Greatest Leeds Music Venues Closed

'...The greatest Leeds music venues that have closed their doors'

1. Carpe Diem

closed: September 30, 2015

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/popular-live-music-venue-closes-in-leeds-city-centre-after-more-than-10-years-1-7488555

'Indie venue Fab Cafe on Woodhouse Lane also closed earlier this year.' 

2. The Cockpit

closed: September 10, 2014

Based under the railway lines The Cockpit was one of the mainstays of the Leeds music scene for nearly two decades. The White Stripes, Amy Winehouse, Queens of the Stoneage and The Libertines all played there during their rise to international stardom. More importantly The Cockpit hosted virtually ever major Leeds band during their formative steps into live music, with The Pigeon Detectives, Kaiser Chiefs and The Cribs all playing there (the latter even recorded a live album there).

3. The Duchess

Closed: March 26, 2000

By day, a traditional and much-loved pub on Vicar Lane, but at night it was a formidable live music venue. Its finest hour came when Nirvana played there around the time of the debut record Bleach. The band’s follow-up Nevermind became one of the best-selling records of all time and redefined the musical landscape of the 1990s.

4. Joseph's Well

Closed: March 10, 2012

A troubled venue that had many ups-and-downs it enjoyed a similar reputation to The Cockpit in terms of its ability to bring in up-and-coming talent. Multi-platinum selling bands like Lamb of God and The Killers all performed in the tiny venue near Leeds General Infirmary over the years

5. The Town and Country Club

Closed: 2000 before 7m£ redevelopment in 2001

OK, yes, technically it is still there in the shape of the 02 Academy, a state-of-the-art venue the hosts some of the best bands in the world on a weekly basis. But, for many years, the T&C fell silent to live music when it closed and became a superclub. The Cribs even called their recent live DVD at the venue “Down the old T&C” such is the strength that the Town and Country Club was lodged in people’s memory. David Bowie was among the most celebrated people to play there. 

6. Kirkstall Rolarena 

Closed: 'Silverblade Ice RInk closed 1966 renamed Rollarena 

'The dancehall in the county arcade thread got me thinking. Didnt Sir Jimmy Saville move to the rollerena after he finished at the spinning disc (old mecca). I remeber going there in the sixties and am sure he was one of the resident DJs. 

This venture became the in place during this period for all teenagers and was always packed out.'

'I think it first opened as Silver Blades ice rink about 1962 operated by Mecca Leisure. I started work at the Top Rank bowling alley on the ground floor in 1969, and by that time Siver Blades had changed to the Rollarena. The bowling alley closed down around 1972. It had a nightclub on the top floor called Carolines'

Speaking of David Bowie, the second to last time EVER that he performed in his Ziggy Stardust character was in Leeds at this long-demolished venue. Performing tracks from the Ziggy record plus the follow-up Alladin Sane a special piece of rock history was borne witness to.

further info: http://amolad.co.uk/category/amolad/

this articles link: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/music/five-of-the-greatest-leeds-music-venues-that-have-closed-their-doors-1-7491089

7. Astoria Ballroom

Opened in 1929 and formerly known as the Harehills Palais-de-Danse, the Astoria became one of Leeds’ prime entertainment venues

In the 1940s it hosted ‘Tea Dances’, where people wore dinner

jackets and long gowns

From 1969 until the early 1980s live televised wrestling bouts were staged at The Astoria, usually by Joint Promotions

During the 1980s there was a lively ‘music scene’ at The Astoria including Rock ‘N’ Roll, Northern Soul and Jazz

She also donated a ticket to the Leeds Rock ‘N’ Roll Club at The Astoria Ballroom see The Jets; Vince St John and Red River Rock; and The Hot Dogs on 5 May 1984 which was buried in the time capsule at Oakwood Clock

The time capsule is due to be opened  in 2112 – the bicentenary of Oakwood becoming part of the City of Leeds.

After its closure in 1992 The Astoria was used by Amrik’s for an electrical goods showroom until 1995 and then it was briefly a Gym

Eventually, The Astoria was demolished and replaced by residential apartments called, Astoria Court

http://www.oakwoodchurch.info/astoria.html


More Venues:

Leeds Odeon Cinema - now a sports direct
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1717

The Music Factory (Back to Basic) - now offices

The Warehouse - still exists but as a nightclub

Elland Road - the football stadium 

Queens Hall - now a 10 storey high car park 

http://www.wow247.co.uk/2015/07/22/10-music-venues-leeds/