The inaugural 'Live At Kirkstall Abbey' summer series is due to begin later this month.
Kicking off from Friday 26 July, a trio of thoughtfully-curated shows encompassing music and comedy is taking over the Leeds landmark for three days of nonstop entertainment.
Opening the series are iconic band Madness, who will be joined by some very special guests; Leeds’ own indie heroes The Pigeon Detectives
Liverpudlian power group The Zutons will also be taking to the stage, with an opening set from promising Carlisle quintet Hardwicke Circus.
Image: Supplied
On Saturday 27 July, celebrated local stalwarts Embrace will return to their home-turf celebrating 20 years of their seminal album ‘Out Of Nothing’, with an incredible supporting cast including much-loved English quartet Ocean Colour Scene, Northern Irish indie veterans Ash, Britpop icons Sleeper, and fellow Yorkshire legends Cud.
Rounding off the weekend, Sunday 28 July will host performances from a fantastic array of comedy talent as the grounds of the 12th century Cistercian monastery becomes the home of the first ever Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival.
The first large-scale, open-air comedy festival to happen in Leeds, the event will bring hilarious appearances from award-winning Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan, Newcastle stand-up legend Ross Noble, renowned Yorkshire comic Maisie Adam, as well as Reginald D. Hunter, Clinton Baptiste, Mike Wozniak and more.
Image: Supplied
Andy Smith - Director of Futuresound Group said: “We’re totally thrilled to finally have this exciting programme of events landing at Kirkstall Abbey later this month - the response to announcing this series has been truly immense.
"With Futuresound having been behind the 2011 Kaiser Chiefs shows back in the day, we’ve been looking to return live music to this unique location for some time now and I’m incredibly proud of what the team has put together here. With top-quality entertainment appearing across both music and comedy, we really think there’s something for everyone over the weekend”
Tickets for all of these fantastic events are on sale now, and you can grab yours here.
Leeds United fans looking for a crisp pre-match pint, you're in luck.
Why? Because new data has revealed Leeds United as one of the Premier League clubs offering the cheapest pints in their stadium
And it's all down to credit card provider Zable, who analysed the average price of a pint at every Premier League stadium.
You'll be glad to know that Leeds United ranked a very respectable eighth among the Premier League teams with the cheapest pre-match pints, with fans paying an average £5.60 at Elland Road.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
However, supporters can currently get a cheaper drink at pubs around the stadium, where the average pint costs £4.74.
Ipswich Town have the cheapest pint at £3.50, followed by Coventry at £3.60 and Hull City at £3.90.
The top 10 cheapest stadium match day pints:
Ipswich (£3.50)
Coventry (£3.60)
Hull City (£3.90)
Liverpool (£4.80)
Sunderland (£5.00)
Everton (£5.50)
Newcastle United (£5.60)
Leeds United (£5.60)
Bournemouth (£5.60)
Brighton & Hove Albion (£5.80)
Adam McAllister at Zable says: "For many fans, grabbing a pint before kick-off is part and parcel of the matchday experience, but our research shows that where you choose to drink can make a noticeable difference to the price. While stadium pints are often assumed to be more expensive, that's not always the case.
"With the cost of attending football continuing to add up, from tickets and travel to food and drinks, small differences like these can make a real impact on the overall cost of a matchday. Taking a little time to compare prices before heading to the stadium this season could help fans make their money go further, whether they choose to have a pint at the pub or inside the ground."
Leeds Bradford Airport workers to strike over half term, as industrial action escalates in dispute over pay
Clementine Hall
Strikes by almost 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are set to escalate.
If you're planning on catching a flight from Leeds Bradford Airport, then you may want to double check the date.
Last week it was announced that workers were set to strike and bring the airport to complete standstill in a dispute over pay.
Today it has been announced that thestrikes are set to escalate and a second set of strikes have been announced.
The Unite members planning on going on strike are a mixture of air traffic control workers, customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners.
The workers involved in the dispute have recently come out of a four-year pay deal, with some of the departments having fallen behind other airports in equivalent roles.
Pay talks have been happening since December 2025, with the airport's formal offer not going far enough to address the lack of pay parity.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is wrong that workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are paid far less than those doing the same job at another nearby airport.
"These are essential workers who play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the airport and the safety of passengers and deserve fair pay. Unite will always fully back our members taking action at Leeds Bradford Airport.”
The original strikes were due to take place from 03:00 this Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for hourly paid staff and from 06:00 Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for air traffic control workers.
The next round of industrial action will now take place from Monday 23 October to Wednesday 2 November, which coincides with the busy half term period.
Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said: “We appreciate those travelling to and from Leeds Bradford Airport will be concerned to hear that there are further strike dates, but the situation is completely the fault of the airport’s management. It can end this dispute, but that relies on it coming back to the table with a fair deal for our members.”
Clementine Hall -
3rd July 2024 
