Leeds fans can join in with the excitement of the Eurovision Song Contest from a huge BBC Fanzone at Millennium Square next weekend.
Since the announcement that the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 would be held in the United Kingdom, the buzz around the event has been bigger than ever. Although Leeds lost out on the chance to host the event, a huge Fanzone will be erected at Millennium Square so the city can join in on the nationwide party.
There will be live screenings of the semi-finals and the final on a big screen along with live music and DJ sets to help celebrate. The event will take place in a specially created area with different seating options available on a first-come-first-serve.
The space will also have a fully stocked licensed bar, delicious hot food stalls and drink concession stalls. All tickets will be provided on a pay-as-you-decide basis and all funds raised will be donated to Leeds City Council's Leeds Together For Ukraine appeal.
Michael Rice performing at Eurovision 2019.
After the main event on Saturday May 13, fans can enjoy incredible live performances from British pop artist Michael Rice who represented the United Kingdom at the song contest back in 2019. The star will be performing his UK Top 10 single 'Bigger Than Us' as well as brand-new single 'Gotta Go Dancing'.
It wouldn't be a Eurovison celebration without our favourite 70's Sweddish band, so of course the UK's leading ABBA tribute band Planet Abba will be taking to the stage. Performing the legendary winning song for Eurovision 1974 'Waterloo' along with classic party anthems such as 'Dancing Queen' and 'Mamma Mia.'
Hosting and DJ'ing the event will be International multi-award-winning drag queen St Sordid Secret alongside 2010 Drag Idol Leeds winner Cherry Pops.
Ali Liaqat, Director of Leeds Pride, said: “We are thrilled that Leeds has been chosen as an official Eurovision Fanzone and we were asked by Leeds City Council to help put together a live music programme including 2019 Eurovision contestant Michael Rice.
"This is going to be such a great occasion for the city to come together to celebrate one the greatest shows on earth and we can’t wait to get the party started in style with all the best Eurovision hits from renowned DJs and hosts St Sordid Secret and Cherry Pops”.
The event will take place at Millennium Square. Supplied - Millennium Square
Leeds was one of seven cities in the United Kingdom shortlisted to host the contest and was subsequently chosen to host an official fanzone. Liverpool was chosen as the venue for the contest after it was decided last year’s winners Ukraine would be sadly unable to host.
The fanzone is completely free to attend on Tuesday May 9th and Thursday May 11th with live coverage of the event from 8pm-10pm. The celebrations for the final on May 13 will start with entertainment from 4:30pm with coverage from the BBC starting from 7:30pm.
Eurovision will be giving fans a chance to donate to the Leeds Together for Ukraine appeal, as the UK is hosting on the county's behalf.
E-tickets will be available online from Tuesday, May 2 at 12pm and are limited to four per person. A number of tickets will also be made available on the door for those wishing to attend on the day on a strictly first come first served basis. All persons under 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
You can get tickets here or contact Leeds Ticket Hub on 0113 376 0318.
Boyband and radio hitmakers The Script are coming to Leeds and are playing out alongside an equally big support act.
'For the First Time' in almost a year, The Script are playing a run of live shows across the UK including Leeds' First Direct Arena.
This Irish-based band have soundtracked generations with their hits spanning two decades including 'Hall of Fame', 'Breakeven', 'Superheroes' and more.
Consisting of lead vocalist Danny O'Donoghue with Benjamin Seargent on bass, guitarist Ben Weaver and drummer Adam Marcello, their music fuses pop and rock.
The Script has released three albums that have topped both UK and Ireland charts as well as four Top 10 singles and they're hoping to reign supreme on the charts once more with upcoming LP The User's Guide to Being Human.
Although the full album doesn't drop until August, Danny and the rest of the lads have dropped a single titled 'Man In The Arena'.
There's even a nod to the Northern music scene on the tracklist as one of the upcoming releases is labelled 'The Crowd Was Singing Wonderwall'.
Other tracks on this LP include 'Living Our Life Without Me', 'I'm 100 Different People' and a song that's sure to get a few tears out of all of us - 'Grow Old with Grace'.
As well as announcing this new run of shows set for Winter 2026, The Script are joining Take That on a stadium tour titled The Circus Live across June and July.
Joining The Script on their latest UK tour this Winter is James Morrison known for similar ballad-like hits including 'Broken Strings' and 'Wonderful World'.
The Script UK tour dates
Mon 2 November - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
Thu 5 November - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
Fri 6 November - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena
Sat 7 November - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Mon 9 November - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
Tue 10 November - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Thu 12 November - Aberdeen, UK - P&J Live
Fri 13 November - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
Sat 14 November - Sheffield, UK - Utilita Arena
Mon 16 November - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Thu 19 November - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
Sat 21 November - London, UK - The O2
The Script are visiting First Direct Arena on Tuesday 10 November 2026 for their The Man In The Arena Tour with tickets and more info HERE.
Featured Image - Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Audio
A daytime rave where you can be in bed by 8pm is coming to Sheffield
Clementine Hall
The famous Day Fever is back and this time it’s set to be bigger and better than ever before.
If you haven’t heard of Day Fever before, then we are about to blow your mind.
Launched in early 2024 by actress Vicky McClure and frontman of Reverend & The Makers Jon McClure, Day Fever has become somewhat of a cultural sensation.
From its debut her in Sheffield to a tour that sees thousands of ravers hitting the dance floor each month, the message is clear: people want to dance and let loose, but still be in bed before 9pm. And to be honest, we don’t blame them.
Image: Supplied
Running from 3pm to 8pm, Day Fever provides a proper night out that doesn’t completely write you off for the entire weekend.
Heading to Sheffield City Hall on Saturday 6th June, this edition of Day Fever will be filled with nothing but wall-to-wall hits courtesy of DJs Stars & Stace, Olly Hayes and Christian Carlisle.
"If you look back at the first Sheffield one to what we are now, the evolution of it is amazing," says Vicky McClure. "It was still the same people that wanted the same thing; they just wanted to go out in the day… and just have a dance!"
Think less nightclub, more joyful chaos. “It feels like a massive house party at your nan’s,” Vicky laughs. “No drama, no egos, just people acting daft, getting dressed up, and having the best time."
Image: Supplied
"It’s stories that we hear that really sum up what it's about," says Vicky McClure. "We’ve had people going through chemotherapy… people grieving… and all of a sudden you just feel this room filled with love."
The Hoot -
28th April 2023 
