The expansion of live entertainment capacity at Roundhay Park marks an exciting new era for Leeds’ live music landscape as Roundhay Festival finally arrives this weekend, featuring huge contemporary names like global icon Pitbull and Scottish star Lewis Capaldi.
The historic green space is finally reclaiming its status as a top-tier destination for massive outdoor shows, with newly approved licensing guidelines allowing tens of thousands of additional fans to converge on the site.
However, the park's newfound capacity is a continuation of a legendary local music lineage.
For decades, the rolling hillsides of Roundhay have hosted some of the biggest names in rock and pop history.
To mark the occasion, we asked our readers to share their fondest memories of seeing iconic artists "back in the day" right here in Leeds - and, more importantly, how much a ticket set them back. The response was overwhelming.
From massive rock tours under the open sky to sweat-soaked historic nights inside student unions, we’ve gathered 11 of the most frequently mentioned concerts in Leeds, paired with what it cost to experience them.
1. Deep Purple (1970s)
Back in the early days of rock, seeing a band like Deep Purple in Leeds was astonishingly cheap. Commenter Andy Holohan recalled paying just 2/6 (two shillings and sixpence), which converts to roughly 13p in modern, decimal currency! This incredibly low price, likely for a small venue, perfectly illustrates the accessibility of live music before it became a huge industry. | John Minihan/Getty Images
2. Deep Purple (1970s)
Back in the early days of rock, seeing a band like Deep Purple in Leeds was astonishingly cheap. Commenter Andy Holohan recalled paying just 2/6 (two shillings and sixpence), which converts to roughly 13p in modern, decimal currency! | Anwar Hussein/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
3. Queen - supporting Mott the Hoople (1973)
One of the most valuable tickets mentioned was for Mott the Hoople at Leeds Town Hall, where commenter Paul Greenwood paid a mere 80p. Even better, that price was your entry to see the support band: Queen! A true historical bargain, proving that even rock legends started on the cheap. | YEP
4. U2, Madness, The Specials, & B52s (1981)
Paul Babs Hind dropped an unbelievable memory: "U2/Madness/Specials/B52s all at the F Club (Brannigans) 1981...all 50p." Four major gigs for just 50p each is an astonishing bargain, even for 1981. It stands as a testament to the vibrant and highly accessible early New Wave and post-punk scene in Leeds. | Yorkshire Post Newspapers
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5. Rolling Stones (Roundhay Park, 1982)
In the early '80s, seeing the Stones was remarkably cheap. Fans recalled prices that averaged out to around £6.67, with Mags Bamford specifically stating: "Rolling Stones. £5 - 1982." It’s hard to imagine catching one of the biggest rock bands in the world at Roundhay Park for the price of a coffee today. | Yorkshire Post Newspapers
6. AC/DC (Queens Hall, 1982)
Hard rock fans were also getting great value, as Tim Wilkinson recalled: "Queens Hall £5.30 to see AC/DC and Y&T." This ticket price for a major international rock band in a UK venue shows that £5 was a key price point for a legendary night out in Leeds. | YEP