We don't need much of an excuse to go shopping for vinyls and CDs - but World Record Store Day will do just fine.
Whether you've been an avid collector of vinyls and CDs or you've jumped on the band wagon this time round, there's nothing quite like grabbing yourself a new disc for your record player.
Leeds is absolutely packed with amazing independent record shops where you can browse for rare vinyls and pick up other collectors' items.
And that applies all year round - not just for World Record Store Day, which this year will fall on Saturday 18 April.
Here are our favourite places to go record shopping in and around Leeds.
Jumbo Records
1-3 Merrion Centre, Leeds city centre
Jumbo Records in Leeds. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Jumbo Records is an absolute record shop institution and has proudly stood in Leeds for more than 50 years.
Located inside the Merrion Centre, this huge music hub has every single type of music you can imagine and their wonderful staff are on hand to help you navigate around this treasure trove. Within their four walls you'll find endless new and old vinyls, CDs, books, magazines, cassettes, limited edition prints, tickets and loads more - whatever you can imagine, they have it.
Jumbo Records even holds live performances in-store. Remember when a few stages blew away at Leeds Fest? Well, Jumbo opened its doors to the likes of Wunderhorse so they could swing by and play a few songs. So basically what we're trying to say is Jumbo Records is goated and if you need anything music-related, this is where you need to be heading.
For Record Store Day 2026, they'll be open from 8am with 500+ releases, live music, and a pop-up bar.
Vinyl Whistle and Meanhood
Otley Road, Headingley
The Vinyl Whistle in Leeds. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Named after a love of both vinyl records and football, Vinyl Whistle is an indie record store that stocks new and old EPs, and has a coffee shop/ beer taps/live gig venue right in the middle of their store.
Owners Jim and Katie just expanded their offering even further too, launching Meanhood right beneath Vinyl Whistle with a mission to make DJing more accessible across Leeds.
This record store day, they'll have friends on the decks ALL DAY from 8am to 11pm.
Released Records
Corn Exchange, Leeds City Centre
You can also shop with them at Hyde Park Book ClubReleased Records in the Corn Exchange
Hidden away from the crowds inside Leeds Corn Exchange, Released Records offers an eclectic mix of new and pre-loved records. They're a dog-friendly store too, and they'll be offering all of the best World Record Store Day options to lucky shoppers too.
The owners are happy to talk all things music all day long and the brand even has its own label: The Lost Record.
You can shop their curated collections elsewhere in Leeds too - these guys are in charge of the vinyl collections at Hyde Park Book Club, and Outlaws Yacht Club.
One of our go-tos for vinyl shopping in Leeds has to be Crash Records, which is a true cornerstone of the Leeds music scene.
It's been around for 41 years this year, specialising in indie, alternative, rock, punk, and metal.
You'll find endless treasures hidden inside these walls, PLUS Crash Records is given an allocation for local gig tickets - and shopping with them is so much more exciting than just logging on to Ticketmaster.
Too Damn Loud
Kirkgate Market
This is one of the most long-standing businesses inside Kirkgate Market, operating since 1974 with a huge selection for music-lovers to browse through.
Peter, along with his wife, have run the store themselves for the past half-century - and during this time have made the transition from vinyls, to tapes and CD, and then back to vinyls again - plus you’ll find video tapes and DVDs in here too spanning across all genres and age groups.
The name came from the owner’s original neighbour complaining that the store was ‘Too Damn Loud’ - and it’s stuck ever since.
Plant & Deck
Upstairs in The Doghouse, 93 Kirkgate
Where do you go when you want to buy vines and vinyls these days? The answer is obviously Plant and Deck in its new home.
Head upstairs (and upstairs again) in Doghouse and you'll find this haven for vinyl records and house plants.
With those amazing vaulted ceilings and wood beams, and vinyls spinning all day long, this jungle of electronic music looks as good as it sounds.
Holding Patterns
2A Albion Place
Holding Patterns is a bar in Leeds that sounds as good as it looks.
From a vinyl listening station to a state-of-the-art sound system, and with vinyl DJs and selectors blessing your ears in the evenings, this is where to bring all the music-lovers in your life.
There’s a concise list of gorgeous cocktails, natural wines, crafts beers and delicious coffees too.
Tribe Records in Leeds is a renowned independent vinyl shop specialising in electronic music, including house, techno, electro, reggae, and dub.
Reopened in 2020 after a hiatus, it acts as a vital community hub run by Simon Scott, supplying new/used records, and supporting local DJs with expert advice.
North South Vintage
Headingley Lane, Headingley / Hyde Park Corner
For those solely interested in shopping for second-hand treasures, North South Vintage (formerly Vintage Boutique) is an unmissable stop.
Located right in the heart of studentsville spaces between Hyde Park and Headingley, this vintage store has plenty of hidden diamonds in the rough, just waiting to be uncovered.
Expect a huge array of 70s and 80s bangers, as well as contemporary house mixes amongst old football scarves, retro Nikes and an impressive collection of classic novels.
Ever-evolving Leeds music hotspot TESTBED is making its grand return to Leeds city centre with an impressive launch party lineup.
Recognised as a cultural venue for bringing people together via music, TESTBED has hosted a variety of club nights in its warehouse location since 2024.
Back in April, it was announced that the team behind this rave-centric club were transforming this space from it's 'Phase 1.3' to 'Phase 2.0'.
Now, TESTBED has released the full lineup for its upcoming launch party which will show off some of the venue's latest features like its 360-degree DJ booth, improved acoustics and 5,000 sq ft mezzanine and balcony area.
Annie Mac is headlining the TESTBED Leeds launch party joined by Horse Meat Disco / Credit: Press Shots (via supplied)
Previous performers include Liverpool dance music duo Camelphat, house music DJ Alisha, Netherlands-own Chris Stussy and more, so it will come as no surprise that this relaunch features an equally-stellar lineup.
Fronting the bill for the TESTBED Launch Party is none other than EDM connoisseur and influential figure Annie Mac, who's hosted a variety of radio shows across the BBC as well as curating a set or two herself.
Also in attendance is Horse Meat Disco, a group who put disco and queer culture at the forefront of each and every high-energy set.
Irish selector Shee is also showing off his music expertise and already having collaborations with the likes of A-trak and Karma Kid, expect to hear some tunes.
Shee and Junior Simba will be taking to the decks to wow the crowds over at TESTBED Leeds / Credit: Press Shots (via supplied)
Seasoned club DJ and presenter Marcia Carr, known for playing live sets with vinyl records, will also be soundtracking the night too, playing out everything from Afrohouse to dubstep.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Leeds-based party without some local talent courtesy of Junior Simba who's quickly become a key player in the house music scene.
And if that wasn't enough raving for you, TESTBED has already announced even more insane nights of music madness featuring ROSSI., Interplanetary Criminal and Obskür.
TESTBED's opening party is taking place on Saturday 3 October from 2pm til 12am and you can grab tickets from as little as £20 HERE.
Jane McDonald at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, times and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
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.
Daisy Jackson -
16th April 2026 
