Having played host to legendary club nights for over 40 years, iconic club space The Warehouse has now revealed it will start hosting gigs too.
Over the years, The Warehouse has welcomed some of the most iconic bands and DJs to the city, including heavy hitters like The Sugar Hill Gang, Stone Roses, Oasis, Greg Wilson, Mike Pickering and Fat Boy Slim.
It's become known over the years as a great clubbing venue, hosting legendary nights like SpeedQueen and Kaos - but it initially began life as a live music venue.
The new loft space at The Warehouse / Image: The Warehouse
Now, it's come full circle: launching a new format that will see the celebrated house music venue welcome live performances in the early evenings.
A new format will see The Warehouse host live gig performances up until 10pm, then switch over to club nights as the evening turns into the early hours of the morning.
The club and gig space has already sold out its opening week parties and is bringing some huge names to Leeds, including Annie Mac, Alan Fizpartick and Richy Ahemd, Black Grape, Goldie Lookin Chain and Versatile as part of its relaunch.
The main room at The Warehouse is well set up for live gigs / Image: The Warehouse
Speaking on the decision to switch things up at The Warehouse, co-owner Will Habergham explained that they feel the pandemic has very much shifted the focus of the nightlife scene into a new direction.
"Post-COVID nightlife and venues have had to adapt. We have had to take a new direction. Traditional nightclubs have had to diversify to survive, essentially offering a flexible space that can accommodate all sorts of events", said Will.
"In the conventional sense, nightclubs are no longer what they used to be, and unfortunately, many venues have been forced to close due to the pandemic.
The Warehouse team have worked really hard throughout the pandemic to get the club ready for reopening / Image: The Warehouse
"There has definitely been a move towards bar culture and nightlife, as we know it, has changed.
"Whilst there is still a place for nightclubs, we think nightlife will be more event and experience-led, and due to the pandemic, for some students, it will be the first time they have ever even experienced a nightclub!"
Co-owner and live events organiser at The Warehouse , Dan Ickowitz-Seidler, continued:
"We were keen to restore the legacy of The Warehouse as a fantastic live music venue as well as one of Leeds' most legendary nightclubs."
"We can't wait for people to see what we've done. We think there will be so much pent-up demand for live music and events after over a year without any.
"While events have attempted to go online during the pandemic, I think it's really made us all realise you just can't beat the experience and feeling of being in the room and witnessing an event in person.
"We're excited to get people back into our venue and witnessing some legendary events."
The Warehouse returns at one minute past midnight on July 19 with its first "Freedom Rave".
Find it at 19-21 Somers Street, Leeds, LS1 2RG.
News
Three of the most exciting new openings coming to Leeds this spring
It's been a great start to the year here in Leeds, but it seems the city is only getting started.
We don't know about you, but recently it's felt like Leeds is really heating up with a whole host of new opening announcements.
From viral brunch spots to ice bath and sauna cafes, we're really in for a treat over the next few months.
Allow us to fill you in on what's to come.
Kontrast
Saxton Gardens
Images: Supplied
If you’re one of those psychopaths that enjoys jumping into a freezing cold pool of water, then get pumped as Kontrast is opening its second site right here in Leeds. Tucked behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast Leeds will combine saunas, ice baths, and a cafe, designed to bring wellness into everyday life. The new space will feature two traditional saunas, one infrared sauna and four ice baths, each varying in temperature between three and 13 degrees.
In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping the nation.
Acai and the Tribe first opened in 2021 in Manchester and since then, they’ve opened up three other locations across the country. Next stop? Leeds.
Expect stacked acai bowls and superfood smoothies that almost look too good to eat, all bundled up in the most aesthetically-pleasing cafe you could imagine.
If you remember The Reliance, then you're going to love this.
Set to open its doors early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people and “pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance has left behind”. The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.
Independent Leeds bookshop raises money for trans healthcare by inviting customers to ‘deface’ Harry Potter books
Clementine Hall
A bookshop in Leeds is inviting its customers to vandalise Harry Potter books for charity.
Well, this is definitely one we haven't seen before.
The Bookish Type on Great George Street in Leeds is a fabulous independently-owned queer bookshop that prides itself on being a safe space for all.
They're raising money for trans healthcare by inviting customers to vandalise Harry Potter novels for just 25p per go.
A bargain if you ask us, and all for a good cause. And don't worry, all the books are second hand and have been donated.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not understanding the immediate connection between the two, then allow us to fill you in.
J.K. Rowling, the author of the famous Harry Potter novels, has over recent years expressed transphobic comments and anti-trans political beliefs on social media.
Yesterday, Wednesday 25 March, the trailer for the new HBO Max Harry Potter series was released which has encouraged many people to speak out against Rowling and claim she should no longer be supported.
So, The Bookish Type are showing support for the trans community and asking those who feel frustrated to have a doodle and whilst they're at it, donate to a good cause.
If you're not able to make it into the shop, The Bookish Type have said "You will soon be able to donate online and we will personally deface a page with your message/doodle/scribble."
We're absolutely obsessed.
Find out more about The Bookish Type and if you can, pop in for a browse and a doodle whilst you're at it.
Georgina Pellant -
16th July 2021 
