Leeds' Millennium Square has long been the city's civic heart, but over the last two decades, it has also established itself as one of the North of England’s most vital and versatile outdoor concert venues.
Framed by the grand architecture of the Civic Hall, the Square has hosted everything from intimate punk festivals to massive disco revues, often as the flagship location for the annual Sounds of the City series.
Its concert history is a microcosm of modern music itself, showcasing generational icons, high-energy reunions, and artists at the peak of their creative powers.
From the emotional revival of The Specials and the indie edge of Thurston Moore, to the arena-sized anthems of Simple Minds and Richard Ashcroft, and the pure party energy of HAIM and Nile Rodgers & CHIC, the Square has consistently proved its capacity to provide an unforgettable soundtrack to the Leeds summer.
We’ve taken a look through the archives and Setlist.FM to remind you of some of the huge shows that have taken place in the space over the years—shows that you might have found yourself attending too!"
7. Texas - July 31 2015
This concert was part of the band's touring schedule following the release of their album Texas 25, a collection that featured re-recorded versions of their greatest hits alongside four new songs. The show was advertised as an "all-singing, all-dancing, get ready to put your hands in the air journey" celebrating their career. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Thurston Moore - July 22 2016
This show was part of the Summer Series at Millennium Square, but it was specifically promoted as the headline act for the 2016 Chunk Festival. Moore's band at the time featured an indie rock supergroup: Steve Shelley (Moore's bandmate in Sonic Youth) on drums, Deb Googe (My Bloody Valentine) on bass, and James Sedwards on guitar. | Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
9. Ocean Colour Scene - July 23 2016
This concert was the first of two consecutive sold-out nights (July 23rd and 24th) at Millennium Square, promoted as a mini-festival. The date you asked about, July 23rd, was the Saturday night gig and was entirely sold out. The entire evening was a celebration of 90s indie music, including Shed Seven, The Bluetones, The Indigo Project and The Sherlocks. | Neil Chapman
10. Jimmy Eat World - May 26 2018
Jimmy Eat World were the main headliner for the Jägermeister Stage (the primary outdoor stage at Millennium Square) for the Leeds leg of the Slam Dunk 2018. The biggest moment of the night, inevitably, was the closing song, 'The Middle,' generating a massive sing-along, and serving as a massive finale for the entire day's proceedings at the Square. | Contributed
11. Tony Hadley - July 21 2018
The Spandau Ballet frontman was supported by a full band, including a brass section, when he performed at Millennium Square in July 2018. The concert was billed as "Tony Hadley with his band and special guests" and was a headline event for the city's annual Summer Series, drawing a crowd primarily interested in celebrating the hits of Spandau Ballet and the wider New Romantic era. | John McEvoy Photo: John McEvoy
12. Simple Minds - August 11 2018
This concert was a stop on the Grandslam 2018 tour, a series of outdoor summer dates across the UK. The tour was timed to support their recently released album, Walk Between Worlds (2018). While the tour often featured The Pretenders, the Leeds date on August 11 was specifically billed as Simple Minds and special guest KT Tunstall only. | Ernesto Rogata