Leeds fans can join in with the excitement of the Eurovision Song Contest from a huge BBC Fanzone at Millennium Square next weekend.
Since the announcement that the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 would be held in the United Kingdom, the buzz around the event has been bigger than ever. Although Leeds lost out on the chance to host the event, a huge Fanzone will be erected at Millennium Square so the city can join in on the nationwide party.
There will be live screenings of the semi-finals and the final on a big screen along with live music and DJ sets to help celebrate. The event will take place in a specially created area with different seating options available on a first-come-first-serve.
The space will also have a fully stocked licensed bar, delicious hot food stalls and drink concession stalls. All tickets will be provided on a pay-as-you-decide basis and all funds raised will be donated to Leeds City Council's Leeds Together For Ukraine appeal.
Michael Rice performing at Eurovision 2019.
After the main event on Saturday May 13, fans can enjoy incredible live performances from British pop artist Michael Rice who represented the United Kingdom at the song contest back in 2019. The star will be performing his UK Top 10 single 'Bigger Than Us' as well as brand-new single 'Gotta Go Dancing'.
It wouldn't be a Eurovison celebration without our favourite 70's Sweddish band, so of course the UK's leading ABBA tribute band Planet Abba will be taking to the stage. Performing the legendary winning song for Eurovision 1974 'Waterloo' along with classic party anthems such as 'Dancing Queen' and 'Mamma Mia.'
Hosting and DJ'ing the event will be International multi-award-winning drag queen St Sordid Secret alongside 2010 Drag Idol Leeds winner Cherry Pops.
Ali Liaqat, Director of Leeds Pride, said: “We are thrilled that Leeds has been chosen as an official Eurovision Fanzone and we were asked by Leeds City Council to help put together a live music programme including 2019 Eurovision contestant Michael Rice.
"This is going to be such a great occasion for the city to come together to celebrate one the greatest shows on earth and we can’t wait to get the party started in style with all the best Eurovision hits from renowned DJs and hosts St Sordid Secret and Cherry Pops”.
The event will take place at Millennium Square. Supplied - Millennium Square
Leeds was one of seven cities in the United Kingdom shortlisted to host the contest and was subsequently chosen to host an official fanzone. Liverpool was chosen as the venue for the contest after it was decided last year’s winners Ukraine would be sadly unable to host.
The fanzone is completely free to attend on Tuesday May 9th and Thursday May 11th with live coverage of the event from 8pm-10pm. The celebrations for the final on May 13 will start with entertainment from 4:30pm with coverage from the BBC starting from 7:30pm.
Eurovision will be giving fans a chance to donate to the Leeds Together for Ukraine appeal, as the UK is hosting on the county's behalf.
E-tickets will be available online from Tuesday, May 2 at 12pm and are limited to four per person. A number of tickets will also be made available on the door for those wishing to attend on the day on a strictly first come first served basis. All persons under 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
You can get tickets here or contact Leeds Ticket Hub on 0113 376 0318.
This Leeds-based family-owned business is famed for supplying pubs, clubs and even ordinary people's homes with classic jukeboxes.
Started up in 1978, Sound Leisure really is a local business like no other, creating and distributing classic jukeboxes to over 40 countries.
This music-machine-making company notes that 75% of the jukeboxes they manufacture and sell throughout the year are bought for everyday homes.
The remaining 25% of orders are for the all-expected hospitality venues like bars, clubs and hotels, with the jukeboxes sometimes bought for company headquarters and retail outlets too.
Although there are other jukebox manufacturers, especially across the pond in the US, Sound Leisure is the only factory in the world that creates jukeboxes to play out across all formats: CD, vinyl and digital.
This jukebox business even runs the world's only 'Custom Shop', which is a design service that offers any music lovers the chance to personalise their pristine player.
So whether you're after a themed jukebox, customisable nameplate or even a bespoke design, this jukebox company's website states: "If you can dream it, we can build it".
One of Sound Leisure's prized products is the music machine inspired Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-themed jukebox which any fan of The Beatles would dream of being its lucky owner.
And there really isn't anything they can't do, as alongside creating classic jukeboxes, the same team even make pinball machines, football tables, LED signs and more.
With CD and vinyl jukeboxes from £5,000 and digital jukeboxes quoted from upwards of £12,000, we're going to need a fair few rainy days to save up our money.
However, you can still marvel at these magnificent music machines without having to dip into your savings, with guided tours starting from just £15.
If you're up for learning a little bit more about music technology or simply after admiring these classic jukeboxes in all their glory, you can find out more about the factory and book your guided tour ticket HERE.
An independent one-day festival run by local businesses is returning to Leeds this summer
Clementine Hall
Bramley’s independent festival is back after a sell-out first year.
Three local businesses, no corporate sponsor, one big day.
That's the motto of Mill Fest - an indie festival returning to Swinnow Grange Mills in Bramley after a sell-out debut that brought more than 600 people through the gates.
Mill Fest began as a shared idea between three Bramley businesses who fancied putting on a proper day out for the area, and we're so glad they did.
Last August it turned Swinnow Grange Mills into a full day of live music, street food, flash tattoos, market stalls and cold pints in the sun. We can't think of a better way to spend the day to be honest.
Images: Supplied
This year Mill Fest is back and taking place on Sunday 2 August, and the plan is simple - keep what made it work and build on it.
There will be a full day of live music, the return of the flash tattoo day, more independent traders, street food and local beer. This time the team is keen to bring in more businesses and faces from around the area, and the full lineup and programme will be announced over the coming weeks.
Images: Supplied
Owen Wilson from Against the Grain Bar said: “We started this because we wanted to put something on for Bramley, run by the people who actually work here. Last year went better than any of us expected. The place was full, the sun came out, and it felt like the whole area showed up. We can’t wait to do it again.”
Danae Miller from Grays Salon said: "The aim for this year is the same day people loved, just a bit bigger. We’d love to get more local businesses and artists involved, and to see even more familiar faces down at the mill. If we get the weather, it’ll be another one to remember.”
The Hoot -
28th April 2023 
