A huge night out is coming to Leeds with a full orchestra and iconic 80s singers next month.
80's icons Jimmy Somerville, Nik Kershaw, Go West, Carol Decker, and Yorkshire’s own John Parr will be landing in Leeds next month for a special orchestra rendition of some of the era's greatest hits.
The rescheduled 80s Classical event comes to Leeds Millennium Square in September, taking place on Friday 10.
Those attending will be treated to chart-topping sounds from one of the most momentous decades performed by a 60 piece orchestra, accompanied by some of the decade's original performing artists.
Jimmy Somerville first performed at the event in 2019, and is now preparing to return next month with renditions of hits including Never Can Say Goodbye, Don't Leave Me This Way and Smalltown Boy.
2019's event was a huge hit in Leeds / Image: 80s Classic Leeds
Speaking on his upcoming performance, he said: “The first 80s Classical was such a memorable evening, and after everything that we have all been through over the past two years I can’t wait to perform to a packed live audience in Millennium Square once again – it is going to be truly special."
Yorkshire's own John Parr will be in attendance, playing hit St Elmo’s Fire from the cult 80s movie.
Also returning in September is synth-pop superstar Nik Kershaw, who'll be performing his like Wouldn't It Be Good and I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, as well as songwriter Carol Decker with favourites Heart and Soul and China In Your Hand.
Brit Award-winning duo Go West is also set to make an appearance. Lead singer Peter Cox and rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Richard Drummie will perform Pretty Woman hit King of Wishful Thinking as part of a ten-track smash hit setlist.
This year's event takes place at Millenium Square on 10 September / Image: 80's Classical Leeds
Backing vocalists Bianca Claxton, Gavin Condor and Adetoun Anibi will also perform a selection of crowd-pleasing 80s favourites like Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, Toto’s Africa and The Jacksons’ Can You Feel It,
“We have all so dearly missed live music and to be able to work once again with such iconic singers and the amazing Orchestra of Opera North in front a live audience is going to be such a magical feeling and provide a night full of pure joy, drama and excitement,” said Musical Director Steve Anderson, whose credits include Kylie Minogue, Emeli Sandé and Leona Lewis.
The event takes place at Millenium Square on 10 September, with doors from 6.30pm. Liverpool-based club and 80s event specialist DJs Sonic Yootha will be on the ones and twos from 6.45 pm to warm the crowd up, before main performances start at 8.15 pm.
Standing tickets start from £33 and can be purchased here.
Leeds
A Caribbean street food restaurant famed for its jerk chicken is opening in Leeds this week
Get ready to enjoy a taste of the Caribbean as Jerk Junction is coming to Leeds.
The street food favourite has made waves in the foodie scene over in Manchester and Liverpool, so it's only right that its making its way into Trinity Kitchen.
Jerk Junction specialises in authentic Caribbean flavours, from dumplings and jerk chicken to curried goat and rice and peas, it's all flame-grilled and packed with island spices.
Gosh, we're suddenly feeling very hungry.
Image: The Manc Group
Jerk Junction will officially be opening to the public from 12pm on Tuesday 12 May 2026, and you can bet we'll be first in line to get our hands on a big tray of jerk chicken and rice.
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “There’s been a lot of interest in the upcoming arrival of Jerk Junction since it was announced. Bringing a taste of the Caribbean to Trinity Kitchen, it’ll be the place to be when it opens its doors next week.”
Jake Shaffi, founder at Jerk Junction, said: “We’re all about good vibes and creating dishes that help bring people together. We’re looking forward to bringing the Jerk Junction spirit to Trinity Kitchen. The brand already holds a special place within the communities in Manchester and Liverpool – and we’re sure the people of Leeds will embrace it in the same way.”
The latest announcement follows the recent launches of schuh and LEGO at Trinity Leeds, which will also welcome the UK’s largest independent boutique bowling brand, Lane7, and Footasylum later this year.
Leeds Jazz Festival returns to the city this month complete with best lineup yet
Clementine Hall
The 2026 edition of the Leeds Jazz Festival is here, and it's set to be bigger and better than ever before.
If you're a lover of jazz, then you're going to want to keep reading.
Now in its fifth year, Leeds Jazz Festival showcases the best of local, national, and international music through gigs, screenings, DJs, talks and more.
The festival is set to take place across the city from Thursday 21 to Tuesday 26 May 2026, making it the perfect event to enjoy across the bank holiday weekend.
Image: Supplied
Kicking the festival off is Submotion Orchestra, a boundary-pushing musical collective originally formed in Leeds who will be making their return to The Wardrobe for a very special gig.
Over in Chapel Allerton, Jazz Leeds will bring Donovan Haffner to Seven Arts, fresh from his wins for "Jazz Newcomer of the Year" at the UK Parliamentary Jazz Awards and "UK Breakthrough Act" at the 2026 JazzFM Awards.
Leeds Jazz Festival legend DJ Lubi has curated a fantastic night of live Cuban music, alongside a Cuban dance class and a DJ after-party at Howard Assembly Room.
Image: Supplied
Elsewhere at The Domino Club there'll be a whole host of different events taking place, including Three or Four Shades of Mingus, Alligator Gumbo, and two special shows celebrating the 100th birthday of jazz icon Miles Davis.
For more laid-back chill vibes on Bank Holiday Monday, Mercury Music Prize-nominated pianist Kit Downes will play an intimate performance in the stunning acoustics of Mill Hill Chapel. Now that is something not to be missed.
For full details on the lineup as well as information on free activities as well as ticketed gigs, visit the Leeds Jazz Festival website.
Georgina Pellant -
12th August 2021 
