We've had festival line-up announcements by the day recently, but it still feels as if summer is a long time away.
Still, in Leeds, there's plenty of live music to get stuck into this month. From the long-awaited performance from Florence & The Machine to a Valentine's Day special from Easy Life and intimate shows over at Leeds University Union - there's truly something for everyone this month.
Keep reading to find out about our top ten picks for the month....
Florence & The Machine
Saturday 4 February 2023 | First Direct Arena
Florence + The Machine. / Image: Publicity picture
What: Florence & The Machine will finally be able to crack on with their scheduled Leeds show after lead singer Florence Welch broke her foot on stage. The rescheduled tour is in support of recent album Dance Party.
Where: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, LS2 8BY
Tickets: Still available, surprisingly! From £42.45 with See Tickets.
Mom Jeans
Monday 6 February 2023 | Leeds University Stylus
Image: Mom Jeans, Facebook
What: The California-based band embarking on a world tour. With three albums under their belts, expect a combination of alternative indie rock and 'midwest emo' tunes with sweet melodies.
Where: University Union, Stylus, Lifton Place, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JZ
What: In their 24 years, Mogwai have packed in nine studio albums (and an additional live one), four compilations, four soundtracks and a record label. Focusing on a minimalistic approach to emotive music, the interludes continue to draw crowds across the UK and beyond.
Where: 55 Cookridge Street, Leeds LS2 3AW
Tickets: £37.25 for seated or balcony via See Tickets
Easy Life
Thursday 14 February 2023 | O2 Academy
Image: Wikicommons
What: The band's most notable song for us in Leeds, LS6, might be about homesickness, but no doubt after Easy Life's appearance in the city they'll be feeling the love. With two albums and plenty of mixtapes to bring to the stage, alt-indie band will be putting on quite a show this Valentine's Day.
Where: 55 Cookridge Street, Leeds LS2 3AW
Tickets: There's only balcony seat left, priced at £29 each via See Tickets
Inhaler
Thursday 16 February 2023 | O2 Academy
Image: Inhaler
What: The Irish rock band have been together for over a decade, but have gained popularity in the last few years after coming fifth in the BBC's Sound Of... poll, an annual survey that asks critics and industry figures who is the most promising new talent - and they weren't wrong. Fronted by Elijah Hewson, son of Bono, the four piece indie-rock band is bringing the feel-good tunes to Leeds this month, with hits from two studio albums and ten singles to bring to life at the Academy.
Where: 55 Cookridge Street, Leeds LS2 3AW
Tickets: Around the £25 - £28 mark on resale via Ticketmaster
Ariadne auf Naxos
Saturday 18 February 2023 | Leeds Grand Theatre
Photos from rehearsal. / Image: Opera North
What: Directed by multi-award nominated Rodula Gaitanou and performed with Opera North, this humorous, romantic, and drama-filled production will tell the tale of a bustling 1950s Italian studio where two films are about to be made. One’s a heartbreaking myth, the other a light-hearted comedy – imagine the mischief that unfolds when disaster strikes and the films suddenly become one…
Where: Leeds Grand Theatre, 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU
Tickets: Available on the Opera North website and span from free to £78, there's also two additional dates in February on Tuesday 21 February and Friday 24 February
The Murder Capital
Monday 20 February 2023 | Leeds University Union
Image: Spotify
What: An Irish post-punk band that set up their own record label back in 2018. One of the best descriptions of the five-piece comes from The Guardian's Damien Morris, who described The Murder Capoital as "reaching back to Joy Division's drum tattoos, interlocking with surging, wave-break bass". The Leeds show is likely to feature much of the band's latest album, Gigi's Recovery, which was released just a few weeks ago.
Tickets: £16.50 and includes the booking fee via See Tickets
Dream State
Thursday 23 February 2023 | The Key Club
Image: Spotify
What: Post-hardcore, alt-rock and a string of successful tunes that draw have been drawing crowds for almost a decade. You might recognise their cover of Linkin Park's Crawling for charity compilation album Songs That Saved My Life in aid of mental health and suicide prevention charities, single White Lies first played in our city at Leeds Festival 2017.
Where: The Key Club, 66 Merrion Street, Leeds LS2 8LW
Tickets: Still available! Costing £14.30, including a booking fee via See Tickets.
Lissie
Thursday 23 February 2023 | The Wardrobe
Image: Lissie
What: Launching to fame in the late 00s after Lenny Kravitz was tipped off about Lissie's MySpace page (as you did in 2008) and invited her on tour, Lissie has continued to fuse rock, country folk and pop across five albums. Her most recent release, Carving Canyons, is likely to feature on tour in Leeds, having only just been released last year.
Where: 6 St Peter's Square, Leeds, LS9 8AH
Tickets: £27.50 for regular tickets, available via See Ticketsand there's also Meet and Greet tickets are also available here viaSee Tickets.
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 -
3rd February 2023 
