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Westlife announce huge Leeds arena gig on upcoming 25th anniversary tour
The kings of the ballad are back. This article contains affiliate links.
Legendary pop group Westlife have just announced the European leg of their 25th anniversary tour, which will include an arena gig in Leeds.
The beloved boyband will be hitting the road from September next year to celebrate a quarter-of-a-century of timeless ballads and chart-topping pop songs.
Westlife, which is made up of Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily, are behind massive hits like You Raise Me Up, Uptown Girl, Flying Without Wings, Swear It Again, and If I Let You Go.
The upcoming Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour will include shows right across the UK, including in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield.
The news comes just ahead of the group performing two sold-out nights at the Royal Albert Hall, and sell-out success in Dublin and Belfast already.
Over the last 25 years, Westlife have become one of the most successful pop groups of all time, with three billion streams globally, 36 number one albums worldwide, and 14 UK number one singles (ranking only behind Elvis Presley and The Beatles).
Westlife remain the UK & Ireland’s top-selling album group of the 21st century.
Westlife have also just released new single Chariot, written by Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid and Will Reynolds and co-written and produced by Steve Mac.
And in February next year (just in time for Valentine's Day), they'll release 25 - The Ultimate Collection, a greatest hits album of 21 fan favourites.
Westlife said: "This year marks 25 years since we started this incredible journey together and it still feels like only the beginning.
"The support from our fans has been unbelievable, and to celebrate with this world tour, new music, and a brand-new album feels truly special.
"We can’t wait to see you all on the road and share this next chapter together."
Westlife will perform at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on 6 October 2026.
General sale tickets will go on sale on Friday 31 October at 10am HERE.
Westlife UK and Ireland tour dates
- 15 September 2026 – Dublin – 3Arena
- 16 September 2026 – Dublin – 3Arena
- 18 September 2026 – Dublin – 3Arena
- 19 September 2026 – Dublin – 3Arena
- 20 September 2026 – Dublin – 3Arena
- 22 September 2026 – Dublin – 3Arena
- 23 September 2026 – Dublin – 3Arena
- 24 September 2026 – Dublin – 3Arena
- 25 September 2026 – Dublin – 3Arena
- 26 September 2026 – Dublin – 3Arena
- 29 September 2026 – Aberdeen – P&J Live
- 30 September 2026 – Glasgow – OVO Hydro
- 3 October 2026 – Newcastle – Utilita Arena
- 6 October 2026 – Leeds – First Direct Bank Arena
- 7 October – Sheffield – Utilita Arena
- 9 October – London – The O2
- 13 October – Brighton – Centre
- 14 October – Bournemouth – International Centre
- 16 October – Birmingham – Utilita Arena
- 19 October – Cardiff – Utilita Arena
- 23 October – Manchester – Co-op Live
- 27 October 2026 – Belfast – SSE Arena
- 28 October 2026 – Belfast – SSE Arena
- 29 October 2026 – Belfast – SSE Arena
- 30 October 2026 – Belfast – SSE Arena
- 31 October 2026 – Belfast – SSE Arena
Featured image: Supplied, publicity picture
Audio
Slam Dunk Festival reveals first wave of acts for 2027 festival
Clementine Hall
Slam Dunk Festival is back with another belting lineup.
Slam Dunk, the UK's biggest independent rock festival, has unveiled its first wave of artists - and its a lineup to get very excited about.
Hot on the heels of a milestone 20th anniversary this summer, the festival kicks off with Bowling For Soup, Simple Plan, Killswitch Engage, Beartooth, Sleeping With Sirens, The Used and The Front Bottoms topping the bill.
This time, Slam Dunk is doing things a little bit differently, landing here in Leeds first at Temple Newsam on Saturday 29 May before closing the weekend at Hatfield Park on Sunday 30 May 2027.
Leading the festival are two of pop punk’s biggest festival favourites. Bowling For Soup return following a memorable 2023 appearance, whilst Simple Plan will be rotating headliners, returning to Slam Dunk after 8 years and whose debut album No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls also turns 25.
Elsewhere, ska-punk favourites Reel Big Fish return to Slam Dunk for an exclusive UK reunion show, Less Than Jake are also back on the bill, bringing more than three decades of anthems with them, while The Interrupters join a formidable ska-punk showing and Isle of Wight punks Grade 2 bring a dose of old-school punk to the bill.
And it doesn't stop there, with even more names still to be announced to the already star-studded lineup.
Pre-sale tickets are available via the Slam Dunk app for up to 48 hours (subject to availability) from 10am, Friday 2 October, with remaining tickets on sale from 10am on Monday 5 October through all other outlets. Get yours here.
Read more from The Hoot Leeds:
Featured image - Suppled (Slam Dunk)
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BBC Introducing announces massive Leeds takeover celebrating the UK’s best emerging artists
Clementine Hall
BBC Introducing and Leeds promoter Futuresound have announced a city-wide takeover this November as part of their ‘Introducing Live’ event.
Taking place in ten towns and cities across the UK, Introducing Live will hit Leeds on Saturday 28 November and showcase some of the best emerging artists in the UK today.
Not only that, but it will be held in some of the city's most iconic independent music venues including The Wardrobe, Belgrave Music Hall and Oporto.
The 450-capacity venue The Wardrobe will be home to an 'Introducing on Radio 1' showcase featuring a packed programme including the Egyptian born, Manchester based alt-pop artist Nxdia, Lincolnshire indie-pop quintet Cherryholt, dark pop artist Precious Pepala, Scunthorpe singer-songwriter Will Parker and many more.
Meanwhile, over at Belgrave Music Hall, Emily Pilbeam from Introducing's Mixtape on 6 Music will showcase black country duo GANS, the local 7-piece project Group A.D., underground group holybones and more.
Oporto, famous for hosting some of the biggest names in music during the start of their careers, will host a dedicated 'Introducing Rock' takeover with Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe, with a line-up featuring Nottingham-formed rock duo Alt Blk Era, goth-grunge alt group Venus Grrrls, indie-pop BRIT School alumna jo from school, post-hardcore band Hollow Bloom, and Sheffield-based electro-metalcore band DUSTHOUSE.
Joe Hubbard, promoter at Futuresound Group, said: “We’re really excited to be working with BBC Introducing to bring this event to Leeds, for the first time! It feels a very fitting partnership after our partnership on Live at Leeds together over the years.
"Between headliners Nxdia, Alt Blk Era, Gans and Jaguar, I feel there’s something for everyone. I’m also really proud of the local offering we’ve got, with strong representation from BBC Introducing Leeds & Sheffield across the bill. There’s been months of work behind the scenes to make it happen, so it’s a great feeling to finally release the line-up to the world. See you in November!”
Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am and you can get yours here.
Read more: Innovative Leeds music venue TESTBED announces launch party lineup
Featured image - Supplied
Daisy Jackson -
24th October 2025 
