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

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

Find out more here.

Adam Kay- This Is Going To Hurt… More

Friday 9 September 2022 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way

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.

Find out more here.

BBC Radio 2 Festival

Saturday 17 September – Sunday 18 September 2022 | Temple Newsam, Leeds

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.

Find out more here.

Kodaline

Wednesday 21 September 2022 | The Wardrobe, St Peter’s Square

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.

Find out more here.

Leeds International Festival of Ideas

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.

Find out more here.

Read More: Leeds International Festival of Ideas is less than a month away- here’s how to get tickets

Oktoberfest

Friday 23 September – Saturday 24 September 2022 | Chow Down, Temple Arches

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

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.

Find out more here.

Brooke Combe

Friday 30 September 2022 | Headrow House, The Headrow

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

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

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