Updated on 15th August 2024

The Best Music Venues in Leeds

Love live music? You’re spoilt for choice.

Written on Things To Do Updated on 15th August 2024

Live music is one of the cultural lifebloods of Leeds – here’s everything you need to know about the best concert venues in the city.

Leeds has a thriving music scene, but if you want to check it out for yourself, you need to know where the city’s best venues are. We’ve rounded them all up in one place, so you know where to go to see the biggest stars in huge arenas, promising artists in intimate spaces and unusual sounds in the city’s bars and clubs. So the next time you’re out for gig night, here’s where to go.

first direct arena

A gig at first direct arena

Credit: Ant Longstaff Photography

If the biggest stars in the world are on your must-see bucket list, first direct arena is where to go. Since it opened back in 2013, it’s welcomed a who’s who of popular musical royalty, from Prince to Bruce Springsteen, Kylie Minogue to Fleetwood Mac.

It’s a league apart from other arenas in the UK – the 13,500 capacity has rightfully won awards for its unique fan-shaped design, which gives you amazing views and incredible sound wherever you sit.

first direct arena, Arena Way, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8BY.

O2 Academy Leeds

Funeral For a Friend at Leeds O2 Academy, one of the city's music venues

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O2 Academy Leeds is a surefire hit to see a medley of wonderful gigs. The former Town and Country Club welcomes a constant stream of pop, rock and hip-hop stars to the 2,300-capacity venue, split across a downstairs standing area and a small seating area above.

It attracts some of the biggest names from around the world, hosting shows from a diverse range of artists, from Slayer and Lorde to Ellie Goulding and Alkaline Trio – it’s of the busiest music venues in Leeds.

O2 Academy Leeds, 55 Cookridge Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AW.

The Wardrobe

The gig space at The Wardrobe

Credit: The Wardrobe

If you want to check out the best new bands on their way to the big time, take a look at The Wardrobe’s listings. This 450-capacity underground bolthole sits beneath a cool, music-loving bar and has been putting on must-see gigs for over two decades.

Amy Winehouse, First Aid Kit and Catfish and the Bottlemen are just a few who have passed through these doors before reaching stardom – with over 250 gigs and club nights a year, there’s always something to see.

The Wardrobe, 6 St Peter’s Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 8AH.

Brudenell Social Club

A band singing on stage

Credit: Jamie MacMillian

Think of live music in Leeds and the Brudenell is likely the first place to come to mind. It’s one of the most important music venues in the country. This pub-cum-venue has three different gig rooms, the largest for up to 400 people.

Shows happen nearly every night of the week as up and coming artists make their mark, but its reputation also means they welcome stars – Sam Fender, Wet Leg and Tom Jones have all graced its hallowed stage in recent years.

Brudenell Social Club, 33 Queen’s Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 1NY.

Belgrave Music Hall

Loyle Carner performing at Belgrave Music Hall

Credit: Jonny Ridout

It’s an ever-popular bar, but Belgrave Music Hall is just as popular for its live music offering. Their first floor venues crams 300 people in to see the best indie, dance, hip-hop and more, as new artists make their way to the top and legendary acts play intimate shows.

Jungle, Loyle Carner and Jorja Smith have all stood on the stage before or as they hit the big time, but that doesn’t stop them from presenting gigs by legends like Ulrich Schnauss and The Fall.

Belgrave Music Hall, 1-1a Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8JP.

Leeds University Union

A gig at Stylus

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For over 50 years, Leeds University Union has been at the heart of the city’s live music scene – it even has a Blue Plaque to mark its importance. There are four venues here. The 1,000-strong Stylus is famed, with The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys passing through.

Explore further, and you’ll find The Pyramid Canteen and Theatre hosting smaller shows.The Refectory, though, is the biggest and most legendary, with the 2,100-capacity venue hosting David Bowie and The Who’s iconic ‘Live at Leeds’ show.

Leeds University Union, Lifton Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JT.

The Key Club

A gig at Key Club

Love punk, rock and metal tunes? The Key Club is the live music venue in Leeds for you. You’ll find it in the heart of the city centre on Merrion Street, where you’ll head underground into this basement of riff-based revelry.

The 300-capacity venue welcomes a host of up-and-coming bands, both local and national, alongside big-name artists playing intimate shows in a cool subterranean space. It has a bunch of popular weekly club nights too.

The Key Club, 66 Merrion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8LW.

Oporto

Lucky Iris playing live at Oporto for Live at Leeds 2024

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It’s got a big reputation as a lively nightlife spot, but Oporto doubles as one of the best live music bars in Leeds. The rock and roll dive bar on one side gives way to an intimate gig room on the other.

They host free live music showcases fairly regularly so it’s always worth checking their listings, but you’ll also find ticketed shows from some of the best new bands in the UK. Jade Bird, Dutch Uncles and Viola Beach have all headlined shows in the past.

Oporto, 33 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BT.

Project House

People in a crowd at Project House

Credit: Thandiwe Zivengwa

Located just a short walk from Leeds city centre, Project House is quickly becoming one of the coolest music venues in Leeds. The 1,000 capacity intimate gig space hasn’t been open for long, but has hosted some of the biggest names in alternative and indie music.

British indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club were one of the first to grace the stage, with performances from Questlove and Snail Mail following in quick succession. Be sure to grab a bite at on-site restaurant Galleria afterwards.

Project House, Armley Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS12 2DR.

Howard Assembly Room

Show at Howard Assembly Room

Credit: Justin Slee

Howard Assembly Room is firmly established as one of the finest purpose-designed music venues in Leeds. Curated by the team at Opera North, it’s home to plenty of classical recitals and chamber operas, as well as the Leeds Lieder Festival, but it’s so much more than that.

They welcome a constant stream of touring artists, from PJ Harvey to Nils Frahm, Songhoy Blues to The Unthanks, in a truly special concert hall. They also host some of the jazz world’s biggest names, like Robert Glasper and Chilly Gonzales.

Howard Assembly Room, 46 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6NU.

Headrow House

A band performing at Headrow House

Credit: Thandiwe Zivengwa

For modern tunes and underground sounds, Headrow House invites you up to their first floor gig space – it sits above their huge beer hall and hosts just 150 people, which makes it one of the best intimate music venues in Leeds.

They’re on the pulse, so expect the next generation of cutting edge talent to take to their stage, alongside special shows from big names – it’s seen the likes of Loyle Carner, Biffy Clyro and Everything Everything play since it opened in 2015.

Headrow House, Bramley’s Yard, 19 The Headrow, Leeds. West Yorkshire, LS1 6PU.

Leeds Town Hall

Turandot

Credit: Tristram Kenton.

The grandiose splendour of its main Victoria Hall setting makes it the perfect place to enjoy the world’s finest classical musicians as part of the annual Leeds International Concert Season, alongside regular performances from the Orchestra of Opera North.

But it also welcomes more modern forms of music – The Cribs, Rufus Wainwright and Kaiser Chiefs have all headlined the iconic space in the past. There are few gig venues as impressive as Leeds Town Hall.

Leeds Town Hall, The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3AD.

Boom Leeds

If you like your music heavy, get down to Boom. It’s a DIY venue run by locals that doubles as a rehearsal space for local bands, complete with its own recording studio. There are three stages, and they host 80 to 250 people.

In each one you can expect a programme of events that showcases the best punk, rock and metal bands around. Just take a look at who’s played there in the past – Cannibal Corpse, Code Orange and Black Flag is merely a taste.

Boom, Byron Street Mills, Millwright Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7QG.

The Fox & Newt

The Fox and Newt is an old-fashioned pub with an on-site micro-brewery – but it’s also a hidden gem for gig-goers. Upstairs, above the pub, it’s got one of the most intimate music venues in Leeds.

There are regular gigs for around 80 people, some of which are free, others you’ll have to part with a few quid for. There’s huge variety in what you can expect to see here, from up-and-coming local bands to touring groups and tribute acts. This is as diverse as it gets.

The Fox and Newt, 9 Burley Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS3 1LD.

Wharf Chambers

Wharf Chambers gig

Credit: Cavie 78

If you’re looking for the beating heart of Leeds’ independent music scene, get down to Wharf Chambers. It’s a co-operative, which means it’s run by its members, for its members. You have to pay either a £2 annual or £15 lifetime fee to sign-up.

Once that’s done, though, you can get access to all their gigs and club nights. They put on an eclectic array of live music, from psychedelic bands to dance groups and folk music in their 180-capacity events space.

Wharf Chambers, 23-25 Wharf Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 7EQ.

Millennium Square

Millennium Square Summer Series

Every summer, Millennium Square becomes a thriving hub for live music in the heart of Leeds. They erect a stage in the corner so that up to 8,000 people can enjoy a programme of gigs that welcomes a host of acclaimed international artists.

Sounds of the City is a large part of that – in previous years we’ve seen the likes of Jungle, Richard Ashcroft, Haim, Foals and Simple Minds headline shows there. It also hosts events like Opera North in the City and 80s Classical.

Millennium Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AD.

Sela Bar

Sela Bar is more than just an underground hideaway known for its quality beer, cocktails and pizza – they’ve made it their mission to put on the very best in live jazz, soul, funk, blues and reggae.

They spin an eclectic soundtrack all week long, with gigs on throughout. Get down to The Jazz Joint for live jazz every Tuesday evening, but be sure to check their listings to see which touring acts they’re welcoming to Leeds over the coming weeks and months.

Sela Bar, 20 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6NU.

Eiger Studios

As well as being one of the city’s best rehearsal and recording spaces, Eiger Studios put on a curated programme of eclectic gigs all year round. The main venue holds 400 people, but it’s also got a series of smaller spaces for more intimate gigs.

They’ve seen all sorts play over the years, from the reggae sounds of Theo Parrish to punk rockers Pulled Apart By Horses, house icon Carl Cox and even indie legend Damon Albarn. A true bag of musical liquorice all sorts.

Eiger Studios, New Craven Gate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5NF.

The Domino Club

The inside of Domino Jazz Club

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If you love jazz music, does Leeds have the most incredible New York-style underground speakeasy for you! Head to the back of Lords Barbering and follow the staircase down to The Domino Club where tasty tipples and top tunes intermingle in a cool-as subterranean spot.

There are bands that perform live music every Wednesday to Sunday, with some special ticketed events on top of that. You can see an eclectic line-up of music, mainly jazz, but also touching on soul and blues.

The Domino Club, 7 Grand Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PG.

Leeds Beckett Students’ Union

The Bug Club performing at Leeds Beckett Student Union

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Leeds Beckett Students’ Union has been hosting live music since 1970 and it’s still one of the best gig venues in the city to this day. The Stage is the main 1100-capacity space and it has welcomed the likes of Nirvana, Sex Pistols and Radiohead.

But they also have Stage Two, an intimate room for 350 gig-goers that often hosts up-and-coming artists from Leeds and beyond, including Two Door Cinema Club and Bombay Bicycle Club.

Leeds Beckett Students’ Union, City Campus, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3HE.

City Varieties Music Hall

Beauty and the Beast Rock n Roll Panto

Credit: Ant Robling

City Varieties is one of the oldest concert halls in Leeds. It opened way back in 1865 and has seen all the big musical trends echo through its grandiose hall, from jazz and blues to punk and pop.

These days you can expect an eclectic blend of old and new artists to play the 467-capacity space – classic favourites like The Zombies and Fairport Convention have headlined in recent years, alongside modern artists like Lucy Rose, Mark Lanegan and Badly Drawn Boy.

City Varieties, Swan Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LW.

The Duck and Drake

The inside of the Duck & Drake in Leeds

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The Duck and Drake is a welcoming local boozer in the heart of Leeds city centre that’s renowned for its quality real ales and long-lasting appreciation of live music. They have bands playing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday without fail.

Expect a diverse mix of musicians, from tribute acts who pay homage to classic rock stars of yesteryear to an array of touring artists who perform their own original music. What’s more, the majority of the gigs are free.

The Duck and Drake, 43 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DR.

Santiago

Like your music loud? Make a beeline for Santiago. It’s a whiskey-swilling, heavy metal bar in Leeds that puts on live music on a regular basis for up to 150 people. They usually have gigs on weekend nights from local and national bands, some of which are free.

During the week, there’ll also be performances from touring artists. They’ve seen some pretty big names play their space over the past 20 years, including the likes of Chuck Ragan and Frank Turner.

Santiago, 1-3 Grand Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PG.

Seven Arts

Seven Arts is one of the most important music venues in Leeds. Their sessions take over on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons, bringing a who’s who of the country’s jazz music scene to the city.

But that’s not all. Seven is also a venue that welcomes any and all types of music to its 100-seater space, from flamenco guitarists to folk groups, acoustic acts and indie bands, with something different on most nights of the week.

Seven Arts, 31a Harrogate Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 3PD.

Northern Guitars

A gig at Northern Guitars

Credit: Liliane Hannah

There’s a bar on Call Lane that’s a little different to its party-loving neighbours – Northern Guitars often has live music blaring out of its cool two-floor offering. Head upstairs and you’ll find the guitar shop.

Stay downstairs and there’s a really cool bar, with vintage gig posters on the walls and local craft beer on the taps. You’re guaranteed different artists playing every week, whether it’s touring acts or local performers taking to the stage on one of their open mic nights.

Northern Guitars, 41 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7BT.

Hyde Park Book Club

Ellur playing at Hyde Park Book Club for Live at Leeds 2023

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Whether you want to see the next generation of indie talent or the city’s best new jazz artists, you need to check out Hyde Park Book Club. This former petrol station-turned-Greenwich Village-style cafe bar is a vibrant hub of new live music.

The 100-capacity space welcomes touring bands to their downstairs space on a regular basis as they work their way up the ladder, and it also hosts regular nights where you can enjoy live music for free.

Hyde Park Book Club, 27-29 Headingley Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 1BL.

HEART

HEART is an increasingly important venue for Leeds’ music scene as they put on a popular weekly showcase. Tuesday Live is a regular celebration of the best new folk, Americana and country musicians from around Yorkshire, but that’s not all.

They also have sessions like Classical Platform, Friday Night Live, Acoustic Night and HEART Jazz Jam, or you can check out touring musicians making their way to Leeds to play their intimate theatre venue.

HEART, Bennett Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3HN.

Leeds Irish Centre

Leeds Irish Centre has been a hub of live music since it opened in 1970. The 800-capacity main room welcomes a regular procession of traditional Irish folk and rock artists, but it’s also a popular stop for international artists.

Over the years, Joe Strummer, Oasis and The Fall have all played the venue, while the legendary John Martyn made it a regular stop. It continues to attract top new musicians to this day, as recent gigs by The Mary Wallopers and Yard Act prove.

Leeds Irish Centre, York Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 9NT.

The Lending Room at The Library

The Tea Street Band at The Lending Room at The Library

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If you love indie music and you want to find the next big thing, The Lending Room is a must-visit. The gig space, which fits up to 200 people, is in a beautifully tiled room above The Library pub and has a constant stream of incredible gigs.

You can usually catch the best new bands from around the UK, as well as regular nights from the likes of This Feeling and 360 Club, the latter of which was the scene of Alt-J’s first ever shows. Who knows what talent you could discover?

The Lending Room, 229 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AP.

Leeds Conservatoire

Leeds College of Music Sounds Like This

Credit: Mask of Sorrow

Leeds Conservatoire have a small, 120-seater Recital Room with its own Steinway piano for smaller shows, but The Venue is a 350-seat auditorium where you can see performances from their up-and-coming stars, alongside bigger names.

It’s the perfect space for both students and touring artists to showcase their music in an intimate and acoustically spectacular room that’s kitted out with two Steinway Model D concert grand pianos.

Leeds Conservatoire, 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7PD.

The Warehouse

A crowd at The Warehouse in Leeds

The Warehouse has been one of the most important music venues in Leeds since 1979. Originally a hub for the punk, disco and new wave scenes, it welcomed the likes of The Stone Roses and Oasis in the 1980s and 1990s.

These days it’s still a hub for music, hosting many popular club nights as well as gigs in its 700-capacity main room. It’s popular with tribute bands, while also putting on gigs by the likes of Pigsx7, Glasvegas and Terrorvision.

The Warehouse, 19-21 Somers Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 2RG.

Temple Newsam

Men in the crowd at Live at Leeds

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It’s a true Leeds landmark, and there are few better outdoor venues for live music in Leeds every summer than Temple Newsam. The immaculate grounds of the Tudor-Jacobean mansion host two of the city’s biggest musical events – Live at Leeds In the Park and Slam Dunk.

But that’s not all – they also welcome festivals like Let’s Rock and host one-off outdoor shows. Acts like The Music, NoFX, Pete Tong and Ali Campbell have all had gigs here. It’s great music in truly stunning surrounds.

Temple Newsam, Temple Newsam Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS15 0AE.

Freedom Mills

Freedom Mills

An old Victorian warehouse that’s been transformed into a modern, multi-use arts space, Freedom Mills is a popular spot for late night revelry in Leeds. The bulk of its music offering comes in the form of club nights – it’s one of the busiest programmes in Leeds.

However, they do, from time to time, host live music shows here, whether it’s international artists, local DJ nights or acclaimed tribute acts like Creedence Clearwater Revival Revival.

Freedom Mills, Unit 2, Aire Place Mills, 143 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS3 1JL.

The Old Woollen

Henge, The Old Woollen, Farsley

The Old Woollen can be found programming a richly diverse programme of live music at Farsley’s Sunny Bank Mills. It’s a historic venue, the result of a huge transformation project to make a disused factory space into a cool-as 600-capacity events space.

What’s great about this venue is there’s likely something to suit all musical tastes on their listings, taking you from electronic pioneers like Kraftwerk’s Wolfgang Flür to indie legends like The Futureheads.

The Old Woollen, Sunnybank Mills, 10 Town Street, Farsley, Pudsey, West Yorkshire, LS28 5UJ.

Mill Hill Chapel

A woman performing at Mill Hill Chapel

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One of the most central yet special music venues in Leeds is Mill Hill Chapel. This active Grade-II Unitarian church doubles as a space for concerts, with an eclectic programme of events throughout the year.

They’re specially curated to make the most of the incredible acoustics the church harnesses for a capacity of 120. The likes of Iona Lane, Elanor Moss and Nadia Reid have christened the stage in recent years, with even more exciting names to come.

Mill Hill Chapel, City Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5EB.

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Joseph Sheerin Senior Writer

Joseph was one of the longest-serving members of the Leeds-List team. He’s lived in Leeds for 15 years and knows the city like the back of his hand. From restaurants to gig venues, walking routes to coffee shops, he’s been there, done that and written about the experience.

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