The Blues came calling first, but rock was always waiting around the corner. Well it would be, wouldn’t it? Coming from the deep south, it was inevitable, but living in the deep south of a major Yorkshire City, there’s a gritty hard edge to life! ​ A female guitar prodigy, Chantel was told by a major label that she had a "great voice, but girls don't play guitar like that!" Wisely ignoring their comments, she enrolled at the Leeds College of Music and became the first student in the college’s history, to achieve a 100% pass mark at BTEC, with 18 distinctions. Chantel then pursued further education and left with a First Class Honours degree in Popular Music and a coveted prize, the college’s musician of the year award. ​ Chantel released her highly anticipated second album, Lose Control, in October 2015 on her independent boutique label Tis Rock Music, this being the follow up to her critically acclaimed 2011 debut album, Like No Other.

UK Country singer-songwriter Jade Helliwell is excited to announce her highly anticipated Rebegin Full Band Tour, launching in London on April 20, 2026. The tour will give fans an exclusive first listen to songs from her upcoming album, Rebegin, performed live as they were meant to be experienced with the full energy, emotion, and power of a full band behind them. Spanning six major UK cities London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Leeds each show promises an unforgettable evening filled with Jades signature powerhouse vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and high-energy country-pop anthems. Fans can look forward to a perfect blend of fresh new tracks from Rebegin and the fan-favourite hits that have made Helliwell one of the UKs most exciting country artists.

Bare Jams is a dynamic collective that blends feel-good pop with elements of soul, funk, jazz, and rock, creating a soundscape that's both diverse and familiar. They have built a reputation for tight, exuberant, and genuinely candid performances, with music that spans a wide array of genres and line-ups. Focusing on catchy hooks, motivational lyrics, and singable horn lines, they create an infectious sound that’s both unique and familiar

The Hillbilly Moon Explosion are heading back to the UK for a short run of dates calling into 229, London on Friday 22nd May following a sold-out show in the City in 2025. Formed in 1998 in Zurich, Switzerland, The Hillbilly Moon Explosion exists in a middle ground between the traditionalism of many rockabilly revival bands and the rougher, spookier sound of psychobilly. Founded by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Emanuela Hutter and bassist/vocalist Oliver Baroni, their music has more than its share of retro twang, with Hutter's polished, enigmatic singing blending with the sometimes raucous, sometimes moody guitar lines, and they add dashes of rockabilly, surf, blues, punk, lounge pop, country and even ska to season their evocative mix. The band staked out their trademark sound on 2002's Introducing the Hillbilly Moon Explosion, they fully hit their creative stride on 2011's Buy Beg or Steal, and they collaborated with psychobilly veteran Mark "Sparky" Phillips for 2019's The Sparky Sessions. Special guest support TBC. Presented by The Pad Presents. 14+ only. 14s to 15s must be accompanied by an adult. No refunds will be given for incorrectly booked tickets.

Sheffield's resident blues rock trio The Lightning Threads step up to the plate for their biggest outing to date - a rather special Leadmill headline show.

Over the course of three albums, BLACK FOXXES main-man Mark Holley established his band as a potent creative force, carving out a signature spot on the emotive rock ‘n’ roll map backed by strong, growing support from fans and media alike. With singles / videos such as ‘Husk’, ‘I’m Not Well’, ‘JOY’ and ‘Manic In Me’, the clip for which was filmed in Iceland, a key source of influence for Album 2, it became increasingly clear that Holley is an artist prepared to shed protective layers -an artist with plenty to say and a particular way of tapping into thoughts, feelings and fears.

Kassi Valazza has a viscous, light gold voice. It swirls around in your head like whiskey in a snifter; vaporous, and intoxicating. For most of Dear Dead Days pedal steel and electric guitar lope along at half time, the in pocket rhythm section booming from deep in the low end. Its frequencies penetrate your flesh. The songs reverberate off your bones. Her lyrics drip down the inside of your skull. On the opening track "Cayuse": "cause they're hard runnin' critters, and wild-eyed quitters / kicking up all they can find / that fool hardy man of mine" Musicians with Southwest origins dependably bring a languorous relaxation -- the slow pace a defense against the oppressive heat of the high desert -- and a grim sense of gravitas, having walked among the bleached bones and arid landscapes. At times Valazza sings as if her lyrics are smoke she's exhaling. On "A Fine Colour" she sings every note clearly, and with force, on a surrealist-jealousy jawn.

The Bristol-formed group, named by DIY as "boundary-pushing," have unveiled their latest track, produced by band members Eric Davies and Claudia Vulliamy in their East London studio. The track was mixed by Matteo Buccomino and mastered by John Webber.

Barnaby George "Barns" Courtney is an English singer, songwriter, and musician.

An unsigned Sheffield Ukulele band that performs a variety of humorous eclectic renditions. Pete McKee: Ukulele Shaun Doane: Vocals/Harmonica Richard 'Bails' Bailey: Ukulele Toby Foster: Ukulele Charley McKee: Ukulele (top end) Klive Humberstone: Ukulele Ginger Dave:Ukulele (bottom end)

Armed only with an arsenal of guitars and Northern chips on their slender shoulders, Demob Happy are here to wage a war on cultural mediocrity and political complacency - and they won't quit until they've flipped wigs and taken scalps. Their targets are legion: David Cameron and Ed Sheeran. Big business and the banking system. Trust fund fuckers. This Newcastle-spawned, Brighton-based quartet had a sound to match their invective. Drawing on the likes of Nirvana, Queens of The Stone Age, Melvins, The Beatles, The Stooges and Kyuss for source material, theirs is off-kilter pop music wrapped up in a barbed-wire body bag, dunked in honey and left out in a woodland clearing for the feral beasts to peck and pick apart. Heavy, heady and with a set of snarling teeth.

Emerging from Wigan, Stanleys are the next in a long line of illustrious musicians to emerge from the North Western town. Bands and artists ranging from George Formby Senior and Junior to The Verve, Starsailor to The Lathums are proud to call Wigan home, eventually taking their poignant songwriting across the rest of the country and Stanleys are set to follow in their footsteps.

Welsh Indie band Melys formed in the Snowdonia village of Betws-y-Coed in the late 90's and quickly signed for the legendary Welsh label, Ankst (Super Furry Animals, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci et al.) With daytime and evening Radio One plays from Mark Radcliffe, Steve Lamacq and Mark Riley and John Peel, the band signed a major deal, opened their own studio and label and went on to release 4 studio albums and an introducing album (released in Europe and USA) Melys were 2002 winners of the Welsh music award for best live act, and were big favourites of legendary BBC radio DJ John Peel, and recorded 11 BBC sessions for him, going on to win Peels festive 50 with their song Chinese Whispers in 2001. After a long break where Andrea and Paul opened a few restaurants and Gary became an academic doctor, the band have been busy again, touring the UK with friends The Wedding Present and have just released a BBC sessions album (Vol.1) featuring sessions from Huw Stephens, John Peel and Adam Walton. Melys are currently in the studio on Anglesey mixing an album of new material with old friend and producer Gorwel Owen (Super Furries, Gorkys, Gwenno etc). New single Santa Cruz is scheduled for an early December release with an album to follow in the spring of 2025.

The Zac Schulze Gang is a dynamic rock band that fuses elements of blues, rock, and soul into a distinctive sound, led by the energetic and soulful frontman Zac Schulze.

The Australian troubadour performs deep and soulful folk-rock with melodic alternative country and blues-rock.

Chris Hawkins (BBC 6 Music) Presents Awesome Friends with Florentenes, Cherry Holt and The North Presented by SJM Concerts. This is a 14+ event

Taj Farrant is an Australian guitarist and musician known for his remarkable talent at a young age. He gained recognition through social media platforms, particularly for his impressive guitar covers and original compositions. Taj has been featured in various music festivals like Big Blues Bender in Vegas, Tellurides Blues & Brew and Australia's largest Blues Festival Bluesfest to name a few. He has also collaborated with established artists such as Carlos Santana, Buddy Guy and the Hendrix Experience team, showcasing his skills in genres like rock and blues. His unique style and virtuosity have earned him a growing fanbase and accolades within the music community.

POP up! is a brand-new event series showcasing North West songwriters and creatives working across pop music in all its forms including musical theatre with pop at its heart. We're here to spark collaborations, celebrate fresh voices, and champion writers creating bold, emotionally-driven work with full main character energy. This trilogy is created by PJ Cunningham and is supported by the Early Career Promoter Fund which is managed by PRS Foundation and funded by Arts Council England using Supporting Grassroots Music funding from DCMS. POP up! is presented in partnership with Lowry and is in collaboration with and supported by new pop musical 'Dead Famous'.

The Cabs are a Japanese post-rock/math-rock trio recognized for their emotionally intense sound and intricate rhythmic approach. Following their disbandment in 2013, the band officially returned in 2025, with their Japan reunion tour selling out across all dates, culminating in an immediately sold-out final show at Tokyo's Toyosu PIT (3,000 capacity). During their initial run, The Cabs released three albums, establishing a notable presence within Japan's underground alternative scene.

Pete McKee invites you to visit his latest exhibition, ‘The Boy With a Leg Named Brian’. Touring some of the UK’s most beloved Grassroots Music Venues, this is a rare opportunity to see Pete McKee’s exhibition in these amazing and unique spaces. The exhibition, ‘The Boy With A Leg Named Brian’, takes visitors on a journey through Pete’s childhood in the 70s and 80s. Although this is the story of Pete’s life, his memories and tales of everyday life and pop culture, are relatable experiences shared by many across the UK. The exhibition is open from 12pm - 5pm and entry is free for all ages. No booking required. After the show has closed, there will be a live performance in the evening from The Everly Pregnant Brothers, the northern tinged comedy ukulele band who are well known for their parodies of popular songs, Pete was one of the founding members of the band and after a summer of playing festivals, including Tramlines and Rock N Roll Circus, they are excited to be bringing songs from their latest album ‘Never Mind The Ukes, Here’s The Brothers’. As well as a showcase of Pete’s artwork, the tour is also to raise awareness of the work Music Venue Trust do in helping to support our grassroots live music venues, the lifeblood of touring for new emerging artists. Pete has created a special poster which is exclusive to each venue on the tour. Only 50 will be produced and signed by the artist, with all profits going to the Music Venue Trust and each venue in support of the UK’s independent music venues.

Sonic adventurers who influenced the likes of Radiohead and Interpol, in the nineties The Boo Radleys released a succession of albums on Creation Records that encompassed Shoegaze (Everythings Alright Forever), Britpop (the Number 1 album Wake Up), feverish experimentalism (Cmon Kids) and absolutely everything in-between (Giant Steps voted both Select Magazines & NME readers Album of the Year).

Trampolene deliver electrical shockers with their unique combination of garage rock, kitchen-sink poetry and acoustic heartbreakers. Trampolene singer/guitarist Jack Jones a member of Peter Doherty’s touring band, The Puta Madres, playing lead guitar. Trampolene have supported The Libertines, Buzzcocks, Peter Doherty, Reverend & The Makers, and Catfish & The Bottlemen and Trampolene performed at Glastonbury, Leeds Festival, Y Not, Kendall Calling and Latitude Festivals along with a headline show at London’s prestigious KOKO.