Top ten music venues in Leeds.

First Direct ArenaSituated right in the city centre, First Direct Arena is the biggest music venue in Leeds. With a capacity of 13,000 it’s big enough for very popular acts to fill out without losing the intimacy of a gig.

• Opened in September 2013 and was voted best new venue by the Stadium Business Awards in 2014.

• High quality acoustics provide best sound in the UK.• Family friendly! Puts on shows like Disney On Ice.• Offer Pre-show experience- Including merchandise stalls

and the FD bar (serves both drinks and food).• Performers include; • Sir Elton John, Michael Buble, Morrissey, Prince, Miley

Cyrus and Ed Sheeran.

Ideal for;• Families• Fans of more well known music acts like up coming

shows with Fleetwood Mac, Lionel Richie and 5 seconds of summer.

O2 AcademyDeceptively big for an academy venue, O2 plays host not only to some fantastic regular club nights but also hosts some of the best gigs. Catering to all different types of musical tastes, it provides an amazing atmosphere during a gig.

• Capacity- 2300.• Both seating and standing tickets are catered for. • Age restriction- 8 and over. Under 14’s to be

accompanied by an adult. Some gigs are 18+ only.• Multiple bars to obtain a beverage from. • Past performers include; Placebo, Catfish and the

bottlemen, The Charlatans and Ryan Adams.• Since the closure of Cockpit, probably one of the venues

you are most likely to get caught in a most pit.

Ideal for;• Those who want an “atmosphere” • Fans of mosh pits• Those who care about sound quality• Fans of; Sleeping with Sirens, Brandon

flowers, kodaline, NOFX and Hozier.

Leeds University UnionWith a total of 4 music venues hidden away within it, Leeds Uni SU is a fantastic gig venue. Combined the clubs alone have a capacity of 2000.

• Refectory has a capacity of 2100 and has staged gigs with Queens Of The Stone Age, The Killers and The Who.

• Newly fitted high tech sound systems.• 18+ Ideal for;

• Students• Locals• Fans of; alt-J, The Airborne Toxic

Event, Live At Leeds.

Brudenell Social ClubBy far one of the coolest music spots in Leeds. Brudenell is located in Hyde Park and is just a few minutes walk from Leeds Uni campus. Not just about the music, Brudenell is a place for hanging out.

• There’s also a lounge and a games room.• Snooker table, pool tables, Darts, Table Football,

Pinball Machine, Sky TV and even ESPN. • The music room can fit 400 people. Which makes for a

great intimate gig setting. • Gigs range from £3- £20. With some even being free.• Past acts include; Kaiser Chiefs, Franz Ferdinand,

Grimes, Misfits and even Black Lace. • Reasonably priced bars.

Ideal for;• Students• Intimate gigs• To see local or up and coming bands• Gig going when skint

Leeds Beckett Student UnionYou don’t have to be a student to enjoy a gig here but with student prices for drinks and tickets, who can complain?

Since opening in 1970, The Stage at the SU has probably the most rich musical history of any venue on this list. With past gigs including Nirvana, Coldplay, The Sex Pistols and Foo Fighters.

• Mostly 18+ venue (Some 14+) • Vast amount of space • Cheap Drinks• Capacity- 1100

Ideal for;• Students • Fans of; Slam Dunk festival,

Live At Leeds, Mallory Knox.• Mosh pits

Belgrave Music HallThe edgiest and hippest music venue on this list. Belgrave is more than just a music venue. With 3 floors, 2 kitchens, 2 bars, a roof terrace and a small music room, Belgrave is the ultimate gig experience.

• Capacity- 200• Previous gigs; Black river, Zola Jesus and

Meadowlark.• Friendly atmosphere• 18+ venue

Ideal for;• Underground or quirky music• Fans of; Bipolar Sunshine, Amplifier and Scott

Matthews.

The Key Club Leeds newest rock club. Since opening in September 2014, The Key Club has taken over as the place to go for rock music since the closure of Cockpit.

• Capacity- 300• Previous gigs; Blitz Kids, Fort

Hope and Hacktivist.• Located in the city centre. • 14+ gigs.

Ideal for; • Rock music• Cockpit frequenters • Fans of; FrankIero and the cellabration,

Turbowolf and The Swellers.

Nation of ShopkeepersA very artsy and beautiful venue. Nation offers both a beautiful inside and a gorgeous courtyard too. Slightly more upscale the rest of these venues, it’s worth a little bit of extra spending for such a fun time.

• Capacity – 850.• 18+• Previous gigs; Glass Caves, Coves and Dutch

Uncles.

Ideal for; • Those who want a less “studenty” place.• Cocktails• Fans of; God Damn, Shitwife and Cosmo

Sheldrake.

The LibraryVery little studying goes on at The Library. Instead there is awesome food, cheap drinks, a friendly atmosphere and some great new talent performing.

• 18+• 150- 200 capacity (Upstairs)• Showcases local bands• Previous gigs; New Model Army, Monster Jaw

and Forever Cult.

Ideal for; • Local band enthusiasts• Checking out obscure music• Cheap gigs• Fans of; Sigma, Jupitar Falls and

Otherpeopleslives.

OportoSmaller gigs in this Call Lane venue. Possibly looked over gig wise as most people see it as just another bar but it showcases some fantastic bands. With the dim lighting providing a cosy atmosphere, it’s a hidden gem amongst venues.

• Capacity – 200.• 18+ • Previous gigs; Young Kato, Jaws and Misty Miller.

Ideal for; • Hot dogs, beer and music. • location!• Fans of; Charlie Barnes, Neon Dolls

and Vendettas.