“Do you wanna start a cult with me?” were the first words frontman, Oliver Sykes, sang to the crowd, as new single ‘Mantra’ opened Bring Me The Horizon’s set at Leeds First Direct Arena. Fitting […]
The Courteeners get Leeds “Fucking Cooking” at the First Direct Arena, 18.11.2018
From sellout shows in front of 50,000 people, to packed out arena shows, The Courteeners seem almost unrecognisable from the band critics 11 years ago stated would be unheard of in a decade. For anyone […]
Rick Astely’s Rickrolling His Way to First Direct Area This Friday
Question, Reader: Who is so powerful that he could become a prince of pop culture without even trying? You’re right. It’s Rick Astley. Although you might know him from the ‘Rickrolling’ meme from 2007, there’s […]
Royal Blood @ First Direct Arena, 17/11
Ever dynamic duo Royal Blood exploded into Leeds’ First Direct Arena last Friday, rightfully playing to a huge and enthusiastic crowd. Their latest album, How Did We Get So Dark?, has elevated their popularity far enough to […]
The Kooks @ First Direct Arena, 23/11
With the First Direct Arena packed full of fans, The Kooks looked set to have a solid start to their 2017 arena tour. A mainstay in English indie rock, the band has a lengthy collection […]
Royal Blood rise to the Arena challenge, 17/11
The dynamic duo that are Royal Blood hit the First Direct Arena to play to a huge and enthusiastic crowd. Their latest album, How Did We Get So Dark?, has elevated them to arena- filling […]
Emeli Sande @ First Direct Arena, 24/10
After a five-year break, Long Live the Angels was a long awaited album from Emeli Sandé, and, naturally, her accompanying UK Tour was certainly highly anticipated. Emotional and spiritual, the new album chronicles her divorce, […]
Preview: Iron Maiden @ First Direct, 11/5/17
What more can be said of Iron Maiden that hasn’t been said already? Instrumental to the success of the NWOBHM scene of the early ‘80s, early pioneers of both the Progressive and Melodic metal subgenres, […]
Alt-J @ First Direct Arena 6/12
Alt-J’s rise to popularity seems meteoritic, with no upper limit if their gig on Sunday night is anything to go by. As soon as I arrive the buzz inside Leeds’ shiny new First Direct Arena […]
MOBOs Come to Leeds
A number of the biggest names in music descended on Leeds on Wednesday night, as the First Direct Arena played host to the 20th Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards. The night included performances from […]