Iconic Leeds bar and venue Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen has announced plans to mark its 10th birthday with a full year-long celebration of events, including an intimate residency from critically acclaimed British MC Loyle Carner.
Alongside a host of one-off gigs, massive giveaways, food, collaborations with venue friends & partners and the return of some old favourites, Belgrave has revealed that Carner will be taking up residency in the Music Hall for two nights of live music over the 25 and 26 of March.
Collaborators for a number of years, the venue and their promoters have worked with Carner in Leeds from early shows in their 150-capacity Headrow House venue in 2015, right up to a sold-out 02 Academy Show.
Now, they've announced they'll be bringing him back to Belgrave for two special underplay shows with tickets set to go on sale via ballot to manage demand.
Founded in 2013 by Leeds live music veterans Si Stevens (The Cockpit, Constellations), Ash Kollakowski (The Faversham, Nation of Shopkeepers) and their Beacons Festival partner Dan Crouch, Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen now finds itself at the heart of the city’s creative community and a blueprint for what a modern venue should be.
With a drive to bring under-represented arts and culture to the city centre, the team leapt at the chance to breathe life back into a sprawling, disused snooker hall and, by pooling their collective creative expertise, transformed it into a permanent showcase for the very best in music, cinema, art and food.
Image: Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
Almost a decade later, this vision still resounds; the venue’s exciting roster of resident DJs play in the Canteen seven days a week whilst the ornate, three hundred capacity Music Hall has hosted an incredible array of artists from Royal Blood and Jorja Smith to Stormzy and The Fall.
The tenth birthday celebrations will kick off with a massive free New Years' Eve bash with DJ’s playing hits from the last decade, throughout the rest of the year Belgrave will be hosting an exciting series of events and collaborations to kick off their 10th anniversary celebrations.
The Belgrave has also announced that like-minded Leeds institutions Jumbo Records, Crash Records, Leeds International Festival of Ideas, Thought Bubble Festival, Leeds International Film Festival and Welcome Skate Store will all be taking over the venue and collaborating on events among many others.
Image: Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
Elsewhere, events from DIY synth festival Modular Meets and Leeds 2023 will provide a platform for new sounds and ideas and an exciting series of food collaborations will keep everyone very well-fed.
After all, alongside this rich musical history, the Belgrave is just as renowned for its culinary offerings as its audio.
The monthly Belgrave Feast is the longest-running street food festival in the UK and the resident kitchens, once home to Leeds legends Layne’s Espresso, Bundobust, Fish & and Manjit’s Kitchen, now house Dough Boys, a Yorkshire take on the New York style slice bar that has been featured in The Telegraph, The Guardian and on Buzzfeed; as well as Patty’s, the beloved burger bar serving up fresh, homemade patties alongside their famous session fries.
Deeply embedded in the cultural offerings of the city, Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen regularly takes part in key cultural events such as Leeds International Film Festival, Yorkshire-wide comic art extravaganza Thought Bubble Festival, Live At Leeds and Leeds Indie Food.
The venue has also offered space and support for thousands of events since opening its doors, partnering with the likes ofBBC6 Music, Channel 4, MTV, Vice, Festival Republic, Leeds City Council and Greenpeace, to name just a few.
Image: Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
With plenty more party pieces to come, including the illuminating ‘Stories of Belgrave’ project and giving customers a chance to win a holiday as part of a number of huge giveaways throughout the year, The Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen is celebrating ten years as a beacon of creativity, culture and community in the best way possible, by kicking off the next decade in a similar style.
Belgrave Music Hall Co-founder Simon Stevens said: “I’m really not sure what we expected when we first opened in 2013 but it’s amazing to be making plans for our 10th anniversary year.
"I think it was more good luck than good judgement but the city definitely felt ready for change in 2013 and we’re incredibly appreciative to all the people that helped make it possible.”
Feature image - Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
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Legally Blonde at Leeds Grand Theatre – a powerful portrayal drenched in pink | Review
Nearly twenty years on, Legally Blonde still reminds audiences never to underestimate themselves.
There is something wonderfully refreshing about a musical that embraces joy without irony, and the 2026 touring production of Legally Blonde at the Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House does exactly that.
This sparkling revival captures all the charm, humour, and heart that has made the show a modern musical theatre favourite, proving that Elle Woods' story has lost none of its appeal.
Adapted from the beloved 2001 film, Legally Blonde remains far more than a fluffy feel-good comedy. Nearly twenty years after its Broadway debut, its themes of self-worth, perseverance and refusing to be underestimated continue to resonate, making the show's message feel as relevant as ever.
Image: Supplied
From the opening strains of 'Omigod You Guys!', the production establishes an infectious energy that rarely lets up.
Much of its success lies in Leah Hill's exhilarating choreography, which is packed with vitality and executed with astonishing precision. The ensemble attacks every routine with unwavering commitment, and the athletic feat that is 'Whipped Into Shape' proves a particular highlight. I will forever question how nobody appears remotely out of breath in this number.
Images: Supplied
At the centre of it all is Amber Davies, who proves herself perfectly suited to the role of Elle Woods. Effortlessly capturing the character's optimism and determination, Davies delivers a performance that goes far beyond the familiar blonde stereotype.
She brings warmth, vulnerability and impeccable comic timing to the role, ensuring that Elle's transformation from heartbroken sorority president to accomplished law student feels both authentic and genuinely moving.
Image: Supplied
Vocally, Davies is superb. She tackles the demanding score with apparent ease, bringing emotional depth to the title number whilst delivering a thrilling rendition of 'So Much Better'. Her natural comic playfulness shines throughout, making both performer and character utterly irresistible.
Equally memorable is Karen Mavundukure's delightful turn as Paulette Bonafonté. Bringing warmth and comic flair in abundance, she proves herself as one of the evening's standout performers. Her heartfelt rendition of 'Ireland' beautifully captures the character's hopes and insecurities, while her scenes with Kyle provide some of the night's biggest laughs.
What makes Legally Blonde so enduring is its sincerity. Rather than making Elle Woods the punchline, the show celebrates kindness, female friendship and self-belief. In a world often quick to judge, there is something deeply appealing about a story that wears its optimism so proudly.
Legally Blonde is running until 13 June at Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House and you can grab your tickets here.
Five of the best new openings in Leeds recently – from ice bath cafes to listening bars
Clementine Hall
It's been a brilliant couple of months for new openings in Leeds.
We don't know about you, but we think our city is really thriving with all it has to offer at the moment.
There's been a flurry of new spots opening up, and if you haven't visited them then we urge you to check them out.
But first, allow us to tell you all about them...
Domo
Tower works, 2 Globe Rd, Holbeck, LS11 5QG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing Domo, an independent restaurant born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities that aren't often seen outside the island, all made entirely in-house.
Located right on the water's edge, we've got a feeling this is going to be our go-to spot this summer for long lunches fuelled by spritzes.
Also born in Sheffield, this one's for the matcha lovers and we know there's a lot of you. Think iced banana bread matcha, superfood smoothies and refreshing acai bowls served in a super cool setting.
Kontrast
84-86 Railway Street, Saxton Gardens, LS9 8HB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
After already making a big name for themselves over in Manchester, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath cafe concept over to Leeds. Located under the railway arches, Kontrast features two traditional saunas, one infrared sauna, and four ice baths, each varying in temperature between three and 13 degrees. It's the perfect space to enjoy solo or with a group of like-minded wellness-loving people.
Scott and his partner have opened the coolest, 70's inspired record bar that is full of his massive record collection alongside a carefully curated cocktail menu with a twist. With the best view of Sunny Bank Mills, Pardon Me is just the most chilled out place to watch the world go by whilst sipping on a coffee or a glass of wine whilst hearing everything from hip hop and soul to deep house, and disco. We loved our visit and we know you will too.
We all know and bloody love Silver's Deli over in Bramley, but now they’ve branched out to Farsley and opened the wonderful their very own bakery which is already a sell-out.
The all-new neighbourhood bakehouse is slinging out the likes of homemade focaccia, buttermilk brownies, sausage rolls, cookies, tiramisu and, of course, the ever-so-famous sandos but this time in homemade, fluffy focaccia.
Georgina Pellant -
6th December 2022 
