Event Calendar

The FD Bar will once again play host to Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club in association with first direct bringing the best live stand up to Leeds.  Each show includes comedians from such shows as BBC2's Mock The Week, Channel 4's 8 Out of 10 Cats, BBC1's Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Have I Got News For You, and Paramount's Live at The Comedy Store etc. Previously the Comedy Club has staged the likes of Jason Manford, John Bishop and Sarah Millican before they hit the big time, so come and see more brilliant comedians! 

The world’s most beloved tenor, Andrea Bocelli, has announced he will be returning to the first direct arena in the autumn of 2019. Reportedly the biggest selling solo classical artist of all time with over 80 million worldwide album sales, Bocelli has performed for four US Presidents, two Popes and many Royal families across the world, as well as at high-profile ceremonies for the Olympic Games and the World Cup. The Maestro has countless music awards to his name over past 25 years in music.

The legendary Cher has today confirmed she’s heading to the UK in 2019 for her first live dates in over 14 years.  The multi-talented Oscar, Emmy and GRAMMY Award-winning icon, is set to delight UK fans when she plays five dates across the UK in October 2019 as part of her Here We Go Again World Tour including her first ever appearance at the first direct arena. 

For the 1st time fans will experience 3 different performances of Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan with a show that will last over 3 hours. First the newly conceptualized segment of an Unplugged session with an array of talented young musicians. The Second segment will have orchestrated RFAK”s super hit Bollywood songs of this year including Dehkte Dehkte, Tere Bin from Simba, Rashke Qamar, Nit  Khair Mange plus all his hits from the past 3 decades. Lastly to what he is all about - Qawali. 

a-ha have always set themselves challenges. In 2018 their MTV Unplugged tour proved that their songs could be given new settings and remain as alive and as impactful as ever. Now, pushing even further, they are announcing that their October and November 2019 tour will be different from anything they have previously undertaken.

Due to unforeseen circumstances the 80’s Invasion tour is being cancelled.  All ticket bookings made through our official partners Ticketmaster will be refunded automatically to the payment method used for purchase.

Gerry Cinnamon has announced a date at the first direct arena in Novemeber 2019.  The Glasgow artist has had an incredible journey from recording songs on his phone to releasing his critically acclaimed debut album Erratic Cinematic, which recently rocketed back to the top of the UK/IRE Album Charts; hitting the Top 20 following his latest sold-out UK tour. His inimitable live shows are infamous for their wild atmosphere and special sing along moments; with his crowd singing every word - to every song – many before they are even released.  

WWE Live! Returns to first direct arena in November. WWE Live is a unique blend of sport and entertainment, combining in-ring match action with dramatic entertainment. Bursting with all the drama and energy of a rock concert, in a fun, lively and exciting environment, WWE Live is the ultimate in family entertainment! Click here for the most up to date line up. 

*Line-up subject to change

Due to scheduling commitments, the show has been moved to Sunday 10th November 2019. All previously booked tickets will remain valid for the new date with no action required. Experience James Cameron’s ground-breaking epic as you’ve never done before with Titanic Live In Concert. With a live 100-piece orchestra performing the epic score that was the soundtrack for a generation you can relive the romance, the passion and the heartbreak as never before. Please note the film is rated as 12A by the British Board of Film Classification.

Welsh Indie Rock giants Catfish and the Bottlemen come to Leeds on Monday November 11th 2019 for their first headline show in the city since 2015 and their debut at the first direct arena.

The lads have returned in 2019, following on from their platinum-certified debut album ‘The Balcony’ with a brand new, highly anticipated third album ‘The Balance’, out now! 

The FD Bar will once again play host to Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club in association with first direct bringing the best live stand up to Leeds.  Each show includes comedians from such shows as BBC2's Mock The Week, Channel 4's 8 Out of 10 Cats, BBC1's Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Have I Got News For You, and Paramount's Live at The Comedy Store etc. Previously the Comedy Club has staged the likes of Jason Manford, John Bishop and Sarah Millican before they hit the big time, so come and see more brilliant comedians! 

Pop superstars Little Mix have announced 'The LM5 Tour', a massive UK and Ireland Arena Tour for 2019. The shows will see Little Mix perform songs from their brand new album LM5, alongside their greatest hits including 'Touch', ‘Shout Out to My Ex', ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Wings'. Little Mix have firmly established their reputation as one of the most phenomenal performers around. In summer 2018 they toured stadiums across the UK with the 'Summer Hits' Tour. Support comes from MAE MULLER & NEW RULES

The Chemical Brothers have annouced a date at the first direct arena in November 2019. The legendary duo – comprising Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons  have sold more than 12 million albums and six million singles worldwide. They have had six No. 1 albums in the U.K. and were the first electronic act ever to receive a GRAMMY, winning in the Best Rock Instrumental Performance category for ‘Block Rockin’ Beats’ – the first of their four GRAMMY wins. 

Following the coveted Special Guest slot on Metallica’s 26-date summer European stadium tour  and a 32-date Fall headline arena tour of North America, Ghost will bring its “Ultimate Tour Named Death” to first direct arena this November. The tour is in support of Ghost’s critically-acclaimed album Prequelle that earned Top 10 status in 15 countries, received a Best Rock Album GRAMMY nomination in the U.S., a Swedish Grammis nomination as Best Hard Rock/Metal Record of the Year.

Stepback Concerts have advised that they are looking to reschedule the 2019 Stepback 90s vs 00s tour due to unforeseen production issues.  We are in dialogue with the promoters and will provide more information as soon as it is available.

Ticket holders will be contacted directly about the status of their order in due course.

Award-winning comedian, actor and writer Jack Whitehall has announced his biggest UK and Ireland arena tour ever for 2019 with brand new show, JACK WHITEHALL: STOOD UP. Following two complete sell out arena tours, Jack Whitehall Gets Around in 2014 and Jack Whitehall: At Large in 2017, which premiered on Netflix, JACK WHITEHALL: STOOD UP promises to be the most hilarious yet from one of comedy’s most electric talents. A joy to watch on stage and a comedian who is firmly on the road to becoming a global megastar, this show is not to be missed.

Pete Tong returns with The Heritage Orchestra for a brand new show in 2019, conducted by Jules Buckley. Now firmly part of the live music calendar, the voice of Radio 1’s prestigious dance programming and Britain's most influential figures in electronic dance music, Pete Tong along with conductor Jules Buckley and 65 piece The Heritage Orchestra will be taking a fresh show of Ibiza Classics to new cities for the first time. Ibiza Classics is the world's most iconic classical electronic music event and promises to be a party like no other.

Shed Seven have announced their biggest ever UK tour to date for November and December 2019 including a home county show at the first direct arena – their first ever headline arena show! The band will be supported by special guests The Twang and Reverend & The Makers.  

The National are visiting the first direct arena for the first time in 2019. The National have established themselves as mainstays of arenas and festivals with sold-out performances and headlining slots around the world. With the release of their most recent album, 2017 Grammy® Award-winning Sleep Well Beast scored #1's in the UK, Ireland, Portugal and Canada. Both individually and collectively The National’s members have been involved in countless artistic, charitable and socio-political pursuits. Support will be coming from American singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis

Rod Stewart returns to the first direct arena in 2019. As one of the best-selling artists in the history of recorded music, with more than 200 million records sold worldwide, his performance will include show stopping classics from his glittering career. With his signature voice, style and songwriting, Rod Stewart has transcended all genres of popular music, from rock, folk, soul, R&B, and even the American standards; making him one of the few stars to enjoy chart-topping albums throughout every decade of his career. 

We Love The 90’s, the ULTIMATE nineties tour is coming to the UK in December 2019. In a huge lineup featuring Jenny Berggren from Ace Of Base, Vengaboys, 2 Unlimited, Snap!, Whigfield, Haddaway, DJ Sash, Rednex and many more.

Leeds born DJ & Producer Danny T has curated a brand new event, like no other: The Danny T Show - and is set to be the first DJ to headline the first direct arena, the biggest music venue in his hometown, EVER. Danny’s unique DJ style and larger than life personality have been the driving forces behind his recent success, taking him on tour all over the UK and Europe. Having gone from playing to empty dance-floors at his local pub when he first started, to more recently headlining festivals with a 20,000 strong crowd, there aren’t many people that can match the energy brought to one of Danny’s shows. 

The FD Bar will once again play host to Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club in association with first direct bringing the best live stand up to Leeds.  Each show includes comedians from such shows as BBC2's Mock The Week, Channel 4's 8 Out of 10 Cats, BBC1's Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Have I Got News For You, and Paramount's Live at The Comedy Store etc. Previously the Comedy Club has staged the likes of Jason Manford, John Bishop and Sarah Millican before they hit the big time, so come and see more brilliant comedians! 

We are proud to welcome back Jane McDonald to the first direct arena for a special Christmas Concert this December. A not-to-be missed magical evening packed full of wonderful Christmas music, including “I wish it could be Christmas everyday”, ”Fairytale of New York” and songs from Jane's own repertoire. Jane will be performing with her live band and backing singers for a real night to remember which will have you singing and dancing along and feeling fabulously festive.
 

Clear the floor and whip out your score cards, because the Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour is back for 2020 and will waltz its way to the first direct arena for a matinee and evening performance on Friday 24th January 2020.

The 1975 announce a huge show at the first direct arena in 2020. As the Manchester band prepare to unveil fourth album ‘Notes On A Conditional Form’, they’ll hit the road in February performing at the first direct arena for the first time.  

After 6 billion streams, 30 million single sales, 10.8million album sales, over12 million monthlySpotify listeners and 1.8 million ticket sales ,Irish alt-pop trio The Script announce a date at the first direct arena in February 2020. The tour is in support of their new album ‘Sunsets & Full Moons’ they approached the album reinvigorated following a triumphant tour in support of 2017’s #1album ‘Freedom Child’. The Script will be joined by very special guest Becky Hill.

 

They’re back. The world’s ultimate musical duo, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, have missed each other, and we have missed them. The dynamic duo announce their stellar UK 2020 ‘Back Together’ tour. Both singers have been extremely busy, with hugely successful solo albums, sell-out tours and both currently starring in Les Misérables in the West End, but it is the combination of these two arresting voices and personalities which proves to be irresistible to countless fans across the nation. 

Presented through state-of-the-art proprietary holographic technology and combined with unmatched Broadway theatrical stagecraft, a live band, back-up singers and dancers set to digitally remastered arrangements of her classic songs AN EVENING WITH WHITNEY - THE WHITNEY HOUSTON HOLOGRAM TOUR promises to bring all of the singer’s iconic hits including  “I Will Always Love You,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me”), “The Greatest Love of All” and “Higher Love.” to the first direct arena in February 2020. 

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the most electrifying athletes on the planet, will bring their spectacular show to Leeds as part of their 2020 Pushing the Limits World Tour. Featuring a star-studded roster, every game will showcase incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequalled fan interaction. After the game, Globetrotter stars will sign autographs and take photos with fans. The Globetrotters’ one-of-a-kind show is unrivalled in the world of family entertainment.

In 2020 a very special, one-of-a-kind tour is coming to the first direct arena. With a huge all-star line-up, The Blast Off Tour! features live performances from top US artists Nelly, Salt N Pepa, Shaggy, Mya and Blu Cantrell. The show will also be hosted by American hype man and hip-hop personality Fatman Scoop and includes exclusive appearances from UK garage stars So Solid members Lisa Maffia and MC Romeo, scene pioneer MC DT and the British duos Oxide & Neutrino, DJ Luck & MCNeat and Sweet Female Attitude.

Ahead of his highly anticipated sold out theatre dates, James Arthur has announced a date at the first direct arena in March 2020. The last few years have been remarkable for James. He was recently awarded a disc for reaching a billion streams on Spotify with his No.1 global hit 'Say You Won't Let Go'. Only 18 records have achieved a billion streams on Spotify in history, and James is one of 10 artists globally to do this including Drake, Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber.  

Following on from the band’s sold-out hometown show at the Halifax Piece Hall last month and their sold out London Alexandra Palace gigs in December, Embrace will be bringing their special “Songs from The Good Will Out and Out Of Nothing” show to Leeds in 2020. Embrace will be joined at the shows by special guests Starsailor and CUD.

Tina Turner fans prepare to be blown away when brand new show What’s Love Got To Do With It? heads to Leeds as part of a massive UK tour. What's Love Got To Do With It? is the joyous new show celebrating the music of the incredible Tina Turner. And with a tour taking in more than 60 towns and cities across the UK in 2019 and into 2020, What’s Love Got To Do With It? is set to wow fans when it heads to the first direct arena on Friday March 20 2020. 

The Who has one of the greatest rock legacies in music history, they’re one of the all-time great live bands, have sold over 100 million records world including 9 US & 10 UK top ten albums and 14 UK top ten singles in a career spanning six decades. Following their stunning return to Wembley Stadium in July, the legendary rock band are back with a full orchestra to announce a date at the first direct arena for 2020, along with a brand new studio album entitled ‘WHO’ – their first in thirteen years. 

Multi-platinum, multi-Brit and Grammy-nominated, British singer-songwriter David Gray is today announcing a 12-date UK and European arena tour; White Ladder: The 20th Anniversary Tour, to celebrate the trailblazing album’s 20-year anniversary. The 7 million record selling and one of the greatest and most heart-warming word-of-mouth successes in music, White Ladder will be performed by Gray with all the original band members and with all the original equipment to recreate the record in its entirety, plus a set of the greatest hits.Tickets on sale at 9am on Fri 11 October

Planet Earth II Live in Concert, from BBC Studios and the acclaimed BBC Natural History Unit that created TV sensations, Blue Planet II and Dynasties, has announced a UK & Ireland arena tour for Spring 2020. Experience sensational footage from the BAFTA and EMMY® award winning BBC series which guarantees to bring audiences closer to the planet’s spellbinding animals, landscapes and wildlife dramas than ever before. 

Expect music, comedy and of course a little bit of dance in this never-before-seen variety show from Strictly Come Dancing finalists; Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell.Together for their first ever joint tour, The Joe & Dianne Show will give audiences a fantastic evening of performance, full of glitz, magic and plenty of laughs, guaranteed to leave fans of all ages spellbound. 

Sam Fender celebrates his debut album hitting number 1 last week, with news of a new headline tour in 2020. The shows will include a night at Leeds first direct arena. The new dates follow Sam’s forthcoming Winter headline tour of the UK in November and December. All shows, including two nights at Brixton Academy and four nights at Newcastle Academy are long since sold out. 

Rick Astley announces details of his ‘Greatest Hits Tour 2020’. Rick Astley has proven to be a consistently huge draw in the live arena. He’s sold over 100,000 tickets to his UK headline shows since releasing his chart-topping album ‘50’in 2016. His shows are a celebration, mixing the famous hits that he made his name with alongside current fan favourites. Rick’s wide-ranging love of music means that his sets are often peppered with some inspired covers -as vintage as AC/DC’s ‘Highway To Hell’ and as contemporary as Calvin Harris and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s ‘Giant’.
 

Europe’s Strongest Man—part of the World’s Strongest Man Qualifying Tour—is returning to the first direct arena in 2020. You’ve seen it on TV, but a strongman show of this scale is best witnessed live, raw and up-close to all the roaring, shirt-ripping, world-record-breaking action!

Enter a world of adventure featuring daring tales from across the kingdom in Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival.  Join fearless wayfinder Moana and the greatest demigod that ever lived, Maui, on an action-packed voyage to return the stolen heart of Te Fiti.  Journey with the Disney Princesses in a magical mix of royalty when Disney On Ice brings this winsome wonderland to Leeds!

Snoop Dogg has announced a date at the first direct arena in April 2020 to celebrates 25 years of the Snoop Dogg, a career tha thas seen the Doggfather cement his undisputed influence on music with chart-topping, multi-platinum records. Snoop Dogg enlists a selection of his key collaborators from the breadth of his iconic music career including  West Coast hip hop royalty; Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound, Obie Trice and D12. They will also be joined by the multi-million streamed Irish rapduo Versatile. 

As an epic season of live summer shows draws to a close, Craig David today announces his 2020 Arena Tour. The 2020 Anniversary ‘Hold That Thought’ UK Arena Tour. Craig’s last arena tour sold out in a matter of seconds and received 5 star reviews and critical acclaim across the board. Craig says, “I can’t wait to bring my live band and TS5 shows together for this special 2020 Arena Tour and given that it’s 20 years since the release of ‘Born to Do It’, there will be some special surprises in there. It’s Time To Party!”

Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott return to the first direct arena in April 2020 after their epic gig in 2016  following the release of their fourth studio album ‘Manchester Calling’ in March. ‘Manchester Calling’ boasts all the hallmarks of Heaton’s beautifully bittersweet songwriting – effortlessly catchy melodies allied with an everyman’s biting exasperation at the modern world alongside some truly heartfelt love songs.
Tickets go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 25th October 

Simple Minds celebrate 40 iconic years in music by embarking upon a major world tour in 2020 including a date in Leeds. Simple Minds have experienced a remarkable journey since releasing their debut album ‘Life in a Day’ in 1979. Constantly evolving, the band’s rousing choruses and booming atmospherics made them one of the most iconic bands of the Eighties. Along the way, they’ve landed five UK #1 albums, topped the singles charts on both sides of the Atlantic, sold over 60 million albums and packed stadiums the world over.

The music of rock legends Queen is to be celebrated like never before as West End leading lady Kerry Ellis joins Scandinavian tribute stars Queen Machine for a fully orchestrated UK tour.The all-new tour Queen Machine Symphonic featuring Kerry Ellis will see Queen’s greatest hits performed by leading European tribute band Queen Machine accompanied by the London Symphonic Rock Orchestra and conducted by Matthew Freeman, creating an unforgettable night of rock anthems.

Bon Iver have announced a full European tour with arena shows including a date at the first direct arena. This will be their first UK tour since 2018 and will be bringing a sense of intimacy and sonic and visual innovation to Leeds. The tour is inn support of their fourth studio album 'i,i' which was released in August. The LP features singles Hey Ma, U (Man Like) and Jelmore and received acclaim from critics. Fans can also expect to hear material from their back catalogue including Skinny Love, Holocene and 33 GOD.

Celebrated blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Joe Bonamassa will return to perform at the first direct arena in Leeds . The UK tour will feature Joe performing alongside a hand-picked group of world-class musicians playing material from Joe’s latest studio album “Redemption” and his 2016 milestone album “Blues of Desperation”, plus classic Bonamassa fan favourites and surprises. As Joe Bonamassa approaches his 27th year as a professional musician, he continues to blaze a remarkably versatile artistic trail, and amass an authentic, innovative and soulful body of work.

With seven UK number-one singles, five top-ten albums, six sell-out tours and ten million records sold worldwide, McFly are without question one of the most significant British pop acts of the twenty-first century. Since hitting the big time as the youngest band ever to have a debut album go straight to number one — beating The Beatles’ long-standing record — Tom, Danny, Dougie and Harry have become one of our best-loved bands.

André Rieu, the Dutch “King of Waltz” who has made classical music accessible to ordinary people, will bring his Johann Strauss Orchestra back to Leeds in May 2020. Dubbed the Maestro of the Masses (New York Times) and a Weapon of Mass Happiness (The Spectator), André Rieu returns with his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra, the largest private orchestra in the world, the Platin Tenors and many international soloists. In 2018 André performed for 100.000 UK/Ireland fans!

Gregory Porter, international best selling artist and two time Grammy Award-winning  jazz/soul  singing sensation, is honoured to announce a thirteen date UK tour -inclding a return to the first direct arena.  With his irresitable warm baritone vocals, Porter  continues to perform to sell out audiences around the world and has achieved international recognition and acclaim, with  both his Grammy winning selling albums ‘Liquid Spirit’  and ‘Take Me To The Alley’.  

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds have announced a Spring 2020 European and UK tour including a date at the first directarena Leeds

Regarded as one of the world’s greatest live acts, the band will perform in 19 countries including 6 shows in the UK. Tickets on sale Friday 25 October at 10am

The world’s best darts players will return to Leeds on Thursday May 14 as the first direct arena prepares to host the final league night of the 2020 Unibet Premier League.  The ten-player tournament, featuring the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross and Peter Wright, visits arenas across the UK, Ireland, Netherlands and Germany across four months as the sport’s biggest names battle for the prestigious title. 

Following his headline ‘sold out’ performance at the BBC Proms in the Park in London and 17 ‘sold out’ concerts on Broadway, Barry Manilow has announced that he will return to the UK in 2020 for a limited number of arena concerts including a return to the first direct arena.

Corteo, the most enchanting of Cirque du Soleil’s arena productions is set to charm UK audiences for the very first time. A welcome addition to Cirque du Soleil’s 30th anniversary in the UK, the show will visit Leeds from 18 to 21 June. This unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, first premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in April 2005. Since then and including its transformation into an arena show in 2018, the show has amazed audiences of over 9 million people, in 20 countries, on 4 continents.
 

The legendary George Benson proudly announces a date at the first direct arena in June 2020. The live shows will feature George Benson’s masterful guitar playing, and Benson and his band will perform his Greatest Hits from his impressive back catalogue - which includes such classics as Give Me The Night, Lady Love Me (One More Time), Turn Your Love Around, Inside Love , Never Give Up On A Good Thing and In Your Eyes and more… 

Jason Donovan came into our lives in the late 80s as Scott Robinson in the hit Australian series, ‘Neighbours’. Throughout 1988/89 he had several hits and his album ‘Ten Good Reasons’ was the best-selling album of 1989.His hitsincluded ‘Too Many Broken Hearts’, ‘Especially For You’ (with Kylie Minogue), ‘Any Dream Will Do’, ‘Sealed With A Kiss’, ‘When You Come Back to Me’, ‘Everyday’, “Nothing Can Divide Us’ and many more... 

Simply Red today reveal the details of a highly anticipated 13-date UK and Ireland 2020 arena tour. Hailed as one of the most successful live acts ever to come out of the UK, they will be firing on all cylinders delivering their all-time classic hits from a stellar career, such as ‘Stars’, ‘Holding Back The Years’, ‘Fairground’ and ‘Money’s Too Tight To Mention’, as well as some raw and soulful new grooves. 

Elton John will return the first direct arena as part of his colossal Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. Speaking of the UK dates Elton John says “The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour will take us to many places that have meant a lot to me over the last fifty years, but these UK shows will be incredibly special. The UK is home, and where my heart will always be."