February was a wild month here in Leeds and it's all down to Leeds' best PR, Social & Experiential Events Agency.
It feels as if there's been a new venue launch every single week in 2022, each offering a never-seen-before experience to add to our long lists of places to visit in Leeds.
The faces behind the glamorous parties and all of the running around that's involved in a new launch is the team at Pink Gorilla Hairy Lemon. Jordan Odu and along with the rest of their talent work tirelessly to ensure the success of each and every one of their clients, and it's obvious that their dedicated work pays off.
Working with their team is seemingly a one-way ticket into an exclusive part of Leeds foodie and drinks scene. Whether you're a food blogger, new restaurant or a long-time bar, working with PGHL is a reputation that Leeds recognises and remembers.
Naturally, this makes them our go-to team to ask about what's going on in Leeds.
In February, the team were responsible for some of the biggest openings, refurb parties and more - so we asked them, where are some of the best newly opened or refurbished spots in Leeds to try out this month?
Playroom
Image: PGHL
Bringing us into 2022 with a brand new concept, the team behind Dollhouse, including internationally recognised DJ Tom Zanetti, opened Playroom, a brand-new drinking, dining and dancing concept club at Electric Press.
The £300,000 project is split over two levels: the venue’s ground floor has a stylish lounge with VIP tables on offer, as well as a heated indoor courtyard and outside terrace in Millennium Square.
Pink Gorilla recommends: It's the go-to place for a late night dinner or if you want to experience fine food with all the tunes you'd expect at an exclusive club hidden in Leeds.
“Playroom brings something totally different to the city with it’s dine, drink and dance concept. We just love the vibes here – you get the best of both worlds with unbelievable food in a club atmosphere. The entertainment also adds to the really unique dining experience” – Lydia Kirton
As the latest launch in the city, The Hoot team have been spending plenty of time down at Granary Wharf exploring every angle of SALT's latest venture: a craft beer and falafel bar.
This place is perfect for laid-back wining and dining, largely because there's cocktails on tap, but the contrast between sun-drenched seats and cosy nooks makes it an ideal day-to-night spot that matches the mood for any occasion.
Pink Gorilla recommends: If you're a fan of the bright red Falafel Guys truck on Briggate, you're going to spend all your post-working hours in here.
“I had so much fun working with the Salt team again for the launch of Salt Craft and Falafel. I can’t wait for summers down at Granary Wharf - nothing beats drinking cocktails on tap, award-winning beers and Falafel guys wraps are next-level tasty. If you haven’t visited already, I highly recommend you take a trip!” – Hannah Clarke
Relocating from its current location on Bond Street to The Light on The Headrow, Roxy Lanes opened a mammoth new venue just two weeks ago- and it seems to be packed out ever since.
The new ice curling lane is free of ice and full of surprises, making it the latest must-try activity in Leeds. Besides the incredible cocktails and pizza slices, Roxy Lanes is well worth visiting for its ten bowling lanes, two duck pin bowling lanes, shuffleboards, American pool tables, basketball machines and air hockey. Quite simply, they have all the activities you need to fill an entire weekend of fun and games.
Pink Gorilla recommends: If you want to test out Leeds first ice curling rink, or just grab a drink and shoot some hoops at the latest bar in the city, this is the only place to go.
“Roxy’s really have outdone themselves with the new venue within The Light, it has definitely taken the gaming scene in Leeds to the next level with bowling lanes, shuffleboards, pool tables, air hockey and curling. My favourite has to be the curling - It’s something totally new to Leeds and definitely something you need to try!” – Lydia Kirton
Leeds nightlife has seen many changes over the past 15 years, but whilst countless venues have come and gone, Revolution Electric Press has always stayed the same – until its huge £300,000 makeover.
The introduction of a new ‘vodka land’ theme that will take its inspiration from wild and wacky fairgrounds and funfairs – but with an adult twist. 22 new cocktails, a giant Dumbo elephant for photo shots and all the vodka you could dream of, this is the late-night bar you can spend all night long inside.
Pink Gorilla recommends: Revolution is now a real-life vodka playground, so it has to be the only place you visit for a flavoured vodka drink.
"This place will always be special to me as it was where I started my marketing career and gave me my first PR job. We had a fantastic turnout for the party and everyone was loving the recent refurbishment. The Vodka-land theme adds a real element of fun to the Leeds nightlife scene and you can’t go wrong with a flavoured vodka shot or five” - Jordan Odu
In March, the pace certainly isn't slowing down. We're expecting some huge new openings, and Jordan, Lydia and the rest of the PGHL team will be on hands to tell us all about them soon.
Pop hitmaker Rick Astley is playing a few UK shows and is treating Leeds to a night of live music as part of The Reflection Tour.
Newton-le-Willows-born singer Rick Astley has achieved worldwide success, most notably with his work in the 80s alongside songwriting and production duo Stock-Aitken and Waterman.
Astley's album Whenever You Need Somebody has amassed 15 million sales across the globe and is a pivotal record that many would use to define 80s music.
On this LP is his huge hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up' which dropped back in 1987, with the track gaining more attention courtesy of social media trickery.
The worldwide recognition of this hit is all down to people online who deliberately link to the music video for this song, with the term being coined 'The Rickroll'.
Now, Rick Astley is returning to Leeds and ready to play out to over 13,500 people at one of Leeds' biggest indoor arenas First Direct Arena this April.
Gig guide | Rick Astley at First Direct Arena, Leeds - all you need to know
Rick Astley is bringing The Reflection Tour to Leeds this April / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
Rick Astley UK tour dates
Fri 10 April - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
Sat 11 April - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
Mon 13 April - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
Tue 14 April - Dublin, IE - 3Arena
Thu 16 April - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
Fri 17 April - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Sat 18 April - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Mon 20 April - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Tue 21 April - Cardiff, UK - Utilita Arena
Wed 22 April - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
Fri 24 April - Birmingham, UK - BP Pulse Live
Sat 25 April - London, UK - The O2
Fri 5 June - Scarborough, UK - Scarborough Open Air Theatre
Fri 19 June - Newport, UK - Isle of Wight Festival
Wed 24 June - Llangollen, UK - Llangollen Pavilion
Thu 25 June - Lincoln, UK - Lincoln Castle
Sat 27 June - Gloucester, UK - Westonbirt Arboretum
Fri 24 July - Ludlow, UK - Ludlow Castle
Sat 25 July - Sheffield, UK - Tramlines
Sat 30 August - Silverstone, UK - Carfest
Are there any tickets left for Rick Astley in Leeds?
No need to 'Cry For Help', there's plenty of tickets for Rick Astley's Leeds show at First Direct Arena and you can grab yours HERE.
It's been 'Driving Me Crazy' waiting for the right opportunity to do a little Rickrolling of my own - the actual tickets can be found HERE.
Rick Astley setlist for 2026 tour
The Reflection Tour sees Rick Astley play various shows and festivals across the UK / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
This year will mark Rick Astley's first official headline tour since 2024 meaning a full setlist is yet to be confirmed.
Here is a setlist from 2024 when the 80s performer played a series of festival sets:
Never Gonna Stop
Together Forever
Beautiful Life
It Would Take a Strong Strong Man
Dippin My Feet
Start Me Up (The Rolling Stones cover)
She Wants to Dance With Me
Juice (Lizzo cover)
Forever and More
Hold Me in Your Arms
Seventeen Going Under (Sam Fender cover)
Cry For Help
Dance
Angels On My Side
Whenever You Need Somebody (O 'Chi Brown cover)
Good Times (Chic cover)
Highway to Hell (AC/DC cover)
Maria Love
Never Gonna Give You Up
Stage times for Rick Astley and support act for First Direct Arena, Leeds
Doors for Rick Astley's The Reflection Tour are set to open from 6.30pm with an official starting time of 7.30pm.
Support for this show comes in the form of another celebrated UK performer who achieved prominence the decade after Astley - Gabrielle.
This R&B-pop singer is recognised for her 1993 hit 'Dreams' and is known for soundtracking the 90s and noughties with multiple chart entries throughout the decades.
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.
And about the rickrolling earlier... sorry not sorry.
Featured Images - Press shots via Peter Neill / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
News
Audio North’s Artist of the Month: Sharan | April 2026
Thomas Melia
Why have one northern city when you can have two? Sharan, our latest Artist of the Month, was born in Leeds and is now based in Liverpool.
Giving herself the titles of DJ, workshop facilitator and community advocate while also balancing life as a cardiac physiologist – is there anything Sharan can’t do?
This multi-talented music maker has played sets for Crop Radio, supported Sammy Virji, Barry Can’t Swim, SBTRKT and even soundtracked Liverpool FC’s official store ahead of a new kit launch.
Her sets cover all different music genres, meaning she can fit and curate any vibe, including UK funk, Amapiano, house and more.
Images: Press shots
An interview with Sharan – Audio North’s Artist of the Month
Now, the Leeds-born DJ takes a break from the decks, community programmes and medical assistance to chat about being Audio North‘s latest Artist of the Month.
What music did you grow up listening to?
I’ve always been around music. My Dad brought me up on Queen and then when I got to school my best friend listened to Bassline, UK Funky and I downloaded all these songs onto my Blackberry.
Annie Mac and Hannah Wants were real inspirations for me growing up and seeing female DJs in the media is great.
Tell us about the work you do in the DJ community?
I’m originally from Leeds but moved to Liverpool for work four years ago and I’ve become quite heavily involved in the DJ community. I do workshops through ‘Decks in the City‘; I’m a DJ Programmer for Dishoom and I play gigs across the North too.
Why do you want to give back to the DJ scene?
I joined a charity called Getaway Girls, who I still am with today, and I joined a music group through them and I remember decks being in the corner of the room and being intrigued. Then, at 14 I started going to their music workshops.
They’re the reason I got into music and inspired me to want to make the music industry a fairer place for women as well as advocating for women in music.
I love teaching women how to get into music or giving them the opportunity they wouldn’t necessarily have.
What do you hope to achieve through your DJ workshops?
I believe everyone should have the chance to try out being a DJ, or more broadly just have a go at learning a new skill in relation to music.
I want to give everyone a fair and equal chance to learn how to DJ and that’s why the courses I do are accessible and affordable.
As a South Asian DJ who’s also a woman, I want to encourage women and anyone from underrepresented communities to get involved.
In the long run, I’d love to improve festival line-ups and make the distribution of live music opportunities fairer.
What have been some of your favourite experiences as a DJ so far?
Alongside my community work, I’ve played at Leeds Festival for JD Sports and supported some big acts including Barry Can’t Swim, Virji, SBTRKT and Girls Don’t Sync.
What’s one fun fact about you?
I’m not just a DJ, I’m also a cardiac physiologist. It’s a really big part of my life aside from being a DJ. I balance the two together, I’m passionate about both.
How does your heritage influence your work?
I’m South Asian and I remember the Bend It Like Beckham soundtrack so vividly growing up. It fused British pop with Bhangra and Bollywood, it was revolutionary.
Even the storyline of the film itself resonates with me, watching the girl pursuing football against her parents wishes, something I’m doing by going against ‘the norm’ through following my dream of being a DJ.
I love this film and soundtrack so much that I wrote an article about this which explores the soundtrack and its impact on British Asian Youth.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Press Shots (supplied via Liam Heeley)
Sophie Smith -
2nd March 2022 
