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.
7. Whitesnake and Samson (Queens Hall, 1982)
Just two months later, another hard rock line-up at Queens Hall was available for a similar low price. Tim Wilkinson recalled paying "a fiver to see Whitesnake and Samson." This consistent £5 price point proves that rock royalty was highly accessible in the city in the early 80s. | kpa/United Archives via Getty Images
8. Bruce Springsteen (Roundhay Park, 1985)
When The Boss came to Roundhay Park, his ticket price was around £15. Reader Paul Cameron provided a great comparison for this show: "Bruce Springsteen at Roundhay Park in 1985, ticket was £15... A bit dearer to see him again in 2023 in Edinburgh £90!!" | YEP
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9. Simple Minds (Roundhay Park, 1989)
Multiple fans remembered the exact cost for the Simple Minds gig, with the band pictured here at one of their Belgian concerts. Jason Beardsall stated: "Simple Minds in ‘89…cost £16.50 and, to this day, still the best gig I have ever been to." | Gie Knaeps/Getty Images
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10. Madonna (Roundhay Park, 1987)
The Queen of Pop's 'Who's That Girl' tour saw ticket prices firmly in the teens. Zoey Jayne Heneachon provided an exact number: "I was there. £19.50, it was fab," while Karen Bairstow remembered paying "£15 for a ticket!!" And for some, the deal was even sweeter: Iain Whapham got a ticket "for £7.50 on the day!" | YEP
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11. Michael Jackson at Roundhay Park, 1988
The King of Pop's legendary 'Bad' tour came to Roundhay Park, and the ticket prices averaged out in the high teens. Darran Sykes confirmed that their tickets "cost £20", and Helen Parker kept the receipt for her 1988 show: "Ticket £17.50 - still have the ticket." This concert remains one of the most talked-about Roundhay Park gigs. | YEP
12. U2 (Roundhay Park, 1993)
As we entered the 90s, the ticket price for a major act like U2 on their Zooropa Tour climbed slightly to £22 for the ticket alone. Carole Kendell, however, highlighted the rising cost of extras, recalling her total price: "U2 at Roundhay Park in 1993 ticket was £75 including coach travel." It marked the beginning of rising secondary costs in concert attendance. | YEP