Since opening its doors more than a decade ago, the First Direct Arena has attracted some of the biggest names in the music industry.
Leeds residents have been treated to concerts from the likes of Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, and so much more. With such an illustrious list of concerts over the years, plenty of Yorkshire Evening Post readers have enjoyed truly memorable nights at the venue.
Opening in 2013, First Direct Arena continues to attract huge names each year. Westlife played a show earlier this week - and Nicky Byrne chatted about his time in the city while on stage.
We turned to the YEP readers to ask them what were the best concerts they have seen at the venue over the years. It provoked quite the response on Facebook and we were inundated with replies.
With much difficulty, we have managed to narrow down the responses to 11 of the best. Do you agree with the picks?
1. Prince
Prince received some of the strongest praise in the entire discussion. Dave Bowen wrote, “Nothing will ever beat Prince, beyond awesome!!” Catherine Carlton singled out his 2014 performance with purple heart emojis, while several others named Prince as their favourite. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
2. Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen was the first act to play the First Direct Arena and his opening-night performance was one of the most frequently celebrated events in the comments. Derek Stephen Southern recalled that Springsteen and the E Street Band first opened the arena. Paul Fuller called it “The Mighty Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band,” while Denise Jeffery described it as an “Amazing concert.” | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
3. ELO - Electric Light Orchestra
Pat Butcher delivered perhaps the strongest comparative endorsement in the thread: “ELO!!!!! Without doubt I’ve seen hundreds of artists. ELO 100%.” Nick Addison also praised ELO alongside OMD, calling both “Absolutely brilliant,” while Sarah Hawkins included ELO at the top of her four stand-out acts. | Mike Coppola/Getty Images Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
4. Westlife
Fresh off their latest show at First Direct Arena, our comment section was flooded with responses calling them the best concert people have seen at the venue. Neil Emmerson called the Westlife show “absolutely phenomenal” and thanked arena staff for helping make it a night they would truly remember. Karen Michelle Harrison called the recent performance “one of the best,” while Joanne Ness described it as an “absolutely amazing show.” | SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP via Getty Images Photo: SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP via Getty Images
5. Bruno Mars
Lewis Anthony gave one of the most enthusiastic endorsements in the whole discussion when recalling Bruno Mars' show at the First Direct Arena. He said: “Best thing I’ve ever seen in my life.” Sarah Hawkins also placed Bruno Mars among her four stand-out acts. | Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
6. Black Stone Cherry
Steve Normington specifically praised Black Stone Cherry with The Cadillac Three and Monster Truck as support acts. He then named Biffy Clyro and Fall Out Boy among his other favourites. John Hipshon highlighted the Carnival of Madness bill featuring Black Stone Cherry, Shinedown and Halestorm, while Stephanie Cole remembered Black Stone Cherry alongside The Darkness. | Jim Dyson/Getty Images Photo: Jim Dyson/Getty Images