News Roundup

 Another week, another music news roundup and this week I have a couple of important stories to cover. Firstly, anyone who tuned in to the announcement of who won the Mercury Prize on Thursday night will know that it went to Ezra Collective, a London-based jazz band, for their album 'Where I'm Meant To Be'. The other story, sadly, is less positive but it is an opportunity for music-based activism. Following the notice from landlords Electric Group, the Leadmill (a popular venue in Sheffield) will be evicted and replaced with a different venue. Understandably, residents of Sheffield are upset and a rally to save the venue will be held on the 18th September, when the decision surrounding the 'hostile takeover' of the venue will go to a public hearing. 

This Thursday at 7pm, the Mercury Prize show began at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith. Unlike previous years, there seemed to be no clear favourite to win, with journalists and public opinion flitting between several options. However, throughout their performance it was clear that Ezra Collective bring a youthful energy to their upbeat jazz music influenced by funk and Afrobeats that is difficult to deny. In fact they managed to get the whole room standing, not an easy feat (excuse the pun) on one of the hottest days of the year. In the end, they took home the prize, accepting it with a spontaneous speech from drummer Femi Koleoso which detailed the importance of championing young musicians, telling the audience 'We met in a youth club'. All in all, this was a win for young musicians and a win for London jazz, showing what a jazz band can do nowadays. 

Ezra Collective with the Mercury Prize, credit Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

My second story concerns the Leadmill in Sheffield. A venue which has stood in the city for over 40 years, the Covid 19 pandemic saw it selling off memorabilia and such in order to stay open. However, in March its owners announced that they had been served an eviction notice by landlords Electric Group, who have said that they do intend to keep using the site as a music venue. The Leadmill name and brand, though, is the intellectual property of the owners and therefore cannot be used for any new music venue opened in its place. As well as several popular bands, locals to the area are incredibly upset and angry at this news, and so a campaign has been started to save The Leadmill. This is intended to culminate in a protest outside Sheffield Town Hall on the 18th September, where a public hearing will be held on the issue. In the run up to the protest, the organisers have said that drop ins will be held at the Leadmill to make signs and placards, and they have also urged that anyone in the area who wants to join in on the activism does as they require as many supporters as possible. For more information on this topic, you can check the Leadmill's social media pages.