The Leeds legend has been announced as the headliner for the pilot of WX Live, a series of concerts taking place at Wakefield Exchange.
Presented by Wakefield Council, the fantastic new programme of live music in the multi-use space endeavours to bring world-class live music experiences to the city.
Renowned singer, songwriter and Leeds-born Corinne Bailey Rae shot to stardom with her self-titled no. 1 UK debut album in 2006, featuring the global hits ‘Put Your Records On’ and ‘Like A Star’.
Over the course of her career, Bailey Rae has released four critically acclaimed studio records, sold over 10 million albums worldwide; worked with a wide range of music legends such as Paul McCartney, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder and more.
Image: Supplied
It's the perfect headliner to open the series of performances a WX Live and we're sure she's going to kick things off in style.
Having opened in February 2025, Wakefield Exchange has been hosting events, exhibitions and performances for local people of all ages as well as being home to lots of independent businesses.
Corinne Bailey Rae said: “I'm so excited to be the first artist to headline Wakefield Exchange, and to be a part of launching this new space for people in Wakefield to come and enjoy live music and the arts. It's always special for us to be able to play at home in West Yorkshire and I can't wait to perform a very special show xx"
Image: Supplied
Cllr Hannah Appleyard, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “Wakefield Exchange is fast becoming a vibrant hub where local communities and visitors come together to enjoy unforgettable events.
"Its transformation into a venue capable of hosting large-scale music gigs marks a significant milestone in enhancing our district’s cultural landscape."
Corinne Bailey Rae will perform at XY Live on Saturday 18 October, tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday 4 September and you can grab yours here.
After closing for the entire second day, The Warehouse stage at Leeds Festival has once again been forced to evacuate.
One of the most anticipated dance acts of the day has been cancelled due to health and safety concerns just moments before the set.
Sheffield DJ Silva Bumpa was due to take to The Warehouse stage today at 1:30pm, but the set was cancelled due to overcrowding.
It's not the first time this has happened at Leeds Festival 2026, as yesterday Omar+'s set was cancelled due to the same issue and the stage was subsequently closed for the rest of the day.
The Warehouse stage is completely new for this year, and supposedly is designed specifically for dance music...which is quite ironic.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Silva Bumpa said: "So so sorry Leeds Fest but due to over crowding my set was cancelled last min I was just behind the stage and got told right before such a massive shame."
Prospa, another prominent DJ who's set was cancelled at Reading on Friday afternoon, spoke up on the situation: "We are disappointed in The Warehouse stage closure at Reading Festival. We were told it wasn't possible to play whilst on the way. This was due to too many people outside the stage.
"We have seen this happen before at larger festivals in the UK. It's time to double the capacity of tents or put dance music on the main stage."
It comes after another dance stage, LS23, was closed mid-set last night due to a health and safety hazard when all the lights suddenly switched off and ravers were forced to evacuate.
If yesterday is anything to go by, we wouldn't be surprised if The Warehouse was closed for the rest of the day which means anticipated sets from Rossi and Mall Grab will also be cancelled.
‘Actually lost for words’ – huge artist speaks out as Leeds Festival set is cancelled due to overcrowding
Clementine Hall
For the second day in a row, a huge set has been cancelled due to overcrowding at Reading and Leeds Festival.
Day two of the festival and there's some pretty disappointed ravers hanging their head as one of the biggest dance music sets of the day is cancelled.
Omar+, a rising British electronic DJ and producer, was due to play on the brand-new Warehouse stage at Reading yesterday and Leeds today.
Yesterday's set was cancelled last minute due to overcrowding, and low and behold the same has happened here in Leeds.
Announcing the sad news to his story, Omar+ said "Actually lost for words. My Leeds set has been cancelled due to overcrowding."
He then went on to show a screenshot of a text message, reading: "I've never seen something like this in my entire life where two shows back to back are cancelled due to overcrowding."
The Warehouse stage is completely new for this year, and supposedly is designed specifically for dance music...which is quite ironic.
Prospa, another prominent DJ who's set was cancelled at Reading yesterday, spoke up on the situation: "We are disappointed in The Warehouse stage closure at Reading Festival. We were told it wasn't possible to play whilst on the way. This was due to too many people outside the stage.
"We have seen this happen before at larger festivals in the UK. It's time to double the capacity of tents or put dance music on the main stage."
It comes after another dance stage, LS23, was closed mid-set last night due to a health and safety hazard when all the lights suddenly switched off and ravers were forced to evacuate.
Clementine Hall -
3rd September 2025 
