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Old Chapel Music Studios needs your help to raise £9000 to secure its future in Leeds
Since launching its CrowdFunder, the studio has raised £2500, with the money raised going towards 'nullify the effects of increased rent for the next year - and settle a backdated claim for increased rent lodged by Czar St’s landlords'.
Musical home to Leeds' own Kaiser Chiefs and Pigeon Detectives and countless other artists, Old Chapel Music Studios has been making music accessible for all.
Formerly known as Parkside Studios, the CIC has been offering resources to local Holbeck residents and services to the wider Leeds areas for some 30 years now - but it's future is now uncertain.
Challenged by rising rent costs and the cost of living crisis, Old Chapel needs to raise £9000 in just a few weeks.
Since launching its CrowdFunder, the studio has raised £2500, with the money raised going towards 'nullify the effects of increased rent for the next year - and settle a backdated claim for increased rent lodged by Czar St’s landlords'.
Katie Hayes, CEO of Old Chapel Music CIC, said the following of the Crowdfunder:
“Thank you to those who have shared and donated so far. We’ve been serving the community for over 30 years now and never asked for any financial help in this time. We’ve supported numerous bands to start their careers in the industry, worked in partnership with other organisations and Charities such as Festival Republic on their Re:Balance programme to which we support women in the industry through training & mentoring while offering a safe space for individuals to grow and develop.
"The number and variety of free music workshops that have been on offer over the years, have helped both disadvantaged people and those with Mental Health and Learning Disabilities. We are not JUST at rehearsal and recording studio, we are so much more than this and I want to see the future, that we have planned for, continue and flourish for years to come.
"If we reach our crowdfunder target it will help us cover what we have paid out and by smashing the target we can continue delivering free music sessions, so please share our crowdfunder through your networks and if you can donate anything, that would be great.”
Everyone and anyone is welcome to use the facilities at Old Chapel Studios and the CIC has worked tirelessly to keep its prices affordable for musicians. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Gordon White, guitar tech for the likes of Richard Hawley and Noel Gallagher, works from Old Chapel Studios. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Old Chapel Studios has a history of bringing artists to life in a safe and welcoming environment and is offering a range of rewards for anyone that chooses to donate to the fundraiser, including t-shirts, private rehearsal sessions and recordings.
The studios explains that: "Old Chapel is registered as a Community Interest Organisation (CIC) which has 3 volunteer Directors, 2 part time staff and a pool of freelancers along with some hard working and very dedicated volunteers, who keep the doors open 7 days a week. Leeds Music Trust is our parent charity which comprises a Board of Volunteer Trustees, overseeing the work we do and making sure education and affordability to the community of Leeds, is at the forefront of all our work.
"Today the services we provide as a grassroots music community for amateur and professional musicians, young people and vulnerable adults wanting to learn or practice music have never been needed more. But, the current situation is challenging all the hard work we do."
Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final 7 in 7 challenge this month.
The former Leeds Rhinos captain will begin 7 in 7: The Grand Finale next Sunday 27 September.
Wondering what on earth that is? Allow us to fill you in.
Sinfield will be running an ultra-marathon every day for seven days, and this time it's across the north of England including a special stop off right here in Leeds.
Not only that, but the challenge will bring Sinfield back to some of the places that have played a huge part in his rugby league career.
The route will visit all 12 English Betfred Super League grounds, starting at Hull KR before travelling through Yorkshire and eventually crossing the Pennines towards Manchester where Sinfield is from.
Here in Leeds, we can expect Sinfield to arrive at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 30 September at 11:14am, before leaving towards Pudsey Civic Hall at 11:40am.
The challenge will then finish at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, where Sinfield will arrive ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
Since the first annual challenge back in 2020, Kevin Sinfield and his team have raised over £11 million for the MND community with six charities set to benefit once again from this years fundraising.
It's an amazing challenge for an amazing cause, and you can donate and find out more about the challenge here.
Good luck Kevin and the team, we know you'll smash it.
Fences at Leeds Playhouse – walls, wounds and what we leave behind | Review
Declan Kelly
Leeds Playhouse delivers a powerful story about the walls we build.
August Wilson’s Fences is a powerful and deeply personal family drama, exploring race, fatherhood, ambition and the emotional scars that can be passed from one generation to the next.
At Leeds Playhouse, the strength of the production lies largely with its cast. Ray Fearon gives Troy Maxson a commanding presence, balancing humour and charm with a growing sense of anger and resentment. It is an uncomfortable performance at times, but one that keeps you invested in Troy even when his actions become increasingly difficult to accept.
Madeline Appiah brings real warmth and emotional depth to Rose, while Josh Tedeku captures Cory’s frustration as a young man determined to make his own way rather than inherit his father’s limitations.
Image: Supplied
For me, though, Act 2 is where the production really comes alive.
The first half feels comparatively restrained. That isn't necessarily a criticism of the performances or Wilson's writing, but having experienced previous Headlong productions, I went in expecting a little more theatrical imagination from the staging. There were moments where I felt the production could have pushed the material further visually.
Act 2 begins to deliver that.
The rotating set adds movement and energy, while the bright LED lighting works particularly well with the live music, creating a more heightened atmosphere as the family's tensions reach breaking point. The production suddenly feels more visually ambitious, and the design starts to work hand-in-hand with the emotional journey of the characters.
Images: Supplied
The fence itself is an effective recurring image, initially a practical task, but gradually becoming a representation of Troy's need for control, protection and separation. The more the story unfolds, the more the fence feels like a barrier between Troy and the people he loves.
There is a lot to admire here, particularly in the performances, and Wilson's writing remains as relevant and affecting as ever. However, I couldn't help feeling that some of the theatrical ambition found in Act 2 could have been introduced earlier.
Ultimately, Fences is a moving and thought-provoking evening, with a particularly strong second half. For me, it was Act 2 that turned a solid production into a genuinely memorable one.
Running until 23 September at Leeds Playhouse, get your tickets here.
Sophie Smith -
2nd August 2023 
