Leeds

The best things to do in and around Leeds this week | 24 – 30 April 2023

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Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 23rd April 2023

It's the last week of April so let's end it in the best way possible.

Yes, it's time to wave goodbye to one month and say hello to another. And no, we can't quite believe it either.

But even though the year is moving faster than we might like, at least Leeds is packed full of exciting things to get up to. As always, to help you plan out your week we've cherry picked the best things you can get up to.

We've got Leeds' biggest and best beer festival taking place this weekend as well as brilliant live music gigs taking place in the city centre and beyond - you definitely don't want to miss out so keep on reading.

Michael Buble Live

Monday 24 April 2023 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way

Michael Buble is for life, not just for Christmas – and he’ll prove it when he pops into town with his new album and tour. Get ready to sing along to classics such as 'Haven't Met You Yet', 'Sway' and 'It's a Beautiful Day'.

We can't think of a better way to kickstart the week, can you?

Tickets are still available, starting from £87.50 at Ticketmaster.

The James Orchestral Tour

Monday 28 April 2023 | York Barbican, York

James are back, this time with a full orchestra, and heading over to York Barbican in celebration of their 40th anniversary and double album. They’ll also have a gospel choir and new versions of their greatest hits, fan favourites and deep cuts.

Tickets are currently sold out but waiting list open at See Tickets.

As You Are : A Leeds Soundwalk

Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 April 2023 | Victoria Gate, Vicar Lane

Image: Opera North

“It’s time to take a soundwalk in your city as part of Leeds 2023…” This is an unmissable, free event taking place in collaboration between Opera North and Leeds 2023.

Composer and musician Abel Selaocoe has taken inspiration from the architecture of Leeds and his African heritage. Performing with the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North and guest artists, Selaocoe creates beautiful music that embraces the healing power of walking.

Simply pick up a pair of headphones and meander on a musical adventure through the city as your sound pack triggers new musical chapters to accompany you on a transformative journey, taking in Leeds’ most recognisable landmarks.

Find out more here.

Three's A Crowd x Slingsby Gin

Wednesday 26 April 2023 | Three's A Crowd, North Street

 
 
 
 
 
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The new gastropub located on North Street has taken the city by storm. Having already got a venue in Harrogate which is just round the corner from world-renowned Slingsby Gin, the two are collaborating for one night of dinner and drinks. 

The 5-course Spring Dinner will feature incredible cocktail pairings with each course, this is definitely going to be a night to remember (especially if you're a lover of gin).

Reserve your spot here.

Springwell Sessions

Friday 28 April – Sunday 30 April 2023 | Bustlingthorpe Lane, Sheepscar

three glasses.
Image: Springwell

Springwell Sessions is hosting four day and night events across three days, bringing together the best local independents in the area, as well as around the world breweries just outside of the city centre at North Brewing Co.’s own brewery, Springwell.

Hosted at Springwell, the indoor-outdoor event is going to be transformed into a collaborative space for some of the UK’s favourite brands. Local favourites Bundobust Brewery will sit alongside DEYA, Cloudwater, and Brulo, amongst other exciting names in the beer world from near and far – including exciting appearances from overseas breweries.

Saturday tickets have sold out, but you can get your Friday tickets here and your Sunday tickets here.

Olly Murs Live

Friday 28 April 2023 | First Direct Arena, Arena Way

Olly Murs is back (he stepped back from the music industry for four years but remained on our screens with his TV career) with a new album and a massive UK arena tour. The X Factor alumni will be heading up to Leeds in 2023 with a gig in support of his new album Marry Me.

Tickets are still available, costing £32.50 and £59.50 at See Tickets, with good availability.

Beyonce Bottomless Brunch

Friday 28 April 2023 | Manahatta Greek Street, Leeds city centre

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Manahatta is hosting a fabulously iconic bottomless party alongside the Beyoncé experience by everyone’s favourite drag queen, Aaron Carty. For a whopping 90 minutes you can indulge on delicious food, free-flowing drinks and incredible live entertainment. What else would you want to do on a Friday night?

And they’re really pushing the boat out with this one, everything is Beyonce themed including the drinks menu and when it comes to picking your tipple, you’re truly spoilt for choice.

Find out more here.

Best of British Showcase

Saturday 29 - Sunday 30 April 2023 | Victoria Leeds

Image: Supplied, PGHL

Stalls from some of Britain's finest stores and manufacturers will be at Victoria Leeds to showcase the 'Best of British' gifts, party pieces and 'suitably royal fashion' ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III.

Harvey Nichols will act as the centre point of the event and will be hosting a VIP Champagne Bar.

Find out more here.

Taste:BD

Saturday 29 - Sunday 30 April 2023 | Centenary Square, Bradford

Image: Supplied

Bradford’s newest outdoor food and drink festival, Taste:BD, promises to be a celebration of local culture in the heart of the city. The festival will celebrate the very best of Bradford’s food, drink and entertainment scenes.  

Taste:BD will be held across two central locations in Bradford city centre, Centenary Square and City Park. With over 40 food and drink partners taking part, guests can expect a vibrant selection of street food, drinks and arts to enjoy over the weekend.

Cheesy Living Co’s Fondue On Tour

Saturday 29 April 2023, 7pm | Boot and Rally Bar, Meanwood

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Following on from the sellout success of the Corn Exchange’s fondue night, the Cheesy Living Co. is taking its much-loved cheese nights on tour across the city. Stopping at Boot and Rally Bar on Saturday 29 April 2023 (with tickets still available here), the fondue nights will also be available earlier in the month in Pudsey, Chapel Allerton and Oakwood.

Find out more here.

Leeds

Inside FaceGym – Leeds’ newest facial fitness studio loved by celebrities

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

We hope you're ready for your workout, because FaceGym has landed in Leeds.

You may be wondering...what on earth is Facegym? And to be fair, you've got a point.

FaceGym, as they themselves describe it, a 'non-invasive fitness studio concept for the face' using high-intensity facial massage, hand manipulation, and electrical muscle stimulation technology to tone, lift, and sculpt the face without surgery.

Sounds pretty fancy if you ask us, and it feels just as fancy from the moment you step through the door.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Unsurprisingly, it's loved by celebrities worldwide who are looking to get snatched and ditch their gua sha.

Currently occupying five standalone stores in London, one in Cambridge as well as a pop-up in Space NK in Selfridges Manchester, FaceGym will be opening this Friday 18 September inside the coveted Victoria Gate, taking over a 1,772 square foot studio.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The space really does look like a gym, ditching the standard beauty salon aesthetic for an American-style gym interior complete with the iconic red FaceGym balls all over the place.

A signature sculpt costs £110 for a 45 minute treatment, so it's definitely a treat if you're looking to have skin that can reflect the sun and cheekbones for days.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Angelo Castello, chief executive at Facegym, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Facegym to Leeds and to open in the beautiful Victoria Gate. The city has a thriving beauty, wellness, and retail scene, making it the perfect location for our next studio.

“We’ve seen growing demand from customers across Yorkshire, and we can’t wait to introduce even more people to the benefits of facial fitness.”

You can find out more and book a treatment at FaceGym via their website here.

Read more: Five of the best new restaurants and cafes to open in Leeds recently

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Leeds

Audio North’s Artist of the Month – Kenzo Jae | September 2026

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Kenzo Jae is a creative who wants to put Bradford on the music map through his alternative-rap tracks and now he's Audio North's Artist of the Month.

This multi-tasking mastermind doesn't only record his own music, he's also a digital illustrator and graphic designer - Oh, and he even directs his own music videos (Leave some talent for the rest of us - We're begging).

Embarking on The Sloth Tour with three UK based dates in Manchester, Leeds and London throughout October, where Kenzo Jae will be playing out hits like 'Softly', 'Chicken Bagel', 'End of the World' and more.

This storytelling songwriter now sits down with Audio North to chat all things Artist of the Month and share a little more insight into his music career so far.

Audio North's Artist of the Month - Kenzo Jae | Interview

How much does being from Bradford influence the music you release?

All aspects of my personality have been influenced by Bradford,  and I’m never more myself than when I’m writing. So lyrically Bradford has had a big impact. 

What’s it like being an artist from Bradford? 

At first it felt like something I had to hide. Now it’s something I wear as a badge. There’s not many of us in the grand scheme of things. It’s a niche club and I love that. The underdogs. 

What northern artists are you loving at the minute?

Ellur and Wilfred.

If you could describe your artistry in three words what would they be and why?

Honest - I try not to hide behind anything in my music even when it’s critical of myself. If something has happened to me or I’m feeling something, I’d rather put it into a song exactly as it is. Might take me a few years but once it’s in the song I can get over it 

Colourful - The vision of the world of my music to me feels saturated and bright. the occasional darkness but for the most part. 

Arrogant - I think it takes a level of arrogant to do and say certain things in my music. Even to do the visual aspects too painting myself pink, wearing a sloth hat etc Takes an arrogance to think yeah I can put myself in such a weird position and believe it’s going to work 

You’ve already amassed over 100k streams on SLOTH - How are you feeling about its reception so far?

It’s been great to see that people have really resonated with the story and the arc I have been on. I want to push it further and hope it reaches everyone that needs it 

How fulfilling is it for you to release the SLOTH mixtape, a title you’ve held onto since you were 16?

The most cathartic feeling. Especially when it’s you know you’ve made it exactly the way I intended. It’s also a learning curve for things I will do differently for the next one. 

You posted a reel describing how you spent two weeks animating a music video for yourself- How important is being hands-on in all aspects of your music career?

I’m a control freak. And if something is in my head, it’s a lot easier to do it myself. Don’t get me wrong , I work with a lot of hard working talented people that I can now trust and delegate work to. But on this instant, I love animation and I find the most enjoyment in editing visuals 

Since you have a track titled ‘Chicken Bagel’, where are some of your favourite brunch or general food spots in West Yorkshire?

I grew up on chicken shops and Salah's is the goat. In terms of restaurants, Classic Persian is the best for me. 

You’re not afraid of risk-taking and standing out, even going as far as painting yourself pink for one of your visuals - what advice would you give to any emerging artists who want to be as confident as you?

You have to be willing to embarrass yourself. The stuff that feels slightly uncomfortable, is usually the stuff that people remember.

And confidence doesn’t necessarily mean thinking you’re amazing. Sometimes it’s just being willing to say, “I don’t care if this is weird, I like it.”

It’s also it’s just more fun to feel like your outside of the box

Read more: Innovative Leeds music venue TESTBED announces launch party lineup

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Leeds and West Yorkshire, subscribe to The Hoot Leeds WhatsApp broadcast HERE.

Featured Images - Press Shots (via Supplied)

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