It's fair to say that Yorkshire is blessed when it comes to live music venues. Whether you're looking for an intimate gig at Sheffield's Leadmill or want to see some of the world's biggest performers at Leeds' First Direct Arena, we really do have our pick.
So that's why we've decided to branch out our monthly gig guides and cover the best live music, dance, comedy and more across Yorkshire, rather than just here in Leeds- and with 12 different nights out to choose from, there's something for everyone.
Keep reading to find our hand-picked favourites taking to stages across Yorkshire this month...
King No One
Saturday 11 March 2023 | The Wardrobe, St Peter's Square, Leeds
Image: King No One, Facebook
What: Leeds own alt four piece band is back for a homecoming gig at The Wardrobe, and given this is the final day of the Dead Hotel UK tour, it's going to be a biggun. There's just 30 tickets left for the gig itself but the boys will be DJ’ing afterwards at Oporto, "the greatest bar on the planet", according to the band.
Where: St Peter's Square, near Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS9 8AH
Tickets: They're selling out fast, but you can still grab the last few from See Tickets for £13.20 each here.
FIREDANCE
Saturday 12 March 2023 | Grand Opera House, York
Image: Chuff Media
What: If you can't wait until winter for another round of Strictly Come Dancing, FIREDANCE is the perfect performance to head to this month. Touring to fill that passion-fuelled night of dancing that's been missing from our lives. Expect "sizzling dancers and mesmerising fire specialists in a captivating dance-off inspired by the timeless movie blockbusters Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge, Carmen and West Side Story" from Karen and Gorka.
Where: Clifford and Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW
Tickets: ATG Tickets have a few left from £40, ranging up to £71, depending on seating preference
Additional Yorkshire dates: You can also catch FIREDANCE at Sheffield City Hall on Saturday 1 April 2023, with tickets available from £29 on See Tickets here.
Tom Grennan
Sunday 12 March 2023 | First Direct Arena, Leeds
Image: First Direct Arena
What: The singer of ‘Little Bit Of Love’ and ‘Lionheart’ is embarking on his first ever UK headline tour, and on Sunday he will be at the Leeds First Direct Arena. Speaking about the tour, Tom says: “I’ve called my new album What Ifs & Maybes. It’s about going with your gut, not your head, because you never know what’s going to happen. I’m so buzzing for these shows, my biggest gigs to date. I can’t wait to get out and play these new songs to everyone.”
Where: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds city centre, LS2 8BY
Tickets: £30 for second tier seated tickets or £41 for standing and first tier seated available via See Tickets here.
Additional Yorkshire dates: Tom Grennan is also performing at Scarborough Open Air Theatre later this year on Friday 7 July 2023. Tickets are available from £45 on Ticketmaster here.
The Backseat Lovers
Tuesday 14 March 2023 | Leeds University Stylus, Leeds
Image: Spotify
What: This American band from Utah massively blew up on TikTok for 2019 single KirbyGirl and we've been loving their laid back alt indie tunes ever since. Leeds marks the fifth stop on The Backseat Lovers tour across the UK and Europe before they head back to their home in the US to continue performing live across the country.
Where: University Union, Stylus, Lifton Place, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JZ
Tickets: £18.16 each and available from See Ticketshere.
Beartooth
Wednesday 15 March 2023 | O2 Academy, Leeds
Image: Beartooth
What: Returning to Leeds for the first time since Slam Dunk Festival last May, the hardcore punk band is bringing a night to remember to the O2 Academy. Expect hits like In between, Riptide and Hated to fill the night with plenty of mosh pits as these guys rip the roof off the O2".
Thursday 16 March and Tuesday 21 March 2023 | O2 Academy Sheffield
Image: Chuff Media
What: South Yorkshire's own Self Esteem is heading to Sheffield on two homecomings this month. The sold out 'I Tour This All The Time' brings together the best of the Prioritise Pleasure album with new singles like Moody. For those yet to hear the brutally honest singer, expect some of the sharpest, wittiest lyrics in the industry right now, like: “sexting you at the mental health talk seems counterproductive…”- she truly is a refreshing talent to add to your list of live acts this year.
Where: O2 Academy Sheffield, Arundel Gate, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2PN
Tickets: Sold out pretty much everywhere, but you can join the waiting list for Thursday 16 March (here) and Tuesday 21 March 2023 (here) on See Tickets.
Additional Yorkshire dates: Self Esteem is also performing at Asylum Hull University Union, Hull on Sunday 19 March 2023. You can join the waiting list on See Tickets here.
Sleeping With Sirens
Thursday 16 March 2023 | Leeds University Stylus, Leeds
Image: Sleeping With Sirens
What: Florida-born band Sleeping with Sirens continue to be the best of the Emo/Post Punk genre with two million monthly Spotify listeners and they're back in Leeds to bring us more much-loved hits like If You Can't Hang, Kick Me and If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn. This is one of those bands that any emo music lover will recognise from well over a decade ago- and their belters aren't going anywhere anytime soon either.
Where: University Union, Stylus, Lifton Place, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JZ
Tickets: Available via See Tickets here at £28.60 each.
Joesef
Friday 17 March 2023 | Leeds University Stylus, Leeds
Image: Spotify
What: Brought up on a “melting pot of good tunes”, an eclectic combination of old soul and 90s bangers, Joesef started making music in his bedroom. In a world where anyone can plug their guitar into a laptop and sing over FaceTime, it can be difficult to cut through the noise, but the soothing melodies of the Glasweigan singer are a Spotify favourite for good reason. Returning to Leeds for the first time since Live At Leeds: In The City 2022, the soul pop singer-songwriter is back with a whole new album to share with the city.
Where: University Union, Stylus, Lifton Place, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JZ
Tickets: Still available on TicketWeb, priced at £22 each.
Additional Yorkshire Dates: Joesef will also be playing Leeds Festival in the summer. Tickets are still available on Ticketmaster here for the full weekend.
Saturday 18 March 2023 | O2 Academy Sheffield, Sheffield
Image: Daniel Wakeford, Facebook
What: After finding fame on the Channel 4 show The Undateables, performer Daniel Wakeford is an inspirational performer forging a new path through the UK music scene in the UK and bringing "a much-needed positive image of learning-disabled people in the media". The singer-songwriter is bound to cheer you up with tunes from three self-released albums and wonderful tales throughout each live performance.
Where: O2 Academy Sheffield
Tickets: Still available for Sheffield on Ticketmaster, priced at £16.90 each.
Additonal Yorkshire Dates: you can also catch The Daniel Wakeford Experience in Leeds at the Brudenell Social Club on Friday 31 March for £16.80, with tickets available on See Tickets here.
Deaf Havana
Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Leeds University Stylus, Leeds
Image: Deaf Havana, Facebook
What: There's not many rock bands that span across three decades of non-stop releases, but Deaf Havana is the exception to the rule. With seven albums, eight EPs and more hit singles than we can remember, Deaf Havana promise a night of new tunes and old favourites alike as the two-piece-band kick off their UK tour at Leeds University Stylus, with support from The LaFontaines and Sick Joy.
Where: University Union, Stylus, Lifton Place, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JZ
Tuesday 28 March 2023 | Abbeydale Picture House, Sheffield
Image: Elanor Moss
What: The 'professionally vulnerable' singer is performing in both Sheffield and Leeds over the coming month or so, and it promises to be full of delightfully soft melodies. Elanor's latest single, Catholic is, in her own words, "a new flavour of writing and performance [...] a song about insecurity, and needing something to tether to" - and well worth a listen in advance of venturing over to the Abbeydale Picture House.
Additonal Yorkshire dates: You can also catch Elanor Moss at the National Centre For Early Music in York on Friday 31 March 2023. Tickets are available from See Tickets here.
The Orielles
Friday 31 March 2023 | The Foundry, Sheffield University Union
Image: Wikipedia Commons
What: The Halifax-based indie rock band has four albums under its belt, and is sure to bring the house down at The Foundry later this month. AllMusic describe the band "a young U.K. trio that gives the baggy indie dance sound of the early '90s a serious upgrade"- and if that doesn't found like a feel-good night out in the Steel City, what is?
The Orielles has also teamed up with North Brewing Co to create a brand new beer to celebrate the band’s album tour this Spring- a light, zesty 4.6% session pale ale with a bright fresh flavour that'll make the perfect tipple to sip on whilst listening to new album Tableau.
Where: Sheffield Students' Union, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG
West Yorkshire's very own Jane McDonald is coming to First Direct Arena in Leeds for a hometown show that's set to be spellbinding.
Making her British TV screen debut nearly 30 years ago on The Cruise, before joining the Loose Women panel and going on to present a whole host of travel shows including Cruising with Jane McDonald, now this Wakefield legend returns to First Direct Arena.
This latest tour titled after her 2026 LP Living The Dream, will see Jane singing hits from both past and present including a couple covers too.
Earlier this year, Jane's Mighty Hoopla performance went viral online after she commanded the stage in a red leather jacket, donning a singular rainbow hair extension while belting out RAYE's 'Where Is My Husband!'
Audio North even got the opportunity to interview this legendary lady when she visited her hometown HMV store in Wakefield for an exclusive album signing - Oh look, it's me!
The Wakefield wonder-woman's latest album Living The Dream was released in March and considering the tour is named after this impressive LP, we're sure fans can expect to hear quite a few tracks from this album.
Living The Dream
I'll Not Be Beaten
You Don't Know What You Got
Don't Mind If I Do
The Hand That Leads Me
Ain't Gonna Beg
I Will Always Love You
Islands in the Stream
Jolene
9 to 5
You're My World
Where Is My Husband!
Let the Light In
Cake by the Ocean
Jai Ho!
APT.
Right Where I Belong
How Do I Move On
Beautiful Soul
All By Myself
You Still Lead Me
Of course, Jane also loves to cover a tune or two, and we'll never forget her renditions of 'Cake By The Ocean', 'Jai Ho' or 'APT.'.
What are the stage times for Jane McDonald in Leeds?
The doors for Jane McDonald's Living The Dream Tour in Leeds are set for 6pm with the event set to start at 7.30pm.
First Direct Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning you have enough time to dash home and eat 'Cake by the (Sofa)' before ringing in the new day.
How to get to First Direct Arena
Bus Station
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.
Kings of Leon at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
American rock band Kings of Leon are making their way to Leeds for a visit to First Direct Arena as part of their current EU/UK tour.
Formed in 1999 by brothers Caleb, Nathan, Jared, plus their cousin Matthew Followill, the rock band has gone on to achieve nine top 40 singles and six UK number one albums.
The rockers have two singles in Spotify’s Billions Club, including their standout hit ‘Sex on Fire’, which has amassed over 2 billion streams and ‘Use Somebody’ with 1.2 billion – two tracks that helped skyrocket them from cult favourites here in Britain to global superstars.
This four-piece’s latest LP, Can We Please Have Fun, dropped mid-2024 and knowing how energetic Northern crowds can be, it’s safe to say we’ve got this covered.
Last time they travelled over the pond, they let the Manchester crowd know the England score in real-time (read our full review).
Gig guide – Kings of Leon at First Direct Arena, Leeds
Kings of Leon UK tour dates
Fri 3 July – Glasgow, UK – Bellahouston Park
Sat 4 July – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Mon 6 July – Leeds, UK – First Direct Bank Arena
Are there any tickets left for Kings of Leon at First Direct Arena?
If you’re wondering where you’ll ‘Find Me’ on Monday 6 July, it is probably watching these four relatives play their two decades’ worth of hits at First Direct Arena.
Don’t ‘Waste a Moment’ as there’s only a limited number of tickets left if you’re after catching a glimpse of Kings of Leon live – get yours HERE.
Kings of Leon are gearing up for their Leeds gig at First Direct this July (Credit: Press shot)
Kings of Leon setlist for 2026 UK tour
These American rockers have been performing all across Europe, switching up a couple of songs at each show; however, the hits below have featured at most of their appearances.
Slow Night, So Long
Waste a Moment
Find Me
On Call
Radioactive
The Bucket
Revelry
Manhattan
Use Somebody
Wait For M
Split Screen
Closer
Molly’s Chambers
Razz
MyParty
Supersoaker
Fans
Back Down South
Seen
Pyro
Black Thumbnail
To Space
Knocked Up
Sex on Fire
What are the stage times for Kings of Leon in Leeds?
Doors for Kings of Leon at First Direct Arena in Leeds are set to open at 6pm with a kick-off time of 7.30pm from a huge indie rock band.
Supporting the US rockers is a band who have received comparisons to Kings of Leon, the loud-and-proud Scottish stars The Snuts, known for their tracks like ‘Glasgow’, ‘Elephants’ and ‘Maybe California'.
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.
Sophie Smith -
6th March 2023 
