The kids have gone back to school and the Easter festivities have sadly come to a close, but that doesn't mean you have to stop having fun.
We can't quite believe how fast this year is going (yes it's almost the end of April).
And as the sun creeps out from behind the clouds, Leeds is shining in all it's glory and is absolutely bursting at the seems with exciting things to do.
From tequila festivals to new restaurant openings, pizza-flavoured burgers and pub quizzes next to the canal - grab your loved ones and get involved.
Keep reading to find out more...
Caity Baser
Monday 17 April 2023 | Leeds University Stylus
Image: Caity Baser
Viral Tik-Tok pop star sensation is embarking on her very first headline tour, and of course she'll be coming to Leeds.
Caity combines honest, no-holds-barred lyrics with lilting, catchy melodies resulting in uplifting pop songs with a real bite. Her lyrics are filled with British slang, often aimed squarely at those who have wronged her in her past.
Tuesday 18 – Sunday 23 April 2023 | Victoria Gate, Vicar Lane
Image: Opera North
“It’s time to take a soundwalk in your city as part of Leeds 2023…” This is an unmissable, free event taking place in collaboration between Opera North and Leeds 2023.
Composer and musician Abel Selaocoe has taken inspiration from the architecture of Leeds and his African heritage. Performing with the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North and guest artists, Selaocoe creates beautiful music that embraces the healing power of walking.
Simply pick up a pair of headphones and meander on a musical adventure through the city as your sound pack triggers new musical chapters to accompany you on a transformative journey, taking in Leeds’ most recognisable landmarks.
MEAT:STACK Pizza Specials
Monday 17 - Sunday 23 April 2023 | Bishopgate Street
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Popular burger spot MEAT:STACK are back at it again with deliciously unique specials, and this time it’s all about pizza. They have collaborated with Scream For Pizza to create these unbeatable specials, a fantastic pizza restaurant based in Newcastle where MEAT:STACK was born.
Expect all your fave parts of a pizza combined with Meat:Stack’s delicious grass fed, aged beef smashed patties, and of course their perfect chips– absolutely unreal.
Officially embarking on it's first full week of opening, the new restaurant will seat 160 diners in an open plan setting, featuring an impressive marble bar, outdoor terrace, on-site deli, cicchetti bar and separate lounge area.
The full menu has been designed by Gino himself, with a team of esteemed chefs, to bring the best flavours to the city for an unforgettable experience. There’s a particular focus on quality and ingredient provenance for the food whilst the drinks menu will boast signature cocktails, Italian and international wines, Prosecco, Franciacorta, spirits and artisan beers.
Wednesday 19 April 2023 | Candle House, Granary Wharf
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Every Wednesday night from 7pm there’s the chance to win a £50 bar tab and test your knowledge with a quick-on-the-draw quiz at SALT Granary Wharf. Taking place on a smartphone, there’s rounds of general knowledge, pop culture, sports and everything in between.
Make sure to assemble a team full of your smartest mates for this one, with a £50 bar tab on the line, every Wednesday is the most competitive you’ll see this place.
Leeds Tequila Festival
Friday 21st April 2023 | The Tetley, Hunslet Road
Image: Leeds Tequila Festival
We've had the whiskey festival and now Rolling Social Events are treating us to another spirit-fuelled festival and this time it's tequila.
"Regardless of whether you can explain the difference between a mezcal and sotol, have just discovered the world of agave or simply enjoy a margarita, this is an event for all levels of interest."
If you're a tequila lover this shouldn't be missed and in the glorious venue of The Tetley, it's an absolute no brainer. Get your tickets here.
The Alchemist 10th Birthday Cocktails
Monday 17 – Sunday 23 April 2023 | Trinity Leeds
Image: Supplied
Trinity rooftop bar The Alchemist turns 10 this month and is celebrating a decade of ground-breaking mixology by bringing back some crowd favourites.
Head to the beautiful rooftop bar and sample their Butter Beer, Key Lime Pie or Maple Manhattan cocktail whilst overlooking an astonishing view of the city. These comeback cocktails are popular for a reason and are not to be missed.
Hidden inside the Grand Arcade, Tailor’s is a clothes alternation store by day, bar by night and bottomless brunch hotspot on the weekends. Priced at £30 per person for 90 minutes of bottomless drinks, served with a special ‘ring for gin’ bell so you can keep topped up throughout the entire experience.
Choose from a selection of craft gin and tonics, all carefully chosen flavours perfect for a summer’s afternoon. Think Yorkshire rhubarb, British berries, Seville orange marmalade, Sicilian lemon and elderflower and a modern take on Pimms, strawberry and basil.
Leeds
Rick Astley at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Pop hitmaker Rick Astley is playing a few UK shows and is treating Leeds to a night of live music as part of The Reflection Tour.
Newton-le-Willows-born singer Rick Astley has achieved worldwide success, most notably with his work in the 80s alongside songwriting and production duo Stock-Aitken and Waterman.
Astley's album Whenever You Need Somebody has amassed 15 million sales across the globe and is a pivotal record that many would use to define 80s music.
On this LP is his huge hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up' which dropped back in 1987, with the track gaining more attention courtesy of social media trickery.
The worldwide recognition of this hit is all down to people online who deliberately link to the music video for this song, with the term being coined 'The Rickroll'.
Now, Rick Astley is returning to Leeds and ready to play out to over 13,500 people at one of Leeds' biggest indoor arenas First Direct Arena this April.
Gig guide | Rick Astley at First Direct Arena, Leeds - all you need to know
Rick Astley is bringing The Reflection Tour to Leeds this April / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
Rick Astley UK tour dates
Fri 10 April - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
Sat 11 April - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
Mon 13 April - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
Tue 14 April - Dublin, IE - 3Arena
Thu 16 April - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
Fri 17 April - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Sat 18 April - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Mon 20 April - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Tue 21 April - Cardiff, UK - Utilita Arena
Wed 22 April - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
Fri 24 April - Birmingham, UK - BP Pulse Live
Sat 25 April - London, UK - The O2
Fri 5 June - Scarborough, UK - Scarborough Open Air Theatre
Fri 19 June - Newport, UK - Isle of Wight Festival
Wed 24 June - Llangollen, UK - Llangollen Pavilion
Thu 25 June - Lincoln, UK - Lincoln Castle
Sat 27 June - Gloucester, UK - Westonbirt Arboretum
Fri 24 July - Ludlow, UK - Ludlow Castle
Sat 25 July - Sheffield, UK - Tramlines
Sat 30 August - Silverstone, UK - Carfest
Are there any tickets left for Rick Astley in Leeds?
No need to 'Cry For Help', there's plenty of tickets for Rick Astley's Leeds show at First Direct Arena and you can grab yours HERE.
It's been 'Driving Me Crazy' waiting for the right opportunity to do a little Rickrolling of my own - the actual tickets can be found HERE.
Rick Astley setlist for 2026 tour
The Reflection Tour sees Rick Astley play various shows and festivals across the UK / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
This year will mark Rick Astley's first official headline tour since 2024 meaning a full setlist is yet to be confirmed.
Here is a setlist from 2024 when the 80s performer played a series of festival sets:
Never Gonna Stop
Together Forever
Beautiful Life
It Would Take a Strong Strong Man
Dippin My Feet
Start Me Up (The Rolling Stones cover)
She Wants to Dance With Me
Juice (Lizzo cover)
Forever and More
Hold Me in Your Arms
Seventeen Going Under (Sam Fender cover)
Cry For Help
Dance
Angels On My Side
Whenever You Need Somebody (O 'Chi Brown cover)
Good Times (Chic cover)
Highway to Hell (AC/DC cover)
Maria Love
Never Gonna Give You Up
Stage times for Rick Astley and support act for First Direct Arena, Leeds
Doors for Rick Astley's The Reflection Tour are set to open from 6.30pm with an official starting time of 7.30pm.
Support for this show comes in the form of another celebrated UK performer who achieved prominence the decade after Astley - Gabrielle.
This R&B-pop singer is recognised for her 1993 hit 'Dreams' and is known for soundtracking the 90s and noughties with multiple chart entries throughout the decades.
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in Leeds
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
And about the rickrolling earlier... sorry not sorry.
Featured Images - Press shots via Peter Neill / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
Leeds
Ireland’s famous fast food phenomenon, the spice bag, has landed in Leeds Kirkgate Market
Clementine Hall
You can now grab the ultimate hangover cure at our very own Kirkgate Market.
And it comes from none other than The Fisherman's Wife - a Leeds institution that has been serving up fantastic fish and chips for over 60 years.
But now, they're turning their attention to spice bags.
If you have no idea what we're talking about then allow us to fill you in. And we'd recommend pouring yourself an ice cold glass of water, because it's about to get real salty up in here.
The spice bag is an Irish delicacy that is often devoured after a few Guinness on the streets of Dublin, for example.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It consists of shredded and battered chicken, chips, onions and peppers - all deep fried, loaded into a bag and tossed in lashings of salt and pepper seasoning.
Oh, and of course dipped or lathered in a sauce of your choosing. The classic being curry sauce, obviously.
It's been available in Leeds once before at a pop-up in Trinity Kitchen, but now The Fisherman's Wife is here to make them a permanent option for anyone with that salty craving.
You've got a couple of flavours to choose from too, including peri-peri, plain, salt & chilli and of course the classic salt & pepper.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can then add a drizzle of sriracha, curry sauce (obviously) or sticky honey if you're looking for that sweet and salty balance.
The best part? They're selling these for just £6.50.
So next time you've had a few too many the night before, get yourself to The Fisherman's Wife inside Leeds Kirkgate Market's food hall and get yourself a spice bag. You'll be cured in no time.
Clementine Hall -
17th April 2023 
