Between the Six Nations, Valentines and Galentines Day - it's going to be a busy month Leeds.
This month seems to be all about celebrating the little things. Whether its supporting new or long-time independents across the city, your friends or partner or just celebrating cheese at the hugely popular all-you-can-eat cheese night, there's endless ways to enjoy this month with a smile.
As always, we've rounded up our favourite stand-out events this month and there's thirteen different offerings here to fill your month with shopping, drinking, playing, dancing, and just all-round fun here in Leeds...
Glass Onion pop-up
Saturday 4 February 2023 | 93 Kirkstall Road, Kirkstall
Celebrated Yorkshire vintage store is popping up everywhere these days. From a successful store in Sheffield to an ever-growing collection of one-off events, you're likely to recognise this place for trendy, sustainable garms around the wider Yorkshire area.
Visiting Leeds this month, you'll be able to find some pretty incredible deals (think of combinations like £10 or two for £15, £15 or two for £25, £20 or two for £35) and a curated premium vintage boutique just a stone's throw from the city centre. If you're serious about finding the best fits, grab yourself a VIP ticket for early access or book yourself a place in advance.
Saturday 4, 6, 17, 23 February 2023 | Leeds Grand Theatre, New Briggate
Image: Opera North
This bittersweet fairy tale will transport you to the depths of the forest and take you on an emotional yet life-affirming journey. Expect energising, folk-infused melodies sung by a flurry of mischievous creatures who join our protagonist, Vixen Sharp Ears, as she embarks on an adventure to take on the world.
First timers at the opera will absolutely love this option. This production is sung in English (with subtitles too!) so it allows just about everyone to follow the storyline through the heartfelt vocals, as well as the actual performance itself.
From Saturday 4 February 2023 onwards | Infirmary Street and Headingley
Image: The Box
There's plenty of Leeds sports bars showing the Six Nations all month long, but if you want to book yourself a seat surrounded by likeminded fans, The Box is an obvious choice.
With locations in the city centre and Headingley, so you’re never far from a cold pint of Budweiser or a bottle of wine either. You can grab 2-for-1 cocktails, a 20% student discount and a pornstar martinis, served by the stein here too.
Saturday 4 February 2023 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way
Florence + The Machine. Credit: Publicity picture
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.
Tickets are still available, surprisingly! From £42.45 with See Tickets.
Thursday 9 February 2023 | The Adelphi, Hunslet Road
Image: Homage2Fromage
Combining eight different variations of cheddars, reds, whites and blues, Homage2Fromage is joining forces with to bring Leeds a night that we could only dream of. Unlimited cheese will be served for a whopping two and a half hours, and there’s absolutely no limit on how many crumbly bits, hard or soft cheeses you reach for.
The next event is on Thursday 9 February 2023, with a special Valentine’s Day selection of, in the words of Homage2Fromage “sexy, sultry, sensuous cheeses. There will be some soft and yielding, others big and strong – and YES! WE WILL BE MELTING (cheese not hearts!)”
Friday 10 February - Sunday 19 February 2023 | Millennium Square, Victoria Gardens and Cookridge Street
Image: Leeds City Council
Returning for its 30th anniversary, the Valentine's Fair is set to take over Leeds city centre once more. Find a huge range of rides, attractions and games that are fun for the whole family, including the 360° spinning ride The Superstar, the 40m-high Booster Ride, huge swinging pendulum The Devil Rock, dodgems, and, of course, Leeds Wheel of Light.
The games will take over the spaces at Millennium Square, Victoria Gardens and Cookridge Street besides food and drink stalls aplenty.
Find out more here.
Galentines Bottomless Brunch
Saturday 11 February 2023 | Revolution Electric Press, nr Millennium Square
Image: Revolution Electric Press
This year it's all about celebrating the month of love with your mates, and Revolution Electric Press more than got the memo. From £30 per person, round up your nearest and dearest for unlimited cocktails and Prosecco for two whole hours, and grab a delicious brunch option whilst your at it.
For those celebrating Galentine's Day with the girls before v-day, OffBeat Events is bringing the best feel-good anthems to Manahatta for a night of all singing, all dancing fun.
Expect to hear top tunes from Beyonce, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift from 10pm until 3am - with a glass of something sweet and fruity in hand. If that's not enough, there will be exclusive drink deals to take advantage of all night long.
Find out more here.
EAT Leeds Restaurant Week
Monday 20 February - Sunday 26 February 2023 | Around Leeds
Banyan is just one of the restaurants taking part this year. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Eat Leeds Restaurant Week is back for another round of incredible menus that cover everything from a £5 lunch to hearty three course dinners- each with an exciting spin on the classic menus offered at some of Leeds’ favourite restaurants.
Taking place from Monday 20 February 2023 over the course of one week until Sunday 26 February 2023, this foodie-fuelled celebration of Leeds’ favourite spots allows you to taste-test plenty of good grub.
If there's a local collaborative menu to get excited about, this is it. Five courses and five cocktails will be served as part of this one-of-a-kind night between The Hedonist, Stuzzi and Cocchi vermouth.
Tickets cost £75 per person but come with a unique night of food, drink and 'a whole lot of knowledge about the world of Cocchi vermouth alongside Stuzzi Gin'.
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Brasserie Blanc, Leeds
Image: Skiddle
Paint your way through Thursday night and create your own version of Andrew Sales’s Van Gogh-inspired Starry Night over Leeds. Painting in blue and green, it’s an opportunity to unleash your creative side with a glass of wine in one hand and paint brush in the other.
With decor inspired by New York and a menu full of delicious brunch crowdpleasers, there’s going to be a lot to love about this new foodie spot in Headingley. Expanding out of the LS16 postcode closer to the city centre, this is the third of Residence 74s ventures and notably the biggest.
Diners can look forward to cheers-ing with cocktails following a similar ‘around the world’ theme during the nighttime sittings. Choose from Tiki-inspired boozy drinks to perfect gin servings – and plenty of two for £12 deals. The opening date is yet to be confirmed, but the opening is expected to take place in the month of Febraury.
'Private Parts' Exhibition at Thackray Museum of Medicine
Throughout February 2023 | Thackray Museum of Medicine, Harehills
Image: Supplied
A new exhibition has arrived at Leeds Thackray Museum of Medicine, and it's all about tackling the taboo and stigma surrounding 'private parts'. The idea is that the exhibition brings "a safe space for visitors to learn, discuss, and explore the nuances of these often-shrouded topics, with the goal of fostering a deeper understanding and acceptance of the diversity of human bodies and experiences."
Whilst this exhibition will be around until May 2023 to check out, February will be the first full month to check it out.
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 -
30th January 2023 
