The festival line-ups this year have been nothing short of exciting.
It feels as if 2023 is the year that every band, artist and singer has dusted off their guitar and started warming up for a busy summer of open-air music, chanting in the crowd with your mates and non-stop anthems.
Whilst we've got a few months to go before we can get ourselves down to the festival itself, it's not going to stop anyone from building the anticipation by listening to the line-up on Spotify on repeat.
Naturally, one of Leeds' biggest music offerings comes from Live At Leeds' festivals held across the year.
The bi-annual festival hosted either 'In The City' in the autumn, or 'In The Park' in the summer. The summer portion is the second of its kind to go ahead this year, and it promises an action-packed day of alternative indie anthems from a range of established and up-and-coming artists alike.
So what can we expect from Live At Leeds: In The Park?
DMA's joined the Live At Leeds: In The Park line-up this morning. / Image: DMA's
Announced this morning: DMA's, The Hives and Crawlers
Adding to the plethora of talent already heading up Temple Newsam this summer, DMA's and The Hives have been added to the line-up, set to bring the house (well, field) down with heavy guitar riffs and a host of non-stop hits that'll have the crowd on their feet all night long.
The Hives’ frontman Pelle Almqvist says that the band are 'very proud' to be heading over to Leeds in May: “Some festival names just have a ring to them don’t they? Live At Leeds. It sounds like some upper echelon rock shit and if this year’s edition wasn’t before, now it is. The Hives are very proud and happy to join this upper echelon.
"They are coming for your money and dignity and in exchange they will deliver however long a show you will let them of life-affirming record-breaking rock ’[n]' roll music. If you have never seen them before. imagine a rock show but to the 3rd power. Too much of everything. If you have seen them before, you know you will have to again.”
The new line-up also features Cavetown, who will no doubt effortlessly weave pop, indie and rock into a set showcasing heart-on-sleeve tales through song; whilst Crawlers will bring lyrics just as honest, and bags of character to the main stage at Live At Leeds: In The Park 2023.
Cavetown will also take to the stage at Live At Leeds: In The Park. / Image: Wikicommons
Five stages: unlimited new music
Also announced this morning, festival-goers can expect to see the likes of Gengahar, Bully, Rose Gray, Opus Kink, Pillow Queens, Priestgate, Deadletter, Ellur and Afflecks Palace all making an appearance.
Spread across five stages, Live At Leeds: In The Park continues to share the limelight with newcomers into the alt music scene and champion plenty of up-and-coming talent that'll leave revellers humming the beat of brand new songs aplenty following the day festival's end.
The news today only adds to the stellar line-up announced by organisers at the end of last year. Expect to see Two Door Cinema Club headline the whole event with music from The Lathums, Tom Walker and Everything Everything bringing one of Leeds' best known open-air music sites to life.
Returning to 'The Park' (aka Temple Newsam) on Saturday 27 May 2023, there's still plenty of time to get yourself tickets to Live At Leeds: In The Park.
Tickets are already on sale, with general admission prices starting at £60, or £85 for VIP tickets.
You can also get tickets to both Live At Leeds and Slam Dunk Festival, which takes place the following day at the same location. Tickets are currently priced for the two at £137 plus a booking fee.
British-based reggae band UB40 are coming to Leeds for a celebration of all their greatest hits live at First Direct Arena.
Formed in Birmingham in the late 70's, this predominantly dub and reggae band has gone onto achieve much success including 50 UK charting singles.
UB40 have also sold over 100 million records as well as keeping a consistent line-up for almost 30 years, before lead vocalist Ali Campbell decided to leave the band.
Now, the band's lead vocalist is former Kioko lead singer Matt Doyle, who's taken on this role since mid-2021 and is ready to soundtrack your night while you enjoy some 'Red Red Wine'.
There's no official setlist confirmed for their latest tour, however, this 11-piece band have played an array of European dates with a pretty consistent roster of tracks:
Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
Maybe Tomorrow
Homely Girl
Sing Our Own Song
One in Ten
Home
Please Don't Make Me Cry
Many Rivers to Cross
Higher Ground
The Way You Do the Things You Do
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Cherry Oh Baby
Johnny Too Bad
Red Red Wine
Food For Thought
Forever True
Kingston Town
Can't Help Falling in Love
What are the stage times for UB40 in Leeds?
Anyone up for seeing UB40 play out at Leeds' impressive over 13,500 seater First Direct Arena will have to get there a tad early.
Doors will open at 6pm with a gig start time of 6.45pm due to the special guests who will be taking to the stage before them.
Make sure you get down early as you really won't want to miss the phenomenal duo Aswad, as well as standout vocalist Maxi Priest - It really is a reggae revolution.
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in Leeds
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
Featured Images - Press Shot (Mara Publicity via supplied)
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Iconic band Blossoms set for BIG return to Leeds Festival this year
Thomas Melia
Stockport-originating band Blossoms have just announced their big return to Leeds Festival, as the four-day music event continues to impress with its stacked line-up.
They might have a 'Joke About Divorce' from time to time but when it comes to entertaining a Leeds Festival crowd, Blossoms take it very seriously, playing at Bramham Park three times in the past decade.
This band have captivated audiences since the rise of standout track 'Charlemagne' and more recently with the addition of their fifth album studio album, Gary, named after an eight-foot-tall gorilla.
Known for always putting on a stellar performance, Tom, Joe, Charlie, Myles and Josh are bringing a brand-new set to Leeds when they pay us a visit this August.
As well as releasing new music, Blossoms are making a big return to Leeds Festival 2026 / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Currently, Leeds Festival 2026 has seven headline acts spanning all genres from Dance and EDM to Pop and Rap with the likes of Charli XCX, Raye, Dave and more topping the bill.
The Stockport five-piece are featured alongside three other insane artists as 'Special Guests', appearing next to Skepta, Sombr and Role Model.
Also listed on the line-up are rising stars like R&B vocal powerhouse Skye Newman, pop princess Jade, Merseyside indie rockers The K's and Wigan-formed The Lilacs with more to be announced.
Although nothing is confirmed yet, this upcoming Leeds Festival set from Blossoms will contain high energy and obviously all their biggest and best bangers from across their four chart topping albums as well as new music.
Leeds Festival 2026 is set to be a belter with the addition of Stockport band Blossoms returning for a fourth time / Credit: Publicity Video (Supplied)
Whether you're there for 'Your Girlfriend' or 'What Can I Say After I'm Sorry', one thing's for sure, you're guaranteed to have an absolutely spectacular night.
Blossoms are making their big return to Leeds Festival 2026 which is taking place from 27 to 30 August at Bramham Park with tickets live HERE.
Sophie Smith -
24th January 2023 
