The month ahead: Live Music in Leeds

Image: D.O.A.

With festival season almost drawing to a close, it only seems like yesterday we were washing down our wellies and priming our tents in the back garden gearing up for a heavy summer. Like most big cities Leeds always manage to draft in some of the big talent across the live music board and this Autumn/Winter is simply no different. Not only that, The West Yorkshire faithful have been succumbed to the latest instalment in the city’s venues, that of Leeds Direct Arena, which is shaping up to be the freshest and arguably most exciting live venue in the North.

That said, venues like o2 Academy Leeds, Brudenell Social Club, The University and Cockpit have all brandished a plethora of musical acts that will have probably had your credit cards being flashed repeatedly. Furthermore with the students now out in full flow there the venues are serving up something for people of all ages. With a pioneering touch, Leeds always ensures the best in national and international talent with October being one of the stand out months to boot.

Kicking things off with the new Leeds First Direct Arena, one of their first port of calls will be their huge BBC Radio 1xtra soirees that will feature Azealia Banks and Rudimental. The two acts will join forces to a packed audience on October 10th. The genius and legend that is Johnny Marr hits the Leeds Met University on the back of amazing new album, but will he also play some of The Smiths classics? Wait and see. Just after on 15th Tom Odell arrives into Leeds to perform hits from him number 1 album at o2 Academy Leeds.

On 20th and 21st Nina Nesbit will perform a sold out show at Cockpit whilst Bastille perform to a full house at o2 Academy respectfully. Back at the Cockpit where it all seems to be happening, the famous club hit us with a three pronged attack late on in the month. This will consist of Daughter (21st), London Grammar (24th) then Peter Hook (25th) all venturing through the Pennines to perform exclusives shows. What a month lined up there!

Rolling back the years to the mid 90's most of us will all remember bad boy indie band Cast. Fronted by former La’s bassist John Power the lead singer was behind hits like ‘Guiding Star’, ‘Alright’, ‘Walkaway’ and There She Goes’ ( as The Las), and is now on tour as a solo artist playing the aforementioned tracks under his acoustic moniker. This will take place at Leeds City Varieties on 21st.

If comedy is your thing then the quick fire genius and 8 out of 10 cats host Jimmy Carr will be traveling back to Leeds Town Hall with his Gagging Order tour. Expect fun, frolics and to the bone humour - just remember not to heckle.

Golden Ticket

My golden ticket however is something of a one off, as come October 13th, D.O.A, the legendary Canadian Punk band will cover an intimate show at the beloved Brudenell Social Club. It’s an event to look out for in a month cram packed with them.

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