Band due to play Salford Lads Club announce they will donate ALL ticket sales to appeal to save venue

Hotly-tipped Manchester band ROLLA have announced their big headline gig planned at Salford Lads Club in November will now serve as a fundraiser to try and help secure the future of the iconic venue.

As the MEN revealed at the weekend, the historic club is facing closure if £250,000 of emergency funding is not found by the end of November.

It means ROLLA may well be the final gig ever staged at the historic venue if enough money is not found to keep the club alive. It's the last gig currently scheduled to play at the venue on November 15.

READ MORE: Rock star makes huge donation to Salford Lads Club appeal

The band, who are vocalist James Gilmore, Luke McConnell and Tom Paddon on guitar, Luke Gilmore on bass and Saul Bardsley on drums, had scheduled the gig before it was known the club's future was hanging in the balance.

They have now made the incredible decision to donate all money from ticket sales and merchandise sold at the gig to directly help the fundraiser to save the club. The Manc band say they "will fight for it to stay open".

Announcing the news about their Salford Lads Club gig, the band said today: "Salford Lads Club is a place that’s iconic for its musical history and also for its vital role within the community.

"For over a century and through two world wars it has provided a space for young people to come together, find purpose, and be inspired. Its doors must remain open.

"We’re proud of where we’re from, what venues like this mean to us and we will fight for it to stay open."

Sharing an image of the band outside the iconic club they added: "Tickets for our headline show Nov 15 at Salford Lads Club go on sale Friday 10am. Every penny from tickets and merch we’ll be giving to SLC.

They signed off by saying: "Join us in helping save this amazing place and we’ll have a right good time whilst we’re at it. Rolla x"

ROLLA debuted in 2020 and affirmed their credentials as next wave stars when their 2023 debut EP ‘Nothing Less Than Everything’ shot straight to #1 on the iTunes Album and Alternative Charts. They’ve already shown arena-readiness after touring with Kasabian following a personal invitation from frontman Serge Pizzorno.

Their previous home gig was at a sold out Gorilla in the city centre 18 months ago. Since then they have signed a new deal with Run On Records (The Royston Club) and are being hotly tipped to break into the main stream in the year ahead.

They have also just unveiled their new video for single We Owe You Nothing, which was directed by film-maker Charlie Lightening who was behind recent rockumentary films for Liam Gallagher, Paul McCartney and Kasabine.

ROLLA said:, “We’re excited to drop the video for ‘We Owe You Nothing’ which was directed by Charlie Lightening. Charlie’s worked with two of our heroes Liam Gallagher and Kasabian so having his vision on this track means a lot to us.

"He captures the raw energy and attitude, it fits what we're all about and this song is all about. It’s an absolute masterpiece, massive shout out to Charlie!"

Tickets for ROLLA's Salford Lads Club November 15 gig go on sale on Friday, October 18 at 10am, you can register for the pre-sale here.

There has been a huge reaction since news broke of Salford Lads and Girls Club being in crisis. Rising costs and a reduction in grant income means the world famous club, which opened in 1903 with a mission to "Brighten Young Lives and Make Good Citizens", is on the brink of shutting.

In 1985, the club was used as the setting for an iconic image of Manchester band The Smiths. The image brought global recognition and a source of funding from fans of the group who continue to make a pilgrimage to the venue.

But the charity behind the Salford Lads and Girls Club has now announced an initial fundraising target of £1.25m: £250,000 is for the urgent appeal and £1m for the Legacy Fund - a permanent endowment fund that could draw down £40,000 to £50,000 a year in returns.

A fundraiser has been set up to raise vital cash for the institution. To donate, click HERE.