News

Leeds Festival of Ideas reveals full September line-up

Guests for all five panels have been announced today, as have the topics they will be discussing.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 2nd July 2021

Leeds International Festival of Ideas is set to make a storm in the city this September when it presents an ambitious program packed with inspirational speakers

Formerly known as Leeds International Festival, highlights include thought-provoking panel debates and inspirational keynote speeches, aiming to explore and challenge the ways in which we view the world.

Some big-name speakers like Lenny Henry and Katherine Ryan have already been teased out, but now organisers have finally revealed the full 2021 lineup and there are some brilliant names on there.

These include Guilty Feminist podcaster Deborah Frances-White, multi-award-winning Parliamentary sketch writer Matthew Parris and Dazed columnist Bolu Babalola.

Organisers have also given insights into what the debates will be on this year, revealing that questions like 'Can we ever be who we want to be? Does the future have enough food? Are we more lonely? Is the UK media broken and finally Green or Growth?' will take center stage at the event.

This year, the festival runs from Monday 13th to Monday 27th September and will take place at three key venues: City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds Town Hall and Leeds Corn Exchange.

The festival aims to provide a platform for the exploration of new ideas and innovation while confronting the challenges of our time and discussing the world of tomorrow.

Leading the line-up this year are four famous figures: actor, comedian and campaigner Sir Lenny Henry CBE, comedian and presenter Katherine Ryan, architect and campaigner George Clarke and founder of the MOBO organisation Kanya King CBE.

Others due to attend includ economic expert and BBC presenter Evan Davis, award-winning writer and broadcaster Alix Fox, Tony Blair’s former Communications Strategist and Chief Spokesman Alastair Campbell, campaigner, speaker and writer Gina Martin, Masterchef Judge, Guardian food critic and Author Grace Dent.


“After a long time planning we are so pleased to reveal the plans," said Martin Dickson, Leeds International Festival of Ideas Lead.

"From Sir Lenny Henry headlining and talking at Leeds’ premier venue to chatting over why the UK media is broken with some of its best journalists, to the important chats around businesses growing whilst being sustainable after a pandemic with hot topics in Leeds around the airport, to what does the future of food hold for us.

"Imagine, in just 6 of the days sitting in the Corn Exchange watching such a calibre of acts like George Clarke, Kanya King, Katherine Ryan and culminating with Sir Lenny Henry.“

Tickets for Leeds International Festival of Ideas and the full program will go live and on sale at 9am on Friday 2nd July 2021 via the festival's website.



The full list of events taking place as part of this year's festival:

Are we more Lonely?
13th September - 19:00
City Varieties Music Hall
Featuring Deborah Frances-White, Dr Melrose Stewart, Alix Fox, Emilia Van Hauen, Bolu Babolula

The MOBOS and Me with Kanya King CBE
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 19th - 16:30

Does the Future have enough food?
City Varieties Music Hall
September 20th - 19:00
Featuring: Grace Dent, Dr Morgaine Gaye, Mike Lee, Ben Davy (Meatless Farm), Ness Knight

Living in a Future City with George Clarke
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 21st - 19:00

In Conversation with Katherine Ryan
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 22nd - 19:00

Can we ever be who we want to be?
Leeds Town Hall
September 23rd - 19:00
Featuring: Amrou Al-Kadhi, Hashi Mohamed, Caroline Criado Perez, Anne-Marie Imafidon, Gina Martin

Is the UK media Broken?
Leeds Town Hall
September 24th - 19:00
Featuring: Evan Davis, Amol Rajan, Alastair Campbell, Matthew Parris, Robyn Vinter

Who am I, again? With Sir Lenny Henry CBE
Leeds Corn Exchange
September 25th - 19:00

Green or Growth?
City Varieties Music Hall
September 27th - 19:00
Featuring: Michaela Strachan, Henri Murison, Paul Chatterton, Noga Levy-Rapoport

News

Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi’s Roundhay Festival line-up

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

US pop star Conan Gray and BRIT award winner Jacob Alon join the line-up for Lewis Capaldi's headline date at Roundhay Festival.

Leeds' Roundhay Park is welcoming back live music to its grounds this summer for two outdoor gigs headlined by Lewis Capaldi and Pitbull titled Roundhay Festival, with special guests slowly being announced.

Gray is recognised for standout tracks like 'Heather' and 'Maniac' while Alon has built a cult following of fans around their indie tunes like 'Fairy in a Bottle' as well as 'Liquid Gold 25'.

Jacob Alon has been showing off their artistry within the indie music scene thanks to their 2025 LP In Limerence catching the attention of many in the process.

This album has gone onto attract widespread love from music listeners and even industry professionals bagging themselves their first-ever BRIT award nomination and win - The Critics' Choice award.

Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi's Roundhay Festival line-up / Credit: Supplied via Press Shots

Conan Gray started out covering other artists hits before creating some of his own and releasing debut studio album Kid Krow back in 2020.

The project has production credits shared between Gray and Dan Nigro, Grammy-winning producer who has worked with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde and more.

It's always exciting hearing updates like these, but this one is even more impressive as it's not just one stellar act joining the Roundhay Festival line-up but two, with further acts to be announced.

The almost 70,000 crowd who are heading down to Roundhay Festival when Lewis Capaldi makes his way to Leeds next summer are going to be blessed with some phenomenal live music. 

This year marks American Express Presents Roundhay Festival first year with two star-studded dates fronted by powerhouse performers with the second show fronted by Pitbull and special guest Kesha.

These events have been organised with Leeds City Council and are expected to bring benefits to the local area by employing local suppliers, staff and boost spending on accommodation, food and entertainment.

Conan Gray and Jacob Alon will play alongside Lewis Capaldi at Roundhay Festival in Leeds on Saturday 4 July 2026 with tickets available HERE.

Read more: Turnstile to play their only UK headline show this year at Halifax Piece Hall

Featured Images - Supplied via Press Shots

News

Award-winning vintage retailer announces new store in Leeds city centre

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Popular vintage store brand Glass Onion is returning to Leeds with a brand-new permanent site.

Following the huge success of its temporary pop up shop in Leeds Trinity, Glass Onion is coming back with a bang and expanding into a larger, two-floor space in Leeds city centre.

They'll be taking over the old Levi's jeans unit on Lands Lane and will be opening on Wednesday 18 March, so we really don't have long to wait.

Customers can shop Leeds' best collection of sustainable vintage clothing with every piece hand selected for store at their Yorkshire HQ.

Images: The Sheff

Shop from an expertly curated mix of all your vintage favourites, including Y2K, techwear, workwear, sportswear, boho, and loads more.

The store will also feature big-name brands like The North Face, Nike, Levi’s, Adidas, and Harley Davidson, along with an exclusive Rare Archive section - home to some of Glass Onion’s rarest vintage finds.

Glass Onion’s journey began in 2005, when founder John started selling vintage clothing out of his grandma’s coal shed in Barnsley. They opened their first retail store in Sheffield in 2019, quickly becoming a local favourite and their commitment to quality and sustainability has earned them “Best Indie Retailer in Sheffield” and “Best Vintage Retailer in Sheffield” at the Exposed Magazine Awards for three consecutive years.

To celebrate the exciting launch, Glass Onion are offering free VIP tickets where shoppers will be treated to first entry as well as freebies and vouchers from Leeds indies and entry into a competition to win a £100 Glass Onion voucher to spend on the launch day.

You can grab your tickets here.

Read more:

Featured image - Supplied

More News

Leeds

Leeds Pride 2026 announces dates and first wave of acts for 20th anniversary celebration this summer

Feature

Five of the best new openings to come out of Leeds so far this year

Eats

Luxury Leeds steakhouse to undergo huge £1.2 million renovation