Incredible Leeds city centre music and entertainment venue, First Direct Arena, celebrated its 1000th show last Sunday.
First Direct Arena first opened in 2013 and is known for bringing in huge stars of live entertainment from across the globe.
This West Yorkshire venue holds up to 12,000 concertgoers and kicked things off eight years ago with a groundbreaking performance from none other than Elton John.
This arena has seen some A-Listers in its time and this remarkable occasion called for two huge stars as Craig David and Lemar shared the incredible honour of hosting the venue’s 1000th gig.
Leeds’ are true music lovers and this achievement highlights that with names like Kylie, Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen and more playing to our wonderful Yorkshire crowds.
Image: Supplied
In 2025, these leading live music greats show no signs of slowing down either as Tom Grennan announced his biggest tour ever which also stops off at this impressive gig hot spot this year.
There’s loads to expect on the concert calendar with the likes of Sugababes, Olly Murs, Simply Red and more set to take to the stage throughout the next 12 months.
Rock and roll royalty have known to grace these four walls too as back in 2014, legendary recording artist Prince made his Leeds debut here.
The venue is a reflection of Leeds’ vibrant culture hosting everything from Slipknot to the Sports Personality of the Year, is there anything this arena can’t do?
First Direct Arena is fit for any occasion and their March line up is no different, because where else can you cry to ‘That’s So True’ with Gracie Abrams and then laugh til you can’t breathe with Bolton’s finest Peter Kay just three days later.
The same can be said for April as Sugababes will be pushing all the right buttons before Michael Ball and Alfie Boe will bring us to our knees with their grand vocals, just two days apart.
Leeds’ leading live music venue, First Direct Arena, has a range of shows available with tickets and a full 2025 line up so far all available HERE.
The famous Day Fever is back and this time it’s set to be bigger and better than ever before.
If you haven’t heard of Day Fever before, then we are about to blow your mind.
Launched in early 2024 by actress Vicky McClure and frontman of Reverend & The Makers Jon McClure, Day Fever has become somewhat of a cultural sensation.
From its debut her in Sheffield to a tour that sees thousands of ravers hitting the dance floor each month, the message is clear: people want to dance and let loose, but still be in bed before 9pm. And to be honest, we don’t blame them.
Image: Supplied
Running from 3pm to 8pm, Day Fever provides a proper night out that doesn’t completely write you off for the entire weekend.
Heading to Sheffield City Hall on Saturday 6th June, this edition of Day Fever will be filled with nothing but wall-to-wall hits courtesy of DJs Stars & Stace, Olly Hayes and Christian Carlisle.
"If you look back at the first Sheffield one to what we are now, the evolution of it is amazing," says Vicky McClure. "It was still the same people that wanted the same thing; they just wanted to go out in the day… and just have a dance!"
Think less nightclub, more joyful chaos. “It feels like a massive house party at your nan’s,” Vicky laughs. “No drama, no egos, just people acting daft, getting dressed up, and having the best time."
Image: Supplied
"It’s stories that we hear that really sum up what it's about," says Vicky McClure. "We’ve had people going through chemotherapy… people grieving… and all of a sudden you just feel this room filled with love."
Inside Pardon Me – Leeds’ newest neighbourhood record bar inspired by Japan
Clementine Hall
Farsley is now home to an ultra-cool record bar with coffee, cocktails and an unbeatable sound system.
Tucked away in the beautiful Sunny Bank Mills, Pardon Me is a record bar built around 'music, atmosphere, and detail'.
It's been launched by Scott Rapson, who grew up in the Scottish Highlands and fell in love with music around the time of the arrival of hip hop in the early 80s.
He then spent time travelling for raves, and visiting venues like Glasgow’s Sub Club and London’s Plastic People, giving Scott an appreciation for how 'music can shape a room, not just fill it'.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Scott and his partner Laurie have then spent the past three years travelling, visiting listening bars across Europe to shape the foundations of Pardon Me.
Listening bars, also known as hi-fi bars, originated in 1920s Japan - and you can really see the Japanese influence within the space and it's super cool interiors.
Images: The Hoot Leeeds
Bartenders here create a small but perfectly formed menu of cocktails and pour natural wines from Wayward Wines in front of a wall of vinyl, while a collection of Scott's records play as a soundtrack to your evening.
The sound system Scott claims is one of the "best in the North East", which he says has a "real sense of depth and balance to it" with a "coverage that stays incredibly consistent across the room".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Whether it's for coffee during the day, or drinks into the evening, they want Pardon Me to be a place to spend time, looking out across Sunny Bank Mills.
Pardon Me is open Thursday - Sunday, and you can find out more about this wonderful new opening here.
Thomas Melia -
4th February 2025 
