O2 Academy Leeds

Right in the heart of Leeds near Millennium Square, O2 Academy Leeds is housed in a grand Gothic building on Cookridge Street that first opened its doors back in 1885. It was built as the Coliseum, later serving as a cinema, television studio and bingo hall, before becoming the Town and Country Club in 1992 and later the Creation nightclub. The venue reopened in 2008 after a refurbishment, launching with a sell-out show from Kaiser Chiefs. Capacity sits at 2,300.

These days it mixes big touring gigs with regular club nights, and the current line-up leans heavily into bass and dance music. Afrobeats, electro and jungle all get an airing here, with Fishies running as a near-weekly fixture through October, including a Halloween special and a boiler-room style edition. Drum and bass also gets a proper outing, with Hybrid Minds booked in for late November alongside 4am Kru's live show and a 21st anniversary celebration for Fat Freddy's Drop.

Given its size and central location, it works well for anyone wanting a night out that moves between genres without leaving the city centre, whether that's a seated gig early doors or a dancefloor-focused set later on.