If you’re after tips for New Years’ and ‘Betwixtmas’ musical events, then fear not; Time Out Leeds have a specialist guide arriving shortly. In the meantime, there’s still a busy month of live music and DJs in the city through until the big day. Here’s just a selection.
Willis Earl Beal - Headrow House, Tuesday 1st
Charming singer-songwriter out of Chicago, Willis Earl Beal returns to Leeds for a charming winter performance.
Polar Bear - Headrow House, Wednesday 2nd
Contemporary jazz ensemble Polar Bear continue to delight fans and new converts alike, mixing experimental impulses with a surprisingly pop aesthetic.
Lanterns On The Lake - Brudenell Social Club, Thursday 3rd
Ethereal, understated yet quietly dramatic, Lanterns on the Lake have gained a following over three albums for their intimate and powerful live performances.
Clandestino - Distrikt Bar, Friday 4th
The classy disco and acid night returns with residents, and enigmatic cult selector Ivan Smagghe, playing lo-slung sleaze and out there house music.
Tropical - Canal Mills, Saturday 5th
Definitive and roof shaking lineup of UK grime featuring scene heroes such as JME, Preditah, Plastician, Slimzee and more on the decks and on the mic.
Django Django - Leeds University, Saturday 5th
Celebrated British art-rock band Django Django returned earlier this year with their second LP, Born Under Saturn. They play old favourites and new cuts at this much awaited University gig.
Alt-J - First Direct Arena, Sunday 6th
Mercury winners and former Leeds residents Alt-J formed in 2007, and have since topped charts and scooped a coveted Mercury award with their unique, crossover brand of alt-pop.
The Zombies - Monday 7th
Touring since 1961 (with a thirty year gap somewhere in between…), The Zombies return with their influential brand of formative psychedelic pop.
The Darkness - O2 Academy, Wednesday 9th
The once chart busting glam rock band fronted by Justin Hawkins still maintain an extensive following, especially when tis’ the season for ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)’.
Kaiser Chiefs - Thursday 10th
Always a predictably riotous show in Leeds, hometown heroes Kaiser Chiefs rock the receptive crowd with anthems new and old, lead by the inimitable Ricky Wilson.
Butter Side Up Xmas Party - Friday 11th
Leeds most consistently classy house and techno night invites Detroit and Three Chairs hero Marcellus Pittman into the festive fray, alongside residents.
Lianne La Havas - 02 Academy, Saturday 12th
Celebrated folk, soul and multi-instrumental charms from London singer La Havas, whose 2015 LP ‘Blood’ earned her much acclaim.
Shopping - Brudenell Social Club, Sunday 13th
Severely danceable and riotous post-punk from Shopping, out to make a sweatbox of the smaller room at The Brudenell.
Seth Lakeman - Leeds Town Hall, Tuesday 15th
Former Mercury nominated folk singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman promises an absorbing performance within the grand surroundings of the town hall.
Fac 51 - The Warehouse, Friday 18th
A dose of rave nostalgia heading over the pennines, when many of the original Hacienda crew - including David Morales, Mike Pickering and Graeme Park - land in Leeds for an old school night out.