If there's one thing us Leeds lot love, it's music.
From The Kaiser Chiefs and Corinne Bailey Rae to Yard Act, it's safe to say we've got some pretty fantastic homegrown talent.
Not only that, the city's live music scene has always been thriving, as you'll see big-name musicians include Leeds as a destination on their UK tour schedule more often than not.
We've also got a great selection of independent venues too, from the iconic Brudenell Social Club to The Wardrobe, if you're looking for a local gig then you rarely have to look far.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
So it comes as no surprise that Leeds has been named one of the best cities in the world for music lovers, especially as the IFPI Global Music Report has revealed that the UK has the third largest music market globally - with the music industry's contribution to the UK economy being £6.7 billion on average.
Taking this recent report into consideration, the experts over at SeatPick have collated data to uncover the best UK cities for music lovers, analysing factors such as the number of concerts, homegrown talents, music businesses, and the total number of music venues, to reveal each city's overall music score out of 10.
Coming in at a very respectable sixth place, with a music scene score of 6.97/10 is Leeds.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Unsurprisingly London came in the top spot, followed closely behind our friends across The Pennines in sunny Manchester.
Gilad Zilberman CEO of SeatPick said: “Recent reports show that live music ticket sales are forecast to continuously increase until 2029, by 34 percent. Music ticket sales are therefore a driving force in the growth of the music industry, and are expected to continue to be highly in demand.
"For this reason, concerts, festivals, and venues are crucial to each city’s music scene and its ability to thrive and provide the highly demanded entertainment that the music industry offers.
“Unsurprisingly, London dominates in the homegrown artists category. This is a crucial metric in creating a vibrant music scene within a city, as it boosts the city’s cultural identity, and creates a sense of community, with local artists contributing to the creative atmosphere of the city. It is highly likely that the music industry will only continue to grow, and there are many cities both in the UK and globally, that music fans can thrive in.”
Turnstile will headline the Halifax Piece Hall this summer, their only UK headline show.
The Grammy-winning hardcore group have just announced a very special show at historic venue the Halifax Piece Hall.
As part of the venue's huge summer season, Turnstile will take to the stage on Wednesday 26 August marking a whopping 41 shows at the Piece Hall's calendar so far.
The group pulled huge crowds at Glastonbury festival last year and scooped up two Grammy Awards earlier this month, using their platform to thank fans who "swung in the dark" with them.
Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL FRSA, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, says: “2026 will see Turnstile playing at some of the world’s most iconic festivals and then here in Halifax at UK’s most iconic heritage venue.”
“We always aim to deliver for the full spectrum of music lovers in Calderdale and knowing how passionate our rock and metal community is, this gig will be off the scale – truly unmissable!”
Alongside Turnstile, Halifax Piece Hall will welcome the likes of Hollywood Vampires, Paul Weller, Bowling For Soup, Skunk Anansie, Garbage, Empire of the Sun, Sex Pistols, Mcfly, CMAT and Jimmy Eat World this summer. What a season it's going to be.
Baltimore’s hardcore heroes will head to West Yorkshire to play TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall on Wednesday August 26.
Tickets go on sale this Friday 27 February at 10am, and you can get your tickets here.
Find out more about what's going on at the Halifax Piece Hall this summer here.
The Maccabees announce full line-up for huge Leeds show at Kirkstall Abbey
Clementine Hall
Indie heroes The Maccabees are set to headline Live at Kirkstall Abbey, and they'll be joined by a few others.
The renowned indie rock quintet The Maccabees have shared a stacked lineup for their only northern headline show this year as part of the Live at Kirkstall Abbey concert series.
Joining them are Newcastle Alt-Rock legends Maxïmo Park, eclectic art rock fourpiece Everything Everything, psychedelic indie rock stalwarts The Mystery Jets led by the inimitable Blaine Harrison and fast rising singer/songwriter/storyteller Fiona-Lee.
The Maccabees’ eagerly anticipated return in 2024 got indie music lovers across the country very excited indeed, headlining All Points East and Glastonbury’s Park Stage, the band’s return was met with enthusiastic crowds.
Building upon that reception, The Maccabees are now set to inspire similar scenes across the country as they head out on a major outdoor summer tour in July including their only northern date at Leeds’ Kirkstall Abbey.
Maccabees guitarist Felix White says, “The year we’ve just had was so special to all of us, and so unexpected, that it has put some momentum in everyone collectively …. and who wouldn’t want to do all that again”
Also announced for this year's Live at Kirkstall Abbey is The Streets, performing their critically acclaimed album A Grand Don’t Come for Free alongside reunited Leeds indie heroes The Sunshine Underground.
The debut ‘Above All Else’ event headlined by Loyle Carner will be taking place and the return of Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival featuring Dara Ó’Brien, Jason Manford, Lucy Beamount and more.
The Maccabees will be performing at Kirkstall Abbey on Friday 31 July 2026 and you can get your tickets here.
Clementine Hall -
2nd July 2025 
