With everybody’s least favourite month soon coming to an end, here a a few upcoming gigs in Leeds that you should definitely get down and see to end the month on a high note!
Dilly Dally @ Headrow House – January 24:
Firstly, we have Toronto grunge rockers Dilly Dally. Leeds will be the first date of their seven-leg UK tour and it’s the first time they have crossed the pond since 2016. Dilly Dally are not unfamiliar with Leeds, having played Brudenell Social Club three years ago to this day (January 22 2016). The quartet are touring their recently released second album; ‘Heaven’. Be sure to check them out if you are a fan of alternative rock and give their first album, ‘Sore’, a listen too. Tickets are still available on seetickets.com
The Wombats @ Leeds First Direct Arena – January 26:
January 26 marks The Wombats’ first time headlining their own show at the First Direct Arena. You can expect to hear plenty of tunes from their recently released album – ‘Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life’, including ‘Cheetah Tongue’ and ‘Lemon to a Knife Fight’. You are guaranteed an electric live experience when you see these guys and their renditions of indie classics such as ‘Let’s Dance to Joy Division’ and ‘Moving to New York’ amongst many others are the big reason behind that. If you’ve not had enough by the end of the gig, you can head to the Stone Roses Bar for the night where there’ll be plenty more Wombats being played! You can grab yourself a ticket through their website.
Frank Turner @ Leeds First Direct Arena – January 27:
With Frank Turner’s huge upcoming gig at the First Direct Arena, you’re getting 2-for-1 value with your ticket, thanks to support from American rockers Jimmy Eats World. Turner has played all over Leeds these past few years and never fails to deliver a fantastic show. Be sure to expect some huge, harmonious anthems played across a rip roaring set. Tickets are still available through his website.
Snow Patrol @ Leeds First Direct Arena – January 29:
Snow Patrol is the first of two gigs you could potentially go and see on your Tuesday night. This band needs no introduction and are currently touring their seventh studio album. However, more astonishingly, this is their first tour since 2012. Snow Patrol have released some of the most iconic songs of the past 15 years including ‘Run’ and ‘Chasing Cars’. Recent singles such as ‘Empress’ and ‘Don’t Give In’ have proven that Gary Lightbody is still one of the best songwriters around and this tour is not one to be missed. Tickets are available at gigsandtours.com
Tim Burgess @ The Wardrobe – January 29:
Tim Burgess is of course the frontman of legendary Manchester band, The Charlatans. However, he is coming to The Wardrobe on the 29th to perform as a solo artist. It will be quite the change of atmosphere from The Charlatans’ recent tour with fellow Manchetser legends James, which saw them play arenas around the UK, including the First Direct. This gig at Wardrobe promises to be very intimate and allows you the chance to see one of the most prolific songwriters of the last 25 years up close. Burgess is touring his third solo album called ‘As I Was Now’. You can get tickets on seetickets.com
John Grant @ The O2 Academy – January 30:
Similarly to the previous night, there are two gigs you could head down to on the 30th. The first of the picks is John Grant. Formerly of American band ‘The Czars’, Grant has been a solo artist since 2010 and is touring his new album ‘Love is Magic’. Grant’s work has always been well received in the UK and he the played the First Direct Arena last year supporting Elbow. Impressively, Mojo named his first debut solo album as the album of they year in 2010. Tickets are available through his website.
Shadowlark @ Oporto – January 30:
Your other option is to go and see Leeds based Shadowlark. The three-piece synth-pop band formed after meeting at Leeds College of Music and have released a string of great singles since they formed. Live at Leeds was one of the bands’ first gigs and received a plethora of praise and their upcoming gig at Oporto is sure to be the same. Oporto bar is a great venue for smaller bands and Shadowlark’s melodic indie pop tunes are certainly not to be missed. Tickets can be bought at eventbrite.co.uk.
Here are just a few picks, there is plenty of music going on every night in Leeds so be sure to check out what’s going on!
Leeds: Live and Loud 