Leeds Gig Guide: Duran Duran, The Wedding Present & Shy FX lead stacked weekend of live music

As the clocks go back this weekend, it means an extra hour in bed - and a little more time to recover from the night before.

At least, when it comes to a Saturday night in Leeds, right?

This weekend brings together a mammoth line-up of live music and nightlife across the city, giving you the perfect excuse to make the absolute most of those extra 60 minutes.

From global pop icons filling out First Direct Bank Arena to cult indie heroes returning to sacred local turf and high-octane drum & bass keeping dance floors moving into the early hours, something is happening in every corner of Leeds over the next three days.

This weekend's gig highlights

Duran Duran (First Direct Bank Arena - Saturday)

80s pop icons Duran Duran take over First Direct Arena on Saturday night for what promises to be the biggest spectacle in the city this weekend.

Armed with four decades of global hits - from ‘Rio’ and ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ to ‘Ordinary World ’- Simon Le Bon and co bring their sprawling arena show to West Yorkshire.

Joined by support act Pigeon, it's an unmissable night for classic pop and synth-wave enthusiasts looking for a full-scale production.

The Wedding Present (O2 Academy Leeds - Saturday)

For fans of deep-rooted West Yorkshire indie, David Gedge returns to home turf on Saturday as cult legends The Wedding Present headline the O2 Academy.

Known for their unrelenting fast-tempo guitar riffs, melancholic lyrics, and fierce loyalty from local crowds, the band’s return to Leeds is always a highlight on the local calendar.

With fantastic support from post-punk outfit Desperate Journalist and Belle and Chain, this is the premier pick for local guitar music purists.

Shy FX (The Warehouse - Saturday)

If you're looking to dance well into the early hours, jungle and drum & bass pioneer Shy FX takes control of the decks at iconic local clubbing venue The Warehouse.

Responsible for genre-defining anthems like ‘Original Nuttah’ and ‘Shake Your Body,’ the veteran producer brings high-octane basslines and party energy to one of Leeds' most storied dance floors for the ultimate Saturday night out.

Leeds weekend gig guide - October 23 - 25

Friday

• Heaven 17 & Peter Coyle - Leeds Beckett University Students' Union
• Gentleman's Dub Club - The Wardrobe
• Hayseed Dixie - Brudenell Social Club
• High Fade - Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen
• The Dutty Moonshine Big Band & Tankus - Project House
• Tom Shorterz, Chad Harrison, Denon Reed, TS7 & Disrupta - The Warehouse
• Maria Taylor & Dilettante - The Attic
• Iguana Death Cult & Wax Head - Hyde Park Book Club (HPBC)
• Benjamin Steer - Brudenell Social Club
• Din of Celestial Birds & Wildernesses - Boom
• Mould - Oporto
• Tortured Demon, Unburier & Pustulant Flesh - The Key Club
• I Promised the World - Boom
• Sunday Mourners & The Roves - Headrow House
• Beatles Complete - Stylus (Leeds University)
• The Flukes - The Halfway House, Morley

Saturday

• Duran Duran & Pigeon - First Direct Bank Arena
• The Wedding Present, Desperate Journalist & Belle and Chain - O2 Academy Leeds
• Shy FX - The Warehouse
• In Colour 2026 (featuring Squid, Working Men's Club, Ugly, 1000 Rabbits, Max Winter, Tanzana, Marsy & In Colour) - Brudenell Social Club
• NOAHFINNCE, Senses (US) & Chloe Star - Stylus (Leeds University)
• Lynks, Bed & Your Mates Ex - Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen
• Eddi Reader - Howard Assembly Room
• Sexy Lady Massive (featuring Benny L, Miguel Campbell, DJ SS, Del-30, Burt Cope, DJ Jackum, Rendah, Rosebud & Mousai) - Beaver Works
• Barrioke - Old Woollen, Farsley
• Gimp Fist & In Evil Hour - The Fox & Newt
• Eva Kiss & Evy Frearson - The Key Club
• Mutant Movement - The Backroom
• Me and My Friends - Leeds West Indian Centre
• Paul Marshall - Hyde Park Book Club (HPBC)

Sunday

• Citizen, Modern Color & Thistle - The Key Club
• Gary Stewart - Brudenell Social Club
• Noreen Khan, Nabil Abdulrashid & Muhsin Yesilada - The Wardrobe
• Curtis Walker & Slim - The Wardrobe
• Burner & Worn Out - Boom
• Loaded 44, Rotunda & Hifi Spitfires - Pack Horse, Hyde Park

All information is correct as of writing.

In the event of any 11th-hour changes, please refer to the promoter or venue of the event for further details.