The Brit School grad effortlessly performs her Mercury prize-nominated album and proves she was born to perform.
Fresh from delivering a show stopping set at Coachella, Olivia Dean comes to the Leeds University Stylus which is just the second stop of her UK and European tour.
Her crowds have seen a meteoric rise over the past year, having been nominated for three brits and poised for the Pyramid stage at this year's Glastonbury festival.
So it's no surprise that her Leeds gig is a sell-out with many still hoping to bag tickets on the night.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
But it's the intimacy of the University Stylus which makes the evening so incredibly special.
Sporting a yellow denim two piece complete with black knee high boots, the 25-year-old musician looks calm and at ease on her largest headline tour so far.
Gracing the stage with a seven-piece band behind her, she says "I'm very excited to be here this evening with you, it's Friday night in Leeds!"
Kicking things off with an atmospheric UFO, Dean wastes no time in showing off her hit heavy repertoire as she swiftly follows with Ok Love You Bye - a track that gets the whole crowd moving and singing along.
Her debut album Messy, nominated for the acclaimed Mercury Prize, is all about self-discovery and dealing with the turbulent aftermath of a break-up.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Tambourine in one hand and pint of beer in the other, Dean stylishly executes her big tracks whilst seamlessly interacting with the audience.
Introducing the titular track, she says "I wrote this song to feel like a big hug. I wanted it to feel like a big bowl of tomato soup."
And we can't put it better ourselves.
Dean glides through Messy, almost as if singing a lullaby, holding us in the palm of her hand as we slide up and down the catchy melody with her.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Later comes Carmen, a song dedicated to Olivia's Guyanese grandmother which sees the entire band come together in what can only be described as a real dance party.
Of course she ends with Dive, the standout track from the album that perfectly depicts the exhilarating feeling of falling head over heels for someone.
She thanks the audience and bids her farewells: "Hopefully see you again soon" she says, "You coming Glastonbury? Gosh pyramid stage, I'm bricking it."
And on that note, we were all left wishing we had a ticket to the farm this summer just to see this shining star who no doubt will pull big crowds to one of the biggest stages on earth.
It's clear that Olivia Dean was born for the stage, and the bigger the stage the brighter she will beam.
Clubland is heading to Leeds for a special arena-sized anniversary celebration next year.
The Clubland Arena Tour promises a night of the biggest artists and biggest anthems, giving fans the chance to come together for a celebration of the dance music brand.
Celebrating 25 years of Clubland, the tour will stop off at arenas in Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Aberdeen, and of course Leeds.
With the event set to take over one of Leeds' biggest live entertainment venues, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a nostalgic night of club classics and dancefloor favourites – even before the lineup is announced.
Image: Supplied
The full line-up is expected to be announced very soon, with fans encouraged to keep an eye out for further details.
Previous headliners at Clubland Live have included Cascada, Basshunter, Scooter, Ultrabeat, and Vengaboys, always guaranteeing a night of non-stop anthems.
For many dance music fans, Clubland has become synonymous with the sounds that dominated clubs, radio playlists and party nights throughout the 2000s.
Over the years, Clubland has continued to celebrate the artists and songs that helped define an era of dance music, giving fans the chance to experience their favourite tracks live alongside thousands of like-minded clubbers.
From infectious pop-dance hits to harder-hitting electronic anthems, its events tap into a sense of nostalgia while keeping the energy of a night out firmly at the centre of the experience.
The 25th anniversary tour looks set to build on that legacy, bringing a quarter-century of club classics to arenas across the UK.
The Clubland Arena Tour will be at the First Direct Bank Arena on Saturday 1 May 2027.
Wakefield indie legends The Cribs announce special hometown show
Clementine Hall
Wakefield heroes The Cribs have announced a special hometown show to celebrate 20 years of their critically acclaimed album.
After two decades and nine albums as one of Britain’s iconic indie bands; Gary, Ryan and Ross Jarman are back celebrating their album, Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, at Wakefield's historically significant venue Tileyard North.
They'll be coming to the city on Friday 20 August, acting as the first headliner revealed for next summer’s Live at Tileyard North series.
Now living in Portland, Oregon, New York and the band’s native Wakefield respectively; the trio’s 9th full length release, 2025’s Selling a Vibe, found the brothers proving themselves once again as a leading band in the indie scene.
Returning to Wakefield to celebrate the milestone album’s 20th anniversary, which is widely regarded as their best record, they'll be by playing it in full on the same site where the Jarman brothers wrote and rehearsed in the early 2000’s.
Joining The Cribs in Wakefield will be cult Yorkshire art rock heroes ¡Forward, Russia!, who are celebrating 20 years of their inimitable debut album Give Me A Wall.
Image: Supplied
Toby Womack, Promoter - Futuresound Events said: “I am so pleased to be able to bring back our Live at Tileyard North Series for 2027. After such a warm reception in 2026, it’s encouraging to know we have Wakefield's stamp of approval to keep it going for years to come.
"We couldn’t think of a better way to launch our second edition than with The Cribs' first hometown show in over 10 years, this will be incredibly special!”
Liam Duffy, Tileyard North said: “The launch of Live at Tileyard North was a triumph, so we couldn’t be happier about its return next year. We’re all super excited to collaborate with the Futuresound team again, who brought so much consideration and care to the venue, and together bring even more exceptional live music to the people of Wakefield.
"With local legends The Cribs leading the first announcement, next year's shows are guaranteed to be even bigger and better.”
The Wakefield Postcode Pre-sale will allow early access to tickets for Wakefield residents, and will open 10am on Wednesday 21 October here whilst general sale will open at 10am on Friday 23 October here.
Clementine Hall -
27th April 2024 
