Time to shake off the January blues Leeds, we've got a big month ahead!
It might be one of the quieter months of the year, but that by no means seems to be stopping musicians, DJs and singers in their truckloads from leaving their mark on the Leeds music scene this month.
From global sensations to born and bred bands headlining local bars, we've got quite the line-up for you to choose from this month.
Keep reading to find out our top ten gigs, live performances and nights out for January 2023.
King Violet
Saturday 7 January 2023 | Northern Guitars Bar, Call Lane
Image: King Violet
The St Alban's-based girlband is back at Northern Guitars for another round of Saturday night tunes- and you can expect a fun-filled night with interjections of heartbreak, guitar riffs and all-round catchy tunes will set the perfect scene for a Saturday night out in the city.
There's no tickets needed, entry is free of charge.
Monday 9 January 2023 | The Wardrobe, St Peter's Square
Image: Gabrielle Aplin, Facebook
To celebrate the release of her new album, Phosphorescent, The Power Of Love singer will be on stage at The Wardrobe for a special Intimate Launch show from 7pm and signing albums in the venue after her performance.
Tickets cost £19.99 and include the purchase of her new album CD
Saturday 14 January 2023 | First Direct Arena, Leeds city centre
What: The Scottish singer will be tackling a massive 31-date arena tour, including a night at the First Direct Arena in January. He also confirmed a new album is finally on the way, with Broken By Desire to be Heavenly Sent set for release on 19 May 2023. The Someone You Loved songwriter recently made his long-awaited return to music with the release of single Forget Me, which marked his third UK number one.
Tickets cost from £46.75 but are currently sold out.
Thursday 19 January 2023 | Brudenell Social Club, Burley
Image: See Tickets
Four albums have seen The Subways go from strength-to-strength over the years. Starting off in LA to record their debut album All Or Nothing back in 2008, journeying to their latest self-titled in 2015 which is noted by Q Magazine to be "On par with the best things they have ever written... and finds the band energized, focused and battle-ready".
Tickets cost £24.50 each and can be purchased through See Tickets.
Friday 20 January 2023 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
Image: Supplied
Reports began circulating earlier this year that the legendary Bolton-born comedian could finally be making his long-awaited return with a huge “comeback tour” in 2023, but it’s now been announced that the 49-year-old will be doing two massive shows at the First Direct Arena on Friday 20 January & Friday 19 May 2023.
Tickets are long gone, but keep an eye out for resale here.
Tosca
Saturday 21 January / Saturday 28 January 2023 | Opera North, Grand Theatre
Image: Richard H Smith
Opera North is known across the UK for its standout performances and ability to move an audience with beautiful melodies, so much so that it's one of the reasons why Leeds is one of the ‘top ten travel destinations to visit in 2023’, according to Rough Guides. Now bringing the Italian classic opera Tosca to life, it's the first time you'll get to see the talent on stage in 2023, and it's well worth a visit.
Tickets cost from £10 and there's a range of exclusive offers for members, young people and those trying out the opera for the first time.
Saturday 21 January / Saturday 28 January 2023 | O2 Academy, Millennium Square
Bringing back Saturday nights in the Academy for the new year, one of the North's leading events is back and still going strong after 10 years of production. The event is known to have 'the killer combination of unparalleled production, performers, resident DJs and very special guests'.
Tickets cost £5.50 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
Monday 23 January 2023 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
The 1975. Credit: Samuel Bradley
Social media has been awash with videos from The 1975’s tour so far (notably Matty Healy’s autotune) and it’s not long until we get to see their At Their Very Best tour for ourselves. They’ll be going right across the country and tickets are still available from £46.50 at See Tickets.
Tickets were originally £40-£60 on See Tickets but sold out, look out for resale though.
Astoria
Thursday 26 January 2023 | The Wardrobe, St Peter's Square
Image: Astoria, Instagram
Playing their biggest show to date, Leeds-born rock and roll band, Astoria, is preparing for an intimate show to crowds like never before. Expect a night to remember featuring catching riffs, alt-rock ballads and heartfelt lyrics from Where The Light Lives, amongst other hits.
Tickets cost £7.70 and can be purchased through See Tickets.
Back on tour, Youth Sector is bringing upbeat melodies in bucketloads to Call Lane's own Oporto bar. Between finding themselves on BBC Introducing and recording new tunes in Brighton, the band has brought out a number of tunes you'll catch yourself humming along to long after you've heard them, including The Ball, No Fanfare and Is Blood.
Tickets cost £8.80 each and are available through See Tickets.
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 -
4th January 2023 
