Leeds

Stormzy returns to Leeds after two years for highly-anticipated Heavy is the Head tour

Review: Stormzy's Heavy is the Head UK tour performance at the First Direct Arena, Leeds.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 17th March 2022

After two long years of empty arenas, Stormzy returned to Leeds' First Direct Arena with two-hour set of his best hits- and it was well worth the wait.

Headlining the First Direct Arena yesterday evening was none other than the UK's favourite grime artist, Stormzy.

The original Heavy is the Head UK tour was due to commence in 2020, but we all know how that ended. After a long two year hiatus of absent music, empty stadiums and lost fans, the music industry is slowly returning to its former glory- with no expense spared.

You can tell that Leeds' been itching to return to the arena. Live music has been a legal activity for quite some time now, but it's taken a good few months- or perhaps just the need for a huge headline act to bring the city out of its reclusive state and into a music venue once more.

Image: Ant Longstaff

The Hoot was lucky enough to experience Stormzy's return to the stage from the First Direct Suite. The private suites host up to sixteen spots with a prime view of the stage.

Before we watched Stormzy entertain the crowd, we rubbed shoulders with Leeds United legend Kalvin Phillips (who we later found out was on his way to meet the headliner himself); sipped on drinks from the private booth and shared nervous-excited giggles with some of Leeds' best-known socialites whilst waiting for the two hour performance to begin.

As for the show itself, we've never experienced such an incredible performance in the luxury of the VIP suite.

Ever-humbling, Stormzy shared the limelight with his sister all evening long. Gig-goers arrived to the beat of sibling Rachel Anson's DJ set, hasting grabbing drinks whilst eager teens practised lyrics to the headliner's act as they swarmed the standing area with hours to spare and a nervous buzz echoed around the arena. Still, without fault, all eyes remained on the stage, waiting for the grime icon to appear on stage.

Stormzy is known for his incredible live performances, steeped in political agendas that unite crowds, even at gigs as large as Glastonbury.

Back in 2019, his memorable Glastonbury set featured a speech by the politician David Lammy, discussions of black and minority ethnic groups in the British criminal justice system. His Glasto debut was the same performance that featured the singer dressed in a Union Jack stab vest designed and the crowd sang the synonymous lines "f**k the government and f**k Boris" all afternoon long.

The same team have been a huge part of the Heavy is the Head UK tour and the two years of preparation was an obvious triumph from the organisers. Minuscule details like lighting changes and lavish backdrops effortlessly changed with each beat and asserted the performers' reputation as the UK's biggest rapper.

Image: Ant Longstaff

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The third night of the rappers long-awaited UK and Ireland tour kicked off in Leeds with Big Michael, the opening track of his latest album as he stood, taking in the 13,000 strong crowd, whilst descending into the First Direct Arena.

The well-rehearsed set transcended into a pyrotechnic performance of his best-selling hits, featuring verse-upon-verse of fast paced, effortless rap. Flirting between his original grime tracks that projected the artist to fame and his soulful, heartfelt performances of smash-hits like Heavy is the Head that slowed the tempo and provided ample opportunity of backup singers, a saxophonist and a trumpeter to announce their influence on the genre.

Throughout the set, the London-based artist payed homage to the city of Leeds, reminding the audience that his last performance in our city was at Leeds Festival 2021, where we're certain that the internationally-acclaimed artist would have experienced the unique atmosphere and sensational crowds that the bestselling festival greets every headline act with.

Image: Ant Longstaff

With this in mind, Stormzy graciously complementing Leeds as a city, as well as a festival destination, deeming it one his favourite cities to perform in. The crowd was roaring and rewarded the rapper's kind words with applause and an increased enthusiasm for the rest of the set.

Like any international artist, his most popular singles were saved for the encore. Stormzy's final five songs had the crowd on their feet without faltering as they shouted the words to Clash, Big for your Boots and Shut Up before the artist made an announcement about his third studio album.

The concert finished with a soulful performance of Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2 with interludes from a gospel choir before Stormzy closed the show with Vossi Bop, once again showcasing his talent in a variety of rap styles.

Image: Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Read More: You can watch David Attenborough’s Planet Earth II Live in Leeds this March

Stormzy is continuing his tour across the UK and Ireland, performing on Friday 18 March in Sheffield before travelling to Manchester on Saturday and finishing his weekend at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena.

Feature Image- Ant Longstaff

Leeds

Inside the new Leeds craft shop where you can make your own phone cases, water bottles, and notepads 

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Happy Hour Workshop in Leeds

A new crafting paradise has opened in Leeds city centre, right in time for the summer holidays. 

Happy Hour Workshop has already been a smash hit over in Greater Manchester, and now owner Lili has brought her playful and creative business over to Queens Arcade. 

The brand-new, sunny yellow crafting destination has walls absolutely crammed with colourful supplies, with a big focus on the current trend of cream gel DIY. 

The level of customisation here will send an indecisive person into a tailspin. 

First you can choose the item you want to customise, whether it’s a mirror, a claw clip, a pencil case, a handheld fan, a phone case, a water bottle, a notepad, or just about any other useful item you can think of. 

Then you’re let loose with a bowl and dream, to peruse the many, many drawers of colourful charms you can add to your chosen product. 

There are literally thousands of charms - food items like hot dogs and ice cream cones; characters like Labubus and Minions; and adorable motifs like bows and rainbows. 

The wall of craft supplies
The wall of craft supplies
Thousands of charms to choose from
Thousands of charms to choose from
You can customise a glass tumbler
You can customise a glass tumbler
Or make a notepad
Or make a notepad
Owner Lili outside Happy Hour Workshop Leeds
Owner Lili outside Happy Hour Workshop Leeds

You could spell out your name with bubble letters, make a whole buffet’s worth of fake food items, design yourself a beautiful garden, or create a new world for the K-Pop Demon Hunters. 

Your final step before heading to your craft station is to choose a colour cream gel, which you can pipe onto your item like icing a cake before wedging your charms into place. 

As well as the charms, Happy Hour Workshop is offering other crafting experiences like bracelet making, money box painting, paint by numbers, slime making, and loads more to come. 

You’ll find it at 9 Queens Arcade and it’s open now. 

Read more: Leeds is set to be transformed into a huge interactive game of Trivial Pursuit this week

Leeds

Pints of Knowledge, Callum Campbell’s fastest-growing event, is coming to Leeds city centre this summer

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

The pub night that's packing out venues across the UK is coming to Leeds.

Let us introduce you to Pints of Knowledge, a phenomenon founded by Callum Campbell that has built a social media following of more than 160,000 people.

This is different to your average night out, it's a chance to meet new people and spark interesting conversation all in the relaxing surroundings of a pub.

The event has attracted thousands to its unique mix of expert talks, conversation and community in pubs across the UK.

Image: Supplied

And if you're looking to get in on the action then you're in luck, because Pints of Knowledge is arriving at The Wardrobe on Sunday 9 August.

So, what can you expect? From landmark legal history and the hidden pressures behind big systems to the evolving language of gaslighting and radical cinema, Sunday's Leeds programme will demonstrate exactly why Pints of Knowledge has struck such a chord with audiences across the UK.

Founder Callum Campbell, who has spent more than a decade producing live events across Britain, said bringing the concept to Leeds was the natural next step - and we're so happy he thought so.

Image: Supplied

He said: "I've always wanted to bring Pints of Knowledge to more cities across England, and Leeds has such a strong appetite for ideas and conversation. Watching this grow has been amazing, and I can't wait to bring it here.

"As more people look for experiences beyond a traditional night out, Pints of Knowledge offers something different: expert speakers, thought-provoking conversations and the chance to meet new people, all in the relaxed surroundings of a pub.

"People still love going to the pub, but they're looking for more from the experience. Pints of Knowledge is about hearing incredible stories, asking questions, meeting interesting people and leaving having learned something new."

Image: Supplied

The Pints of Knowledge programme at The Wardrobe will look like this:

  • 12pm - Human rights lawyer Mahnoor Omer presents '10 Legal Cases that Changed History'.
  • 2pm - Georgina Shute asks 'Why billion-pound systems are built by people who can't finish their to-do lists'.
  • 4pm - Isobel Logan explores 'Gaslighting: The Evolution of a Concept Across Art, Relationships and Politics'.
  • 6pm - Angelos Koutsourakis will examine 'Third Cinema, The Global South & Climate Change'.

Campbell added: "One hour you can be unpacking landmark legal cases, the next you're hearing about the psychology behind gaslighting, before finishing the day exploring cinema and climate change. That's what makes Pints of Knowledge different.

"This is just the beginning. We've seen an incredible response across the UK, and we're excited to build on that by bringing Pints of Knowledge to more cities across the country.”

Pints of Knowledge takes place at The Wardrobe in Leeds on Sunday 9 August, and you can get your tickets here.

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Featured image - Supplied

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