What’s on Yorkshire: Contemporary, classical and traditional music in Leeds for 2024
There’s an abundance of exciting events waiting for you to explore in 2024.
These relaxed and informal concerts take place in a range of unique venues. Perfect for audiences young and old, first-timers or old hands to go on a musical adventure, where harmonies and melodies transport you to extraordinary places.
Refurbishment work on the Town Hall offers a great opportunity to take classical music to a wider audience. Thanks to part-funding from the Arts Council of England, Leeds International Concert Season devised a programme of performances called Sound Out Leeds.
This diverse programme combines exceptional musicians from all over the world with bold programmes in distinctive venues across the city, including The Wardrobe, the Howard Assembly Rooms and the Carriageworks Theatre in the city centre and the Riley Theatre in Chapeltown, Hyde Park Book Club, Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley.
What you said:Here’s some of the reactions to concerts which took place as part of Sound Out Leeds last year:
“Exciting, emotional music performed with joy in a lovely venue. A night to remember.”
“An excellent concert in all respects… What a vibe!”
“It was great. Loved the concert and the venue. So good to see something strange and different.”
What to expect
For a taste of the eclectic programme on offer we have picked out four concerts coming up in the first quarter of this year.
She’Koyokh: This London-based band brings traditional music from Jewish Eastern Europe, Turkey, and the Balkans. Expect a lively musical feast with clarinets, violin, jazzy guitar licks, accordion, bass and dance invoking percussion, plus the sweet and passionate voice of Istanbul-born Çigdem Aslan. Sunday January 21 at The Old Woollen, Sunny Bank Mills
Manchester Camerata:[ B R E A T H E ]: The award-winning Manchester Camerata takes the audience on a reflective musical and cinematic experience. Take a break from the fast-paced life we live to a place of wellbeing and mindfulness. This string quartet will perform contemporary works from living composers including Philip Glass, Ben Nobuto, Arvo Pärt, Ayanna Witter-Johnson and Shiva Feshareki and there will be a stunning short film
[ B R E A T H E ]. Featuring newly commissioned music from critically acclaimed composer Daniel Kidane, poet Roma Havers, music creator Ben Nobuto and directed by River Rea Films, the film will transport you to the historic Victoria Baths in Manchester. March 21 at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton
Forgotten in HIStory: This clever title gives a clue to the production which involves all-female composers and musicians. Through the Noise and HER Ensemble, collaborated on this production which champions women in music. Merging aspects from classical and pop scenes, the ensemble performs music written by women spanning the past 2000 years as a response to the discovery that in 2019, just 3.6% of the classical music pieces performed worldwide were written by women. Hyde Park Book Club on April 26
Sacred Music: Celebrate the Spirit: Leeds International Concert Season worked with South Asian Arts UK to develop this piece. It is an exploration of sacred music synonymous with Hindu, Islamic, Sikh and Christian faiths. This springtime concert is a result of that journey; a musical expression of what it means to create interfaith music – ultimately, a celebration of each religious tradition and their communities present here in Leeds. May 12 at Howard Assembly Room.
Book now
Book your tickets via the website, or by phone. Click here for more details.