'It's an astounding backdrop': Meet the man behind Kirkstall Abbey's new summer concert series

One of Leeds’ most familiar landmarks will play host to a new series of live entertainment this summer.

The Live at Kirkstall Abbey series, which soft-launched in 2024, gets into full swing this month, with two weekends of events featuring The Streets, The Maccabees, a comedy festival and more.

The idea to bring a live concert series to Kirkstall Abbey came from a feeling that the historic site was not being used to its full potential, promoter Joe Hubbard, of Futuresound, told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Joe said: “The idea came from just it being a beautiful site, right in the heart of Leeds.

“We all live in Leeds and work in Leeds, and we drive past it every day. It’s the astounding backdrop that you get here - that’s what makes it the sort of site that we really want to use and do stuff in.”

The series soft-launched in 2024 with gigs by Madness and Embrace, as well as the inaugural Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival. This year, however, the bar has been raised with a line-up of heavyweight names, local indie heroes and an ambition to create something that feels rooted in the city.

The line-up spans two weekends, with performances from The Streets, local favourites The Sunshine Underground - who are reuniting for a one-off show - and the comedy festival, headlined by Dara O Briain and Jason Manford. The following weekend features The Maccabees and Loyle Carner.

“You’ve got to be eclectic, and you’ve got to try and give something for everyone,” Joe said. “By having the different nights - The Streets on one night, Sunshine Underground, Maccabees, Loyle Carner - there’s some crossover, but they can each attract their own audience and stand up by themselves.”

The Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival fits the bill too, offering something different in the middle of the run.

“It’s fun for us to do something different and to have an array of events,” Joe added. “Come down, sit down, chill out - hopefully in the sun - and have a good laugh at some comedy. It’s a different offer to being here for a big gig.”

Being able to launch a new concert series with such a packed line-up comes down to the experienced team at Futuresound, Joe said.

“Achieving lineups like this is a result of having that team and all working together, and building year by year… that’s how you have to do it to be sustainable,” he explained.

While the abbey’s setting is a major draw for audiences, it is also a key part of why artists want to play there.

“When you’ve got a band that’s been away for a long time, you need a reason to get back together,” Joe said, pointing to The Sunshine Underground, who are reuniting after 10 years apart. “To come and play somewhere as historic and beautiful as this, in your hometown, becomes a reason for that.”

The hope is that this year’s expanded programme will pave the way for more.

“If people enjoy it and there’s a reason to put it on, then we’ll continue to do so,” Joe said. “It’s about doing things for the right reasons. If there’s a need there, we’ll bring it back.”

All remaining tickets for the Live at Kirkstall Abbey series can be found here.