With so many incredible venues attracting the biggest and best names and a huge pool of local musical talent, you don’t have to look far to find some live music in the city.
For that reason it’s no surprise that Leeds has attracted some iconic names in music over the years and been the scene for some truly iconic gigs. Whether it’s playing host to burgeoning music scenes or putting on mega concerts in the city’s parks, there has been more than a fair share of “I was there moments”.
Here we look at some of the most talked about and iconic shows in the city’s history:
1. Iconic names to play in Leeds over the years
Leeds has played host to some of the biggest names in music over the years Photo: Huge gigs in Leeds
2. The Who at Leeds University
Where else to start than with The Who, whose legendary gig at Leeds University on February 14 1970 spawned the legendary Live At Leeds album, which set the standard for all live albums to follow. The record caught the classic line-up of Daltrey, Townsend, Entwistle and Moon at their peak and a blue plaque was unveiled at the university in 2006 to commemorate that night. Ed Anderson remembered: "We all knew the concert was being recorded and The Who were at their very exciting best that night.” Photo: Chris McCourt
3. Queen at Elland Road
Leeds was graced by rock royalty on a baking hot bank holiday in May 1982 when Queen, led by the incomparable Freddie Mercury, lit up Elland Road for the 40,200 in attendance. Utilising a PA system that cost £1 million and supported by Heart, Joan Jett And The BlackHearts and The Teardrop Explodes, the show has taken on iconic status among Queen enthusiasts. Photo: Getty
4. Madonna at Roundhay Park
With it being the Queen of Pop's first show in her first major UK tour, it's no wonder that the city of Leeds came to a standstill on August 15, 1987. Over 70,000 people scrambled to Roundhay Park to see Madonna open the UK leg of her Who's That Girl? tour, with those in attendance treated to a selection of pop milestones such as Into The Groove, Papa Don't Preach and Like A Virgin. Photo: Steve Riding
5. The Clash, Sex Pistols and The Damned at Leeds Polytechnic
As part of the notorious Anarchy Tour of 1976, Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned rocked up to Leeds on December 6 amid a wave of controversy following the Pistols' infamous, sweary live appearance on Thames Television's Today programme. Despite the mythic status the show has taken on not everyone was a fan, with the YEP music critic describing it as 'musically bereft, verbally moronic and crude' and an 'abysmal performance of depravity rock' Photo: Getty
6. Elton John at Leeds Grand Theatre
The Grand Theatre is no stranger to welcoming a star or two through its doors, but playing host to Elton John isn't something that happens every day. Flying into Leeds for two dates on his Louder Than Concorde tour in April 1976, Elton powered through a lively two-and-a-quarter hour set featuring some of his biggest hits. Photo: Steve Riding