Cultural leaders developed the year of culture after Leeds was denied its chance to become ‘European capital of culture’ in 2023 due to Brexit.
Hosted by Gabby Logan and Sanchez Payne, ‘The Awakening’ celebrated Leeds’s cultural past, present and future.
The show included unforgettable performances from some of Leeds’s biggest names, including Corinne Bailey Rae, Simon Armitage and LYR.
![Leeds-born singer songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae watches an incredible, state of the art lights display courtesy of drones.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjExOTAxMDc5LWI2MDEtNDE1Ny1iODkxLWI2MDI3NTY2OTA5Mjo5MGVjZTc1NC1mNTA4LTQzY2UtYjAyYi02ZjUyMDIyNGRhMzA=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
1. The Awakening at Headingley Stadium
Leeds-born singer songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae watches an incredible, state of the art lights display courtesy of drones.Photo: Steve Riding
![Corinne Bailey Rae is best known for her 2006 single "Put Your Records On".](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjIwZTZlZjRmLWZjMmUtNDg5Ny1hZGNiLTNiOTM3OTYzZjc4YzpjNDk3MjE2Zi02NTYxLTRkNGEtYmRlYS05NjZlMjM3MzlhNDU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
2. The Awakening at Headingley Stadium
Corinne Bailey Rae is best known for her 2006 single "Put Your Records On".Photo: Steve Riding
![The hit song Leeds to Lahore was also performed.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjY3YTc3Zjc0LWRjMzItNGM1Yy04NjA1LTgyYzY1NGYwNWQwZjpkOTVjYTBjYS0xNGRiLTQyZjktYWMyMy04NWJmNDMzN2ZjZTA=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
3. The Awakening at Headingley Stadium
The hit song Leeds to Lahore was also performed.Photo: Steve Riding
![BBC Radio Leeds presenter Rima Ahmed also took to the stage.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU4N2U4Y2RlLTIwZjEtNDE4Yy1iY2ZmLTQ4ZTRiMGM4N2RiNDpmMTAxOTU0OS1kMzM1LTQxNzUtYjVkZC1mZDZiMzM0ZDcwMTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
4. The Awakening at Headingley Stadium
BBC Radio Leeds presenter Rima Ahmed also took to the stage.Photo: Steve Riding
![Performing a cover of Kaiser Chiefs hit ‘I Predict a Riot’, young rock band Solar jets showed that the future is bright.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmFiYzk5MzZmLTZmMGYtNDZjNi05MWY0LTk0Y2MxZGNhNDIxZDpjNzJkYThhOC1kMjM2LTRjZjYtODdhMS1kYjQzY2Y5OTQ5MGE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
5. The Awakening at Headingley Stadium
Performing a cover of Kaiser Chiefs hit ‘I Predict a Riot’, young rock band Solar jets showed that the future is bright.Photo: Steve Riding
![Dancers took to the stage as the rain failed to dampen the mood of the crowd.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ1NDljMTdmLWViN2QtNGU0Ny1hOThmLWJiYTZmYmQyY2Y3NDpmYjk5NDc4Yi0wOWNiLTQwMTItODlkNS1kNWMwNmE4ZDNhMGM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
6. The Awakening at Headingley Stadium
Dancers took to the stage as the rain failed to dampen the mood of the crowd.Photo: Steve Riding