Your ultimate comedy, pop, indie and festival guide for July.
The summer month's aren't always known for their live music offerings. Whilst there may be festivals in their plenty throughout July and August, this usually means there's a sharp decline in live individual concerts, especially intimate gigs in small venues.
This year, we appear to be getting the best of both and nobody is complaining- from rescheduled pre-Covid live performances to huge sellout shows, no less than three festivals and some of the UK's biggest names taking to stages around Leeds, we're in for a real treat this month.
Keeping reading to find out our top ten gigs to attend this month, including all the information you need on how you can grab a ticket before they sell out.
Tom Grennan at Halifax Piece Hall
Friday 1 July 2022 | Halifax Piece Hall, Halifax
Image: Tom Grennan
The Found What I've Been Looking For singer-songwriter will be taking over Halifax's Piece Hall and kicking off everyone's weekend with melodic riffs and feel good summer anthems aplenty.
Tickets cost £32.50 but there are also a number of premium tickets availble at £70 each.
Mardi Gras Festival is back for another year with legendary locals and international acts set to take over Roundhay Park all day Saturday. Expect to witness the likes of Clean Bandit and Joel Corry on the main stage with Raye, Roger Sanchez, Majestic, Jodie Harsh and so much more to embrace.
If that’s not enough, there’s some serious foodie options inside the International Food Village. Choose from legendary slices from Homeboy Pizza Co, Soul Stone Coffee, Istanbul Grill and The Chaat Walas, as well as options like Barney’s Churros and taco conessuiers Jimmy Macks Street Kitchen.
Geoff Norcott: I Blame The Parents (Edinburgh Preview)
Wednesday 6 July 2022 | The Wardrobe, Quarry Hill
Image: Geoff Nocott
The only preview performance before the Edinburgh Fringe is taking place right here in Leeds for Have I Got News For You regular Geoff Norcott-so this is a rare opportunity to witness the best of comedy without taking a trip up and across the border.
Often featured on Live at the Apollo and Would I Lie To You, Geoff is no stranger to the stand-up game, and many Loiners are bound to be in hysterics over his latest set 'I Blame The Parents', which takes on the passionately held views we all have based on our parent's experiences and ideals- all in stand-up format.
On top of the exciting headline acts like: Marco Carola, Jamie Jones, Mall Grab and Jayda G deeper house will come from Dan Shake and Chaos in the CBD, there will be spaced-out sounds from flying Dutchman Chris Stussy and no-frills beats from Djoko as well as plenty of goodness from local residents Annie Errez, Bobby O’Donnell, Foz, Reeshy and Sara Garvey.
Tickets start at £60.50, but if bought as a group, you can buy four and get your fifth free of charge. All tickets can be purchased from the Newsam Park website.
There aren't many sister girl groups that will have an entire city dancing, but HAIM are something quite special. The chart-topping trio are bringing their long-awaited The One More HAIM Tour to Millennium Square, Leeds for one night only.
Bringing the best of the girl's number one album, ‘Women in Music Pt.II’ between popular hits including ‘Want You Back’, ‘Right Now’ and ‘Little Of Your Love’, this is going to be a night to remember for any HAIM groupie. Tickets cost £41.25 each, including processing fee and can be purchased from the Millenium Square website.
Saturday 16 July 2022 | Millenium Square, Leeds City Centre
Image: SJM Concerts
As a two-time Ivor Novello winner, Richard Ashcroft is no stranger to award-winning performances, but this outdoor summer set in Leeds is sure to mark one of the artist’s first concerts post-pandemic, and is sure to be filled with all the singing and dancing we’ve missed out on in the past few years.
Millennium Square only hosts up to 5,700 seats, so this gig will be incredibly intimate compared to the rest of the bestselling artist’s tour stops like CarFest North and Highest Point Festival, so it’s well worth grabbing a ticket in your home town if you can.
Friday 22 July - Sunday 24 July 2022 | Hillsborough Park, Sheffield
Image: Tramlines Festival
Okay so this isn't in Leeds but given Tramlines is one of Yorkshire's biggest music festivals, we couldn't leave it off the list. This year, tramline-goers will have the opportunity to watch some of the UK’s best musical talent, as well as rising up-and-coming acts before they hit the mainstream.
The likes of Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Alfie Templeman, Kelis and Scouting for Girls will be joining the jam-packed lineup including James, Declan McKenna, The Vaccines, Sigrid, Self Esteem, Inhaler, The Wombats, Becky Hill, Reverend and the Makers and The Coral. Whilst these are just some of the big names taking to the stage, with smaller acts like Swim School, Coach Party, April and The Goa Express entertaining daytime crowds.
If you love to head down to the club on 80s night but would rather party outdoors than in a packed out nightclub, the 80s Classical is the summer festival you don’t want to miss- and that's before you've seen the incredible throwback line-up.
Taking place on Friday 22 July 2022 in Millenium Square, Kim Wilde, Belinda Carlisle, Johnny Hates Jazz, Hue and Cry, Denise Pearson, and The Orchestra of Opera North will all take to the stage for an all-singing, all-dancing evening of 80s hits set to have everyone on their feet.
Tickets start from £35.20 and can be booked via the Millenium Square Leeds website.
Saturday 23 July 2022 | Carriageworks Theatre, The Electric Press
Image: Troy Hawke
Performing his hilarious character Troy Hawke, Milo McCabe is following his sold out 2021 performance at the Carriageworks with another exciting performance in the Main Theatre Room.
What to expect: "Fresh from finding and proving decisive links between IKEA, the CIA and the Nazi’s, 1930’s throwback home-schooled investigator Troy Hawke battles a new enemy on behalf of all people everywhere…the bastard saboteur that lurks in our own minds."
To celebrate the only band to dedicate a song to LS6, Easy Life will be performing at The Wardrobe to release their new album Maybe In Another Life. This intimate performance will give fans a rare opportunity to get up and personal with the band with an album signing listed in the itinerary, as well as an early evening performance of Easy Life's chosen tunes.
Tickets are extremely limited and given the rare opportunity, hosted by Crash Records, booking tickets to avoid disappointment is highly recommended. Tickets, tour exclusive CD albums and two different vinyls are all available from £15.50 from the Crash Records website.
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News
‘Historic’ moment as UK passes bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from smoking
The UK has now passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from ever buying tobacco products.
It's been a long time coming, but in what is being described as a 'historic' moment, the final draft of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill completed its journey through the Houses of Commons and Lords yesterday (21 April 2026), and is now on its way to receiving royal assent to officially become the law.
For those unfamiliar, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will stop people who were born on or after 1 January 2009 from ever taking up smoking.
It will also give Government ministers new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products – including their flavours and packaging, which make them more appealing to younger generations.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has hailed the bill's passing as a 'historic moment for the nation's health' on the road to creating a smoke-free generation.
The UK has passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from smoking / Credit: Pxhere
"Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm," Mr Streeting said after the bill was passed this week.
"Prevention is better than cure. This reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain."
The ban on purchasing tobacco products for those born after 2008 was first mooted by Rishi Sunak's Conservative Government a number of years back, but was eventually shelved ahead of the 2024 General Election, and then revived again by Labour when they took power.
The bill's passing parliament has been welcomed by charities and campaign groups - most notably Cancer Research UK.
"This is a historic achievement that will shield our children from the devastating grip of tobacco addiction and help to put an end to cancers caused by smoking," concluded Michelle Mitchell, who is the Chief Executive Officer at Cancer Research.
Featured Image - Credit: Lil Artsy (via Pexels)
News
Where to watch the FA Cup semi-final in and around Leeds
Danny Jones
With Leeds United and an army of supporters 'marching on together' to Wembley once more, this time in an FA Cup semi-final, the question for those who haven't grabbed a ticket is where to watch the game in and around the city centre.
Reaching the semis for the first time in 39 long years, even making it to this stage is already a moment to remember, but there's every chance they could battle their way to becoming the last two left in the world's oldest football competition.
Whatever happens in the penultimate knockout tie against Chelsea, you won't find many people in all of Yorkshire missing this match, and we're making certain that you pick the perfect spot to do so.
So, without further ado, here are 10 or so of the best places to watch Leeds United in the 2025/26 FA Cup semi-final this Sunday, 26 April:
The best bars and pubs to watch Leeds in around the city centre
1. The Brotherhood - Briggate
First up is the ever-reliable Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes, which is not just handily located right in the heart of the city centre but practically has enough big screens to make sure nobody will struggle for a good view.
Promising plenty of room across multiple floors, not to mention an ideal matchday menu, you really can't go wrong. It does fill up fast for big games, though, so we'd reserve a table ASAP.
2. BOX - Leeds and Headingley
Another tried and tested sports bar, BOX was always going to be on the list. No matter whether the central Leeds location is on your doorstep, or their Headingley outpost works best for you, you're guaranteed a complete package.
Great cocktails and deals on drinks; a sharing-friendly menu made for matchdays, not to mention the rooftop bar that will prove perfect if this week's good weather holds, it's a no-brainer. It's also another one we'd recommend you book early to secure a seat.
Next up, we couldn't go any further without mentioning the magnificent Moot Hall Arms, which might just be one of the best football pubs not just in the region but perhaps the entire country.
Not too far out from the train station, 'The Moot' is a go-to for most Whites who can't make it to away games and countless more who watch them on the telly every week. We hope its reputation speaks for itself, but in case you need a reminder...
In at number four, rather fittingly, is the 4TheFans zone being set up specifically for this year's FA Cup semi (and hopefully the final) over at the O2 Academy.
Located in the heart of the city centre, these well-known sports promoters are experts when it comes to days like these, and we can guarantee Leeds fans will make this particular supporters' park box office.
Ok, onto Green Room, which is another spot with a great terrace perfect for springtime and what we hope is a joyful summer of sport ('it's coming home', and all that).
Local co-founder and owner, Will Habergham, isn't just trying to create Leeds' biggest run club, but he's also quietly making the venue one of the best for the very biggest events.
Our super six pick is the wonderful Beck and Call over in the Meanwood part of Chapel Allerton, which you'd be forgiven for simply thinking of as a classic, cosy local pub.
However, if you want a slightly less rowdy place to watch Leeds, we can wholeheartedly recommend spending the whole weekend here, to be honest.
Special shout-out to their excellent Sunday menu, too. (Credit: The Hoot)
7. The Original Oak - Headingley
Always a lively one, thanks to the regular crowds of uni punters, The Original Oak over in Headingley is both always a good option for watching live sport, but also one of the most affordable.
With super cheap student deals, in particular, not to mention a beer garden for pre- and post-match jubilations/commiseration, rest assured, this place is much more than just another stop on the Otley Run.
Another increasingly popular venue for the big fixtures is Woodside over on Crown Point Road; based at the bottom of the Gateway North apartments, it's a stylish bar with great food and drink that are ideal for watchalongs and that 'Soccer Saturday/Super Sunday' vibe.
With pub quizzes, bar taps up for grabs, and even 50% off drinks available every now and again if you keep an eye on their Instagram - including when Leeds are winning - it simply has to be an option.
9. The Skyrack - Headingley
More Headingley/Otley-adjacent footy fodder here for you, as The Skyrack is an obvious choice for pubs and bars showing sports in and around Leeds.
It also happens to be THE place for any followers of grassroots women's football club, Leeds Hyde Park FC. You absolutely love to see it.
Penultimately, Rita's has to be right up there on your list of the best places to watch Leeds United all year-round, let alone just for an important cup clash.
Big stage area that looks nailed on for a projector, plenty of TVs, darts, top-notch margaritas and much more, what more convincing do you need?
13. Nation of Shopkeepers - City centre
Last but not least, what do you get when you combine hordes of Peacocks with A Nation of Shopkeepers? No, it's some kind of weird riddle, but it is kind of a rhetorical question, as we can assure you that this will be a great place to watch Daniel Farke's side.
Should his squad make it through to the final, and you don't happen to choose them this time around, you should definitely consider visiting them for the return trip to Wembley come the end of the season. Roll on the World Cup, too.
Now, this one might be a surprise to some of you, but Leeds' newest Mexican bar and restaurant hasn't just landed in the city centre from Manchester, but they're also screening the game in one of their first full weekends of service over at their sister site: Salón.
How come? Because why the hell not? They've timed their Yorkshire debut pretty perfectly, if you ask us, as people are already flocking to try the tacos, tequila and sticking one of the biggest Leeds games in nearly four whole decades won't do them any harm whatsoever.
In fact, they're going to be showing all kinds of sport - and LOADS of it. See more down below.
Sophie Smith -
27th June 2022 
