To celebrate the artist's debut album release, Holly Humberstone will be spending the night in Leeds chatting to us locals about
With a number of EPs already under her belt and collaborations with some of the UK's biggest artists of the decade - you'd be forgiven for thinking Holly Humberstone has been doing the festival circuit for years.
A name you're likely to have seen creeping later into the evenings towards and up the slots over the last few years - and now she's finally ready to release her full debut album just weeks after gracing us on the Main Stage at Leeds Festival.
And of course, what's an album launch without sharing the music with the most loyal of your fans first?
Holly Humberstone will be coming on the road and heading to Leeds to give the city an intimate night of tunes from Paint My Bedroom Black just a fortnight before its release.
Paint My Bedroom Black will be released on Friday 13 October 2023. / Image: Supplied, Chuff Media
The Sleep Tight singer will be coming to Leeds to perform at The Wardrobe, all as part of a special Crash Records show on Thursday 2 October 2023.
Holly's album will then be released on Friday 13 October following the intimate album tour.
The full dates to catch Holly at her only live performances outside of festivals this year are as followed:
Wednesday 1 October – Jacaranda, Liverpool Thursday 2 October – Crash Records, Leeds Friday 3 October – Rough Trade, Nottingham Sunday 5 October – Banquet, London Monday 6 October –Vinilo, Southampton
Who is Holly Humberstone?
You might recognise the BRIT Rising Star performer from her Live At Leeds performance last year, or if you're an avid Spotify playlist listener, you'll have caught tracks like Can You Afford To Lose Me, and single Sleep Tight, which was co-written with The 1975’s frontman, Matty Healy, on a hand-picked playlist over the last year or so.
Chuff Media says that 'Snapshots of Holly flit everywhere' - and we couldn't agree more. 'From last year’s single “Can You Afford To Lose Me”, performed on Late Night With Stephen Colbert, to playing Matty Healy co-written “Sleep Tight” for VEVO, taking festivals by storm from Coachella to her debut Glastonbury performance and Reading & Leeds. Humberstone has become one of the most loved breakthrough artists for her raw, unfiltered, confessional songwriting and distinctive, can-hear-a-pin-drop vocals, picking up fans from Olivia Rodrigo to Phoebe Bridgers, Sigrid to Glass Animals and Sam Fender, and inspiring the next generation of alternative pop acts including Tommy Lefroy, Katie Gregson-Macleod, and Matilda Mann, whilst collaborating with the likes of Jack Steadman in Bombay Bicycle Club and Griff.'
Holly Humberstone will also be performing on the Main Stage at Leeds Festival this weekend for those wanting to catch a glimpse of the artist before her album launch later this year.
A new grassroots music space is opening in Headingley with a mission to make DJing, vinyl and music culture more accessible.
Meanhood Studios, founded by long-time LS6 residents Jim and Katie Young, will combine a professional DJ rehearsal studio, record shop, performance space and tuition hub all under one roof.
Their aim is simple, "to level the playing field in a scene that has often felt exclusive and gatekept.”
Meanhood started as a guerrilla pop-up record shop in lockdown when Jim started selling records from his personal collection.
Built solely on quality and word-of-mouth reputation, the venture quickly grew into a respected local record spot known for its carefully curated vinyl selection.
Images: Supplied
Jim’s roots trace back to Manchester’s late-90s free party scene, he began DJing at 17 and from Hyde Park house parties to residencies at legendary clubs, he went on to host nights featuring artists who would later become major names in UK dance music.
Katie grew up in rural Cumbria, discovering music through pirate radio, library tapes and out-of-town raves. After moving to Leeds for university, she built a 20-year corporate career while supporting events, fly-posting for club nights and working behind the scenes.
“DJing is so much more than pushing buttons,” says Jim. “You’ve got to love it when no one’s watching. We want to share that knowledge and remove some of the barriers we experienced.”
Meanhood Studios will open on Friday 13 March and will offer access to equipment, rehearsal space, vinyl records and tuition for aspiring DJs and music lovers.
It's more important now than ever to support grassroots music venues, and we can't wait to check out this new space.
The Kooks, Miles Kane and Milburn to open Rock n Roll Circus as the festival expands to four days
Clementine Hall
Just when it you thought that the Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield line-up was complete, organisers have confirmed a major expansion for 2026.
That's right, the festival will now open a day earlier on Thursday 27 August.
The brand-new opening night will be led by The Kooks, Milburn and Miles Kane - this is going to be a bank holiday weekend you'll never forget.
Further artists for Thursday 27 August - and across the entire four-day weekend - will be announced in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled.
It's a welcome addition to what was already shaping up to be one of the standout festival weekends of the summer.
Image: Supplied
Friday will see The Streets headline with a special performance of A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full. Saturday will be led by one of the UK’s most exciting modern guitar bands, Wunderhorse, supported by Baxter Dury, Mercury Prize winners English Teacher, and London favourites Fat Dog, whilst Sunday will be closed by the one and only Richard Ashcroft.
Festival Director Ali O’Reilly said:“Opening the weekend with The Kooks performing Inside In / Inside Out in full, Milburn returning home and Miles Kane joining the bill feels like a statement night for Sheffield.
“What makes Rock N Roll Circus special is that we can celebrate iconic albums and artists that shaped a generation, while also giving space to the next wave of talent coming through. That mix of heritage and hometown pride is exactly what this festival is about.
“Sheffield has always brought an incredible atmosphere to Don Valley Bowl, and expanding the programme this way gives us even more room to create something memorable for the Bank Holiday weekend.”
Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield takes place at Don Valley Bowl from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 August 2026, and you can get your tickets here.
Sophie Smith -
23rd August 2023 
