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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
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James Blunt announces huge European tour, kicking off in Leeds
Daisy Jackson
Singer-songwriter James Blunt is heading back out on tour next year, kicking off a run of arena dates here in Leeds.
The singer, perhaps best-known for his iconic 2005 pop ballad 'You're Beautiful', is hitting the road again in 2027.
The newly-announced European tour is in celebration of his new album Airplane Mode, which is set for release this autumn.
James Blunt will kick off his tour here in Leeds next spring, with a massive show at the First Direct Arena.
Then he'll head to more cities including Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and London.
His new album, Airplane Mode, is being released on 6 November and will, according to his press release, be 'exhilarating'.
James has already released the first single, 'Tastes Like Summer', and 'Weight Of It All', with 10 more songs to come on the record.
Airplane Mode was recorded with James’ brilliant long-standing live band, who'll be back on tour with him next year.
Speaking of the new album, and recording in Pig Music Studios, he said: "Somewhere back there, I lost my way, but found it again in a studio in Banbury."
James Blunt will be at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on 26 March, 2027. Tickets go on sale from 10am on 9 September.
James Blunt UK and Ireland 2027 tour dates
- 26 March - Leeds
- 27 March - Birmingham
- 28 March - Newcastle
- 30 March - Dublin
- 31 March - Belfast
- 2 April - Glasgow
- 3 April - Manchester
- 4 April - London
- 6 April - Cardiff
- 7 April - Bournemouth
- 8 April - Brighton
Read more: Blossoms announce massive First Direct Arena gig in Leeds
Featured image: Supplied
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Major DJ has set cancelled as overcrowding concerns continue at Leeds Festival
Clementine Hall
After closing for the entire second day, The Warehouse stage at Leeds Festival has once again been forced to evacuate.
One of the most anticipated dance acts of the day has been cancelled due to health and safety concerns just moments before the set.
Sheffield DJ Silva Bumpa was due to take to The Warehouse stage today at 1:30pm, but the set was cancelled due to overcrowding.
It's not the first time this has happened at Leeds Festival 2026, as yesterday Omar+'s set was cancelled due to the same issue and the stage was subsequently closed for the rest of the day.
The Warehouse stage is completely new for this year, and supposedly is designed specifically for dance music...which is quite ironic.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Silva Bumpa said: "So so sorry Leeds Fest but due to over crowding my set was cancelled last min I was just behind the stage and got told right before such a massive shame."
Prospa, another prominent DJ who's set was cancelled at Reading on Friday afternoon, spoke up on the situation: "We are disappointed in The Warehouse stage closure at Reading Festival. We were told it wasn't possible to play whilst on the way. This was due to too many people outside the stage.
"We have seen this happen before at larger festivals in the UK. It's time to double the capacity of tents or put dance music on the main stage."
It comes after another dance stage, LS23, was closed mid-set last night due to a health and safety hazard when all the lights suddenly switched off and ravers were forced to evacuate.
If yesterday is anything to go by, we wouldn't be surprised if The Warehouse was closed for the rest of the day which means anticipated sets from Rossi and Mall Grab will also be cancelled.
Read more from The Hoot Leeds:
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
