Moving to a new city is hard enough, but when you come face to face with the culture crawling down every Leeds side street, it’s hard to know where to start. But fear not, our clued up music writers have come to point you towards the best music venues in town, four fresh hot-spots that will soon be your local haunts.

BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB

Nestled in between the delightful Abu Bakr supermarket and a car repair shop you’ll find the heart of Hyde Park’s music scene: the Brudenell Social Club.
Affectionately known as ‘the Brude’, the venue hosts up-and-coming bands almost every night of the week, some of them surprisingly big names for what appears to be a small working man’s club. But do not be fooled by its exterior – for its warm, lively, community atmosphere is unrivalled among Leeds venues.
A visit to the beloved Brude is a must as you explore Leeds’ music scene.

Hollie Griss

HEADROW HOUSE

You’ll often find Headrow House full of the young professional type, drinking Aperol Spritz on a swanky roof garden, framed by plants and neon text. However, on the middle floor sits a dimly-lit events space which, courtesy of Super Friendz, never fails to welcome a tip-top range of artists, Often half-empty, the venue offer an unusually intimate show, allowing the audience to have a front row view without being too up close and personal.

SAFI BUGEL

HYDE PARK BOOK CLUB

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The iconic Hyde Park Book Club is an experience in itself. You won’t often find ‘big’ names playing here, but up-and-coming talents perform here regularly, with tickets often student-budget-friendly.
The true highlight of HPBC is its minuscule capacity; perhaps only 25-40 people, offering some of the most intimate and incredibly authentic gigs. If you’ve ever fancied seeing the whites of the eyes of that singer-songwriter you adore, here is the place to enjoy it!

Tom Poole

WHARF CHAMBERS

Wharf Chambers: Inclusivity, diversity and pure unadulterated joy are the orders of the day at this city centre venue. Ran by a workers’ co-op, the bar and multi-use venue is renowned not only for its progressive safe space policy and pro-LGBTQ+ offerings but also its favouring of the left field, as evidenced by the colourful cast of characters that make up its clientele.
Expect drag nights, queer techno raves and a plethora of gigs from the best of Leeds’ independent music scene.

Safi Bugel

So, what are you waiting for? Rally your oh-so-quiet flat and get that forced ice breaking in full swing by suggesting one of these hand-picked spots and raise a glass to the unknown.

[Feature image credit: Happy Cow]