Sheaf Street has announced its sad closure, stating the business is no longer sustainable and unable to recover.
Established in 2017, Sheaf Street is an independent family-run business that set out to host a range of events in a comfortable space for the people of Leeds.
And they did exactly that.
A true hidden gem in the Southbank area of the city, the venue has hosted a plethora of events over the years - from late night club nights to live music events, it was the perfect place to dance, drink and relax.
Sadly, Sheaf Street is now closing with immediate effect as owners issue a statement reading that the business is no longer sustainable and unable to recover.
The statement reads: "Sheaf St. will be closing permanently with immediate effect. This is a truly devastating statement we genuinely hoped we’d never have to write, but it’s the end of the line for Sheaf St.
"Back in May, we discussed the choice of ‘shut down or double down’. We chose to go all in, doubling down on our events in a last-ditch attempt to make things work with a bumper Quarter 4. The team curated a series of events we are truly proud of, but sadly, the world is not on our side right now.
Image: Sheaf Street
"The Aire Park development, which completely surrounds us, has had a devastating impact on our trade. The cafe has been forced to close since January this year, losing a vital stream of regular income with no compensation for the disruption.
"Our industry is facing a real crisis post-pandemic, with low attendance, rising costs, increasing fees, significantly reduced spend per head, and skyrocketing utilities and stock costs, all on top of trying to recoup huge pandemic losses."
The venue are calling on its visitors to share their "tales of the dancefloor" at Sheaf Street, in an effort to influence someone who will the economic benefit that the iconic venue had on the city, in a hope to support another venue in the future.
Their statement finished with: "And a huge thank you to all our customers: the after-work drinkers, daytime diners, brunch enthusiasts, and late-night dancers. We will miss you all. We may have orchestrated the space, but it’s YOU that made Sheaf St what it is.
"We’ll fondly remember the good times – so many really, really good times."
Slam Dunk Festival is back with another belting lineup.
Slam Dunk, the UK's biggest independent rock festival, has unveiled its first wave of artists - and its a lineup to get very excited about.
Hot on the heels of a milestone 20th anniversary this summer, the festival kicks off with Bowling For Soup, Simple Plan, Killswitch Engage, Beartooth, Sleeping With Sirens, The Used and The Front Bottoms topping the bill.
This time, Slam Dunk is doing things a little bit differently, landing here in Leeds first at Temple Newsam on Saturday 29 May before closing the weekend at Hatfield Park on Sunday 30 May 2027.
Leading the festival are two of pop punk’s biggest festival favourites. Bowling For Soup return following a memorable 2023 appearance, whilst Simple Plan will be rotating headliners, returning to Slam Dunk after 8 years and whose debut album No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls also turns 25.
Elsewhere, ska-punk favourites Reel Big Fish return to Slam Dunk for an exclusive UK reunion show, Less Than Jake are also back on the bill, bringing more than three decades of anthems with them, while The Interrupters join a formidable ska-punk showing and Isle of Wight punks Grade 2 bring a dose of old-school punk to the bill.
And it doesn't stop there, with even more names still to be announced to the already star-studded lineup.
Pre-sale tickets are available via the Slam Dunk app for up to 48 hours (subject to availability) from 10am, Friday 2 October, with remaining tickets on sale from 10am on Monday 5 October through all other outlets. Get yours here.
BBC Introducing announces massive Leeds takeover celebrating the UK’s best emerging artists
Clementine Hall
BBC Introducing and Leeds promoter Futuresound have announced a city-wide takeover this November as part of their ‘Introducing Live’ event.
Taking place in ten towns and cities across the UK, Introducing Live will hit Leeds on Saturday 28 November and showcase some of the best emerging artists in the UK today.
Not only that, but it will be held in some of the city's most iconic independent music venues including The Wardrobe, Belgrave Music Hall and Oporto.
The 450-capacity venue The Wardrobe will be home to an 'Introducing on Radio 1' showcase featuring a packed programme including the Egyptian born, Manchester based alt-pop artist Nxdia, Lincolnshire indie-pop quintet Cherryholt, dark pop artist Precious Pepala, Scunthorpe singer-songwriter Will Parker and many more.
Meanwhile, over at Belgrave Music Hall, Emily Pilbeam from Introducing's Mixtape on 6 Music will showcase black country duo GANS, the local 7-piece project Group A.D., underground group holybones and more.
Oporto, famous for hosting some of the biggest names in music during the start of their careers, will host a dedicated 'Introducing Rock' takeover with Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe, with a line-up featuring Nottingham-formed rock duo Alt Blk Era, goth-grunge alt group Venus Grrrls, indie-pop BRIT School alumna jo from school, post-hardcore band Hollow Bloom, and Sheffield-based electro-metalcore band DUSTHOUSE.
Joe Hubbard, promoter at Futuresound Group, said: “We’re really excited to be working with BBC Introducing to bring this event to Leeds, for the first time! It feels a very fitting partnership after our partnership on Live at Leeds together over the years.
"Between headliners Nxdia, Alt Blk Era, Gans and Jaguar, I feel there’s something for everyone. I’m also really proud of the local offering we’ve got, with strong representation from BBC Introducing Leeds & Sheffield across the bill. There’s been months of work behind the scenes to make it happen, so it’s a great feeling to finally release the line-up to the world. See you in November!”
Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am and you can get yours here.
Clementine Hall -
31st October 2023 
