The long-awaited opening of a new entertainment venue in Bradford will see tributes to two music greats take to the stage.
Bradford Live will be opening in the old Odeon building on Godwin Street which closed in 2000 and has been threatened with demolition ever since.
But after a grassroots campaign to save it, developer Bradford Live took on the challenge in 2012 and reached an agreement with NEC Group as operator in 2017.
Work has been ongoing to transform the derelict site to an impressive 3,800 capacity music venue.
The new entertainment venue will be purpose built for not only music, but for comedy, sport and family orientated events.
🚨 It's time to announce two events in our 2024 Launch Season 🚨
The aim is to create a cultural hub for the region that will celebrate the city whilst ensuring world-class event spaces for generations to come, expecting to host a whopping 300,000 visitors per year.
Scheduled to open this autumn, two opening acts have been announced as part of the launch.
Thank you for the Music, The Ultimate Tribute to Abba and Legend: The Music of Bob Marley will perform at Bradford Live in November.
Thank you for the Music will perform on Friday 8 November and Legend: The Music of Bob Marley will perform on Friday 29 November 2024.
You can sign-up to pre-sale tickets here or alternatively, general sale tickets will go live at 10am this Friday 19 January.
The live music programme for this year's Ilkley Food and Drink Festival has been released, featuring ABBA and Bruce Springsteen tribute acts, plus loads more entertainment.
The festival will be returning to the riverside setting this summer, with a brand-new arena also unveiled that will host free family challenges and interactive contests.
The weekend will be a celebration of great food and local talent, featuring street food, independent bars, live chef demos, live music, and an artisan market.
And now festival organisers have announced who'll be taking to the stages to soundtrack the weekend too.
There'll be a variety of local soloists, community groups, and bands, with a special tribute performance each evening.
On Saturday, that'll be Planet ABBA, one of the UK's leading ABBA tribute acts; while on Sunday headliners will be The Boss and The Beeston Street Band, a renowned Yorkshire-based tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
The new arena - the Sizzling Showdown Arena - will host an eclectic schedule of family competitions, like a family dog show, a chilli challenge eating competition, and the 'foodie olympics'.
There'll also be a new inflatable 'banana jousting' ring, where friends and family can take part in silly inflatable duels against one another.
Ilkley Food and Drink Festival returns this summer
Festival director Michael Johnston spoke on their aims to create a fresh experience for both new and returning visitors, saying: "Heading into our seventh year, we expect to welcome plenty of new faces as well as several returning visitors.
"We want to create an exciting experience for every single person who walks through our doors, which means constantly looking for new ways to enhance what we offer.
"Several ideas that have been in the works for a while are finally coming to life."
Ilkley Food and Drink Festival takes place on 13 and 14 June, you can find out more HERE.
Our record shops, just like the actual vinyl you're after buying, come in all shapes and sizes, stocking everything from holy grail albums to new spins that you need in your collection.
Whatever genre you're searching for, this South Yorkshire city and its array of record shops are sure to have you covered, and you can even refresh your wardrobe in some of them.
9 of the best record shops in and around Sheffield city centre
This place has everything you could possibly think of, including all the latest standout releases like Don't Be Dumb by A$AP Rocky and West End Girl by Lily Allen.
As well as a huge range of LPs, there's a wide variety of books all surrounding different music subcultures like Punk, Grime and Dance.
And of course, a moment of appreciation for Bear Tree Records and its Britney Spears 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' skateboard - iconic.
Where to find: Unit 13, The Forum, 16, 127 Devonshire St, Sheffield S3 7SB
If you couldn't tell by that window arrangement, this next spot is very rock-focused with the likes of Pink Floyd, Meat Loaf and Rage Against the Machine adorning its shopfront.
You can get your hands on some of the latest LPs as well as some pre-loved gems - you can delve into some classics or even expand your music knowledge with their vast display of records from the past.
It's also right next door to Tamper Coffee, which means you can grab your caffeine and vinyl fix at the same time, all within a two-minute walk.
Where to find: 137A Arundel St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2NU
Record Collector
Credit: The Manc Group
We couldn't reel off notable record shops in Sheffield without mentioning this staple institution, which has been serving the music lovers of this South Yorkshire city since 1978.
Just like our very own music counterpart Audio North, the owner of Record Collector, Barry, spotlights up-and-coming talent, giving them pride of place in his shop displays.
If you're ever planning a day trip to Sheffield, you'll probably need to book a weekend, as this shop in itself will have you transfixed with its huge range of musical releases.
Where to find: 233 Fulwood Rd, Sheffield S10 3BA
Waxhead Records
Credit: The Manc Group
Inside Arundel Emporium is this beauty of a record shop, which formerly went by the name Music Junkie, before re-establishing itself as Waxhead Records.
No matter what name this shop goes by, one thing will always stay the same, and that's this record shop's dedication to proper good vinyl.
Check out those phenomenal albums on display by the likes of music greats: Ms Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Joni Mitchell - obviously Arctic Monkeys are up there too.
Where to find: First Floor, 16 Matilda St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4QD
Kelham Island Books and Music
Credit: The Manc Group
Known for being Sheffield's largest second-hand bookshop, this place prides itself on its love for physical media.
Every inch of this shop floor is home to books, magazines, records, CDs and more, meaning you're sure to find something you'll enjoy.
Situated at Shalesmoor and close to Kelham Island, get ready to step back in time and browse plenty of vintage and preloved items that are waiting to spark interest and joy with the next person who picks them up.
Just a stone's throw away from Sheffield city centre is Tallbird Records, which we simply couldn't leave out, as they're top class.
They're Chesterfield's longest-running independent record shop, stocking all things music for over a decade, opening back in 2013.
Like all of the record shops mentioned above, this vinyl vendor prides itself on having a friendly team and a vast selection of LPs - they've even got K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Where to find: 10 Soresby St, Chesterfield S40 1JN
Last but not least, we'll end with one final honourable mention that feels like a fitting venue not just on Record Store Day but all year-round...
Clementine Hall -
16th January 2024 
