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TESTBED unveils major transformation to become Leeds’ premier destination for music and culture

We'll see you on the dance floor.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 7th August 2026

Here's your first look at the new and improved TESTBED music venue in Leeds city centre.

Gearing up to relaunch this September, the landmark Leeds venue will reopen its doors to showcase permanent structural improvements and major upgrades across sound, lighting and overall customer experience.

With a capacity of a very impressive 2,500, there's no denying that TESTBED is preparing to relaunch at the forefront of Leeds’ vibrant creative culture.

The venue is expanding from 10,000 sq ft to 23,000 sq ft, guests will now enter through a new lobby where they can enjoy a brand-new 5,000 sq ft mezzanine level with customisable seating and a view of the dance floor from a brand-new balcony.

Image: Supplied

There will be a new upstairs bar that will continue TESTBED’s commitment to support local brands and suppliers.

Downstairs, the custom-built stage allows for a 360-degree crowd and a room two is also underway for a 2027 reveal, creating a multi-purpose space and chill-out area.

Image: Supplied

The newly designed lighting includes multiple moving lights and strobes, together with a large LED ceiling installation and bespoke under-balcony display of LED strips and curves, complemented by a high-res 8m x 4m LED video wall.

Guests will also keep cool thanks to significant upgrades to ventilation and air circulation, with powerful high-capacity fans creating a fresher, more comfortable environment throughout.

Image: Supplied

Now onto the important stuff... the portaloos are gone and replaced by four brand new toilet blocks, doubling capacity and of course - comfort.

So, what are you waiting for? We'll see you on the dance floor at the brand-new TESTBED when it opens its doors again this September.

Full lineups and opening details will be announced soon, we'll keep you posted as and when we find out more.

Read more: ‘There is no refurb. There is no reopening. This is it.’ – legendary Sheffield club announces shock closure

Featured image - Supplied

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Nostalgic rock icons Weezer announce huge arena show in Leeds

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Weezer have announced a massive gig in Leeds as part of an upcoming arena tour, celebrating a brand-new album release.

The nostalgic rock icons will be playing at the First Direct Bank arena next spring, alongside gigs in UK cities including Manchester, Newcastle, and Glasgow.

The American rockers have announced The Gathering 2027 World Tour and released the music video for C.E.O, starring Tony Hawk, Curry Barker, and more.

They’ll also be releasing a self-titled new album, Weezer, on 21 August, which Rolling Stone has already called ‘one of the best Weezer albums of this century’.

It’s set to be their 20th (twentieth!!!!) studio album, joining chart-topping records like Make Believe, Maladroit, and the Green Album.

Weezer will be performing hits from their huge back catalogue, including Buddy Holly, Hash Pipe, and Say It Ain’t So.

The huge tour will kick off in the States in February next year before heading across to Japan and Europe.

And Weezer will have some huge support in the form of fellow American rock group, Taking Back Sunday.

Weezer will be performing at the First Direct Bank arena on Monday 17 May 2027.

You can pre-order the new album from the Weezer webstore before 3pm on Monday 10 August to get pre-sale access.

Weezer, The Gathering World Tour – UK and European dates in full

  • Wed 12 May – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
  • Fri 14 May – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Sat 25 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Mon 17 May – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
  • Wed 19 May – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
  • Fri 21 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Sat 22 May – London, UK – Alexandra Palace
  • Sun 23 May – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Tues 25 May – Paris, France – Zenith
  • Wed 26 May – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – AFAS Live
  • Sat May 29 – Oslo, Norway – Spectrum
  • Sun 30 May – Stockholm, Sweden – Hovet
  • Tues 1 June – Helsinki, Finland – Veikkaus

Then the general sale begins from 10am on Friday 14 August, with tickets on sale HERE.

Read more: Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut

Featured image - Brendan Walter




























Wed 12 May – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena

Fri 14 May – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena

Sat 25 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live

Mon 17 May – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena

Wed 19 May – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro

Fri 21 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena

Sat 22 May – London, UK – Alexandra Palace

Sun 23 May – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena

Tues 25 May – Paris, France – Zenith

Wed 26 May – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – AFAS Live

Sat May 29 – Oslo, Norway – Spectrum

Sun 30 May – Stockholm, Sweden – Hovet

Audio

Loyle Carner at Kirkstall Abbey – the perfect match of artist and venue

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

One of Britain's best performed to a pack-out crowd at Leeds' historic Kirkstall Abbey.

If there was ever a venue designed to make you feel like you've accidentally wandered into the coolest history lesson of your life, it's Kirkstall Abbey.

Ancient ruins, blazing sunshine, pints in plastic cups and thousands of people flocking for the one and only Loyle Carner? Not a bad way to spend a Saturday we think.

And it wasn't just Loyle who we were treated to either, the entire day as part of Above All Else Festival saw a bill of groove-fuelled acts take to the stage.

Bricknasty, Kofi Stone, Kokoroko and Jordan Rakei delivered fabulous sets and warmed us up very nicely indeed for the man himself.

Fresh from the release of Hopefully!, Carner arrived to deafening cheers, wasting little time before settling into the laid-back confidence that has become his trademark.

And he didn't waste time getting into his catalogue of hits either as he seamlessly transitioned from one banger to the next.

It really felt like a celebration of his work, and he himself welled up at the sea of people singing his songs back to him over and over again.

Of course, highlights included Loose Ends and Ottolenghi but dedicating Hate to Nigel Farage was nothing short of iconic.

This is a rapper that has executed the delivery between syncopation and rhythm perfectly, but it's his lyrics that keep you going back for more.

Of course Kirkstall Abbey itself deserves plenty of credit, as the sun went down the abbey was lit up and created probably the most cinematic backdrop for a gig you can imagine.

What stood out most, though, was the atmosphere. There was a proper sense of community throughout the evening, with strangers dancing together and friends rapping every word arm in arm.

Loyle Carner has long been regarded as one of Britain's most thoughtful voices in hip-hop, but nights like this show why his appeal stretches far beyond the genre.

What's next for Loyle Carner? We're not sure, but we feel very lucky to have shared this moment with him, and you could tell he did too.

Read more: The Maccabees at Kirkstall Abbey – musical reunion of the decade?

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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