Leeds

Liberty X amongst first round of major acts announced for Leeds Pride Festival 2025

Is it summer yet?

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 28th February 2025

Leeds Pride, one of the city’s most exciting weekends of the year, have announced the first wave of acts performing at the event this summer.

Taking place on Sunday 20 July 2025, chart-topping band Liberty X will be headlining the main stage performing their biggest hits.

Joining them will be The Cartoons and live from the West end, Queenz the show as well as popular dance music artists, Kelly Lorena and Booty Luv.

The details were announced this week at the official Leeds Pride pre-festival campaign launch at Harvey Nichols on Wednesday evening attended by Lord Mayor, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, Emmerdale stars Ash Palmisciano and Natalie Ann Jamieson.

Leeds Pride is sure to be another huge celebration, after smashing records in 2024 with over 80,000 visitors - its biggest attendance to date with over 160 parade entries and support from 238 businesses.

Image: Leeds Pride

Now in its 19 th year, Leeds Pride is one of the largest free one-day festivals in Yorkshire and is run by a dedicated team who work tirelessly to ensure the event remains completely free for all who wish to attend.

The 2025 festival will be no different, with a full calendar of events including fringe celebrations with two stages of artist performances on Millennium Square and Lower Briggate, a huge parade ad of course the Viaduct Street party.

Leeds Pride spokesperson Terry George said: “Preparations for this year’s Pride are in full swing and we are thrilled to have Jet2holidays support Leeds Pride 2025 as headline sponsor for the second year running.

Image: Leeds Pride

"Each year the city surpasses itself in its support of Leeds Pride and we were overwhelmed by last year’s record-breaking event and electric atmosphere. We have lots more surprises up our sleeves, with an even better festival programme this year for everyone to enjoy.

“Of course, the event wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team and sponsors, and we would like to invite any individuals or organisations that wish to be part of this year’s festival to contact the team for more information on how to get involved.”

For more information on how to become a Leeds Pride sponsor, take a look at their website.

Read more: There’s a handful of FREE walks dedicated to music coming to Leeds city centre

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Leeds

Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, setlist, stage times and more

The Hoot The Hoot

Following one of the most iconic returns to music late last year, Lily Allen is heading to Leeds with her West End Girl UK tour.

The 'Nonmonogamummy' herself will be performing at the First Direct Arena in Leeds this weekend, following a run of intimate gig dates up and down the country earlier this year.

The demand for this British pop star to add more dates was inevitable and that's exactly what Allen did, as she now kicks off an arena tour across the UK.

Once wasn’t ‘Just Enough', and we've been blessed new Lily Allen dates, including her gig at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on Sunday 21 June.

Although the 'Smile' singer refrains from playing some of her older smash hits, this gig is still remarkable, with the Hammersmith-born singer performing the previously mentioned tongue-in-cheek LP in full.

Meet us at the ‘Pussy Palace’ for an evening of messy lyrics and quality vocals, fulfilling all of our nosey desires, she even provides text receipts for us to read.

Expect to feel like you’re having your friend relay the truth about their toxic relationship post-break up and then celebrating them finally leaving that loser - Lily just gets us. 

Gig Guide | Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds

Lily Allen returns to Leeds for a gig at First Direct Arena. Credit: Henry Redcliffe

Lily Allen UK tour dates

  • 16 June – Newcastle Utilita Arena
  • 17 June – Glasgow OVO Hydro
  • 19 June – Manchester AO Arena
  • 20 June– Manchester AO Arena
  • 21 June – Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
  • 23 June – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
  • 24 June – Cardiff Utilita Arena
  • 26 June – Birmingham BP Pulse Live
  • 27 June – London The O2
  • 30 June – Dublin 3Arena

Are there tickets left for Lily Allen at First Direct Arena?

Yes and it’d be a real ‘Shame For You’ to miss out on this one.

On Sunday 21 June you can get seats for £49.85, £66.35, or £88.35, or standing tickets for £66.35 - see the latest HERE.

Seriously, ‘What You Waiting For?’ - get it booked.

Support act for Lily Allen in Leeds

Lily's gone for a rather novel support act on her West End Girl tour, which is proving to be quite a laugh at arenas so far.

She's pulled in Dallas Minor Trio to warm up the crowds, a trio of cellists who perform a setlist of Lily Allen's biggest hits from through the years.

And if that's not enough, they put the lyrics on screen too, so it's like a true karaoke moment.

Lily Allen setlist for 2026 tour

The show ‘Lily Allen Performs West End Girl‘ will see the singer/songwriter play her brand-new album in its entirety, in the order the songs appear on the record:

  • West End Girl
  • Ruminating
  • Sleepwalking
  • Tennis
  • Madeline
  • Relapse
  • Pussy Palace
  • 4chan Stan
  • Nonmonogamummy
  • Just Enough
  • Dallas Major
  • Beg For Me
  • Let You W/In
  • Fruityloop

Stage times for Lily Allen at First Direct Arena, Leeds

Lily Allen has announced a gig at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. Credit: Charlie Denis
Lily Allen has announced a gig at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. Credit: Charlie Denis

These are the only times that are confirmed, but it's expected that Lily Allen will be on stage around 9pm:

  • Doors open 6pm
  • Starts 7.50pm

Getting to First Direct Arena

Bus Station

Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.

Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.

Nearest Bus Stops

  • Clay Pit Lane
  • Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
  • Woodhouse Lane

Nearest Train Station

Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.

Parking

There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here

The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.

None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.

Hiring Bikes in Leeds 

If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:

  • Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
  • Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.

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Leeds

A slice of New York has arrived in Leeds – and the pizzas are 18 inches wide

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.

Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.

Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.

Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.

They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.

We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.

Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.

There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.

We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.

Read more: A cafe dedicated entirely to matcha gelato has just opened in Leeds

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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