The legendary Professor Brian Cox is coming to Leeds with a brand-new arena show, and he says it’s his most ambitious one to date.
The physicist and presenter will be bringing Emergence to the First Direct Bank Arena next year as part of a huge world tour.
Prof Brian Cox has spent his entire career bringing fascinating, ground-breaking science into the public realm through TV programmes, radio, and live shows.
That’s included performing his smash-hit show Horizons to nearly half a million people, winning the Peabody Award for Wonders of the Solar System, to appearing in the hit BBC series The Planets.
He’s headlined cultural festivals, sold out arenas globally, and now he’s ready to do it all again with Emergence.
This show all began in the winter of 1610, when Johannes Kepler was crossing Prague’s Charles Bridge when he noticed a snowflake land on his arm. Why, he asked, are all snowflakes six-cornered? “I do not believe,” he wrote, “that even in a snowflake, this ordered pattern exists at random.”
Now, 400 years later, we have part of the answer, and Emergence will be celebrating such intricacies and exploring the laws of nature that sculpted the universe.
Professor Brian Cox will touch on everything from the cosmic web all the way down to the structure of the human brain, including black holes and snowflakes, to ‘observe a world of dazzling complexity underpinned by magnificent simplicity’.
Professor Brian Cox said: “I’ve loved creating Emergence – it’s the most ambitious live show I’ve ever written.
“I’ve been very lucky to collaborate with a wonderful group of scientists, musicians, filmmakers and graphic artists to bring cosmology, biology, philosophy and history to the largest and most advanced LED screens available, with the best sound and lights I could find.
“I hope the show is an all-encompassing experience, and I hope it leaves everyone, whether they love science or music or history, or simply contemplating the beauty of Nature, with something new to think about.”
Professor Brian Cox will bring Emergence to the First Direct Bank Arena on 10 October 2026 – tickets will go on sale on 3 October at 10am
Professor Brian Cox Emergence – UK and Ireland 2026 tour dates
7 and 8 October – Edinburgh Playhouse
9 October – Manchester Co-op Live
10 October – Leeds First Direct Arena
11 October – Derby Vaillant Live
15 October – Sheffield Utilita Arena Sheffield
16 October – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
17 October – Newcastle Utilita Arena Newcastle
18 October – Glasgow OVO Hydro
21 and 22 October – Brighton Centre
23 October – London The O2
24 October – Plymouth Plymouth Pavilions
29 October – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
American pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo has outlined her ambitions for 2026 - and one of them involves a trip to Leeds.
It's safe to say the concept of Olivia Rodrigo taking a stroll down Briggate or waiting for a train at Platform 16 is one we're struggling to get our heads around, but we're absolutely not mad about it.
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is known for her love of the UK, having been spotted spending chunks of time in both Manchester and London over recent years.
But in a recent interview with Hits Radio UK, Olivia Rodrigo stated she wanted to explore more of the UK. And the city at the top of her list? Leeds.
When asked if she has a favourite area of the UK, she said: "I spent some time in Manchester which was really nice. Very inspiring, so many great bands from there.
"I spent some time in Wales too, which was fun. I've been around but I need to go and see more things. I really want to go to Leeds this year. I think that'll be fun. Just like as a spectator, I think that'll be cool."
You know what Olivia, it absolutely will.
Interviewer Will Best then suggests she attends a Leeds match to which she responds "yes" enthusiastically.
So next time we're at Elland Road we'll definitely be keeping a firm eye out for Miss Rodrigo who we've no doubt will look exceptional in a Leeds United jersey.
Grassroots Leeds music venue secures long-term future as part of community ownership scheme
Clementine Hall
Northern Guitars in Leeds has had its long-term future secured after the building has been purchased as part of a nationwide community ownership initiative.
If you've ever been on a night out on Call Lane, then you will know of (or have heard) Northern Guitars.
It's about as grassroots as it gets, a proper intimate venue supporting artists of all levels.
And now the much-loved city centre venue, which has become a staple of Leeds' music scene, is one of the latest independent music venues to benefit from a scheme designed to protect cultural spaces from the pressures of the commercial property market.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space has been acquired by community benefit society Music Venue Properties (MVP), an organisation set up by the Music Venue Trust to buy the buildings occupied by grassroots venues and rent them back to operators on long-term agreements.
The move means the brilliant Northern Guitars can continue doing what it does best without the uncertainty that often comes with being in an increasingly challenging landscape.
MVP was launched in 2022 in response to the growing number of grassroots venues disappearing across the UK. According to the organisation, more than a third of the country's grassroots music venues have closed over the last two decades, with many struggling due to short-term leases and rising property costs.
Since launching, MVP has raised more than £7 million through community investment and funding, using the money to secure permanent homes for venues that play a vital role in nurturing emerging artists and supporting local music scenes.
This is a proper win for Northern Guitars and we're absolutely chuffed to know that they'll be going absolutely nowhere.
Daisy Jackson -
29th September 2025 
