A four-day weekend, Jubilee celebrations, a school holiday and that's all before it's officially summer.
The beginning of June marks far more than just the Queen's Platinum Jubilee (although the four-day weekend is marking a huge celebration). There's new openings, a triathlon, music festivals and a whole lot of foodie offers to make the most of.
As we finally enter the summer season, we're swapping our winter coats and umbrellas for beer gardens and running shoes to get on with the best this city has to offer.
Keep reading to find out what our top ten things to do are this month.
Jubilee Weekend Music Festivals
Wednesday 1 June - Sunday 5 June 2022 | Around Leeds
Image: Slam Dunk Festival North
We could written a whole article on the music festivals going on this month (but we saved that for another article, here), but instead we've collated our favourite festivals taking place this month in and around the city centre.
Temple Newsam will host a plethora of international heroes as well as up-and-coming indie bands whilst the city centre will see DJs aplenty taking over Millenium Square or over on Greek Street so that we can all continue dancing into the earlier hours over the four-day-weekend.
Expect Craig David Presents TS5, Bombay Bicycle Club, Tom Zanetti, The Vaccines, Holly Humberstone, Neck Deep, Sum41, Classic Ibiza DJs and so many more names taking over Leeds this month.
The following festivals are set to take place over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend:
Summertime Live at Temple Newsam (Find out more here)
Wednesday 1 June - Sunday 5 June 2022. Find out more here.
Drag Queen Royal Variety Afternoon Tea
Friday 3 June 2022, 12-2pm | Yard & Coop, Merrion Street
Image: Yard & Coop
Yard and Coop is hosting the ultimate afternoon tea over the Jubilee bank holiday, complete with a Royal Variety performance from some of the greatest queens around. Expect three layers of crunchy, sweet, savoury and all round delicious servings, starting with a huge bowl of fries with buttermilk fried chicken and crispy smoked bacon. Wash all this down with a cocktail of your choice before watching in awe of a fabulous Royal Variety spin-off performance set to shake the whole house down. With only one sitting available, make sure you book this one before its inevitable sell-out stops any more purchases.
Legally Blonde just got musical, and we can't wait to see this live rendition of the cult 00s movie. The musical production promises to follow the same storyline of the original blockbuster, just with a whole lot more singing and dancing.
"Can Elle win back Warner, avoid flunking out of Law School, gain the respect of her peers and professors, and realise her true potential with the support of her new friends? Or will Elle find herself stuck with her stereotype as ‘Legally Blonde’?" Join Carriageworks Theatre over their four day show to find out.
Wednesday 7 June - Sunday 11 June 2022. Find out more here.
Paint and Pizza Night at Franco Manca
Thursday 9 June 2022 5.30pm - 9pm | Franco Manca, Trinity Street, Leeds city centre
Image: Franco Manca
Whilst we all love a good homemade pizza, how many of us actually have a plate big enough to fit it on? If your tired of cutting, folding and altering your Italian feat to fit onto your plates, or just fancy drinking away the night whilst getting creative- we've found an ideal evening activity.
With pizza and your choice included in the price, the Paint and Pizza Night at Franco Manca is all about letting out that inner Picasso and design, create and then take home your very own pizza plate.
Tickets cost £20 and can be booked directly with Franco Manca.
Friday 10 June 2022 | 34 Boar Lane, opposite Leeds Train Station
Image: Meat Stack
The long-awaited opening of cult indie cheeseburger joint, MEAT:STACK is finally here. Opening its door to the public for the very first time on Friday 10 June 2022, burger connoisseurs will be able to grab a bite from the menu from 12pm- and if you’re one of the first 100 to visit, you meal will be entirely on the house.
MEAT:STACK has built up a loyal following in the north of England since they first launched as a pop-up in six years ago and after operating within Newcastle’s historic Grainger Market, the company took the plunge in 2020 and opened their first high street store on the Bigg Market in Newcastle.
The success of their burgers followed them onto the main streets and now they’re bringing their attention to detail, authentic preparation methods and moreish flavour combo to Leeds.
Friday 10 June 2022. Find out more here.
Vintage Kilo Sale
Sunday 11 June 2022 | Left Bank, Cardigan Road, Burley
Image: Worth the Weight Vintage
The UK's biggest kilo sale is bringing sustainable fashion to the masses at Left Bank.
The unique experience that every Leeds student of foraging for second-hand garms and paying for the weight seems to tick off at least once during their University days and for good reason. Featuring exclusive apparel from the 1960s – 1990s, take your pick and pay by per kilo for these thrifted goods.
There’s no minimum or maximum spend at our events so you can pick as little or as much as you want. Items start at 75p and reach a maximum of £15 for anything big and ‘unweighable’.
Saturday 11 June – Sunday 12 June 2022 | Roundhay Park, Roundhay
Image: Leeds City Council
The city will play host to a two-day triathlon festival across June, making this the sixth year for Leeds to hold this prestigious position.
The likes of Jonny Brownlee, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Alex Yee will be focusing on this leg of the World Triathlon Championship Series ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July- so you might even spot a sporting celeb or two during the weekend event.
As well as the enduring triathalon events, there will also be a children and family swim and run activity to ensure that the entire family can partake and ignite their interest in the sports.
Saturday 11 June – Sunday 12 June 2022. Find out more here.
Mans Market X The Beehive Thorner
Thursday 23 June - Saturday 25 June 2022 | The Beehive Thorner, 83 Main Street, Thorner
Image: Mans Market
What a takeover. For three nights only, the country pub is making room in the kitchen for Sunday Times recommended Chinese eatery, Mans Market. Serving up a set menu of three courses and a Kobe Tai (Mans Market's version of a Pornstar Martini), choose from the likes of salt and pepper chicken, crispy chilli beef and Chefs Mans Giant Spring Roll served with sweet and sour sauce.
Bao buns form the main course here with a choice of duck bao, BBQ pork or Panko tofu served with salt and pepper chips whilst the desserts are made up of either a Miso Corny or chocolate brownie with miso caramel and popcorn.
Thursday 23 June - Saturday 25 June 2022. Find out more here.
Leeds Dock Dragon Boat Race
Saturday 25 June 2022 | Leeds Dock
Image: Eventbrite
The Waterfront Festival's main attraction will se a race like no other across the Leeds Liverpool canal- fancy dress optional. Teams of 10-16 rowers will take to the water for the chance to win a trophy (and a year's worth of bragging rights) by entering three rounds of racing before the semi final and final take place.
On the day, there will be street food vendors to keep you well fed, entertainment between races and with a chance of sunshine, the dragon boat races promise to be a day out all the family can join in with.
Sunday 26 June 2022 | 10-12 Call Lane, Leeds city centre
Image: Döner Summer
All you can eat or drink in two hours: now that's a bottomless worth raving about.
Endless Summer is here, but only once a month so if you're keen to get your seat at the meat-free table, you'd better act fast. On the menu, there's all the fried chickn goodness from the main menu, gyros kebabs, Berlin doner, burgers and skin-on fries served unlimited times to your table plus the choice of cocktails like Passionfruit Flossi, Rum Punch, Sherbet Lemons and house beer.
Available 12pm - 8pm once a month, this celebration of endless summer, booze and food is £28.95 per person or £17.95 for a non-alcoholic option.
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 -
31st May 2022 
