The independent Yorkshire promoter has delivered the biggest event series yet, with 75,000 people attending concerts and festivals at Temple Newsam.
In just the last week of May, Futuresound delivered its biggest iterations of festivals Live At Leeds In The Park and Slam Dunk yet at Yorkshire landmark Temple Newsam, before a very special one-off hometown event to celebrate 20 years of Kaiser Chiefs’ debut album ‘Employment’.
This year’s Live At Leeds In The Park, the 4th edition of the family-friendly one-day Festival, welcomed 18,000 fans to a newly expanded site, which included two Main Stages with headliners Bloc Part performing their seminal debut album ‘Silent Alarm’ in full, alongside Welsh rock legends Manic Street Preachers, local heroes Yard Act, pop icon Natasha Bedingfield and many more.
Elsewhere the DIY Big Top Tent, Dork Stage and Cockpit stages hosted the likes of Scottish indie-rock foursome The Snuts, immersive instrumentalists Public Service Broadcasting and fast-rising acts such as Arthur Hill, Kingfisher and Sunday (1994).
Another first for Live At Leeds In The Park was this year’s Comedy Tent which welcomed headliner Maisie Adam, surrealist Angelos Epithemiou and Edinburgh Festival Best Newcomer 2024 Frankie Monroe.
Slam Dunk, one of the UK’s premier punk and alt-rock festivals, celebrated its 19th year, having grown from a single City-centre stage in Leeds to two full festival sites across one weekend with Slam Dunk North at Temple Newsam and Slam Dunk South at Hatfield Park in Hertfordshire. Renowned for bringing the best of the US to the UK, Slam Dunk saw sets from American rock mainstays such as A Day To Remember, Alkaline Trio, Less Than Jake and New Found Glory as well as performances from UK acts including Welsh pop rockers Neck Deep, Manchester’s Hot Milk and up and coming nu-metal outfit Split Chain for 30,000 fans at Temple Newsam.
Futuresound closed out May with a spectacular one-day event to celebrate 20 years of Kaiser Chiefs’ seven-times platinum selling debut ‘Employment’. Promoted in conjunction with SJM concerts, the band played the album in its entirety with an all-star supporting lineup of Razorlight, The Cribs and We Are Scientists playing their own iconic albums in full as well as Liverpudlian indie legends The Coral, rising alt-rock power trio HotWax and Leeds’ own indie songwriter Ellur.
Drawing on deep ties in the City they have operated in for over 30 years, Futuresound worked with Kaiser Chiefs and 2025 EFL Championship winners Leeds United to bring the Championship trophy to site, as well as a number of past and current players, with current star Patrick Bamford even joining the band on stage for a rendition of Leeds anthem ‘I Predict A Riot’, creating a truly unique experience for the 27,000 in attendance and for the City of Leeds itself.
By prioritising collaboration with local suppliers across production, security, bars and food traders, as well as supporting local charities at all their events at Temple Newsam this year, Futuresound are committed to creating a positive economic impact in the region that builds with every concert series and stand-alone show.
This summer, Futuresound started a new campaign with the Yorkshire Children’s Charity, inviting bands on each bill to take the time to talk to YCC about their childhoods growing up in Yorkshire and beyond, alongside providing ads and space on stage screens for YCC’s crucial message.
Andy Smith – Head of Live, Futuresound Group: “We couldn’t be more proud to have welcomed 75,000 people to Temple Newsam over the past few weeks; showcasing the very best music, comedy, food, outdoor space and atmosphere that Leeds has to offer. We’re an independent Leeds business and the City and its surroundings have always been at the heart of everything we do.
We’re hugely grateful to Temple Newsam and Leeds City Council for their trust and support as well as our promotion, production, artist liaison, bar, security and catering teams for everything they do to make events like this happen. We want these shows to be a statement that independent operators will always have a crucial part to play in creating incredible live music experiences and moments in the regions they work in, live in and know best. This was a truly special event season at Temple Newsam and we can’t wait to build on this success.”
Main image by Jazz Jennings for Leeds Living.
