#LeakeStreetLIVE (in your lounge) launches

Providing online urban entertainment whilst supporting the creative community

Next Thursday 30th April will see the return of #LeakeStreetLIVE in a new online format called #LeakeStreetLIVE (in your lounge).

#LeakeStreetLIVE is the free public events programme run at Leake Street Arches in Waterloo that celebrates urban culture through food, drink, paint and play. Since launching in November 2019, the programme has brought a variety of activities to the arches including the hugely successful Thursday night graffiti workshops and music performances.

Whilst the current climate means events at the arches have been put on hold, as a destination that celebrates creativity, LCR (the landlords of Leake Street Arches) were keen to continue their support of independent musicians and artists by launching an online entertainment programme.

#LeakeStreetLIVE (in your lounge) will stream exclusive music performances and graffiti tutorials every Thursday via its IGTV account. In keeping with the usual schedule, music performances will start at 5.30pm and will last an hour. From 6.30pm, viewers will be able to watch a graffiti video tutorial with artist, Spray Saint.

Music performances will be from up-and-coming, young artists from Busk in London’s roster of talent. The first online gig will be from Josh Gleaves, an 18 year old country music loving singer/songwriter from Romford. Future performers will be announced each week and will include Natalie Shay and Charlotte Campbell.

Online graffiti tutorials will be courtesy of Spray Saint, a Cornish based artist but a regular at Leake Street. Having run his own You Tube channel (Graffiti Tutorials) for over 3 years, Spray Saint is the perfect person to teach those stuck at home some artistic tips and tricks.

With increasing reports about the economic implications on musicians (last month the Musicians’ Union announced UK musicians had already lost almost £14 million as a direct result of COVID-19), Leake Street Arches is proud to be the only business who have been able to maintain their music programme with Busk London.

Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, said: “Culture is our city’s DNA and even though we are facing challenging times, the creative community continues to find innovative ways to bring us together. “#LeakeStreetLIVE (in your lounge) is a brilliant way to give performers a stage to showcase their work and much needed income as well as give budding artists the chance to learn from each other.”

As Kate Jones from Busk London explains “With the closure of pubs and venues, music was one of the first industries to be economically impacted by Coronavirus. The musicians we work with have really felt the effect of cancelled event, gigs and of being unable to go busking – effectively, their main source of income stopped overnight. It was such a pleasure to be to tell them their scheduled performances at Leake Street Arches would continue and they would still be paid.”

The #LeakeStreetLIVE (in your lounge) programme will develop and expand alongside the current climate with future activities likely to include a Virtual Party with Secret Sunrise.