Leeds Gig Guide: This weekend's biggest shows, including Less Than Jake and Echo and The Bunnymen

This weekend is packed with a massive variety of shows, spanning every corner of our local scene. From the big historic stages in the city centre to the smaller DIY spots in LS6, there is a huge amount of talent landing in the city over the next three days.

Whether you want high-energy punk or smooth electronic beats, you can catch several world-class acts just a few miles apart.

Friday night offers a mix of sounds, from loud brass and guitars to polished pop and acoustic folk, while one of the city's best rooftop decks also hosts a top-tier DJ, ensuring a strong start across our most famous venues.

On Saturday, the vibe shifts to moody rock and late-night dance, with post-punk icons taking the O2 Academy stage, while newer spaces lean into 90s nostalgia and house music. It is a big night for the city's diverse subcultures.

The weekend ends with a relaxed Sunday lineup, featuring haunting collaborations at an intimate venue.

From Farsley to the city centre, there is something in every corner of Leeds to help you wind down - and prepare for the week ahead.

This weekend’s gig highlights in Leeds - March 6 - 8

Echo and The Bunnymen (Saturday - O2 Academy Leeds)

Few bands suit the grandeur of the O2 Academy quite like Echo & The Bunnymen. Ian McCulloch's unmistakable baritone and Will Sergeant's shimmering, atmospheric guitar work continue to influence generations of indie and rock musicians.

Fans can expect a ‘best of’ masterclass, weaving through the cinematic brilliance of The Killing Moon and the driving urgency of Rescue. It promises to be a poignant, moody, and ultimately triumphant evening with true post-punk royalty.

Livin’ Joy (Saturday - Project House)

If your weekend goal is pure dancefloor euphoria, look no further than the Armley-adjacent Project House.

Livin' Joy, the group behind the quintessential 90s anthem Dreamer, will be bringing that classic house energy to one of the city's coolest new cultural spaces. Supported by Dream Frequency and local legend Marc Leaf, this night is a dedicated love letter to the golden era of clubbing.

It’s the perfect spot for those who want to skip the traditional gig circuit and dive straight into a high-production rave environment.

Less Than Jake (Friday - O2 Academy Leeds)

The Florida ska-punk titans return to one of their favourite UK stops, bringing a relentless high-energy set that has defined the genre for three decades.

The bill is exceptionally strong, featuring fellow heavyweights The Bouncing Souls and the theatrical chaos of The Aquabats, ensuring the energy levels in the Academy will be off the charts from the first note to the final confetti blast.

Leeds Gig Guide - March 6 -8

Friday

• Less Than Jake, The Bouncing Souls, The Aquabats, and The Bar Stool Preachers - O2 Academy Leeds
• Hot Mulligan and Delta Sleep - Project House
• The Feeling and Sandi Thom - Leeds Beckett University Students ‘Union
• Ross From Friends - Headrow House
• The Songs Of Joni Mitchell (Jesca Hoop, Kate Stables, Lail Arad, and Richard Sears) - Brudenell Social Club
• Keo - Leeds University Stylus
• Where It All Begins (K.O.G) - Brudenell Social Club
• Jovani and Paul Pure - Home Leeds
• Reelin' in the Dan - Old Woollen
• Insider Trading - Hyde Park Book Club (HPBC)
• Georgia Dagaki - The Fox & Newt

Saturday

• Echo & The Bunnymen - O2 Academy Leeds
• Bleed From Within, Disembodied Tyrant, and BAEST - Leeds University Stylus
• Remember Sports, Fortitude Valley, and Yuppie Supper - Brudenell Social Club
• Beans on Toast - Brudenell Social Club
• Dusky, Murphy's Law, and DXNBY - The Warehouse
• Livin' Joy, Dream Frequency, and Marc Leaf - Project House
• Locky (Ricardo Villalobos, Fumiya Tanaka, Annie Errez, Bobby O’Donnell, Laidlaw, and Kepler) - Mint Warehouse
• Pastel, The Garage Flowers, and Garage Flower - Headrow House
• Royals, x2 Fast, Northbound & Down, and Harry Jxye - The Key Club
• The Deadlians - Royal Park Cellars
• Scustin, Senor Pink, and Hitlist - Lending Room
• Skint Knees and Electric Press (UK) - Wharf Chambers
• ALL I LIVE FOR - HMV Leeds
• Rob Tissera (Jane Angel, Greenbins, Si Frater, Slipmatt, Amber D, 2 Bad Mice, Dj Vibes, Ellis Dee, Mark Xtc, and JX) - Beaver Works
• The Woolverstones, Wolfsmoke, and Calves In The Dark - Crank Studios, Morley
• Michael Akadiri, Brennan Reece, and Jack Gleadow - The HiFi Club
• Liv Cartier - Sofar Sounds
• Chloë Wilson - Sofar Sounds
• Bonneville - Sofar Sounds

Sunday

• Andrew Wasylyk and Kathryn Joseph - The Attic Leeds
• Joshua Burnell - Black Horse Function Room, Otley
• Casual Smart and Aunty Freeda - Brudenell Social Club
• Shaun Banks - Northern Guitars
• The Flukes - The Grove Inn
• Molars and Covent - Hyde Park Book Club (HPBC)