Whether you're looking for somewhere to take the kids over half term, to book a gig to dance away the cold winter night or a new opening to unwind on a Friday night with a bottle of wine, we've got you covered this month.
Keep reading to find all of our top picks, including food and drink specials, new openings, a dedicated gig guide and loads of events and installations...
Knife Angel
From Thursday 1 February 2024 | Royal Armouries, Leeds City Centre
Image: Leeds City Council
The touring Knife Angel sculpture is coming to Leeds this February, to send a powerful message and spark conversations about knife crime in the city.
The Knife Angel, standing tall at 27ft and made from over 100,000 seized blades, was created by the British Ironwork Centre to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour and the need for change.
The poignant sculpture will be placed outside the Royal Armouries Museum as part of an intensification month on knife crime which launches on Thursday 1 February 2024.
Mug Shot Pop-up
Saturday 3 February 2024 | Briggate, between H Samuels and the former Debenhams
Image: Supplied
Get ready for a real ‘mmm moment’ as Mug Shot is bringing its ‘instant hot snack brigade’ to Briggate this Saturday.
From 10am – 6pm, you can warm up with a free hot sample and whilst you’re there, give the Mug Shot Wheel of Fortune a spin for your chance to win a whole range of tasty goodies.
Koben Drive In
Saturday 3 February 2024 | Thiccc Sauce HQ, Holbeck
From the creator of Thiccc Sauce, Koben Smokehouse specialises in meaty takeout goodness at its finest. Combining the best of both businesses, there will be a Koben Drive In at Thiccc Sauce HQ with triple smashburgers, barbacoa sandwiches and Philly Cheesesteak subs.
Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Old Woolen, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley
Image: Old Woolen
The untold story of the 90s hit TV show FRIENDS is coming to the Old Woolen this month. Told 'through the eyes of Gunther, Central Perk’s very own ‘seventh Friend’, the audience is invited to 'settle down in Gunther’s café' and hear a different perspective from the man that kept the cast caffeinated throughout all ten seasons.
Sunday 11 February - Monday 12 February 2024 | Infirmary Street, Leeds City Centre
The best seats in the house for the Superbowl are going to be at BOX this year. The bar reckons whether you're cheering offense, defense, or just the epic halftime show, BOX Leeds is THE place to be, and with tables available from 8pm, we can't wait to watch some of the biggest touchdowns of the year through the night.
To celebrate the New Year, there will be a lion dance event from Sing Kee Leeds Supermarket - Oriental City Restaurant from 11.30am - 12.45pm. Not much information has been revealed about the exciting event to date but if anyone has been to previous dance events to celebrate the new year, you'll know exactly what's in store.
The Cheesy Living Co. Cheese and Cocktails night
Wednesday 29 February 2024 | Roundhay Road, Oakwood
Two of Leeds indies are joining forces over at The Cheesy Living Co. Oakwood for a night of cheese and cocktails. You'll be welcomed with olives, focaccia and an Aperitif cocktail before sampling six different taster cocktails from Philippos and the Tabula Rasa team.
Opening Friday 2 February 2024 | New Briggate, Leeds City Centre
Image: Supplied
Celebrating its 10th year trading, The Brotherhood sports bar has reinvented its New Briggate venue with a massive makeover and new menu.
With the help of AXI Interior Design, the two-floor venue has been transformed into a warm and inviting space that channels a vintage gentleman’s club, with plenty of retro sporting nods throughout.
The Brotherhood is set to reopen on Friday 2 February which perfectly coincides with the Euros, the Six Nations, Fury Vs Usyk and the Super Bowl all heading to Brotherhood’s screens over the coming months.
Bavette
Opening mid February 2024 | Town Street, Horsforth
A new neighbourhood bistro is coming to Horsforth next month, and there’s just as much focus on the food as there is the wine here. Named Bavette, the opening is the first venture from ex-Culpeper Group MD and Head Chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Restaurant Manager and sommelier Clément Cousin.
The seasonal menu is expected to feature ‘classically-inspired dishes such as Pork Belly Rillons, Frisé Salad and Ravigote Sauce, Halibut, Vin Jaune Sauce & Buttered Leeks or Paris-Brest’, all of which can be perfectly paired with wine from the family vineyard or other exciting low intervention bottles from across Europe.
Reservations are now available for March, April and May for Michelin-recognised chef Michael O'Hare's reinvented restaurant – and ahead of the relaunch, Psycho Sandbar will be hosting a special preview night on Valentine’s Day.
The ‘candle light in a building site’ menu will feature a five course set menu, with hints of the new ‘surf shaky’ feel. Priced at £95 per person, there will be tables available from midday until 10pm on Wednesday 14 February 2024 only.
Find out more here.
Gig Guide
1 February 2024 - Strictly Come Dancing at First Direct Arena (get tickets here)
2 February 2024 - Strictly Come Dancing at First Direct Arena (get tickets here)
2 February 2024 - As December Falls at The Key Club (get tickets here)
3 February 2024 - Del Water Gap at Headrow House (get tickets here)
9 February 2024 - Enter Shikari at First Direct Arena (get tickets here)
10 February 2024 - Venus Grrrls (get tickets here)
11 February 2024 - The Last Dinner Party at Brudenell Social Club (get tickets here)
11 February 2024 - Noah Kahan at First Direct Arena (get tickets here)
13 February 2024 - Frank Carter at O2 Academy (get tickets here)
14 February 2024 - Declan McKenna at The Wardrobe (get tickets here)
14 February 2024 - Bombay Bicycle Club at O2 Academy (get tickets here)
15 February 2024 - Simple Plan at O2 Academy (get tickets here)
15 February 2024 - The Libertines at The Wardrobe (get tickets here)
17 February 2024 - Example at O2 Academy (get tickets here)
18 February 2024 - Bill Bailey at First Direct Arena (get tickets here)
21 February 2024 - The Vaccines at O2 Academy (get tickets here)
24 February 2024 - Rick Astley at First Direct Arena (get tickets here)
24 February 2024 - NEWDAD at Headrow House (get tickets here)
27 February 2024 - Editors at O2 Academy (get tickets here)
27 February 2024 - Ferocious Dog at The Old Woolen (get tickets here)
28 February 2024 - Mother Mother at O2 Academy (get tickets here)
Feature Image - The Brotherhood / Strictly Come Dancing Live / Leeds City Council
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Kesha pulls out of Roundhay Festival as all-new Pitbull line-up revealed
American pop singer Kesha has dropped out of the Pitbull-fronted Roundhay Festival line-up, with a major shake-up announced today.
The second instalment of artists for Pitbull's headline Roundhay Festival show has been announced and it's missing highly-anticipated and originally-announced artist Kesha.
Festival organisers have said that the star will no longer be able to perform due to 'unforeseen scheduling conflicts'.
The American singer's musical adventure has taken a 'Joyride' since becoming independent in September 2024 and releasing her sixth studio album "." or Period almost a year ago.
Now, Kesha's title as 'Special Guest' has now been handed over to three very impressive artists who also shared a role in soundtracking some of the 2010s biggest hits.
Kesha was originally listed as a 'Special Guest' for Pitbull's Roundhay Festival gig in Leeds this July / Credit: Brendan Walters / Press Shots
One of these new artists is Jason Derulo, who is ready to treat the crowd to his array of chart-topping melodies like: 'Whatcha Say', 'Talk Dirty to Me', 'Trumpets'.
Another act who knows a thing or two about travelling the globe like Mr. Worldwide is 'Miami 2 Ibiza' hitmaker Tinie Tempah - things are definitely about to get 'Frisky'.
The final artist joining this already impressive list of names is Lil Jon who's bringing his high energy tracks to Roundhay Park such as 'Turn Down For What', 'Shots' and 'Get Low'.
Jason Derulo is just one of the artists making up the all-new Pitbull Roundhay Festival line-up / Credit: Wikimedia Commons (via Supplied)
Kesha's departure from this Leeds gig comes as a complete shock as the star is still set to play a whole host of UK festival dates including a BST Hyde Park show in London on 10 July.
In a statement shared via social media, Roundhay Festival has stated the reason for this very big change to the line-up:
"Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, Kesha will no longer be joining us this July. We hope to welcome her to Roundhay Park in the future."
Although fans who have already bought tickets to the show might still be 'Praying' for Kesha's return to the Roundhay Festival bill, it's safe to say these artists are a great addition.
Pitbull is coming to Roundhay Park in Leeds on Friday 3 July 2026 and so far he's bringing along Jason Derulo, Tinie Tempah and Lil Jon with more acts to follow - Tickets HERE.
Rick Astley at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
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.
Sophie Smith -
31st January 2024 
