Not only is the one and only Elton John coming to Leeds for the very last time this month, but Leeds has also got a whole host of names big and small visiting before festival season takes over - including Jack Whitehall and Lewis Capaldi.
Over in Halifax, there's plenty going on at The Piece Hall - including Queens of the Stone Age and Rag 'n' Bone Man, whilst Sheffield is holding the South Yorkshire music scene with performances from Aussie favourite Dean Lewis and a very special homecoming gig from the Arctic Monkeys.
And that's just the beginning!
Keep reading to find our top twelve picks for gigs this months across Yorkshire...
Dean Lewis
Thursday 1 June 2023 | O2 Academy Sheffield
Image: Spotify
What: Australian singer-songwriter Dean Lewis knows a thing or two about heartbreak and since his best known 2016 single Waves blew up, he's spent plenty of time exploring love, loss and everything in between through song.
Where: O2 Academy Sheffield, 37-43 Arundel Gate, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2PN
Tickets: Cost £30.30 each for standard tickets and are available via See Tickets here.
Additional Yorkshire dates: Dean Lewis will also be in Leeds at the O2 Academy on Sunday 4 June. Tickets are still available here.
Requiem
Thursday 1 - Sunday 4 June 2023 | Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds
Image: Tristram Kenton via Opera North
Leeds’ own Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre have collaborated with South African partners Jazzart Dance Theatre and Cape Town Opera on Requiem, a powerful double bill of contemporary dance performed to choral and orchestral music. Conceived during the pandemic and brought to the stage for LEEDS2023, Opera North’s Requiem pairs Mozart’s mysterious, timeless work with a brand-new composition from South African composer Neo Muyanga.
What: Grace Carter started writing music as a way of expressing emotions as a teenager, and was first signed at just 17. Now with years in the industry under her belt, Carter continues to bring audiences together with fusions of R&B, reggae and soul.
Where: The Wardrobe, St Peter's Square, Leeds, LS9 8AH
What: Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour is finally set to arrive in town this summer after being rescheduled for health reasons, with just one night at Leeds’ First Direct Arena. It’s set to be his last-ever tour and has around 300 dates – so you can imagine what the demand for tickets has been like…
Where: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds, LS2 8BY
Tickets: Priced between £51 and £899 (that is not a typo), tickets are very much sold out, but you might be able to get some resale tickets. Keep an eye on Ticketmaster here.
Inhaler
Tuesday 6 June 2023 | The Leadmill, Sheffield
Image: The Hoot Leeds
What: Consisting of Elijah Hewson, son of the U2 star Bono, bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer Ryan McMahon, Inhaler rose to fame after releasing their first EP It Won’t Always Be Like This when the four-piece came fifth in the BBC’s Sound Of… poll, an annual survey that asks critics and industry figures who is the most promising new talent.
Where: The Leadmill, 6 Leadmill Road, Sheffield S1 4SE
Tickets: Currently sold out but See Tickets has a waitlist going for any available tickets here
Additional Yorkshire Dates: For those that missed out on a night of non-stop dance anthems and heavy guitar riffs, Inhaler will be back for summer, performing atLeeds Festivalover the bank holiday weekend in Leeds.
Friday 9 – Saturday 10 June 2023 | Hillsborough Park, Sheffield
Arctic Monkeys. Credit: Zackery Michael 2022
What: Often touted as one of the best live bands on the planet, Arctic Monkeys will be stopping off on home turf at Hillsborough Stadium for two massive outdoors summer gigs. They last played here way back in 2007. Support will come from The Hives and The Mysterines.
What: Award winning comedian, actor and writer Jack Whitehall has said that this will be his most “personal” tour to date, and after three sell-out arena tours he is keen to get back on the road. Upon announcing, Jack Whitehall said: “This is my most personal show yet, with plenty of material about the big changes that have happened in my life. It’s about my struggle to settle down gracefully.
Where: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds, LS2 8BY
Tickets: For a limited time only, the tickets are selling for just £25 each on Ticketmaster so act fast and grab yourself a bargain here.
Pete Tong presents Ibiza Classics
Sunday 18 June 2023 | Temple Newsam, Leeds
Image: Gigantic
What: Legendary DJ Pete Tong will be taking to the decks once more to bring a taste of Ibiza to Leeds. Grab a drink and dance as the sun goes down to true summer anthems .
Tickets: Still available via See Tickets, priced at £51.75 each and available here
Queens of the Stone Age
Tuesday 20 June 2023 | The Piece Hall, Halifax
Image: Wikicommons
What: The American rock band are still going strong after almost 30 years together. Only a few weeks ago the band's first single since 2017 Emotion Sickness was released, along with an official announcement of the album In Times New Roman…so this tour comes with high hopes of tunes new and old
Where: The Piece Hall, Blackledge, Halifax HX1 1RE
Tickets: £49.50 for standing and £88 for balcony seats, both are still available via Ticketmaster
Summer Solstice: Asian Music Festival
Wednesday 21 June – Thursday 22 June | Leeds Corn Exchange, Leeds
Image: Wikicommons
Image: Qais Essar
Lunchtime recitals, Indo-Jazz tunes to wash away the day, and as night falls, the Corn Exchange will celebrate the Summer Solstice with sweet melodies. Whether you come to see award-winning musician Qais Essar playing on 2,500-year-old instrument or just popping in for a cuppa and staying for an hour to listen to the music, it promises to be a day to remember.
What: With a deep baritone voice and heartfelt lyrics, Rag 'n' Bone Man has been capturing the nation's attention for a good decade now. His album Life by Misadventure debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and became the fastest-selling album by a solo artist in 2021.
Where: The Piece Hall, Blackledge, Halifax HX1 1RE
Tickets: Ranging from £47.80 - £95.60 depending on if you want general admission or a balcony ticket. There's also VIP tickets left at £204.50 - all of which are available via Ticketmaster here.
Iron Maiden
Wednesday 28 June 2023 | First Direct Arena, Leeds
What: Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden will bring The Future Past Tour to the AO Arena, featuring songs from Senjutsu and a focus on the iconic 1986 Somewhere In Time.
Where: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds, LS2 8BY
Tickets: They started from £64 on Ticketmaster but are currently all sold out.
Our record shops, just like the actual vinyl you're after buying, come in all shapes and sizes, stocking everything from holy grail albums to new spins that you need in your collection.
Whatever genre you're searching for, this South Yorkshire city and its array of record shops are sure to have you covered, and you can even refresh your wardrobe in some of them.
9 of the best record shops in and around Sheffield city centre
This place has everything you could possibly think of, including all the latest standout releases like Don't Be Dumb by A$AP Rocky and West End Girl by Lily Allen.
As well as a huge range of LPs, there's a wide variety of books all surrounding different music subcultures like Punk, Grime and Dance.
And of course, a moment of appreciation for Bear Tree Records and its Britney Spears 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' skateboard - iconic.
Where to find: Unit 13, The Forum, 16, 127 Devonshire St, Sheffield S3 7SB
If you couldn't tell by that window arrangement, this next spot is very rock-focused with the likes of Pink Floyd, Meat Loaf and Rage Against the Machine adorning its shopfront.
You can get your hands on some of the latest LPs as well as some pre-loved gems - you can delve into some classics or even expand your music knowledge with their vast display of records from the past.
It's also right next door to Tamper Coffee, which means you can grab your caffeine and vinyl fix at the same time, all within a two-minute walk.
Where to find: 137A Arundel St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2NU
Record Collector
Credit: The Manc Group
We couldn't reel off notable record shops in Sheffield without mentioning this staple institution, which has been serving the music lovers of this South Yorkshire city since 1978.
Just like our very own music counterpart Audio North, the owner of Record Collector, Barry, spotlights up-and-coming talent, giving them pride of place in his shop displays.
If you're ever planning a day trip to Sheffield, you'll probably need to book a weekend, as this shop in itself will have you transfixed with its huge range of musical releases.
Where to find: 233 Fulwood Rd, Sheffield S10 3BA
Waxhead Records
Credit: The Manc Group
Inside Arundel Emporium is this beauty of a record shop, which formerly went by the name Music Junkie, before re-establishing itself as Waxhead Records.
No matter what name this shop goes by, one thing will always stay the same, and that's this record shop's dedication to proper good vinyl.
Check out those phenomenal albums on display by the likes of music greats: Ms Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Joni Mitchell - obviously Arctic Monkeys are up there too.
Where to find: First Floor, 16 Matilda St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4QD
Kelham Island Books and Music
Credit: The Manc Group
Known for being Sheffield's largest second-hand bookshop, this place prides itself on its love for physical media.
Every inch of this shop floor is home to books, magazines, records, CDs and more, meaning you're sure to find something you'll enjoy.
Situated at Shalesmoor and close to Kelham Island, get ready to step back in time and browse plenty of vintage and preloved items that are waiting to spark interest and joy with the next person who picks them up.
Just a stone's throw away from Sheffield city centre is Tallbird Records, which we simply couldn't leave out, as they're top class.
They're Chesterfield's longest-running independent record shop, stocking all things music for over a decade, opening back in 2013.
Like all of the record shops mentioned above, this vinyl vendor prides itself on having a friendly team and a vast selection of LPs - they've even got K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Where to find: 10 Soresby St, Chesterfield S40 1JN
Last but not least, we'll end with one final honourable mention that feels like a fitting venue not just on Record Store Day but all year-round...
Kesha pulls out of Roundhay Festival as all-new Pitbull line-up revealed
Thomas Melia
American pop singer Kesha has dropped out of the Pitbull-fronted Roundhay Festival line-up, with a major shake-up announced today.
The second instalment of artists for Pitbull's headline Roundhay Festival show has been announced and it's missing highly-anticipated and originally-announced artist Kesha.
Festival organisers have said that the star will no longer be able to perform due to 'unforeseen scheduling conflicts'.
The American singer's musical adventure has taken a 'Joyride' since becoming independent in September 2024 and releasing her sixth studio album "." or Period almost a year ago.
Now, Kesha's title as 'Special Guest' has now been handed over to three very impressive artists who also shared a role in soundtracking some of the 2010s biggest hits.
Kesha was originally listed as a 'Special Guest' for Pitbull's Roundhay Festival gig in Leeds this July / Credit: Brendan Walters / Press Shots
One of these new artists is Jason Derulo, who is ready to treat the crowd to his array of chart-topping melodies like: 'Whatcha Say', 'Talk Dirty to Me', 'Trumpets'.
Another act who knows a thing or two about travelling the globe like Mr. Worldwide is 'Miami 2 Ibiza' hitmaker Tinie Tempah - things are definitely about to get 'Frisky'.
The final artist joining this already impressive list of names is Lil Jon who's bringing his high energy tracks to Roundhay Park such as 'Turn Down For What', 'Shots' and 'Get Low'.
Jason Derulo is just one of the artists making up the all-new Pitbull Roundhay Festival line-up / Credit: Wikimedia Commons (via Supplied)
Kesha's departure from this Leeds gig comes as a complete shock as the star is still set to play a whole host of UK festival dates including a BST Hyde Park show in London on 10 July.
In a statement shared via social media, Roundhay Festival has stated the reason for this very big change to the line-up:
"Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, Kesha will no longer be joining us this July. We hope to welcome her to Roundhay Park in the future."
Although fans who have already bought tickets to the show might still be 'Praying' for Kesha's return to the Roundhay Festival bill, it's safe to say these artists are a great addition.
Pitbull is coming to Roundhay Park in Leeds on Friday 3 July 2026 and so far he's bringing along Jason Derulo, Tinie Tempah and Lil Jon with more acts to follow - Tickets HERE.
Sophie Smith -
29th May 2023 
