Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI25) has announced its initial three speakers for this year’s festival, set to take place in October 2025.
We can't believe it's that time of the year already, but it's time to get excited about the Leeds International Festival of Ideas as they announce their first wave of speakers.
The festival will bring over 40 speakers together, from some of the most innovative and thought-provoking minds from around the world to encourage conversation, connection and curiosity.
The festival, taking place from Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 October 2025 at Leeds Playhouse, is set to be the best one yet.
So, who are the first three speakers announced for LIFI2025 then? Let's get into it:
Chuck D, founder of the pioneering hip-hop group Public Enemy, is not only a musical icon but a powerful voice in social and political commentary. Known for his uncompromising stance on race, justice, and activism, Chuck will bring decades of cultural insight and provocation to the LIFI stage.
Image: Supplied
Myleene Klass MBE, celebrated musician, broadcaster and tireless campaigner for women’s health, has been instrumental in changing miscarriage policy and speaking openly about taboo topics. Her appearance promises a deeply personal and passionate conversation as she hosts a special panel.
Image: Supplied
William Hanson, the UK’s leading etiquette expert and co-host of the wildly popular podcast Help I Sexted My Boss and author of the Sunday Times Bestselling book ‘Just Good Manners’, will offer a humorous yet incisive take on modern manners, class and the strange rules that govern our behaviour.
Image: Supplied
Martin Dickson, Festival Director, said: “We’re delighted to reveal the first three names for LIFI25, each bringing something truly different, challenging and exciting to the festival. Our full programme, which lands on 17 June, is packed with incredible speakers and new voices.
"With themes spanning politics, culture, motherhood, men, health, etiquette and more, this year’s line-up is the boldest and broadest we’ve ever delivered. We can’t wait to share it and to see audiences join us in the incredible surroundings of Leeds Playhouse this October.”
Tickets will go on sale to priority subscribers via the LIFI newsletter on 19 June, with general sale opening on 24 June. Fans are encouraged to sign up now at leedsintfest.com to secure first access
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.
A new female-founded business has opened in Leeds and it’s a trinket-lover’s paradise
Clementine Hall
Lisa Angel has just opened inside the Victoria Gate and it’s an Aladdin’s Cave full of jewellery, prints, gifts and everything in between.
The best part? It’s a female-founded brand that has chosen our wonderful city for their first Yorkshire site. We absolutely don't blame them.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has gone from strength to strength every since.
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Shoppers can expect beautifully handcrafted jewellery, unique trinkets and wonderful staff who are open to have a natter.
It's the perfect shop for when you don't exactly know what to buy that someone special, just pop in here and you'll be hit with a wave of inspiration immediately.
We could've genuinely spent a good hour in there and come out with a much lighter wallet.
Lisa herself spoke about the opening: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Managing Director James Moody said: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
Clementine Hall -
6th June 2025 
