PART I
- Leeds First Direct Arena –
Firstly, we have the most glamorous and modern of the venues on this list, the colossal First Direct Arena. Having been to many large arenas across the UK, I can safely say that the First Direct Arena is my favourite.
The distinct design of the standing area ensures that no matter where you stand, the atmosphere is always electric, and you feel as though you’re in touching distance with the act. The First Direct Arena is my most visited music venue and that is for good reason, it attracts some of the biggest bands and artists in the world, has a great layout and is well situated in the city centre.
Notable artists seen there:
The Stone Roses, Biffy Clyro, Royal Blood, Courteeners, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds, Kasabian, James, Kings of Leon.
- O2 Academy –
The O2 Academy is an equally as enjoyable as the First Direct Arena, but certainly offers a more intimate experience. It can hold up to around 2000 people per gig, which in comparison the First Direct Arena’s 14,000 capacity, feels particularly small.
However, this is certainly no detriment to the Academy and the intimate atmosphere really accentuates your live experience. You are never too far from the front and the sound in the venue is incredible. Watching from the balcony can be an equally as impressive experience, offering a totally different perspective of the concert.
Notable artists seen there:
DMA’s, Blossoms, Liam Fray
- The Wardrobe –
Having only visited the Wardrobe one time for a gig, I can only base my opinion off that visit. However, that one experience was seeing Leeds’ very own Pigeon Detectives in 2016 and it was a riveting and raucous event.
The venue is relatively small and allows you to get within touching distance with the act on stage. This really enhances the experience and as expected with a Pigeon Detectives gig, the crowd were very much up for the occasion. Accompanying frontman Matt Bowman’s electrifying charisma on stage with the eclectic energy of the crowd made for a truly exciting experience.
- Leeds Stylus –
As well as being a music venue, Leeds Stylus is actually the University of Leeds’s student union. However, it transforms seamlessly into a venue and similarly to Wardrobe, the smaller capacity really gives the performances there a much more personal feel to them. Plenty of established and exciting artists have played at Stylus recently such as DMA’S and Idles and it has been one of the chosen venues to host bands during the Live at Leeds festivals.
- Leeds Beckett Student Union –
Another student union-come-music venue, Leeds Beckett Student Union is home to its fair share of gigs. Once inside, the almost claustrophobic feeling generated by the crowd generates a real buzz during gigs and just like Stylus, it attracts some of music’s most promising prospects. It is well situated for students and if you’re looking for a cheap pub with a jukebox pre-gig, then the Fenton is only a 2-minute walk away.
Leeds: Live and Loud 