self Esteem, Reverend and The Makers, and The Book Club.
Today The Leadmill continue to support new music and the arts through a rich diary of live gigs, club nights, comedy shows, theatre and film.
Our partnership with the Leadmill together with our arrival in Sheffield is a key step in WaterBear’s history. It will enable us to illustrate to our students, the artists and musicians of tomorrow, the importance of live music and the creative arts through far-reaching work experience and live performance opportunities.
Together we have also created The Leadmill Scholarship Award for one lucky master’s student to receive tuition fees for the MA Music Industry Enterprise degree.
“As a venue that is committed to nurturing new and exciting talent, we can’t wait to work with WaterBear and devote time to music education which focusses on celebrating the individual. Through our partnership with Waterbear, alongside the scholarship award we will be offering opportunities to students, be it performing or behind the scenes, and look forward to being part of the journey of the next wave of artists coming out of Sheffield.”
Rose Wilcox, Head of Programming The Leadmill
We partner with some of the biggest names and brands in music, bringing our students unrivalled opportunities to learn from inside the music industry.
- ‘Water bear’ is the common name for a Tardigrade.
- Tardigrades are micro creatures, found everywhere on earth.
- They are the most resilient creatures known.
- They can survive and adapt to their surroundings, even in outer space.
- Their resilience and ability to adapt and survive inspires us in everything we do. We love them.
WaterBear Education Ltd, Hanover House,
118 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG, UK Map
Email: info@waterbear.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 726230
WaterBear Sheffield, Unit 4, Gatecrasher,
49 Eyre Lane, Sheffield S1 4RB, UK
Email: infosheffield@waterbear.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1143 992720
WaterBear Education Ltd, Hanover House,
118 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG, UK Map
Email: info@waterbear.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 726230
WaterBear Sheffield, Unit 4, Gatecrasher,
49 Eyre Lane, Sheffield S1 4RB, UK
Email: infosheffield@waterbear.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1143 992720
- ‘Water bear’ is the common name for a Tardigrade.
- Tardigrades are micro creatures, found everywhere on earth.
- They are the most resilient creatures known.
- They can survive and adapt to their surroundings, even in outer space.
- Their resilience and ability to adapt and survive inspires us in everything we do. We love them.
