Since Live at Leeds expanded from the successful inner-city multi-venue event to an extra outdoor spectacle, it has rapidly ascended to the forefront of the northern indie festival scene.
In 2025, Live at Leeds: In The Park only enhanced that reputation, returning to Temple Newsam on May 24th for a day packed with the best in established and up and coming music and entertainment talent.
It wasn’t just about the music this year, with the introduction of the comedy tent featuring acts like Maisie Adam and Angelos Epithemiou.
The Two Legs on-site pub also also arrived in 2025, featuring Barrioke with Eastenders icon Shaun Williamson and the “All My Friends” indie club experience hosted by the one and only Dave Masterman.
So there was more things to do for festival-goers at Live at Leeds: In The Park in 2025 than ever before. But back to the music, who impressed us this year?
BLOC PARTY
It’s an easy start, as this year’s headliners Bloc Party brought their Silent Alarm 20th anniversary celebrations to Temple Newsam. But it wasn’t all just nostalgia, as the setlist spanned the seminal indie band’s discography for an ending fitting to one of indie music’s stand-out festivals. Kele Okereke showcased his credentials as one of the modern great British indie frontmen, and tracks like “Banquet” and “Flux” created a closing party atmosphere.
THE AMAZONS
Fresh off the back of their strongest album to date in “21st Century Fiction”, Reading band The Amazons brought their stadium-ready sound to Leeds for a huge afternoon set. Their energy and live shows are unrivalled, and one of the UK’s most underrated live outfits once again shone on the festival circuit at Live at Leeds. The new record brought a Royal Blood-inspired edge to the sound; another string to The Amazons’ bow, and a must-see live band.
SIGRID
After two and a half years away, Norwegian pop sensation Sigrid returned to the UK to perform at Live at Leeds: In the Park. Festivals are dominated by indie bands, so when a pop artist like Sigrid takes to the stage it often provides a sense of variety and fun. With singalong hits like “Don’t Kill My Vibe” and “Strangers”, Sigrid was a refreshing surprise package of the weekend, and a sign that festival curators booking a variety of genres can be pivotal to their success.
YARD ACT
It was another homecoming for post punk’s latest poster boys following their triumphant Millennium Square headline show last year. And if there was any pressure, it didn’t show. Frontman James Smith’s nonchalant part-singer, part-comedian persona was at the forefront once again, and Yard Act continue to develop their tight-knit live show in line with their evolving sonic progression since the release of sophomore record “Where’s My Utopia?”.
NATASHA BEDINGFIELD
And last but not least, noughties pop icon Natasha Bedingfield proved to be a genius booking for Live at Leeds: In the Park 2025. Attracting a huge crowd for an afternoon singalong to the likes of “Unwritten” and “These Words”, Bedingfield will have been many festival-goers’ highlight of the day. Temple Newsam Park was turned into a joyous celebration of pop anthems!
Once again, Live at Leeds: In the Park provided a stellar, well-organised day of live music. Along with Slam Dunk, we hope it continues to be a key part of the May Bank Holiday music celebrations in the cultural hotspot of Leeds!
Main Photo Credit: Niamh Louise Cleland
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