Leeds Gig Guide: Maximo Park, Paul Van Dyk and all the concerts taking place in the city this weekend

If you’ve looked at the forecast, you know the drill: it’s a classic, damp February weekend in Leeds.

We’re looking at light rain through Friday and Saturday with highs of 12°C, before a slightly brighter, breezier Sunday takes over. It’s the kind of weather that usually makes a sofa and a blanket look tempting.

But the sheer calibre of live music hitting the city this weekend is far more persuasive.

From a 20th-anniversary indie gathering at the O2 to a masterclass in trance at The Warehouse, there is a plethora of shows on offer that are well worth braving the elements for.

Whether you’re looking for a sweaty basement rave or an intimate acoustic set, here is your definitive guide to the sounds worth leaving the house for this weekend.

The YEP’s picks of this weekend’s gigs

Maxïmo Park – O2 Academy Leeds (Friday)

The Newcastle alt-rock legends return to Leeds to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their seminal debut album, A Certain Trigger. Expect a high-octane set of indie anthems like ‘Apply Some Pressure’ and ‘Going Missing’ from a band that has lost none of its signature "main character" energy - with support from Art Brut

Paul van Dyk – The Warehouse (Friday)

The Godfather of Trance is back in the city for a special three-hour set.

Taking over the historic Warehouse - a venue built for this kind of sonic depth - PvD will be delivering a masterclass in global trance and techno. It’s a rare chance to see a genre-defining titan in a club setting.

Sorry – Brudenell Social Club (Sunday)

Coming off a massive tour supporting Fontaines D.C., Sorry bring their COSPLAY tour to the Brudenell.

They are one of the most exciting, experimental bands in the UK right now, blending 21st-century digital quirks with raw garage-rock. It’s the perfect, slightly eerie way to close out your weekend. Support for the show comes from local act Hank.

Leeds Gig Guide - February 20-22

Friday

• Maxïmo Park (Support: Art Brut) – O2 Academy Leeds
• Paul van Dyk – The Warehouse
• Delta Heavy – Mint Warehouse
• JD CLIFFE and Finn Foxell – Headrow House
• Whitelands and Abandoned Buildings – Hyde Park Book Club (HPBC)
• Cheap Dirty Horse (Support: Yuppie Supper) – The Pack Horse
• A Band Called Malice – Brudenell Social Club
• Another; Country – Mabgate Bleach
• Tasha Leaper – Brudenell Social Club

Saturday

• The Paper Kites and BESS ATWELL – Leeds University Stylus
• Stealing Sheep – Hyde Park Book Club (HPBC)
• Obskür – Mint Warehouse
• Corpus Delicti and Auger – The Warehouse
• Beauty School (Support: Cold Years) – Brudenell Social Club
• Freddie Halkon, The Kowloons, and Jonny Blade – Leeds Beckett University Students Union
• Voodoo Room (perform Hendrix, Clapton & Cream) – Seven Arts Chapel Allerton
• Amongst Thieves – Boom
• The Swindells, Coney Island Jesus, and Geoffrey Oi!Cott – Lending Room
• Barrioke – Old Woollen
• Barry Dodds – The HiFi Club
• Simeon Walker – The Attic Leeds
• Contrail – Hyde Park Book Club (HPBC)

Sunday

• Sorry (Support: Hank) – Brudenell Social Club
• The Dears (Support: Meg Lui) – The Attic Leeds
• Aynsley Lister, Blue Nation, The Milk Men, Emma Wilson, and Paul Cook Blues Band – Brudenell Social Club
• New Street Adventure and Nick Corbin (UK) (Support: Summertime (UK)) – Hyde Park Book Club (HPBC)
• Voodoo Room (perform Hendrix, Clapton & Cream) – Seven Arts Chapel Allerton
• The Fire Doors – Old Woollen
• Chris Ramsey – Grand Theatre