What’s On: #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.

The current climate means events at the arches have been put on hold.

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 Instagram TV 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.

Having run his own YouTube channel for more than three years, Spray Saint is the perfect person to teach those stuck at home some artistic tips and tricks.

There will be music performances from up-and-coming young artists from Busk London.

With increasing reports about the economic implications on musicians – last month the Musicians’ Union announced UK musicians had already lost almost £14million as a direct result of Covid-19 – Leake Street Arches has maintained their music programme with Busk London.

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.

Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons, 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.”

Kate Jones from Busk London said: “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 events, gigs and of being unable to go busking – effectively, their main source of income stopped overnight.

“It was such a pleasure to be able to tell them their scheduled performances at Leake Street Arches would continue and they would still be paid.”