[3] The Leadmill first opened in 1980 in the building that previously housed the Esquire, a 1960s club that had hosted gigs by Jimi Hendrix and Small Faces.

[4] Originally acting as a community centre, the venue was not granted an alcohol license until 1982 and so initially hosted plays, education and training workshops and live music.

[5] Early events at the venue included a 1982 pantomime directed by Jarvis Cocker, and the Housemartins queuing for their own 1984 gig, but being turned away by bouncers.

[6] The venue also hosted the Festival Against Unemployment in September 1982, promoting local bands; New Model Soldier, Party Day and Agent Orange.

He described it as "a building well restored" and went on to say, "It houses a theatre, live music venue, educational and training centre, not to mention a restaurant, bar, nightclub, and, they say, it makes a profit!".

The news drew condemnation from a variety of bands and musicians including Billy Bragg, Kaiser Chiefs, Reverend and the Makers and Manic Street Preachers and saw a joint letter from Sheffield's five Labour MPs to Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries asking for an urgent discussion on how to save the venue.

[22] Many notable musicians and acts have performed at the venue, including The Chemical Brothers, The Dandy Warhols, Jorja Smith, Rick Astley, Beabadoobee, Culture Club, The Strokes, George Ezra, Lewis Capaldi, Creeper, James Marriott, Muse, Two Door Cinema Club, Arctic Monkeys, Queens of the Stone Age, Coldplay, The Killers, Kings of Leon, Holding Absence, Pulp, Inhaler, Scouting for Girls, Jamiroquai and Alfie Templeman.

Some notable comedians to have headlined the venue are James Acaster, Ed Gamble, Joe Lycett, Nish Kumar, Eddie Izzard and Rachel Parris.