Big things are happening in Wakefield for the Northern music scene.
On Saturday, the city witnessed something truly special with the launch of the new live music series WX Live at Wakefield Exchange, kicking off in spectacular style as Leeds’ own Grammy Award-winner Corinne Bailey Rae opened the programme with an unforgettable performance.
The vision behind WX Live is ambitious yet beautifully clear: to bring world-class artists to the heart of Wakefield and firmly place the city on the UK’s live music map.
More than that, it’s about giving the North its rightful place in the national spotlight offering a stage where both international and local talent can shine. For Wakefield, Leeds, and the wider region, it represents a beacon of creativity and community, a space where the arts can truly flourish.
From the very first notes, Corinne Bailey Rae reminds the audience exactly why her voice remains one of the most captivating in contemporary music. With smooth, soulful phrasing and quiet yet commanding power, she draws listeners into every lyric.
From timeless hits like “Put Your Records On” and “Like a Star” to newer material brimming with vitality, Rae reimagines her songs with subtle tempo shifts, unexpected vocal flourishes, and a sense that she's living every word in real time.
Corinne Bailey Rae performing at WX Live in Wakefield. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Her performance is steeped in bluesy storytelling and emotional honesty. Between songs, Rae offers glimpses into her life, from her upbringing in Leeds to her time in America, to the loss of her first husband.
She speaks candidly about her experiences as a young Black British artist navigating the music world, adding raw emotion and intimacy that makes the evening feel deeply personal and profoundly moving.
The atmosphere inside Wakefield Exchange is electric yet intimate. With no need for grand theatrics, the focus stays firmly on the music and Rae’s graceful stage presence. Her band provides perfectly measured support, letting each arrangement breathe. When the lights dim and the pace slows, her voice fills the room with warmth and power songs not just performed, but felt.
By the end of the night, it's clear that Rae has done more than simply open WX Live; she has set an extraordinarily high bar for what’s to come. Her set is a masterclass in soul, subtlety, and sincerity, reaffirming her status as one of the defining voices of her generation.
Having Wakefield Exchange is a huge stepping stone not just for the city, but for northern music as a whole. It’s a venue that encourages footfall, fosters creativity, and opens up new opportunities for artists to perform and grow. WX Live is the perfect way to bring world-class entertainment and musical excellence to West Yorkshire.
And with Wakefield just a 15-minute train ride from Leeds, it’s practically next door, helping to expand and strengthen the region’s ever-growing music scene. The venue itself is impressive, holding a capacity of around 1,500, and with local food vendors on-site, it offers the full experience of a vibrant space where music, community, and culture come together.
Next up on WX Live are Skinny Living, bringing their SL9 Tour to the Exchange on 13 December 2025. If Saturday night is anything to go by, Wakefield’s music scene is entering an exciting new era.
Action Bronson cancels Leeds gig for a second time, and it's safe to say fans aren't happy.
Ariyan Arslani, better known by his stage name Action Bronson, is an American rapper, chef and TV personality with a huge following.
The star was meant to perform at Project House last Tuesday 30 June but the show was cancelled the morning of, and subsequently the venue released an updated date of Tuesday 7 July.
It seems fans of Bronson may be experiencing some deja vu, as the gig has yet again been cancelled with short notice.
Except this time, no rescheduled date has been given.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The statement by Project House reads: "We have been informed by Action Bronson's team that regrettably, due to an ongoing illness he will be unable to perform at Project House this evening.
"We're incredibly sorry to be cancelling at such short notice. We had hoped last week's postponements would allow for sufficient recovery time but sadly, that has not been the case. Action is as disappointed as we are and we'd like to wish him all the best. Refunds will be issued from the point of purchase."
And it's fair to say the comments are...interesting, with fans far from happy about a second cancellation.
One comment reads: "Well enough to play two shows in London and one in the Netherlands, but just can’t seem to shake a cold to get to Leeds."
Whilst another disappointed fan commented: "He’s not ill guys! Obviously not a knock on the lovely folks at project house, but that’s a bullshit reason he and his team have come up with for insurance purposes!"
Lewis Capaldi’s emotional Roundhay Festival return proves Leeds never stopped loving him
Declan Kelly
After Friday night’s Pitbull takeover, which saw thousands of people rocking bald caps and belting out every word, I genuinely didn’t think day two of Roundhay Festival could top it.
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Where Friday was one giant party, Saturday was an emotional rollercoaster. The line-up was stacked with artists whose songs have probably soundtracked at least one heartbreak, and judging by the crowd, everyone was more than ready to feel every lyric.
Before the night’s headline act, festivalgoers were treated to performances from Jessie Murph, Jacob Alon and Conan Gray.
One of the best things about festivals is stumbling across artists you might not usually listen to, and Jessie Murph was exactly that. There had been plenty of chatter online questioning the support acts before the weekend, but every single one proved why they deserved their place on the bill. They might not have the mainstream status of Friday’s pop heavyweights, but their talent spoke for itself.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
Lewis Capaldi walked on stage to one of the loudest receptions Roundhay Park has probably ever heard, opening with Hollywood and instantly reminding everyone exactly what they’d missed.
There’s something about a Lewis Capaldi gig that no one else quite manages to recreate.
One minute he’s breaking your heart with songs like The Day That I Die and Someone You Loved, the next he’s got thousands crying with laughter from a story that probably shouldn’t be funny but somehow is.
It’s that balance of vulnerability and humour that makes him one of Britain’s most relatable performers.
Having stepped away from touring to focus on his mental health, Lewis didn’t shy away from talking about his journey. Instead, he embraced it, making the night feel less like a comeback concert and more like catching up with an old mate.
One of the biggest cheers of the night came after he joked about worrying whether anyone would actually turn up following comments he’d made on The Graham Norton Show about ticket sales.
Thousands of phone torches lit up the sky as every word of Someone You Loved echoed around the festival site. It was one of those moments that reminds you exactly why live music matters. Lewis had previously been due to return to Leeds before cancelling shows as he prioritised his health, making this performance feel even more significant.
His last appearance at Roundhay Park was back in 2019 supporting Ed Sheeran. This time, he came back as the main event.
Roundhay Festival gave Lewis Capaldi the welcome he deserved, and Leeds gave every bit of that love straight back.
Declan Kelly -
20th October 2025 
