SubscribeLive music returns to Leeds
Okay, so it never really went away. But since the closure in 2001 of the Town & Country, many acts have bypassed Leeds as a viable gig location.
Tonight sees the opening of the Leeds Academy, opening in the old location of the Town & Country and Creation nightclub, originally the Coliseum building on Cookridge Street.
In its early years, it was used for circus and variety shows of the day, through to political meetings and religious gatherings. Changing hands between various theatre and property developers, the Coliseum converted to a cinema in 1938 and was renamed the Gaumont. It closed in March 1961 and re-opened as a Bingo Hall and Social club, through to use as a television studio in the 1980s until 1991.
From 1992 to 2000, the legendary Town and Country Club, played host to many high profile acts including Blur, INXS, and The Stones Roses.
2008 sees the opening night being headlined by Leeds’ Kaiser Chiefs (well it had to be really!) to be followed by some really great bands over the next few weeks and months – Spiritualized, The Last Shadow Puppets, Elbow, The Streets, Hot Chip, The Stranglers, even Mercury Rev! to name but a few – there’s something for everybody.
The full, impressive listing can be seen here.
Posted by Richard on Wednesday 8th of October 2008 at 12:56pm