Ticket Stub: Major live music shows coming to Leeds

If your group chats are already overflowing with gig links, failed and furious Harry Styles ticket attempts, plus screenshots of increasingly chaotic calendars, good news. Leeds is absolutely showing off right now.

From huge outdoor shows in historic settings to brand new festivals finding their feet, there has been a lot of big music news this week. Here is what has caught our eye.

Big announcements at first direct bank arena

Some serious names have been dropping at the arena lately, from Lily Allen on 21 June and Dermot Kennedy on 2 June to The Darkness on 9 December. But the real curveball was Ne Yo and Akon announcing a joint show on 30 April.

There are still a few dates on sale, so if you have arena-sized ambitions, now is the time to move.

https://www.firstdirectbankarena.com/ 

Above All Else returns with Loyle Carner

A new outdoor favourite in the making? Above All Else is the brainchild of Futuresound and returns with a carefully curated line-up, putting music above all else at its heart.

Loyle Carner has been announced as a headliner, cementing the event as one to watch as it finds its place in Leeds ever growing live music calendar.

Big names at Kirkstall Abbey

Kirkstall Abbey continues to shine as one of the most special live music venues in the UK. This summer sees the return of major outdoor shows, with The Streets and The Maccabees both set to play among the ruins, alongside the Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival.

It remains one of the best backdrops for a show anywhere in the country. No notes.

Quiet Steps Festival lands at Project House

One for the emo kids and anyone who still owns a black hoodie. Quiet Steps Festival arrives at Project House on 18 July 2026.

This brand-new one-day festival is centred on emo and post-hardcore, from the team behind Dirty Otter. Expect loud guitars, emotional lyrics and a crowd that really means it.

It also says a lot about where Leeds is at right now. New festivals do not appear unless there is an audience ready to show up and Leeds clearly is.

A huge year already, and it’s not slowing down

Quiet Steps follows a massive year for live music in the city. Roundhay Festival launched its inaugural events, proving there is still room for new ideas at scale, Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi led the first announcements made last year. 

Meanwhile, Millennium Square has been pulling in big crowds, with shows from The Cribs and Wet Leg turning the city centre into one giant singalong. 

Good Life Festival brings the party

And if dancing is more your thing, Good Life Festival has announced a seriously fun lineup. Groove Armada, Armand Van Helden, K Klas,s and Craig Charles are all on board.

It’s feel-good music done properly and another reminder that Leeds knows how to throw a party whatever the genre.

From abbey ruins to warehouse floors, from indie to emo to full-blown dance classics, Leeds is absolutely stacked with live music right now. Consider this your sign to buy the ticket text your mates and deal with the calendar clash later.