The highly-anticipated new BBC Drama has been filming right under our noses.
The BBC has long been known for its gripping thrillers, but new drama series Better could unnerve even the most rational of Loiners.
Set and filmed entirely in Leeds, the new series starring I Hate Suzie's Leila Farzad will see the actress taking on redemption in a whole new light.
Redefining what it meants to be right or wrong, Farzad will play lead Detective Lou alongside Broadchurch's Andrew Buchan, Wolf'e Zak Ford-Williams, Cold Feet's Ceallach Spellman and Peaky Blinder's Samuel Edward-Cook.
Written by the talent behind Spooks and Humans, Jonathon Brackley and Sam Vincent make up the team of producers on this exciting new series.
The BBC has released a synopsis which suggests that viewers are going to be for quite the emotional, on-the-edge-of-your-seat journey.
"19 years ago, when Lou was a young police officer at her lowest ebb and Col a low-ranking but ambitious newcomer to the Leeds underworld, their paths crossed, and they struck a deal that changed their lives forever. The bargain allowed Col to become very rich and very powerful, and Lou to turn around her failing career.
"A complex but special bond between the pair was forged, and so began Lou’s gradual slide into corruption. It started slowly, almost imperceptibly – small favours for Col here and there in return for tip offs, a little money to help her through some tough times – but over time her criminality seeped into every aspect of Lou’s life and morphed into something far more sinister and dangerous as the stakes grew."
The multi-layered complexion of Detective Lou Slack is a personality that BAFTA-nominated cress Leila Farzad is excited to take on: “Better is a brilliant fresh take on the morality tale. I am excited to have the opportunity to play Lou Slack, the vehicle through which we explore the multivalent layers of good and bad. A complex, flawed yet utterly human character. I feel very lucky to be a part of such a wonderful show with an incredibly talented team attached to it.”
On Monday 16 May, The Yorkshire Post reported that the TV drama was causing gridlock whilst filming on the Bingley Sir Fred Hoyle Way bypass the previous weekend. Besides this, few additional filming locations have been released to the public but it is expected that viewers will recognise the Yorkshire hotspots once the BBC drama makes it on to the TV screens.
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.
Leeds is absolutely packed with amazing independent record shops where you can browse for rare vinyls and pick up other collectors' items.
And that applies all year round - not just for World Record Store Day, which this year will fall on Saturday 18 April.
Here are our favourite places to go record shopping in and around Leeds.
Jumbo Records
1-3 Merrion Centre, Leeds city centre
Jumbo Records in Leeds. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Jumbo Records is an absolute record shop institution and has proudly stood in Leeds for more than 50 years.
Located inside the Merrion Centre, this huge music hub has every single type of music you can imagine and their wonderful staff are on hand to help you navigate around this treasure trove. Within their four walls you'll find endless new and old vinyls, CDs, books, magazines, cassettes, limited edition prints, tickets and loads more - whatever you can imagine, they have it.
Jumbo Records even holds live performances in-store. Remember when a few stages blew away at Leeds Fest? Well, Jumbo opened its doors to the likes of Wunderhorse so they could swing by and play a few songs. So basically what we're trying to say is Jumbo Records is goated and if you need anything music-related, this is where you need to be heading.
For Record Store Day 2026, they'll be open from 8am with 500+ releases, live music, and a pop-up bar.
Vinyl Whistle and Meanhood
Otley Road, Headingley
The Vinyl Whistle in Leeds. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Named after a love of both vinyl records and football, Vinyl Whistle is an indie record store that stocks new and old EPs, and has a coffee shop/ beer taps/live gig venue right in the middle of their store.
Owners Jim and Katie just expanded their offering even further too, launching Meanhood right beneath Vinyl Whistle with a mission to make DJing more accessible across Leeds.
This record store day, they'll have friends on the decks ALL DAY from 8am to 11pm.
Released Records
Corn Exchange, Leeds City Centre
You can also shop with them at Hyde Park Book ClubReleased Records in the Corn Exchange
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 too, 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 Record.
You can shop their curated collections elsewhere in Leeds too - these guys are in charge of the vinyl collections at Hyde Park Book Club, and Outlaws Yacht Club.
One of our go-tos for vinyl shopping in Leeds has to be Crash Records, which is a true cornerstone of the Leeds music scene.
It's been around for 41 years this year, specialising in indie, alternative, rock, punk, and metal.
You'll find endless treasures hidden inside these walls, PLUS Crash Records is given an allocation for local gig tickets - and shopping with them is so much more exciting than just logging on to Ticketmaster.
Too Damn Loud
Kirkgate Market
This is one of the most long-standing businesses inside Kirkgate Market, operating since 1974 with a huge selection for music-lovers to browse through.
Peter, along with his wife, have run the store themselves for the past half-century - and during this time have made the transition from vinyls, to tapes and CD, and then back to vinyls again - plus you’ll find video tapes and DVDs in here too spanning across all genres and age groups.
The name came from the owner’s original neighbour complaining that the store was ‘Too Damn Loud’ - and it’s stuck ever since.
Plant & Deck
Upstairs in The Doghouse, 93 Kirkgate
Where do you go when you want to buy vines and vinyls these days? The answer is obviously Plant and Deck in its new home.
Head upstairs (and upstairs again) in Doghouse and you'll find this haven for vinyl records and house plants.
With those amazing vaulted ceilings and wood beams, and vinyls spinning all day long, this jungle of electronic music looks as good as it sounds.
Holding Patterns
2A Albion Place
Holding Patterns is a bar in Leeds that sounds as good as it looks.
From a vinyl listening station to a state-of-the-art sound system, and with vinyl DJs and selectors blessing your ears in the evenings, this is where to bring all the music-lovers in your life.
There’s a concise list of gorgeous cocktails, natural wines, crafts beers and delicious coffees too.
Tribe Records in Leeds is a renowned independent vinyl shop specialising in electronic music, including house, techno, electro, reggae, and dub.
Reopened in 2020 after a hiatus, it acts as a vital community hub run by Simon Scott, supplying new/used records, and supporting local DJs with expert advice.
North South Vintage
Headingley Lane, Headingley / Hyde Park Corner
For those solely 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.
Yungblud at First Direct Arena, Leeds – stage times, setlist, support and more
Daisy Jackson
Yungblud is set to play a massive gig in Leeds this week, as the Yorkshire-born rocker returns to his home county.
The boundary-pushing artist from Doncaster will take the stage at the First Direct Arena on Friday 17 April as part of his Idols World Tour.
Announcing the tour last year, he said: "UK. It’s been two years! I’m so excited to announce our biggest shows yet... Let’s go."
Yungblud has amassed legions of fans since exploding onto the scene in 2018 with his debut album 21st Century Liability.
And thousands of those fans - who call themselves the Black Hearts Club - will be gathering together this week to see him performing at Leeds' First Direct Arena.
Over the course of his career, Yungblud has collaborated with artists such as Halsey, Machine Gun Kelly, Travis Barker, and Denzel Curry, with notable hits including 'I Think I'm Okay', 'Zombie' and 'Parents'.
He's had three albums hit the top of the UK Albums Chart, including last year's Idols, which has lent its name to this world tour.
And you might recognise him as the vocal talent trusted to take the place of Ozzy Osbourne, performing Changes as a tribute following the rock legend's death.
If you're one of the lucky ones with tickets to see Yungblud at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, here's everything you need to know.
Tickets
Yungblud at First Direct Arena, Leeds - stage times, setlist, support and more
We've already mentioned that Yungblud has a massive, and very dedicated fan base - which means the show is almost completely sold out... but not quite.
A handful of standing tickets have appeared for sale, priced at £54.50.
There are also a few resale tickets popping up - you can check the latest through Ticketmaster HERE.
Support act
Yungblud has two excellent groups supporting him on the Idols World Tour, including here in Leeds.
Opening the show will be The Molotovs, an sibling rock band from London who released their debut album, Wasted on Youth, earlier this year.
Then the main support will come from The Warning, a Mexican rock group which, coincidentally, is also made up of siblings - this time the Villarreal Vélez sisters: Daniela, Paulina, and Alejandra.
Yungblud stage times in Leeds
6pm - Doors open
7pm - The Molotovs
7.45pm - The Warning
9pm - Yungblud
11pm - Curfew
Expected setlist
This has been the setlist Yungblud has been performing elsewhere on the Idols tour so far.
Hello Heaven, Hello
The Funeral
Idols Pt. I
Lovesick Lullaby
fleabag
Lowlife
Changes (Black Sabbath cover)
War Pt. II
Fire
Tin Pan Boy / braindead!
Loner
Encore:
Ghosts
Zombie
Suburban Requiem
Camping out
Again - really, really dedicated fanbase this guy has, which has led to First Direct Arena issuing a strict 'no camping outside' warning.
If you want that barricade, the queue will likely start early tomorrow morning, with a numbering system in place.
Sophie Smith -
23rd May 2022 
