The legendary and much loved Windmill venue in Brixton is in imminent danger of closing for good.
Earlier this month it was identified by the Music Venue Trust as one of the 30 venues across the country most at risk of closure.
Prior to COVID-19 fucking up all our lives, the Windmill which has nurtured and championed so many artists, was set in 2020 to launch its own stage at SXSW in Texas, and curating a Windmill stage at the inaugural Wide Awake Festival in London.
So many have benefited from its support – Mercury Prize nominees black midi and Kae Tempest, Grammy-nominated Fontaines D.C., those feral crazy bare chested hellraisers Fat White Family and BBC 6music sweethearts Warmduscher, Goat Girl, Squid, Tiña, Insecure Men and countless others.
Team Lose It are working with the Windmill to bring you a total beast of a rock and roll auction, with contributions from the rock stars, cult heroes, award winners, living legends and artists who call the Windmill home, offering up everything from their time, instruments, unique one-off artworks, signed merch, test pressings, the shirt off their back.
All proceeds will go directly to the venue to ensure its continued survival in the face of the ongoing pandemic restrictions and increasingly extortionate rent.
The auction opens at noon on Tuesday 1 December.
It will be an ongoing affair with some items up for just 7 days, others available to buy outright, and new items being added along the way.
Dig deep, go big, get your Christmas prezzies boxed off.
You could win a plethora of musical delights: a drumming lesson with Morgan from black midi, or the guitar that music legend Fruitbat from Carter USM played at the 1991 Smash Hits Poll Winner’s Party (the one where they rugby-tackled Phillip ‘Phil’ Schofield to the ground).
Or maybe even a one-off drawing by Fat White Family‘s Saul and a pair of his (worn) socks; ‘Blogonese Live!’ – a zoom chat version of Lias’ tumblr blog where you will discuss all things bolognese with him; or from Warmduscher, ‘Baby Blue Devil’ merch tees (currently sold out) and pimped up for your pleasure by Clams Baker.
If you love almost chart-toppers Fontaines D.C. big time, then a A2 print from guitarist Carlos’ forthcoming new line of photos, signed by all the band, is up for grabs.
Speedy Wunderground‘s Dan Carey donated his precious and infamous smoke machine, and other goodies.
The iconic crow mask from Goat Girl’s ‘Crow Cries’ video is within your reach; as is the fully customised Korg synth your new favourite band PVA used to write their debut classic ‘Divine Intervention’; or, for the Sleaford Mods fan, a signed work shirt from Jason Williamson, a souvenir from the last shit office job he had.
Treat a friend, treat yer ma, treat yourself – it’s been a complete and utter bastard of a year!
Auction – https://www.32auctions.com/savewindmillbrixton
Donate – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/savewindmillbrixton
Fat White Family photo credit: Sarah Piantadosi
