Annie Mac to headline huge reopening party as Leeds venue TESTBED doubles in size

After months behind closed doors (almost - unless you saw our preview a few weeks ago), the upgraded and transformed TESTBED is set to reopen its doors next month with a huge day-into-night launch event.

The popular Leeds warehouse venue has announced an ambitious 10-hour reopening party running from 2pm through to midnight on October 3.

Heading up the launch is influential broadcaster and DJ Annie Mac, alongside Horse Meat Disco, Shee, Marcia Carr, and rising Leeds DJ Junior Simba.

The reopening marks a major evolution for the Hunslet venue, expanding its overall footprint to 23,000 sq ft and increasing total capacity to 2,500.

High-spec technical upgrades include a new 5,000 sq ft mezzanine and balcony overlooking the main floor, a central 360-degree DJ booth, a custom festival-grade L-Acoustics L2 sound system, a bespoke LED ceiling installation, and a massive 8m x 4m LED video wall designed to transform the dancefloor experience.

Former BBC Radio 1 Dance Party host Annie Mac brings her peerless selection and legendary party-starting credentials to lead the launch lineup.

She is joined by London disco icons Horse Meat Disco, fast-rising Irish selector Shee, vinyl specialist Marcia Carr, and Leeds-based producer Junior Simba, who stands as one of the most exciting breakthrough names in the region's house scene.

The expansion comes as TESTBED founders Laura Wellington and James Abbott-Donnelly team up with leading UK event operators AMAAD - the team behind landmark projects including The Bridge Series, L.W.E, Ironworks, Quarters, and The Prospect Building - to establish the space as a major regional music hub while remaining genuinely rooted in the city's cultural landscape, maintaining close consultations with residents to ensure deep respect towards the surrounding community.

Tickets for the TESTBED launch are officially on sale as of writing, with general admission starting at £20 via TESTBED’s official website.