It's the last full week of January so let's make it a corker, we've gathered together the highlights of what's happening in Leeds for you to take a peak at.
Congratulations all, we have officially made it to the end of January (well, almost) and believe us when we say that with what's going on this week, we are finishing it off with a bang.
Get your best tartan on because we've got Burns Night celebrations happening all over the city as well as super exciting gigs (hello Matty Healy), delicious foodie openings and so much more.
Get your calendar at the ready and keep reading.
The 1975 Live
Monday 23 January 2023 | First Direct Arena, Leeds city centre
The 1975. Credit: Samuel Bradley
Everybody stay calm, it's happening. The 1975 are coming to Leeds and performing at the First Direct Arena.
Social media has been awash with videos from The 1975’s tour so far (notably Matty Healy’s autotune) and the time has finally come where we get to see the spectacle for ourselves. To say we are excited is a bit of an understatement.
Saturday 28 January 2023 | Opera North, Grand Theatre
Image: Richard H Smith
Opera North is preparing to breathe new life into the classic operatic performance of Puccini’s Tosca in the coming weeks- and it’s going to be an incredible experience. The operatic performance has been loved for over 100 years, but this month there’s two opportunities to see the Opera North’s 2023 version in person.
Wednesday 25 January 2023 from 6pm | Ox Club, The Headrow
Image: Ox Club
Bringing back the special six course tasting menu for the eighth year in a row. There’s tables all night long from 5pm – 10pm but booking is advised as this one is going to sell out fast. Michelin Guide and Good Food Guide have already given their blessing to the restaurant’s dishes, so we’re certain the quality will be worth the £65 price tag.
Monday 23 - Sunday 29 January 2023 | Trinity Kitchen
Image: Little Red Eats
New year means new Trinity Kitchen food trucks, and for the next nine weeks there’s going to be plenty of winter warmers to tuck into. Expect burgers, bhajis, bagels and everything in between from five street food vendors, including some newbies and old favourites.
Feeling hungry yet? Us two. Read all about it here.
Lone Design Club Pop-up Shop
Thursday 26 January 2023 | 27 Albion Street, Trinity Leeds
Image: Lone Design Club
This January, enter the New Year with a bang as Lone Design Club brings the best of the most exciting and up-and-coming lifestyle, home, beauty and wellness brands to Leeds in the form of a pop-up concept store.
Opening on Thursday, expect an exclusive selection of the most promising brands of the future, showcased within an interactive store, alongside a full events programme to bring you into the world of LDC’s beloved and experimental brands.
Astoria
Thursday 26 January 2023 | The Wardrobe, St Peter’s Square
Image: Astoria
Playing their biggest show to date, Leeds-born rock and roll band, Astoria, is preparing for an intimate show to crowds like never before. Expect a night to remember featuring catching riffs, alt-rock ballads and heartfelt lyrics from Where The Light Lives, amongst other hits.
Tickets cost £7.70 and can be purchased through See Tickets.
Saturday 28 January 2023 | O2 Academy, Millennium Square
Bringing back Saturday nights in the Academy for the new year, one of the North’s leading events is back and still going strong after 10 years of production. The event is known to have ‘the killer combination of unparalleled production, performers, resident DJs and very special guests’.
Tickets cost £5.50 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
Enjoy one of the UK's top ranked Sunday Roasts
Sunday 29 January 2023 | Across Leeds
Image: The Tetley
Did you know that five Leeds' based restaurants have been ranked in the Top 15 in the whole of the UK? Rate Good Roasts provides us with an annual list of roast dinners that are well worth the type, so it would be rude not to sample one this weekend wouldn't it.
This year the top slot was given to The Hawthorn in Haworth before places like long-standing local favourites and Michelin Guide-recommended Ox Club and newcomers Braizin’ Squad over in Meanwood snook their way into the top roast list.
Sunday 29 January 2023 | Neighbourhood, Greek Street
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Neighbourhood Leeds, located on Greek Street, is the ultimate city centre party venue. Not only do they know how to make showstopping cocktails and delicious food, but they’re absolute professionals in the bottomless brunch sector.
And for all those ABBA fans out there, this is your lucky day as Neighbourhood are officially hosting a Mamma Mia themed Bottomless Brunch at the end of this week.
Monday 23 - Sunday 29 January 2023 | Năm Sông Caphe, New Briggate
Image: Nam Song
To help celebrate the Vietnamese Year of the Cat, Năm Sông will be hosting a Lucky Red Envelope giveaway all week. Every time you dine with them, you will receive a lucky red envelope where you will win anything from your entire meal for free, filter coffee sets, a round of drinks or even a free slice of the green mean machine Pandan Cake.
The North is full of amazing artists, and we’re spotlighting one every single month – it's time to go 'Rollin' with Cole LC
Leeds' own Cole LC has got very far doing his "little music thing" and has seen him reach all new heights as his upcoming project suggests with its title West Yorkshire to Westend Show
This musician has built a pretty distinctive artistic style that fuses rap, all while making sure his West Yorkshire identity was kept in the forefront.
That's because, all of Cole's visuals have been filmed across the city at some pretty recognisable spots like Kirkgate Market, City Varieties and Belgrave Music Hall.
So far, this local lad has captured the attention of music lovers with songs like 'Westbrook' and 'Your Tings My Ting' both having over one million streams.
Now, Cole LC sits down to talk all about being Audio North's ‘Artist of the Month’ and shares more teasers about his highly-anticipated EP.
An interview with Cole LC - Audio North's Artist of the Month
Audio North's Artist of the Month: Cole LC | March 2026 / Credit: Supplied via Press shots
What can we expect from your upcoming EP?
This is my first big release in quite a while after the release of Favourite Version in 2023 and I've done a lot of growing. I started writing last Summer when I was going through a tough period but it's gone onto create some of my best songwriting stories. It's a one big note to self that I hope helps other people out.
What is it like being a Northern independent artist?
I grew up in Roundhay with my family and Leeds as a city has had a monumental impact on what I do as an artist. By being close to the city centre, it has allowed me to be exposed to different types of music, soaking up all these genres has helped influence what I do now.
How do you think Leeds is shaping the UK music scene?
This city is a big credit to music and it's a testament to the musicians of Leeds having that talent but also being hardworking. It's also about authenticity and that's what we've got. The climate of music in general is very intense and there's lots of competition but the sheer talent here in Leeds makes it impossible for us to go unnoticed.
Cole LC has played a key part in Leeds' music scene / Credit: Supplied via Press shots
Who are some up and coming artists you're checking out?
Ellur and you spell it "Ell-uh" because she's from Bradford. She's an Alt-pop artist who I've been listening to a lot. I've also loved Charlotte Plank, especially her latest single 'crybby blue'. There's even Aaron Rowe who supported Lewis Capaldi.
What does a performance day look like for you?
I don't have a specific routine before a show. Practicing my lyrics is a big one and having a mint tea too.
What is your ultimate dream musically?
I'd love to perform whenever I like and just know people would be there and support me. I'd love the financial freedom to be able not worry and creative new tracks whenever whereever I want. Music is so powerful and speaks to everyone, I want to keep improving my quality and progress.
If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?
Probably Justin Bieber because of how much I love him, he's the greatest of all time, he just is. When I was 14 I was so fuming watching him and seeing how good he is, I thought he'd put be out of a job forever. He has some unreal albums.
What's next for Cole LC?
I can guarantee you new music every single month for 2026. I know a lot of people have been getting in touch regarding a headline show so I'm hoping to organise a gig. I'm also going to make sure I keep the connection with people who enjoy my music whether that's in person or online.
Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long
Clementine Hall
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Clementine Hall -
23rd January 2023 
