Leeds Weekend Gig Guide: The Maccabees, Loyle Carner, Bollywood royalty and more
From open-air summer shows in the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey to intimate venue gigs across the city, here is your guide to who is playing where this weekend
August kicks off with one of the most stacked weekends of live music Leeds has seen all summer.
The iconic outdoor stage at Kirkstall Abbey takes centre stage over Friday and Saturday with massive headline shows from indie favourites and hip-hop stars alongside a legendary performance at City Varieties from a playback icon.
Be it open-air crowds or a sweaty, underground basement show that takes your fancy this weekend, there's plenty on offer as we begin our official countdown to Leeds Festival 2026.
So - what to occupy your time (and ears) this weekend?
This weekend’s gig highlights
The Maccabees (Kirkstall Abbey - Friday)
The reunited indie icons head to the 12th-century Abbey ruins for their only Northern show of 2026.
Expect an unforgettable outdoor sunset set crammed with classic anthems like ‘Pelican’ and ‘Toothpaste Kisses’, with stellar support from Maxïmo Park, Everything Everything, Mystery Jets, and Fiona-Lee.
Loyle Carner (Kirkstall Abbey - Saturday)
Headlining the Above All Else summer all-dayer, London rapper Loyle Carner brings his acclaimed introspective hip-hop, jazz, and soul to the historic abbey grounds.
An all-star supporting lineup including Jordan Rakei, Kokoroko, Kofi Stone, and Bricknasty joins him.
Lata & Asha: Purane Gaane (City Varieties Music Hall - Sunday)
A soulful tribute evening at the historic City Varieties celebrating the timeless catalogue of Bollywood royalty Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.
Led by powerhouse vocalist Abira Shah alongside a live band, the performance journeys through seven decades of iconic Hindi cinema classics and romantic melodies.
Leeds Weekend Gig Guide - July 31 - August 2
Friday
- The Maccabees (with Maxïmo Park, Everything Everything, Mystery Jets & Fiona Lee) – Kirkstall Abbey
- Porcelain (with Awning & Hay) – The Key Club
- Neutrals (with Forming & Adult Contemporary) – Royal Park Cellars
- Msb Mario “El Niño de la Pili” – Hyde Park Book Club (HPBC)
Saturday
- Loyle Carner: Above All Else (with Jordan Rakei, KOKOROKO, Kofi Stone & Brick Nasty) – Kirkstall Abbey
- Black Honey – The Key Club
- Danny Bond – Mint Warehouse
- CHEPANG (with LILIxELBE, GIVE OVER & PLEB) – Boom
- The Young Hearts (with Wood And Nails) – The Pack Horse
- Wolfbastard – Boom
- The Scouseness – Santiago
Sunday
- Lata & Asha: Purane Gaane – City Varieties Music Hall
- Drongos for Europe – Wharf Chambers (membership required)
- The Dunwells (with Joe Martin) – The New Headingley Club
All information is correct as of the time of writing.
Please check with the venue or promoters for these shows in the event of any 11th-hour changes, postponements/cancellations ahead of the shows.