Leeds’ best live music venues

Thanks to its live music venues, Leeds' music scene welcomes some of the world’s best artists to West Yorkshire. Here's the very best of them.

When it comes to the UK’s cultural hubs, Leeds may not get the props that London or Manchester do — but ask most anyone from the city, and they’ll tell you it’s got one of the best live music scenes in the country. Indie and alt acts like the Kaiser Chiefs, alt-J and Yard Act, hardcore and metal bands like Higher Power, Static Dress and Pest Control, and jazz artists like Vipertime and Roller Trio have all made huge splashes after beginning in the Leeds music scene, while festivals such as Leeds Festival, Live at Leeds and Leeds Jazz Festival bring some of the world’s best artists to West Yorkshire.

But of course, it’s the venues that make up the scene’s bread and butter, and Leeds has some of the best you’ll find anywhere in the UK. It’s got old and storied ones, and it’s got hip and buzzy new ones; it’s got big, ornate buildings and tiny little clubs; it’s awash in award-winners, and places where you can grab a world-beating meal before the gig under the same roof. Whether you’re going with mates, a date or on your own, you’ll find a great night out of live music in Leeds — hell, you might even be spoiled for choice.

Still, times are tough for live music, and over the last decade or so Leeds has lost a lot of its legendary venues — including The Cockpit, Sheaf Street, and just this year, the punk and metal hotspot Boom. Just this month, a report by Capital On Tap found that by 2030, Leeds could have lost 65% of its pubs and clubs, making it one of the hardest-hit cities in the country. It’s more important than ever to recognise the UK’s venues as the essential breeding grounds for culture and creativity that they’ve always been, and the vibrant scene in Leeds seems like a great place to start.

Whether you’re in walking distance of the places below or they’re a train or even plane journey away, we’d recommend getting down there and seeing what they have to offer. Don’t forget to check out our handy Local Guide to find out what’s on too.

O2 Academy Leeds

Where is it? 55 Cookridge Street, Leeds, LS2 3AW

Capacity: 2,300

What can I expect to see there? Situated in the heart of the city centre, the O2 Academy boasts a beautiful Grade II-listed Gothic exterior which has been painstakingly redeveloped. Inside, it’s just as special, with moulded balconies and vaulted ceiling. It opened as a concert venue in 1992 as the Town & Country Club, although its use as a space for various events dates back to the 1800s. Many a music icon has graced its stage — including The Pogues, Kaiser Chiefs, Blur, Robbie Williams, Madness and Paolo Nutini, while more recently it’s seen the likes of Ocean Colour Scene, beabadoobee, Bikini Kill and The Vaccines. Basically, whether the buzziest modern acts or your all-time favourites, you’ll catch some of the country’s best tours passing through here.

Find out more about O2 Academy Leeds and its listings here

Stylus

Where is it? Lifton Place, Woodhouse, Leeds, LS2 9JZ

Capacity: 1,000

What can I expect to see there? This is the main venue at the Leeds University student union. The main standing area is a sunken pit surrounded by a barriered upper area, meaning you can either be in the thick of the action or get a great sightline elsewhere — and it was a pioneering venue in installing the L-Acoustics KARA sound system, making it ahead of the curve in delivering great-sounding live shows. It’s drawn tons of exciting touring artists over the years including James Blake, Trivium, M83, Glass Animals and Alex G. Elsewhere in the union building there are bars, coffee shops and even an ice cream parlour, plus two smaller clubs, Pyramid and Function — so if you’re looking to hang around before or after the gig, it’s all under one roof.

Find out more about Stylus and its listings here

Project House

Where is it? Armley Road, Leeds, LS12 2DR

Capacity: 1,000

What can I expect to see there? Project House is the newest one on our list, opening in 2023 and operated independently by the folks behind fellow Leeds venues Brudenell Social Club (see below) and Belgrave Music Hall, plus live promoters Super Friendz and skate shop Welcome. You’d expect that lot to come up with something cool, and you’d be right. The event space has a sense of DIY cinderblock-and-plywood chic, while the adjoining café and restaurant is a chill space that serves up some seriously special grub. You’ll find some of the buzziest indie, hip-hop and alternative acts right now coming through here, including Black Country, New Road, Floating Points, Sky Ferreira, bdrmm and tonnes more.

Find out more about Project House and its listings here

Brudenell Social Club

Where is it? 33 Queen’s Road, Leeds, LS6 1NY

Capacity: 400

What can I expect to see there? This legendary venue is situated in the student-y area of Hyde Park. It opened as a social club in 1913, with the current building operating since 1978, and there have been gigs there since the early ‘90s. Over the years, it’s seen special intimate gigs by the likes of Grimes, Fleet Foxes, The Charlatans, Franz Ferdinand and The Cribs — but it’s mostly known for hosting smaller artists, becoming a place to see the most exciting up-and-comers or your little-known cult favourites. Most of the gigs are booked in-house, so there’s a real sense of curation and community. And the Brudenell’s reputation precedes it — it’s won multiple awards for the UK’s best small venues, including being honoured at the Northern Music Awards just last year.

Find out more about Brudenell Social Club and its listings here

Headrow House

Where is it? 19a The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 6PU

Capacity: 150

What can I expect to see there? Since it opened in 2015, Headrow House has become a mainstay in the Leeds music scene. Located in a former textile mill, the building boasts a beer hall, restaurant and two roof terraces besides its 150-cap gig space. It’s the most intimate space we’ve got on this list, making it perfect for both intense club nights and sweaty, raucuous gigs. It’s a place for underground favourites; you might not know them all if we listed them, but thanks to the on-the-pulse curation, you can bet they’re all artists you should know

Find out more about Headrow House and its listings here