There's a huge lineup of outdoor gigs set to take place in Summer 2026 and they're coming to Halifax's very own Grade I Listed building, Piece Hall.
If it wasn't apparent already, the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting darker, so what better way to cure your summer blues than booking an outdoor concert or two.
Piece Hall has become a staple gig spot over the years hosting the likes of Rag 'n' Bone Man, KT Tunstall and The Smashing Pumpkins with 2026 shaping up to be just as good.
The lineup so far spans everything from pop, rock, soul, alternative and many more meaning there's plenty of opportunities for you to visit this Halifax landmark.
So with no further ado, here's all the big gigs and artists who are coming to Piece Hall in Halifax next summer.
Embrace
Embrace are coming to Piece Hall in Halifax next summer / Credit: Press Shots (via Supplied)
Of course, we couldn't have anyone else kicking off this outdoor summer gig series than Embrace who are local musical legends being from the neighbouring town of Brighouse.
This rock band aren't just heading on the road to play out their tracks, they're also celebrating 30 years since they first established themselves in the music industry, forming in 1996.
Expect to hear huge hits like 'Gravity', 'Ashes', 'Come Back To What You Know' and make sure to raise a glass or two to these lads on their remarkable achievement on 13 June 2026.
Paul Weller (14 June)
Paul Weller is coming to Piece Hall in Halifax next summer / Credit: Press Shots (via Dean Chalkley)
Ladies and gentleman, 'The Modfather' is in town and he's bringing his trailblazing rock hits to Piece Hall in Halifax for all to enjoy.
After being the frontman of The Jam throughout the late 70's, Weller went on to become an award-winning soloist and influential figure in music.
Now, Paul Weller is ready to rock out to crowds on 14 June when he plays his timeless classics like 'You Do Something To Me' and 'Wild Wood'.
The Kooks (19 June)
The Kooks are coming to Piece Hall in Halifax next summer / Credit: Press Shots (via Supplied)
'Ooh La' The Kooks are coming to Piece Hall next summer too and they're ready to rock out with the Halfiax crowd.
The Indie band are making sure their summer schedule is stacked with concerts in many outdoor live music spaces including Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Delamere Forest too.
Get ready to belt all the words to 'She Moves in Her Own Way' and more when they visit on 19 June.
Ethel Cain
Ethel Cain is coming to Piece Hall in Halifax next summer / Credit: Press Shots (via Dollie Kyarn)
The 'American Teenager' songwriter is gearing up to play her second Piece Hall date visiting West Yorkshire back in 2023 after the release of Preacher's Daughter.
Gaining popularity in the Alternative and Indie space, Cain has released another album in August this year titled 'Willougby Tucker, I'll Always Love You'.
We're expecting to hear one name get screamed louder than others on 20 June with Cain's popular track 'Janie' making waves online.
Belle and Sebastian
Belle and Sebastian are coming to Piece Hall in Halifax next summer / Credit: Press Shots (via See Tickets UK)
Scottish indie-pop collective Belle and Sebastian are playing just one day later and you won't be 'Waiting for the Moon to Rise' when they play during summer.
This date marks part of their anniversary tour, where just like Embrace they're celebrating 30 years of 'Tigermilk' and 'If You're Feeling Sinister' playing each in full on alternate nights.
We're hoping it's 'Another Sunny Day' when Belle and Sebastian make their way over to Piece Hall on 21 June.
James Arthur (4 July)
James Arthur is coming to Piece Hall in Halifax next summer / Credit: Press Shots (via Supplied)
X-Factor winner turned hitmaker, James Arthur is heading to Halifax for one night only playing his radio-reigning records.
Arthur has amassed 33 million monthly listeners on Spotify with hits like 'Say You Won't Let Go','Impossible' and 'Train Wreck'.
You can catch this pop star strumming his iconic guitar to the West Yorkshire crowds and singing his catchy melodies at the Piece Hall on 4 July.
Tom Grennan (26 July)
Tom Grennan is coming to Piece Hall in Halifax next summer / Credit: Press Shot (via Supplied)
It's impossible to talk about Tom Grennan without making reference to his stint lending his vocals to men's grooming brand Gillette - "The best a man can get".
Besides soundtracking the UK advert, the pop vocalist has released a string of singles like 'Remind Me', 'Little Bit of Love' and fronting the Calvin Harris tune 'By Your Side'.
Grennan is serenading the nation with a string of concerts throughout summer including Lincoln Castle, Ludlow Castle and Piece Hall on 26 July.
For all the gigs listed above, doors are expected to open at 6pm with a last entry time scheduled for 8pm and anyone under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Each live show also has a curfew of 10.30pm meaning you can leave this Grade I Listed building in plenty of time before the clock strikes 12, or enjoy a pint or two in one of Halifax's notable watering holes.
You can grab tickets to any of the above summer gigs at Piece Hall in Halifax and browse the outdoor venue's other activities HERE.
Featured Images - Press Shots (via Supplied) / Tim Green via Wikimedia Commons
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Independent Leeds coffee shop crowned one of the UK’s best for 2026
A list of the UK's best independent coffee shops for 2026 has been released, and one in Leeds has come up trumps.
The coffee shop in question may come as no surprise to some of you, as some would say that after 15 years in the city it's become somewhat of an institution.
Of course it's none other than Laynes.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Olejnik, Laynes began life on New Station Street and quickly became one of the first venues in Leeds to focus on carefully sourced and roasted coffee beans, helping lead the way for the city's now-thriving independent coffee scene.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's a proper Leeds staple at this point, sat proudly with its glowing yellow exterior and queues out the door full of punters looking for their morning caffeine fix.
But it's not just us who think it's flipping fantastic, as a new study has revealed the top 10 most popular independent coffee shops in the country and Laynes comes in at a very respectable number 8.
The list, made by Capital on Tap, analysed coffee across the UK looking at Google reviews, monthly searches and social media success.
Laynes was in some pretty good company including Idle Hands in Manchester and Kaf Coffee in Glasgow. But most importantly, none of the top 10 were in London - make of that what you will.
The top 10 most popular independent coffee shops for 2026:
Everything you need to know about watching the solar eclipse in Leeds
Emily Sergeant
People all across the UK will be able to see an almost total solar eclipse in the sky this evening.
For the first time this century, with the last one being all the way back in 1999, people in the UK and Ireland – including here in Leeds – will get to see 90-96% of the sun covered by the moon today (12 August 2026), and if that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, this will be the last chance to do so until 2081.
NASA and Royal Museums Greenwich has confirmed that tomorrow’s solar eclipse will be the most coverage seen from the UK and Ireland since the 1999 event.
But what can astronomy fans in Leeds expect from today’s eclipse? When will it be happening? How much coverage is our region going to see? And where are some of the best places to watch?
First up, let’s get the basics out the way – what is a solar eclipse? A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the sun and the Earth, blocking the sun’s light either partly or fully.
Although the UK will only see a partial solar eclipse this time, some other countries – such as parts of Iceland, Spain, Portugal, and Greenland – will be lucky enough to witness the spectacle of a total eclipse for a duration of up to two minutes and 18 seconds.
When will it be happening?
The eclipse is set to start at 6:13pm in Greater Manchester, and will run right through to 8:03pm – with the peak happening at 7:10pm.
How much coverage can Greater Leeds expect?
Of course, we always have to preface anything we say about astronomical events like this by saying ‘it depends on the weather’, as we do like in the north after all, and even though it is the height of summer, that won’t stop the skies from being overcast.
Luckily though, the Met Office is predicting some of the best weather conditions for an event like this in a long time, so it really is worth watching.
Spectators in Leeds will see 90 - 92% coverage, according to expert sources.
How can I watch the eclipse safely?
If there’s one thing experts are stressing, it’s the need to take correct precautions if you are planning to watch tomorrow.
The most important thing is to wear eclipse glasses and avoid looking directly at the sun.
It’s true that during an eclipse, the sun does appears dimmer therefore making it easier to look at directly, however solar radiation can still reach and damage the retina, often without causing any pain, so you may not realise harm is occurring until it’s too late.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises that there are two safe approaches – specialist eclipse viewers, or indirect viewing methods.
Eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers must be genuine, sold by a reputable retailer, and have specially designed filters that meet the international safety standard ISO 12312-2:2015(E). They must also have no scratches, tearing, or damage to the lens.
Old pairs may not be reusable, and sunglasses should never be used.
Indirect view methods include viewing the sun’s image projected through a colander or the gaps between tree leaves on to white paper, or using a pinhole pierced in one sheet of card and projected on to another.
Thomas Melia -
10th November 2025 
