Leeds has been treated to magical music moments, and we've rounded up some of the best gigs and concerts we were lucky enough to see in 2025.
Local music establishments, give yourselves a huge pat on the back, because you've done it again, bringing together class artists for another year of phenomenal live music.
This city has hosted a wide range of bands and musicians, from US exports to hometown heroes, glam rock geniuses to soulful singer-songwriters; the list is endless.
There's been a whole host of cultural moments that have taken place in our city, so here's a look back at some of the very best throughout the year. Leeds, we've well and truly been spoiled.
Top 10 best gigs and concerts we saw in Leeds | 2025
Gracie Abrams - Leeds First Direct Arena
Gracie Abrams played a packed-out Leeds crowd at First Direct Arena back in March (Credit: Audio North)
But, just two weeks later, she took to the Leeds First Direct Arena stage and had us screaming tracks like 'Risk', 'us.' and 'Where do we go now?' at the top of our lungs.
After watching this singer-songwriter play out to the over 13,000 capacity venue, Abrams had us in awe of her talent while simultaneously wondering if we could rock a bob-cut as impressive as hers.
about-faces - Lending Room
Lending Room had Leeds local act about-faces performing back in April / Credit: (The Hoot Leeds)
Who says you're 'Too Old For Fun'? Certainly not about-faces, Leeds-based rock band, who played out at the intimate venue Lending Room back in April.
This band are no stranger to a live performance or two, closing out the year with another Leeds date at local music institution, Brudenell Social Club.
If you're yet to watch these local legends grace the stage, you're in luck, as they're heading to Huddersfield next year to support East London Desert Rockers The Howlers at The Parish - see you there.
Inhaler - O2 Academy Leeds
The Leeds crowd went crazy for Inhaler at O2 Academy Leeds back in February / Credit: The Hoot
These Irish rockers had us catching our breath when they treated us to a three-song encore consisting of 'Open Wide', 'It Won't Always Be Like This' and 'Your House'.
The O2 Academy Leeds crowd rose to the occasion when they received not one but two live debuts in the form of 'X-Ray' and 'Billy (Yeah Yeah Yeah)'.
Besides playing a packed-out Leeds gig, this February night was even more memorable for the Indie rockers as it also marked the release of their LP Open Wide.
Live At Leeds: In The Park
Live At Leeds: In The Park had an awesome line-up for the Temple Newsam crowd / Credit: The Hoot
This bi-annual music celebration makes us feel like Christmas came early - twice - with 'Live At Leeds: In The Park' in Summer and 'Live At Leeds: In The City' taking place in Autumn.
It's always a jam-packed day of music, and 2025 was no different with Bloc Party, Manic Street Preachers, Yard Act and more making up the bill.
It was a very special occasion for one artist in particular as Brit star Natasha Bedingfield celebrated 20 years of her huge hit 'Unwritten' and the Temple Newsam crowd loved every second of it.
A Day To Remember - Slam Dunk Festival North
One day later and Temple Newsam was filled with rock and alt artists for Slam Dunk / Credit: The Hoot
Movements, Neck Deep and Hot Mulligan soundtracked the start of the day before US rockers A Day To Remember closed out with an electric set, even playing a cover of 'Since U Been Gone'.
This band, paired with the almost-perfect weather, really made Slam Dunk Festival North a day to remember, excuse the pun.
Chappell Roan - Leeds Fest
Leeds Fest was iconic, and Chappell Roan wowed Bramham Park in August / Credit: The Hoot
The CEO of the 'Pink Pony Club' came to Leeds at the end of August, and she really was 'The Giver', treating us to a near 20-song setlist.
Leeds definitely earned itself some bragging rights as Chappell said our crowd were the loudest she had ever heard after she performed her yearning hit single, 'The Subway'.
The city was filled with live music from Amyl and the Sniffers, Bring Me The Horizon, AJ Tracey and Travis Scott, with this Leeds date being a European exclusive set - a stellar line-up as always.
If you received your Spotify Wrapped and this Neo-Soul queen wasn't top five, you haven't done 2025 right.
'Nice To Each Other', 'Man I Need', 'So Easy (To Fall In Love)', the number of hits Ms Dean has racked up over the course of the year is endless.
The London 'Lady Lady' took to The Wardrobe for two intimate shows ahead of the release of her latest album, The Art of Loving, which has been on repeat since it dropped at the end of September.
Get Down Services - Brudenell Social Club
Energetic and lighthearted, Get Down Services had Brudenell Social Club roaring / Credit: The Hoot
Bristol duo Get Down Services - who refer to themselves as 'Britain's best band' - visited one of Britain's best venues, Brudenell Social Club, this November.
They performed a selection of hits that were the 'Cream of the Crop', including some from their debut album, named after one of the country's favourite snacks, Crisps.
The pair might not have been wearing shirts as they paraded the stage, but they still had all their usual charm, charisma and witty lyrics.
Keo - The Key Club
The Key Club was electric as ever when Keo played an anthemic gig date in late October / Credit: The Hoot
It was a family affair at The Key Club as brothers Finn and Conor Keogh, alongside bandmates Oli and Jimmy, played a cracking Leeds gig in late October.
The band had this music venue in the palm of its 'Hands' as they jammed out with tracks like 'Kind, If You Will' and 'Only We Know'.
Of course, we have to mention the epic crowdpleaser 'I Lied, Amber', which closed out the show - please come back soon, Keo.
Kaiser Chiefs - Temple Newsam
The riot predictors, Kaiser Chiefs, celebrated 20 years of Employment at Temple Newsam / Credit: The Hoot
The hitmakers played out at Temple Newsam over the summer as they celebrated 20 years since their glorious album Employment.
This band 'Never Miss a Beat' and in case you missed it the first time round, Ricky and his band blessed the crowd with two renditions of 'I Predict a Riot'.
It's always sentimental to watch this huge band, especially in their hometown of Leeds, and even more so when they covered 'Blitzkrieg Bop' by The Ramones and brought out the Leeds United Championship trophy.
Kenzo Jae is a creative who wants to put Bradford on the music map through his alternative-rap tracksand now he's Audio North's Artist of the Month.
This multi-tasking mastermind doesn't only record his own music, he's also a digital illustrator and graphic designer - Oh, and he even directs his own music videos (Leave some talent for the rest of us - We're begging).
Embarking on The Sloth Tour with three UK based dates in Manchester, Leeds and London throughout October, where Kenzo Jae will be playing out hits like 'Softly', 'Chicken Bagel', 'End of the World' and more.
This storytelling songwriter now sits down with Audio North to chat all things Artist of the Month and share a little more insight into his music career so far.
Audio North's Artist of the Month - Kenzo Jae | Interview
How much does being from Bradford influence the music you release?
All aspects of my personality have been influenced by Bradford, and I’m never more myself than when I’m writing. So lyrically Bradford has had a big impact.
What’s it like being an artist from Bradford?
At first it felt like something I had to hide. Now it’s something I wear as a badge. There’s not many of us in the grand scheme of things. It’s a niche club and I love that. The underdogs.
What northern artists are you loving at the minute?
If you could describe your artistry in three words what would they be and why?
Honest - I try not to hide behind anything in my music even when it’s critical of myself. If something has happened to me or I’m feeling something, I’d rather put it into a song exactly as it is. Might take me a few years but once it’s in the song I can get over it
Colourful - The vision of the world of my music to me feels saturated and bright. the occasional darkness but for the most part.
Arrogant - I think it takes a level of arrogant to do and say certain things in my music. Even to do the visual aspects too painting myself pink, wearing a sloth hat etc Takes an arrogance to think yeah I can put myself in such a weird position and believe it’s going to work
You’ve already amassed over 100k streams on SLOTH - How are you feeling about its reception so far?
It’s been great to see that people have really resonated with the story and the arc I have been on. I want to push it further and hope it reaches everyone that needs it
How fulfilling is it for you to release the SLOTH mixtape, a title you’ve held onto since you were 16?
The most cathartic feeling. Especially when it’s you know you’ve made it exactly the way I intended. It’s also a learning curve for things I will do differently for the next one.
You posted a reel describing how you spent two weeks animating a music video for yourself- How important is being hands-on in all aspects of your music career?
I’m a control freak. And if something is in my head, it’s a lot easier to do it myself. Don’t get me wrong , I work with a lot of hard working talented people that I can now trust and delegate work to. But on this instant, I love animation and I find the most enjoyment in editing visuals
Since you have a track titled ‘Chicken Bagel’, where are some of your favourite brunch or general food spots in West Yorkshire?
I grew up on chicken shops and Salah's is the goat. In terms of restaurants, Classic Persian is the best for me.
You’re not afraid of risk-taking and standing out, even going as far as painting yourself pink for one of your visuals - what advice would you give to any emerging artists who want to be as confident as you?
You have to be willing to embarrass yourself. The stuff that feels slightly uncomfortable, is usually the stuff that people remember.
And confidence doesn’t necessarily mean thinking you’re amazing. Sometimes it’s just being willing to say, “I don’t care if this is weird, I like it.”
It’s also it’s just more fun to feel like your outside of the box
Innovative Leeds music venue TESTBED announces launch party lineup
Thomas Melia
Ever-evolving Leeds music hotspot TESTBED is making its grand return to Leeds city centre with an impressive launch party lineup.
Recognised as a cultural venue for bringing people together via music, TESTBED has hosted a variety of club nights in its warehouse location since 2024.
Back in April, it was announced that the team behind this rave-centric club were transforming this space from it's 'Phase 1.3' to 'Phase 2.0'.
Now, TESTBED has released the full lineup for its upcoming launch party which will show off some of the venue's latest features like its 360-degree DJ booth, improved acoustics and 5,000 sq ft mezzanine and balcony area.
Annie Mac is headlining the TESTBED Leeds launch party joined by Horse Meat Disco / Credit: Press Shots (via supplied)
Previous performers include Liverpool dance music duo Camelphat, house music DJ Alisha, Netherlands-own Chris Stussy and more, so it will come as no surprise that this relaunch features an equally-stellar lineup.
Fronting the bill for the TESTBED Launch Party is none other than EDM connoisseur and influential figure Annie Mac, who's hosted a variety of radio shows across the BBC as well as curating a set or two herself.
Also in attendance is Horse Meat Disco, a group who put disco and queer culture at the forefront of each and every high-energy set.
Irish selector Shee is also showing off his music expertise and already having collaborations with the likes of A-trak and Karma Kid, expect to hear some tunes.
Shee and Junior Simba will be taking to the decks to wow the crowds over at TESTBED Leeds / Credit: Press Shots (via supplied)
Seasoned club DJ and presenter Marcia Carr, known for playing live sets with vinyl records, will also be soundtracking the night too, playing out everything from Afrohouse to dubstep.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Leeds-based party without some local talent courtesy of Junior Simba who's quickly become a key player in the house music scene.
And if that wasn't enough raving for you, TESTBED has already announced even more insane nights of music madness featuring ROSSI., Interplanetary Criminal and Obskür.
TESTBED's opening party is taking place on Saturday 3 October from 2pm til 12am and you can grab tickets from as little as £20 HERE.
Thomas Melia -
19th December 2025 
