Leeds Weekend gig guide: Half Man Half Biscuit, The Bats, Hayao Miyazaki and more ahead of Leeds Festival
With just two weeks to go until Leeds Festival, we round up the best live music across the city this weekend — from satirical cult icons Half Man Half Biscuit and Studio Ghibli soundscapes to Kiwi indie legends The Bats
T-minus two weeks until Leeds Festival takes over Bramham Park for the annual summer party that sees tens of thousands arrive in our city - but before then, there's still a fortnight's worth of fantastic live music right here in our neck of the woods.
And it offers the perfect excuse to stop constantly refreshing the Leeds Festival app to see when those set times are finally dropping.
Cult icons take over Project House later today, while the works of a legendary anime studio take over the vaunted architecture of one of Leeds' most stunning buildings on Saturday.
With a bit of personal bias from my side of the world, indie legends from Aotearoa are also performing this weekend at Brudenell Social Club - you might even spot me in the crowd.
Here is your guide to some of the fantastic concerts taking place in Leeds this weekend.
This weekend’s concert highlights
Half Man Half Biscuit (Friday – Project House)
Birkenhead's premier satirical surrealists bring their sharp wit, cult anthems, and effortless post-punk charm to Armley's Project House. Renowned for their encyclopaedic pop-culture commentary, hilarious observations, and die-hard fanbase, HMHB live shows are a joyous, raucous institution.
Joined on the bill by Madame Claude, this is set to be one of the rowdiest Friday night outings in the city.
The Bats (Friday – Brudenell Social Club)
Iconic Flying Nun Records legends The Bats make a highly anticipated stop at Hyde Park’s Brudenell Social Club. Straight out of New Zealand, the indie-pop pioneers have spent decades perfecting their jangly, melodic soundscapes and timeless songwriting.
Supported by Lande (and Lande Hekt), it’s an absolute treat for fans of classic jangle-pop and Kiwi-rock heritage.
Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble (Saturday – St George's Church)
Transporting audiences into the magical, whimsical worlds of Studio Ghibli, the Mystery Ensemble brings the iconic film scores of Joe Hisaishi to life inside the atmospheric surroundings of St George’s Church.
Featuring bespoke chamber arrangements of beloved soundtracks from ‘My Neighbor Totoro,’ ‘Spirited Away,’ and ‘Howl's Moving Castle,’ this evening performance offers a genuinely enchanting, sensory musical experience in the heart of Leeds.
This weekend’s concerts in Leeds
Friday
- Half Man Half Biscuit and Madame Claude – Project House
- The Bats, Lande, and Lande Hekt – Brudenell Social Club
- The Corvids – The Key Club
- YUK! Headrow Rooftop Takeover – Headrow House
- Nirva Roof Party – Belgrave Music Hall
- SHRUB – Kirkgate Community Centre
- The Flukes – West Riding Beerhouse, Dewsbury
Saturday
- Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble – St George's Church
- The Courettes – Brudenell Social Club
- All Day Indie Day Party – O2 Academy Leeds
- Wray & Nephew Roof Party – Belgrave Music Hall
- Havoc City – Belgrave Music Hall
- Roseline – Northern Guitars
- JTJ Productions – The Warehouse
- Wilson UK – The Hop, Wakefield
All information regarding this weekend’s shows are correct as of the time of writing.
In the event of any 11th hour changes, please refer to the venue or promoter for more information.