If the weekend has caught you by surprise and you still don’t have plans, fear not, because we’ve rounded up what’s going on this weekend in Leeds.
There’s always something to do in Leeds, so if you find yourself at a loose end this weekend, or any other for that matter, just whack Leeds-List in your search bar and find our guide to what’s on. From latest shows and club nights to one-off events and family-friendly fun, we’ve got it covered.
Friday 7th June 2024
Credit: Pamela Raith
My Fair Lady. Heartwarming musical My Fair Lady will be on at Leeds Playhouse this weekend. Lerner and Loewe’s much-loved classic follows Cockney flower-seller Eliza Doolittle who is taught to be more of a lady by Professor Henry Higgins. With a score that includes songs like ‘Wouldn’t it be Loverly?’ And ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’, it isn’t to be missed.
Marisa and the Moths. If you like your rock & roll utterly filthy, don’t miss Marisa and the Moths when they come to Leeds this weekend. Head to the Brudenell on Friday night where they’ll be running through cuts from their acclaimed 2019 debut album, alongside tunes from their forthcoming follow-up. Support comes from Kite Thief and Scourge.
EXEK. One of the bright new things from Australia’s burgeoning post-punk scene, you can catch EXEK live in Leeds to kick off your weekend. They’re coming to Headrow House on a massive UK tour to showcase their 2023 album, ‘The Map and The Territory’, as well as to celebrate their 10th anniversary of being a band.
Here You Come Again. If you’re a Dolly Parton fan, you don’t want to miss ‘Here You Come Again’ at Leeds Playhouse this weekend. The brand new musical follows a die-hard Parton fan, whose fantasy version of the icon keeps him going through hard times. Expect to sing along to all the hits, from ‘9 to 5’ to ‘Islands in the Stream’.
Everyone Says Hi. What do you get when you bring together members of Kaiser Chiefs, The Kooks, Howling Bells and The Dead 60s? Well, as well as an indie lover’s dream, you also get Everyone Says Hi. Led by ex-Kaiser Chief Nick J.D. Hodgson, expect fresh indie sounds with proper hooks when they show off their debut LP at Hyde Park Book Club on Friday.
Romesh Ranganathan. Look at a TV screen on any given day and there’s a decent chance you’ll come across a show with Romesh Ranganathan. He’s become one of the UK’s best loved comedians in recent years thanks to shows like A League of Their Own and Rob & Romesh Vs. Now you can see him live on his new stand-up tour at first direct arena this weekend.
Saturday 8th June 2024
System Summer Terrace Party. If you’re into dance music, you’ll know by now that System know how to throw a bash. Their annual Summer Terrace Party at Mint Warehouse is one of the biggest nights in the city’s electronic music calendar – this time around, they’ve enlisted Enzo Siragusa and Demi Riquismo to join regulars Annie Errez and Bobby O’Donnell.
Teethe. Looking for free things do this weekend in Leeds? You can head to the Brudenell for a night of live music with Teethe. The Texan five-piece are a riff-heavy troop of slowcore rock and roll, best shown on their 2020 self-titled LP. They’ve since released a bunch of acclaimed standalone singles. Support comes from Lots of Hands and Mage Tears.
San Cisco. Purveyors of lush, sun-soaked indie pop and folk tunes, San Cisco have been around since 2009 and are still going strong. The Aussie trio are now on album number five, so expect to hear cuts from ‘Under the Light’ when they headline Headroom House on Saturday night, as well as hits like ‘Fred Astaire’ and ‘Too Much Time Together’.
Solve-Along-A Murder She Wrote. If you love Murder She Wrote, this unique show is a must this weekend in Leeds. Hosted by super-fan Tim Benzie, the Solve-Along-A Murder She Wrote comes to The Old Woollen in Farsley on Saturday – expect an interactive screening of a classic episode that you can help solve, complete with loads of games, prizes and audience participation.
Ultimate Bowie. The icon himself may no longer be with us, but the music lives on – and so does Ultimate Bowie, the UK’s finest tribute to a legendary career. Head down to the Brudenell Social Club on Saturday night for a two-hour show packed full of belt-it-out anthems, from ‘Ziggy Stardust’ to ‘Heroes’, ‘Changes’ and ‘Let’s Dance’.
Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri. One of the most popular vocalists of the 20th century, Kiki Dee returns to Leeds this weekend, alongside her musical partner of over 25 years, Carmelo Luggeri. They’re bringing their medley of folk-tinged acoustic songs to Otley Courthouse on Saturday evening, showing off all manner of songs, including tracks from latest album, ‘The Long Ride Home’.
Street Food Saturdays at The Junction. Get down to The Junction from 3pm to 8pm for their new Street Food Saturdays. There are two vendors this weekend – award-winning chef Nicko Lachica is brining his Filipino-inspired Herencia pop-up, alongside new taco titans El Piloto. The Reserve will be serving cocktails and coffee comes from Rabbit Hole.
James. They’re one of the most successful British bands of the past 40 years, and James show no sign of slowing down. They take over first direct arena in Leeds on Saturday night on the back of two critically-acclaimed albums in two years, the orchestral ‘Be Opened by the Wonderful’ and this year’s ‘Yummy’ – they’ll play hits from both as well as classics like ‘Laid’ and ‘Sit Down’.
Sunday 9th June 2024
Credit: Alexander Gay
Chromeo. One of the coolest gigs in Leeds this weekend will close out your Sunday night at Project House because Chromeo are coming to town. They’ve been pushing the boundaries of dance rock since 2002, bringing elements of punk, disco, electro, funk, synth pop and indie together to create dance floor-filling anthems, as shown on their latest album, ‘Adult Contemporary’.
Owen. When he’s not taking up his roles in American Football, Cap’n Jazz or LIES, Mike Kinsella shows off his incredible songwriting talents as Owen. It started out as an acoustic-based project in 2001, with emo elements running through subsequent records, but by 2024’s The Falls of Sioux’, it’s become a complex, layered production. Catch him at the Brudenell on Sunday.
Group Listening. The most Sunday of gigs takes place, appropriately, on Sunday night at Hyde Park Book Club. Group Listening is the work of Paul Jones and Stephen Black, clarinetist and pianist, who reimagined songs by Robert Wyatt and Arthur Russell on Vol. 1 and Vol 2, before releasing ‘Walks’, an LP of captivating original works, in 2024.
Sukh Ojla. You can close out your weekend in Leeds with a dose of stand-up comedy at The Wardrobe on Sunday evening. This early show, from 6pm to 8pm, is headlined by Sukh Ojla. As she approaches 40, she warms up for ‘The Aunty Years’, figuring out middle age and pretending to be grown up even if she feels as lost as ever.
COBO Comedy Shutdown. After Sukh’s show, there’s another set of live stand-up comedy to enjoy at The Wardrobe – the COBO Comedy Shutdown! Acts include BBC and MTV’s Kevin J and Kyrah Gray who you might’ve seen on Comedy Central Live. Then it’s the turn of Ed Fear, who’s had roles in Batman and Venom, before Gbemi Oladipo closes it out.
Comic Con Mania. Head down to first direct arena on Saturday afternoon for Comic Con Mania. This is one of the biggest fan convention events in the UK and will see a stellar line-up of guests for you to meet, alongside all manner of traders, gaming and cosplay competitions. Brian Blessed, Gwyneth Strong and Tessa Peake-Jones will all be in attendance.
Cover image credit: Paul Dixon.
