We don't need much of an excuse to go shopping for vinyls and CDs - but World Record Store Day will do just fine.
Whether you've been an avid collector of vinyls and CDs or you've jumped on the band wagon this time round, there's nothing quite like grabbing yourself a new disc for your record player.
Here are our favourite places to go record shopping in and around Leeds.
Jumbo Records
1-3 Merrion Centre, Leeds city centre
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The team at Jumbo are so excited about WRSD that they've all written their top picks over on the record store's Instagram page.
Hidden away inside the Merrion Centre, this small record shop is set to attract big crowds over the weekend, but the friendly advice and passionate customers makes them a record store worth visiting all year round- plus they advertise all their new releases every Friday morning, so you'll never miss an album's debut appearance again.
Derived from a love of vinyl records and football: Vinyl Whistle is an indie record store that stocks new and old EPs, football memorabilia (especially anything Leeds United related) and has a coffee shop/ beer taps / live gig venue right in the middle of their store.
WRSD special editions will go on sale from 8am this Saturday, but you can shop for never-seen-before LPs, and get intimate gig tickets with a pint in one hand and a Leeds United poster in the other all year round- it really is the jack-of-all-trades indie store the suburbs needs.
Hidden away from the crowds inside Leeds Corn Exchange, Released Records offers an eclectic mix of new and pre-loved records. They're a dog-friendly store and they'll be offering all of the best World Record Store Day options to lucky shoppers too.
The owners are happy to talk all things music all day long and the brand even has its own label: The Lost Records, which isavailable to book for live shows and events, bespoke licensed music for videos, commercials, TV, film and more.
With over 30 years of celebrating music in Leeds, Crash Records is one of the biggest record stores in our city. Specialising in indie, alternative, rock, punk, metal, you'll find endless hidden gems inside their doors- plus they'll be celebrating WRSD with an incredible selection of LPs for sale.
Crash Records is also given an allocation for local gig tickets- and shopping with them is so much more exciting than just logging on to Ticketmaster. Discover who you can watch live at Headrow, O2 Academy or grab your Leeds Festival tickets here too.
For those soley interested in shopping for second-hand treasures, North South Vintage (formerly Vintage Boutique) is an unmissable stop. Located right in the heart of studentsville spaces between Hyde Park and Headingley, this vintage store has plenty of hidden diamonds in the rough, just waiting to be uncovered. Expect a huge array of 70s and 80s bangers, as well as contemporary house mixes amongst old football scarves, retro Nikes and an impressive collection of classic novels.
Whilst you won't find any WRSD records here, shopping second-hand helps the back pocket and the planet respectively- and you're still shopping independently along the way.
Trinity Kitchen is about to get a huge revamp with work due to commence in spring.
Trinity Leeds has revealed that Freight Island, the team behind the UK’s leading food hall and entertainment venue, will operate the expanded Trinity Kitchen.
The whopping £15m renovation is aiming to deliver a one-of-a-kind destination food hall experience to Leeds.
The project, which has received planning approval from Leeds City Council, represents Trinity Leeds’ largest single investment since the centre first opened its doors.
The expansion will revitalise a previously unused 15,000 sq ft area above Trinity Kitchen, creating a 63,000 sq ft food and leisure destination that includes a striking new outdoor terrace overlooking City Square.
Image: Supplied
Work will begin late spring and once complete, Freight Island will operate the new food and leisure space.
Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds, said: “Delivering an exceptional visitor experience has always been our top priority here at Trinity Leeds. Since launching in 2013, Trinity Kitchen has been an exciting and evolving concept, and our new plans will mark its most exciting chapter yet.
"The venue will be transformed into a spectacular multi-level dining, entertainment and dynamic leisure venue, enhanced by additional space and a new terrace to bring the atmosphere outdoors.
“Freight Island will help to elevate our food and drink offering, creating an expansive and immersive venue, with exciting opportunities for new brands and operators to join our thriving community. Together, we will build on Trinity Kitchen’s decade-long success, ensuring it continues to grow its appeal as a best-in-class food and leisure destination.”
Dan Morris, Managing Director of Freight Island, said: “Trinity Kitchen is an iconic Leeds destination with a decade-long reputation for championing independent food traders and creating a genuinely social dining experience. We’re incredibly excited to be bringing Freight Island to Trinity Leeds as part of this landmark expansion."
Ne-Yo and Akon announce huge joint arena show at Leeds’ First Direct Arena
Daisy Jackson
Two R&B greats are heading out on a joint headline tour for the very first time, as Ne-Yo and Akon announced the Nights Like This global tour.
Both artists are Grammy Award winners, and each has a formidable back catalogue of chart-topping hits.
For Ne-Yo, that includes songs like Miss Independent, So Sick, and Closer; while for Akon, he's responsible for huge tracks like Smack That, Lonelty, and Right Now (Na Na Na).
Between them, they've shaped and defined radio, nightlife, and pop culture for decades.
This newly-announced tour will see the pair performing on the same stage - for Leeds, that's the First Direct Bank Arena.
They'll perform in a unique back-and-forth set throughout the show, visiting venues right across the UK and Europe, as well as heading across to the USA and Canada.
The nostalgic gigs will feature everything from slow jams to club anthems, with a party atmosphere throughout.
Ne-Yo and Akon will perform at the First Direct Bank Arena on Thursday 30 April 2026, with tickets on sale this Friday 30 January at 10am.
There will be an artist pre-sale on Wednesday 28 January at 10am.
Nights Like This EU/UK 2026 tour dates
Fri 24 Apr – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
Mon 27 Apr – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena Newcastle
Tue 28 Apr – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Thu 30 Apr – Leeds, UK – First Direct Bank Arena
Fri 1 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Mon 4 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Sophie Smith -
17th April 2023 
