There are few better settings for a summer gig than The Piece Hall, and on Friday 21 August, The Wombats showed exactly why.
Swapping the enclosed surroundings of an arena for the open air grandeur of Halifax’s historic Piece Hall, the indie favourites delivered an energetic headline performance packed with big choruses, infectious hooks and plenty of moments for the crowd to sing back.
From the moment The Wombats walked onto the stage, the atmosphere was electric. Thousands of fans filled the courtyard, surrounded by the impressive stone architecture of one of Yorkshire’s most distinctive venues. With the evening sun fading and the stage lights taking over, the setting became every bit as memorable as the music.
The outdoor venue gave the gig a completely different feel to a traditional arena show. There was a sense of freedom throughout the evening, with fans dancing, singing and enjoying the warm August atmosphere. The historic walls seemed to amplify the sound, creating a huge backdrop for some of the band’s biggest songs.
The Wombats have always been masters of turning indie melancholy into something uplifting, and that was clear throughout the set. Familiar favourites sparked some of the loudest singalongs of the night, while songs from their more recent work fitted comfortably alongside the classics.
The support acts also helped build the atmosphere. Circa Waves brought plenty of energy to the stage, while Cherryholt and The Caymans helped get the crowd warmed up earlier in the evening. By the time The Wombats appeared, the audience was more than ready.
And they didn’t disappoint.
The band performed with the confidence of a group that knows exactly how to connect with a live audience. Their upbeat sound, catchy melodies and relentless energy made the most of the enormous outdoor space, with songs travelling across the courtyard and bouncing back from the surrounding stone walls.
As darkness settled over Halifax, the visual side of the performance became even more impressive. The combination of stage lighting, thousands of fans and The Piece Hall’s historic architecture created a spectacular atmosphere that simply wouldn’t have been possible inside an arena.
That’s what made this show work so well. The Wombats are a band built for communal moments, and The Piece Hall provided the perfect environment for them. Rather than feeling like a concert contained within four walls, the evening felt like a huge summer celebration in the heart of Halifax.
By the closing songs, the crowd was completely involved, singing along and making the most of every final moment. It was loud, joyful and full of the kind of energy that makes live music so enjoyable.
The Wombats have played some of the UK’s biggest venues, but their night at The Piece Hall proved that sometimes a band and a venue simply fit together.
A stunning outdoor setting, a brilliant crowd and a headline performance full of indie anthems made Friday 21 August a night to remember.
The verdict: a vibrant, energetic summer gig that showed The Wombats at their best in one of Yorkshire’s finest outdoor venues.
If there’s one thing Leeds knows how to do, it’s produce a seriously talented bunch of emerging creatives. And this time, we’re swapping the usual indie gigs and late-night dance floors for a choir proving there’s nothing old-fashioned about singing together.
Meet LC Pop Choir, the Leeds-based group taking some of the biggest pop, rock and gospel hits and giving them a whole new lease of life.
Based at Leeds Conservatoire, the choir was founded in 2015 by Principal Lecturer Craig Lees and has since grown into a talented community of students and alumni who share a love of music and a good old singalong.
But don’t go thinking this is your typical Sunday afternoon choir. We’re talking huge vocals, impressive harmonies and the kind of performances that make you want to get up and join in. Think songs you already know by heart, reimagined with a whole room full of voices behind them.
In 2025, LC Pop Choir took to the stage on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, performing Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten. The anthem is practically impossible not to sing along to, and the choir gave it a powerful new spin, showing just how much a familiar pop hit can be transformed through the power of group vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxUjfRqvyks
It’s the sort of performance that reminds you why live music is so special. There’s something about hearing a song you’ve known for years delivered in a completely different way that makes you fall in love with it all over again.
LC Pop Choir is such an exciting part of Leeds’ creative community. They’re not just performing songs; they’re finding new ways to bring people together through music. And that’s something Leeds has always done particularly well.
What makes the group even more special is the talent behind the harmonies. Made up of emerging artists releasing their own music, touring around the country and even performing at major festivals, these are creatives making waves in their own right.
Yet, every Monday, they come together as a family of creatives, supporting one another, nurturing their talents and celebrating their shared love of music.
The music industry can be a competitive place, particularly for artists just starting out, so having a space to develop their skills, meet like-minded people and be part of something bigger is invaluable.
This Leeds pop choir is putting emerging musicians centre stage. Credit: Ian Hodgson
And that sense of community is exactly what makes groups like LC Pop Choir such an important part of Leeds’ cultural scene.
Whether you’re a musical theatre obsessive, a pop music fanatic or someone who simply loves a brilliant live performance, LC Pop Choir is one Leeds-based group worth keeping on your radar.
We have a feeling some of these young artists will be paving the way for the next generation of music in the North, and we can’t wait to see what they do next.
Clubland to celebrate 25 years with huge Leeds arena show
Clementine Hall
Clubland is heading to Leeds for a special arena-sized anniversary celebration next year.
The Clubland Arena Tour promises a night of the biggest artists and biggest anthems, giving fans the chance to come together for a celebration of the dance music brand.
Celebrating 25 years of Clubland, the tour will stop off at arenas in Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Aberdeen, and of course Leeds.
With the event set to take over one of Leeds' biggest live entertainment venues, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a nostalgic night of club classics and dancefloor favourites – even before the lineup is announced.
Image: Supplied
The full line-up is expected to be announced very soon, with fans encouraged to keep an eye out for further details.
Previous headliners at Clubland Live have included Cascada, Basshunter, Scooter, Ultrabeat, and Vengaboys, always guaranteeing a night of non-stop anthems.
For many dance music fans, Clubland has become synonymous with the sounds that dominated clubs, radio playlists and party nights throughout the 2000s.
Over the years, Clubland has continued to celebrate the artists and songs that helped define an era of dance music, giving fans the chance to experience their favourite tracks live alongside thousands of like-minded clubbers.
From infectious pop-dance hits to harder-hitting electronic anthems, its events tap into a sense of nostalgia while keeping the energy of a night out firmly at the centre of the experience.
The 25th anniversary tour looks set to build on that legacy, bringing a quarter-century of club classics to arenas across the UK.
The Clubland Arena Tour will be at the First Direct Bank Arena on Saturday 1 May 2027.
Declan Kelly -
22nd August 2026 
