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.
S Club will be heading back toYorkshire on a newly-announced 13-date arena tour next year.
The pop icons have announced the Ain’t No Party Like A S Club Party tour, which will see Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel and Tina back on stage for the ultimate pop party.
The huge tour includes a night at the First Direct Bank Arena in Leeds, a night at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, as well as two gigs at the O2 in London.
S Club are one of Britain’s most successful pop groups, formerly known as S Club 7, who went on to become a cultural phenomenon with their own TV series – one of which, L.A. 7, remains the highest-rated programme of all time on CBBC.
Their smash hits include Reach, Don’t Stop Movin, Bring It All Back, Never Had A Dream Come True, and S Club Party.
In 2023, S Club celebrated their 25th anniversary with a sellout UK and US tour, shortly after the tragic death of former member Paul Cattermole.
Now, five of the original seven are ready to bring the party back to Manchester, as S Club return to the stage.
They’ll have very special guests supporting on the tour too, announcing Boyzlife, the supergroup made up of the former Boyzone and Westlife members Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden.
S Club say: “We can’t wait to get back out on tour, see you all and celebrate the songs, memories and moments we’ve shared together over the years.
“It’s going to be one BIG party, and we want you all to be part of it!”
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 6 November HERE.
Manic Street Preachers and Suede at First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds – stage times, setlists, and more
Daisy Jackson
Beloved British bands Manic Street Preachers and Suede are back on the road with another co-headline UK tour, including a massive Leeds date.
The two seasoned UK rock artists have teamed up for a huge run of live shows, which will bring them to the First Direct Bank Arena this week.
Both will be playing tracks from their newest releases – as well as a fair few of the hits.
The Welsh rock icons and the long-standing 1990s favourites from the London scene have more than 75 years of experience between them, with both outfits forming in the mid to late 80s.
This co-headline arena tour marks the biggest collaboration to date for both legendary bands and offers a unique opportunity to experience their renowned live performances.
If you’re heading to see Manic Street Preachers and Suede in Manchester, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know.
Manic Street Preachers and Suede UK tour dates
Wednesday 28 October – Glasgow OVO Hydro
Friday 30 October – Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
Saturday 31 October – Manchester Co-op Live
Tuesday 3 November – Cardiff Utilita Arena
Wednesday 4 November – Cardiff Utilita Arena
Friday 6 November – London The O2
Saturday 7 November – Birmingham Utilita Arena
Wednesday 11 November – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
Thursday 12 November – Bournemouth International Centre
Tickets for Manic Street Preachers and Suede in Leeds
If you’ve not yet snapped up tickets to see Manic Street Preachers and Suede, worry not – there are still some on sale even this close to the show.
Floor standing tickets are available for £70.90 each, or seat are priced at £70.90 or £87.95 each.
You can see the latest availability and grab tickets HERE.
Suede and Manic Street Preachers are on a joint tour and coming to Manchester. Credit: Publicity picture
Stage times for Manic Street Preachers and Suede
First Direct Bank Arena hasn’t yet confirmed stage times for the show, other than the general admission doors will open at 6pm.
The bands are actually taking it in turns as to who plays first and who closes out the show – but apparently for Leeds it will be Manic Street Preachers first, Suede second.
Setlist for Suede
Disintegrate
Dancing With the Europeans
Trash
Animal Nitrate
We Are the Pigs
Personality Disorder
The 2 of Us
My City
Filmstar
Antidepressants
June Rain
She Still Leads Me On
Trance State
The Wild Ones
So Young
Metal Mickey
Beautiful Ones
Setlist for Manic Street Preachers
Motorcycle Emptiness
Ocean Spray
Faster
Decline & Fall
You Stole the Sun From My Heart
Everything Must Go
Walk Me to the Bridge
No Surface All Feeling
Autumnsong
A Design for Life
From Despair to Where
The Everlasting
Slash ‘n’ Burn
Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
La tristesse durera (Scream to a Sigh)
Die in the Summertime
You Love Us
If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
How to get to First Direct Arena
Bus Station
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.
Thomas Melia -
19th December 2025 
