A huge night out is coming to Leeds with a full orchestra and iconic 80s singers next month.
80's icons Jimmy Somerville, Nik Kershaw, Go West, Carol Decker, and Yorkshire’s own John Parr will be landing in Leeds next month for a special orchestra rendition of some of the era's greatest hits.
The rescheduled 80s Classical event comes to Leeds Millennium Square in September, taking place on Friday 10.
Those attending will be treated to chart-topping sounds from one of the most momentous decades performed by a 60 piece orchestra, accompanied by some of the decade's original performing artists.
Jimmy Somerville first performed at the event in 2019, and is now preparing to return next month with renditions of hits including Never Can Say Goodbye, Don't Leave Me This Way and Smalltown Boy.
2019's event was a huge hit in Leeds / Image: 80s Classic Leeds
Speaking on his upcoming performance, he said: “The first 80s Classical was such a memorable evening, and after everything that we have all been through over the past two years I can’t wait to perform to a packed live audience in Millennium Square once again – it is going to be truly special."
Yorkshire's own John Parr will be in attendance, playing hit St Elmo’s Fire from the cult 80s movie.
Also returning in September is synth-pop superstar Nik Kershaw, who'll be performing his like Wouldn't It Be Good and I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, as well as songwriter Carol Decker with favourites Heart and Soul and China In Your Hand.
Brit Award-winning duo Go West is also set to make an appearance. Lead singer Peter Cox and rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Richard Drummie will perform Pretty Woman hit King of Wishful Thinking as part of a ten-track smash hit setlist.
This year's event takes place at Millenium Square on 10 September / Image: 80's Classical Leeds
Backing vocalists Bianca Claxton, Gavin Condor and Adetoun Anibi will also perform a selection of crowd-pleasing 80s favourites like Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, Toto’s Africa and The Jacksons’ Can You Feel It,
“We have all so dearly missed live music and to be able to work once again with such iconic singers and the amazing Orchestra of Opera North in front a live audience is going to be such a magical feeling and provide a night full of pure joy, drama and excitement,” said Musical Director Steve Anderson, whose credits include Kylie Minogue, Emeli Sandé and Leona Lewis.
The event takes place at Millenium Square on 10 September, with doors from 6.30pm. Liverpool-based club and 80s event specialist DJs Sonic Yootha will be on the ones and twos from 6.45 pm to warm the crowd up, before main performances start at 8.15 pm.
Standing tickets start from £33 and can be purchased here.
Leeds
Female-founded independent jewellery brand to open in Leeds’ Victoria Gate
Norfolk-based jewellery brand Lisa Angel is opening their first Yorkshire site right here in Leeds.
Jewellery and trinket lovers, this one's for you.
Lisa Angel, a female-founded jewellery and gifting brand will open the doors to its new store in Victoria Gate next month.
Shoppers can expect a wonderful range of jewellery, gifts, and accessories that have established a loyal following during more than twenty years of business.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has only gone from strength to strength since.
Image: Supplied
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
After opening two stores last year and three stores in 2024, Lisa Angel’s founder and Creative Director, Lisa, said: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Managing Director James Moody explained the significance to the business of opening a new store in a city as influential as Leeds: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
We'll keep you up to date when we know an opening date, but for now you can check out what to expect here.
Yorkshire residents are being invited to name two new bin lorries
Clementine Hall
Well...this is a new one.
Ever fancied naming a bin lorry? Well today is your lucky day, because now you can.
Yorkshire-based waste management experts Divert are celebrating the arrival of two swanky new tbin rucks by inviting the local community to help name them.
The iconic purple bins, vans and trucks can be seen across the Yorkshire area helping to clean up waste from Bradford to Harrogate.
Two new lorries are set to be joining the fleet in April and May, and of course they need a name.
And who better to ask than the general public? The winning names will be added to the cabs of each of the trucks for all to see, and announced via the Divert website and social media channels.
Absolutely anyone from across the UK is welcome to take part, but the company are especially keen for people from Yorkshire to enter.
You can be as creative as you like, but there are a couple of rules...
No swearing or offensive names. Aside from that, you can let your freak flag fly.
The Divert team are keen to hear the 'best celebrity puns, local namesakes, and downright silly names' the public have to offer.
John Verity, Managing Director of Divert, comments: “Naming our bin trucks is a great way to bring some joy to the local community. We hope to bring a smile to the faces of passing drivers and pedestrians as our fleet passes by.
“Not only that, naming our lorries can help our drivers to take pride and ownership in the vehicles they drive and be a key reminder of our engagement within the community. We’re always keen to employ any initiatives that help the public to engage with us and ensure we’re seen as a friendly face in the area.”
Winners will be voted for by the team internally, and the competition closes at 5 pm on 31 March 2026.
Georgina Pellant -
12th August 2021 
