News
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra are returning to the Leeds First Direct Arena
Tickets go on sale this Friday.
Music lovers are in for a treat as the iconic Jools Holland and his renowned Rhythm & Blues Orchestra are coming to Leeds this December.
Returning for an incredible eighth time, Jools Holland has already cemented his status as a Leeds favourite with the thousands of fans who’ve attended shows over the years.
So it's no surprise that he's coming back this year to the brilliant First Direct Arena, and this time with a whole host of special guests.
Fans will be treated to a dazzling showcase of Jools’s most beloved hits, as well as and standout and unmissable collaborations from stellar special guest artists, Imelda May, Sumudu Jayatilaka, Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall.
Best known for his infectious boogie-woogie piano style and dynamic performances, Jools Holland has captivated music lovers for decades.
As a composer, musician, and television presenter of the much-loved Later… with Jools Holland, he has become a cornerstone of the UK’s music scene.
His live shows are celebrated for their vibrant mix of jazz, blues, soul, and pop, and his upcoming Leeds concert will be no exception.
Jools Holland will be coming to the Leeds First Direct Arena on Thursday 18 December 2025, slap bang in the middle of the festive season making it the perfect night out.
Tickets for Jools Holland’s live performance will be available on Friday 31
January at 10am, and you can get yours here.
They're expected to be in very high demand, so move fast if you want to secure your ticket.
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Featured image - Supplied
News
Horsforth Brewery to takeover and save beloved Ilkley tap house
Clementine Hall
A renowned brewery have announced that they will be taking over the reigns of a popular craft beer bottle shop in Ilkley.
Fuggle & Golding opened in 2015 on Leeds road in Ilkley and quickly grew a loyal following with locals and visitors alike.
Sadly they announced last month that their last day of trading would be Saturday 28 February, news which was met with huge disappointment.
However this is no longer the case, as Horsforth Brewery is set to reopen the venue on Wednesday. Hooray!
Announcing the welcomed news to Instagram, Horsforth Brewery wrote: "When we saw they were going to close we were determined to not lose another great venue from the local beer scene.
"We owe a massive thank you to George and the landlord for getting a deal across the line in quick order.
"We’re going to take a few days to put our stamp on the place and then we will be open on Wednesday!"
"Obviously we will be stocking our beers here but as anyone who knows will know, we love the beer scene so we will continue to have a good amount of guest beer on as well. We’ll even been joining in with the biggest beer launches from around the country.
"Want to know the best news? We’re doing this solo. No outside interests, no investors, no debt. In the current climate being able to organically grow like this is so so hard and it’s thanks to all our team that we’ve been able to do this.
"We’ve always been determined to grow our business in a healthy and sustainable way; it may have (absolutely has) been tough over the years but we’ve got ourselves in a position to take us to the next level in a sustainable way."
Read more: Inside Leeds’ newest Italian cafe and gelateria that’s inspired by the streets of Puglia
Featured images - The Hoot Leeds
News
Beloved late night Leeds cocktail bar The Maven announces permanent closure
Clementine Hall
"After years of late nights, strong cocktails, and incredible stories; The Maven will close its doors"
It's a sad day for the Leeds night life scene, as a beloved speakeasy bar has today announced that it will be closing its doors for good.
The Maven has been a firm favourite for many years with those looking to enjoy some experimental and expertly made cocktails.
Hidden behind an unassuming door at the top of Call Lane, it was a great spot to visit if you were looking for something that little bit special.
Announcing the news to their social media, The Maven said: "From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for being our guests over the years and promise that until then, we'll do our best to give you the best nights out on Call Lane."
The post continued: "After years of late nights, strong cocktails, and incredible stories; The Maven will close its doors on the 28th of March.
"Rest assured every booking will be honoured. Every cocktail poured properly. The lights stay low. The music stays on. We’re not done yet.
"Thank you for being our guests - we hope you'll join us for the final chapter and celebrate all things Maven this month."
Comments have been flooding in with fans expressing their sadness and praising them for their 'best spicy margs' and fond memories spent at The Maven.
So make sure to pop by and cheers to The Maven before its gone for good.
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Featured images - The Hoot Leeds
