UK pop-rock legends Deacon Blue have just announced a new album and UK tour, including a huge gig at Leeds' First Direct Arena.
The Scottish superstars and long-standing British band are back with their 11th studio album and have confirmed a slew of domestic tour dates along with the announcement.
Having been going since 1985, they are well and truly some of the most revered recording veterans to ever come out of the country, known for hit tracks like 'Real Gone Kid', 'Dignity', 'Loaded' and more.
Revealing a total of 20 dates across various arenas and theatres, Deacon Blue will naturally be kicking off their tour in their home country before heading Yorkshire way not long after.
In addition to the new LP, The Great Western Road, Deacon Blue have plenty to celebrate next year as 2025 will also mark the band's 40th anniversary.
Founding members Ricky Ross and Dougie Vipond reflect on their journey as a group, as well as their long and successful career in the industry in this new album, as well the band's shared age and experience now they're four decades into Deacon.
Commenting on the announcement, lead singer Ricky Ross said: "It’s just the next part of the adventure and it’s as exciting now as it was back then."
"I love the idea that a circus coming to town is a temporary existence, a little bit of magic suddenly appears in the middle of a town or a village and then it goes away. It’s very similar to what you do live.
Perhaps most excitingly besides the upcoming album itself, one of the coolest things about this new tour is that it's not going to be your average old headline gig: they've promised two different shows.
Explaining that they'll be "curating a show that changes and evolves, pulling out little surprises every now and again", the theatre shows will also be distinct from the bigger arena shows, allowing them to flick between the new music and the hits.
They've said they want to give fans "the best night of their lives" and make each show just as brilliant as the last.
"The live experience is so ephemeral, at the end of a show people lose all their inhibitions, and then it’s over", added Ross; "You have to be there. That’s what’s magical about it."
As for The Great Western Road - a tribute to Glasgow's legendary street of the same name located between the city centre and its West End - the album is due to release on 21 March 2025.
Deacon Blue will be coming to Leeds' First Direct Arena on Tuesday, 23 September 2025 and even if you don't grab tickets to that show, they'll be playing nearby dates in Bradford, Hull and a pair of gigs in Sheffield.
General admission goes live at 9am this Friday, 29 November but fans can register for presale tickets either by signing up for the First Direct newsletter. Three mobile customers can also get exclusive presale on Wednesday, 27 November from 10am.
Clubland is heading to Leeds for a special arena-sized anniversary celebration next year.
The Clubland Arena Tour promises a night of the biggest artists and biggest anthems, giving fans the chance to come together for a celebration of the dance music brand.
Celebrating 25 years of Clubland, the tour will stop off at arenas in Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Aberdeen, and of course Leeds.
With the event set to take over one of Leeds' biggest live entertainment venues, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a nostalgic night of club classics and dancefloor favourites – even before the lineup is announced.
Image: Supplied
The full line-up is expected to be announced very soon, with fans encouraged to keep an eye out for further details.
Previous headliners at Clubland Live have included Cascada, Basshunter, Scooter, Ultrabeat, and Vengaboys, always guaranteeing a night of non-stop anthems.
For many dance music fans, Clubland has become synonymous with the sounds that dominated clubs, radio playlists and party nights throughout the 2000s.
Over the years, Clubland has continued to celebrate the artists and songs that helped define an era of dance music, giving fans the chance to experience their favourite tracks live alongside thousands of like-minded clubbers.
From infectious pop-dance hits to harder-hitting electronic anthems, its events tap into a sense of nostalgia while keeping the energy of a night out firmly at the centre of the experience.
The 25th anniversary tour looks set to build on that legacy, bringing a quarter-century of club classics to arenas across the UK.
The Clubland Arena Tour will be at the First Direct Bank Arena on Saturday 1 May 2027.
Wakefield indie legends The Cribs announce special hometown show
Clementine Hall
Wakefield heroes The Cribs have announced a special hometown show to celebrate 20 years of their critically acclaimed album.
After two decades and nine albums as one of Britain’s iconic indie bands; Gary, Ryan and Ross Jarman are back celebrating their album, Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, at Wakefield's historically significant venue Tileyard North.
They'll be coming to the city on Friday 20 August, acting as the first headliner revealed for next summer’s Live at Tileyard North series.
Now living in Portland, Oregon, New York and the band’s native Wakefield respectively; the trio’s 9th full length release, 2025’s Selling a Vibe, found the brothers proving themselves once again as a leading band in the indie scene.
Returning to Wakefield to celebrate the milestone album’s 20th anniversary, which is widely regarded as their best record, they'll be by playing it in full on the same site where the Jarman brothers wrote and rehearsed in the early 2000’s.
Joining The Cribs in Wakefield will be cult Yorkshire art rock heroes ¡Forward, Russia!, who are celebrating 20 years of their inimitable debut album Give Me A Wall.
Image: Supplied
Toby Womack, Promoter - Futuresound Events said: “I am so pleased to be able to bring back our Live at Tileyard North Series for 2027. After such a warm reception in 2026, it’s encouraging to know we have Wakefield's stamp of approval to keep it going for years to come.
"We couldn’t think of a better way to launch our second edition than with The Cribs' first hometown show in over 10 years, this will be incredibly special!”
Liam Duffy, Tileyard North said: “The launch of Live at Tileyard North was a triumph, so we couldn’t be happier about its return next year. We’re all super excited to collaborate with the Futuresound team again, who brought so much consideration and care to the venue, and together bring even more exceptional live music to the people of Wakefield.
"With local legends The Cribs leading the first announcement, next year's shows are guaranteed to be even bigger and better.”
The Wakefield Postcode Pre-sale will allow early access to tickets for Wakefield residents, and will open 10am on Wednesday 21 October here whilst general sale will open at 10am on Friday 23 October here.
Danny Jones -
26th November 2024 
