The top ten gigs, live music, comedy sketches and key note speakers to go to this month in Leeds.
Festival season is on its way out, the seasons are changing- but there's loads of live music, comedy performances and key speakers in Leeds this month to keep the feel-good summer feeling alive, even in the colder months.
Whether you're looking for an excuse to get back out as another Uni year begins or want to listen to serious key speakers discussing some of the most crucial questions of our time, we've got a range of live events for you to choose from.
Keep reading to find out more about the top ten events this month in Leeds.
Strand of Oaks
Wednesday 7 September 2022 | Brudenell Social Club, Queens Road, Burley
Image: Brudenell Social Club
Tim Showalter is bringing his eighth studio album to the Brudenell Social Club this month, and with it a performance that is set to be as heartbreaking as it is mesmerising. Described as a 'stunning, hopeful reflection on love, loss and enlightenment', In Heaven is the latest album that describes a strong narrative using vocals, featuring Carl Broemel from My Morning Jacket, James Iha from The Smashing Pumpkins
Friday 9 September 2022 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
Image: First Direct Arena
Award-winning writer and comedian Adam Kay is coming to Leeds, and bringing all of his diaries as a junior doctor with him. Expect a night of stand-up comedy and music, as well as new stories from Kay's upcoming book, Undoctored: The story of a medic who ran out of patients. Taking on First Direct Arena, seats are still available to book, as well as the option to add a signed copy of Undoctored to your order.
Saturday 17 September – Sunday 18 September 2022 | Temple Newsam, Leeds
Image: Hanny Naibaho, Unsplash
Robbie Williams, Simple Minds, Tears For Fears, Elbow, Craig David, Ella Henderson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sara Coz, George Ezra, Mel C, Emeli Sande, Olly Murs, Heather Small (draws breath) and there’s even more artists playing this two-day festival to bring the BBC Radio 2 to life in Leeds. The event is said to have doubled in size from previous years and will feature a weekend to remember, regardless of which headliner you’re heading over for.
Wednesday 21 September 2022 | The Wardrobe, St Peter's Square
Image: Kodaline
Performing an intimate album launch show at The Wardrobe, Kodaline will be bringing their highly-anticipated Our Roots Run Deep to Leeds. The fifth album follows a series of top hits, including from their debut In A Perfect World, then Coming Up For Air, Politics of Living and more recently with the band's 2020 album, One Day at a Time. Door open at the earlier than usual time of 7pm for this one with a set shortly after, so make sure to get there on time.
Thursday 22 September – Sunday 25 September 2022 | Howard Assembly Room and Howard Opera Centre
This year we’ll be hearing from some of the UK’s biggest voices and beyond as panels and key speakers take on some of the most crucial questions of our time. For those unfamiliar with Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI), it’s quite simply a four-day festival that takes on important subjects and brings in experts from their chosen field to discuss their ideas in front of a live audience. There’s big names like Kevin McCloud, Mary Beard, Jon Hopkins, Yoyam Ottolenghi, Aisling Bea, David Olusoga, Christopher Wylie, Jamali Maddix and so many more in attendance, this will be real food for thought.
Friday 23 September – Saturday 24 September 2022 | Chow Down, Temple Arches
Image: Oktoberfest Leeds
Bringing the much-loved Bavarian music and steins to Leeds for Oktoberfest, the festival is back for another year. Famous for its electric atmosphere and guaranteed mayhem, expect steins of beer bigger than your head, traditional German eats and plenty of dancing. What better way to celebrate the end of the summer than with the world’s biggest beer celebration in Leeds’ biggest beer garden? It seems like a no brainer to us.
Find out more here.
Get tickets for Oktoberfest at Chow Down on Friday 23 September or Saturday 24 September here.
X Ambassadors
Thursday 29 September 2022 | Leeds University Stylus, Lifton Place, Woodhouse
Image: Ticketmaster
The New York pop-rock band will be making an appearance at Leeds University Stylus for Freshers, students and the wider population of Leeds to embrace a night of unforgettable music. Leeds marks the midway point of their six-stop tour across England, and the band is likely bringing hits like Unsteady, Jungle and Renegades to UK shows with just as much enthusiasm as ever.
Friday 30 September 2022 | Headrow House, The Headrow
Image: Brooke Combe
Having supported the likes of The Snuts and The Courteeners, Brooke Combe could be one of the UK's next big names and the last day of the month is bringing an opportunity to watch (and dance to) the singer in a small, intimate venue. Set to bring the house down at Headrow House, you won't want to miss this.
Find out more here.
Smoove and Turrell Live
Friday 30 September 2022 | Brudenell Social Club, Queens Road, Burley
Image: Smoove and Turrell
Returning with their sixth studio album, Stratos Bleu, Smoove and Turrell are bringing their analogue synths to the Brudenell Social Club this September- and it’s set to be a showstopper of an evening. With a fusion of early 90s clubbing music, reminiscent of hedonistic nights gone by, expect a night filled with conscious lyrics all to the steady beat of Mike Porter on the keyboard.
Tickets cost £17.00 each plus a booking fee.
Get tickets to see Smoove and Turrell Live at the Brudenell Social Club on Friday 30 September 2022 here.
Worried About Henry Presents Sleepless
Friday 30 September 2022 | O2 Academy, Cookridge Street
Image: Skiddle
Brought to you by Afterglow and Used To This producer Wilkinson, Worried About Henry Presents Sleepless is the night for Drum and Bass lovers in Leeds. With Ad-Apt as your MC for the night, listen to the latest mixes from Bou & Haribo; Serum & Inja; Polar & Bryson; Krakota; A Little Sound; Kara; Mozey; Katalyst and Ferguson, as well as a DJ set from Wilkinson himself. Please note this is an 18+ only event.
Tickets cost £23.25 each, plus a booking fee.
Get tickets for Worried About Henry Presents Sleepless at Leeds O2 Academy Leeds on Friday 30 September 2022 here.
Feature Image- Hanny Naibaho, Unsplash
Concerts and Nightlife
UK punk icons The Stranglers announced as latest headliner of outdoor concert series
The Stranglers have been announced as the third headliner of 'Live At Tileyard North'.
The new two-week series of outdoor live music will take place in central Wakefield, with The Stranglers taking to the stage on Friday 21 August at the historic courtyard of Rutland Mills.
Formed back in 1974, The Stranglers quickly made a name for themselves by embracing the punk movement of the late 70s.
Their first three albums (Rattus Norvegicus, No More Heroes and Black and White) were released within just 13 months of each other, scoring hit singles with ‘Peaches’, ‘No More Heroes’ and ‘Walk On By’.
Image: Supplied
In 2024 The Stranglers’ 50th anniversary year featured celebratory sell-out tours across the world and headline slots at festivals worldwide, including a sell-out performance at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall.
The Stranglers will be joined by a full supporting line-up including fellow punk legends Buzzcocks as well as alternative-indie quintet FEET and buzzy Irish garage rock trio Adore.
Previously announced Live at Tileyard North headliners include the Vaccines, who will be in Wakefield performing their critically acclaimed 2011 debut album What Did You Expect From the Vaccines? in full to celebrate 15 years since its release on Sunday 30 August, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor who will headline the outdoor venue on Thursday 27 August.
It's safe to say it will be a very fun two weeks indeed, now we just need to wait until summer arrives.
Postcode pre-sale for residents local to Tileyard North (WF1, WF2, WF3, WF4, WF5, WF6) will open at 10am on Wednesday 21 January here with general sale opening at 10am on Friday 23 January here.
10 of the biggest live gigs coming to Leeds next year | 2026
Thomas Melia
Leeds has some fantastic live music lined up next year, so we've rounded up 10 of the biggest concerts coming in 2026.
If there's two things that go hand-in-hand, it's Leeds and live music, so it'll come as no surprise that 2026 is shaping up to be another cracking year of gigs and concerts for the city.
No matter whether your ideal concert experience is a little boogie or some hardcore head-banging, this list has got you covered with a wide range of acts and artists.
It's been a brilliant year of live music this past year, but there's plenty more big names making their way to Leeds next year, so without further ado, here's 10 of the biggest gigs coming in 2026.
10 of the biggest live gigs coming to Leeds next year | 2026
Cast - The Wardrobe (Thursday 29 January)
Cast are gearing up to play a headline show at Leeds music venue The Wardrobe in January / Credit: Press Shot (via supplied)
After opening for Oasis earlier this summer one their Oasis Live '25 reunion tour dates, the Liverpool indie rockers are putting on a headline gig right here in Leeds.
Cast have chosen The Wardrobe as their latest live music spot, and they're ready for you to 'Live The Dream' with them when they play out in January.
If their support slot for Oasis is anything to go by, there's a lot of love for these rock legends. This gig will be one to remember, and you can find tickets HERE.
Whether you know him from his stint in The Rascals, alongside Alex Turner as co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets, or simply from his solo work, Kane's career is nothing short of remarkable.
His latest discography addition Sunlight In The Shadows dropped in October and features huge numbers like 'Love Is Cruel' and 'Without You'.
Fans will also be hoping he plays tracks from his 2011 album Colour of the Trap, with its hits including 'Rearrange' and 'Come Closer' when he visits in February. Get tickets HERE.
Bob Vylan - O2 Academy Leeds (Saturday 7 February)
The Bobs, better known as Bob Vylan, are expected to raise the roof at O2 Academy Leeds next year / Credit: Ki Price (via supplied)
London punk rap duo Bob Vylan released their first project Dread in 2019 with a full-length album We Live Here releasing one year later.
Since then, Bobbie and Bobby have released an array of singles including 'Makes Me Violent', 'Dream Bigger', and 'Sick Sad World'.
The alternative rappers garnered widespread attention after their Glastonbury performance this year with their songs addressing a number of social and political issues, such as racism and economic hardship. You can get tickets HERE.
The Beaches - Stylus, Leeds University Union (Saturday 14 February)
Canadian four-piece The Beaches are coming to Leeds and ready to rock out at Stylus / Credit: Press Shot (via supplied)
The 'Last Girls At The Party' are heading to Stylus to play tracks from their latest project No Hard Feelings, as well as a couple other hits.
Comprised of sisters Kylie and Jordan Miller alongside fellow bandmates Eliza and Leandra, The Beaches have been dropping bangers for quite a few years now.
The Canadian four-piece always put on a good show, and if you haven't joined The Beaches hype train yet, then we recommend the songs 'Blame Brett' and 'Edge of the Earth' to get you started. Find tickets HERE.
Chesney Hawkes - Brudenell Social Club (Thursday 12 March)
English singer Chesney Hawkes has chosen 'The One and Only' Brudenell Social Club to host his upcoming Leeds gig.
Hawkes became a recent frequent face on our screens after his appearance as a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother, and now he's about to become a frequent UK music venue player too with his new Smash It To Pieces Tour.
His most recent release, Living Arrows, dropped back in April and you can expect this 90s icon to command the Leeds crowd with all his usual charm. Get tickets HERE.
After supporting pop icon Lionel Richie on his Say Hello to the Hits tour, Combe is headlining her own show and she's bringing it to one of Leeds' staple music institutions, The Wardrobe.
She's touring up and down the country, including in Wigan, Preston, and Blackpool to name a few, and has kindly decided to bless Leeds with her bouncy and upbeat tracks too.
Get ready to be 'Dancing At The Edge Of The World' when the soul singer-songwriter plays out her cathartic tunes to this packed out Leeds city centre gig hotspot. You can grab tickets HERE.
Jessie J - O2 Academy Leeds (Saturday 11 April)
Expect incredible vocals and stage presence when Jessie J visits O2 Academy Leeds / Credit: Press Shot (via supplied)
Stomp, stomp she's arrived. UK pop heavyweight Jessie J is making her way to Leeds on the back of her self-released LP Don't Tease Me With a Good Time.
The 'Price Tag' songwriter has soundtracked the 2010s with radio hits spanning from 'Do It Like A Dude' and 'Domino', to 'Who's Laughing Now' and 'Bang Bang' - a triple-billed hit alongside Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.
Earlier this year, Jessie J announced her recent breast cancer diagnosis saying it has inspired her to live life to the fullest. Now, the Brit vocalist is heading out on the road again and ready to thrill UK crowds.
Rick Astley - First Direct Arena (Saturday 18 April)
80s pop sensation Rick Astley is returning to Leeds for a stellar First Direct Arena show / Credit: Peter Neill (via supplied)
First Direct Arena is about to 'Keep Singing' because 80s chart-topper Rick Astley is heading to this major venue in April.
This arena has welcomed the 'Never Gonna Give You Up' singer countless times, most recently in February when he surprised fans with some covers of modern-day tracks like 'As It Was' by Harry Styles.
The Newton-le-Willows star and First Direct Arena are destined to be 'Together Forever', and you can witness him live on The Reflections Tour by getting tickets HERE.
Lily Allen - First Direct Arena (Sunday 21 June)
Lily Allen is coming to Leeds next Summer playing at First Direct Arena / Credit: Charlie Denis (via supplied)
Get ready for an electric night when Lily Allen performs West End Girl as part of her biggest headline tour of her career.
Allen is getting ready to turn First Direct Arena into her pop-up 'P*ssy Palace' for one night only next summer.
The London star announced her arena tour after selling out a string of theatre dates one week prior. We expect this Leeds show to be just as exceptional, the only thing we don't know is "Who's Madeline?". Tickets are HERE.
Jane McDonald - First Direct Arena (Saturday 26 September)
Jane McDonald is gracing the Leeds crowd at First Direct Arena in September 2026 / Credit: Matt Crockett (via supplied)
Wakefield's finest Jane McDonald is also embarking on one of the biggest tours of her career too with the release of her new album Living The Dream.
The national treasure has amassed four UK top 10 albums, with her self-titled debut album spending three weeks at the top spot.
Expect to be out of your seat and singing along to quite a few hits when McDonald returns to First Direct Arena next autumn, and you can grab your seat HERE.
Sophie Smith -
6th September 2022 
