Sheffield’s longest running live music venue has been shortlisted for a grassroots award for the second year running. 

The Leadmill, celebrating its 45th anniversary next year, has been nominated in the publicly-voted category ‘Grassroots Venue: Spirits of the Scene!’ in the Music Week Awards.

Frazer Spooner, in charge of Live Promotions at the venue, said that the win would be “a solidification of the community that we’ve built”.

He said: “It truly is the award where you say we would not be here if it wasn’t for you. It’s not about anything else apart from appreciating the people that make those memories here and give this place that magic.”

The award is the only public-voted award and is supported by the Music Venue Trust, a charity that aims to protect live music venues in the UK.

Mr Spooner added: “If it wasn’t for the people that are voting, who are also the people that turn up to the shows, our city and our culture would be far worse off.”

The Leadmill was also shortlisted for the award last year, but was beaten by the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. 

Mr Spooner said: “This year again we’re alongside some very tough competition.

“The initial reaction of course was let’s do it this time, last year was so close and the community that got behind it was amazing.”

The Leadmill is one of only two northern venues nominated in the category.

Mr Spooner said that there was often a sense of being “overlooked” by bigger cities and venues.

“I think there does need to be more put into the smaller venues in Sheffield but agents and bands are starting to broaden their horizons and include cities like Sheffield, alongside your major cities.

“Without the grassroots you don’t get your headliners.”

The Leadmill has previously won awards from institutions like NME and Live UK.

Mr Spooner said: “It’s not about the quality anymore, it’s about people perceiving that quality, and people perceiving a space as somewhere that means something to them.

“If you can sell out the Leadmill you are on the verge of really breaking out.” 

He added how everyone who works to make the Leadmill the success that it is “is absolutely fizzing with passion”.

“We want to provide the community experiences as well as we can, as safe as we can and as best as we can. It isn’t about anything else apart from making sure people make memories.”

Voting will close at 5pm on 14 March, with the winner being announced in a ceremony on 2 May in London. 

To vote for the Leadmill, visit the Music Week Awards website at https://www.musicweekawards.com/2024grassrootsvote