The project aims to preserve the musical heritage of the city by amassing a collection of visual memories in the form of concert tickets, thereby allowing both us in the present and those in future generations to resonate with and relive live music performances by some of the world’s greatest artists.

One of these is Bruce Springsteen, whose performance with The E Street Band in July 2013 inaugurated the First Direct Arena. Such a massive moment in the musical history of Leeds is now documented, visually in the form of an actual physical ticket, in the archive for others to enjoy and celebrate. A show by the iconic Irish rock band U2 is another among the remarkable performances recorded on the platform. They played Elland Road on July 1st 1987, where tickets were £14 and Special Guests were promised.

The archive also remembers Sir Elton John’s 1984 gig at The Queens Hall during his European Express Tour. The ticket reminded a commenter on the archive post about their experience at the gig as they stated, “I was at this gig! Elton played at the now demolished Queens Hall (tram shed) and it was truly one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to!“.

Louise Birch, the senior librarian at Leeds Libraries, recounts how the project came to be, saying, “The project came about as I was going through some of my own ticket stubs that I’d collected over the years, and I realised that many venues don’t actually issue physical tickets anymore.

“Leeds has hosted some of the biggest names in music over the years along with a thriving local gig scene and some incredible venues that have become a huge part of the city’s story.

“Every single one of these tickets also represents a unique memory for the person who went to that gig and what we really want is for people to share those memories and experiences and help us build a living, constantly evolving archive of live music in Leeds.”

The librarians who run the archive are actively trying to increase the collection and are on the lookout for particular gigs, including Jimi Hendrix at The Odeon in 1967, The Sex Pistols at Leeds Polytechnic in 1976, Nirvana at The Duchess in 1989 and Oasis at The Duchess in 1994.

The Leodis archive can be accessed here: https://www.leodis.net/.

Tom Jones questions decision to ban Delilah at rugby games https://t.co/PFHXSd9xRn

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) July 22, 2023

Back in February, the WRU announced its decision that “Delilah” would no longer be sung at matches by the choir at the Municipality Stadium in Cardiff. In a move that has undoubtedly sought to deflect any controversy or offence to those attending rugby matches at the stadium, the WRU have defended their position by stating that they do not condone violence of any kind.

The song was written by Barry Mason in 1968 and contains a lyric that describes a woman’s murder at the hands of her boyfriend after she is found with another man. The decision by the WRU to stop singing the song has been criticised by one of Wales’ most famous sons and original singer of “Delilah”-Tom Jones. Jones, who is well known globally for hit songs such as, “It’s Not Unusual” and “She’s A Lady,” stated frankly that he simply will just keep on singing the song.

During his gig in Cardiff on Saturday 22, July, Jones allegedly told the crowd, “you can’t stop us singing ‘Delilah.’ Can you imagine? Who was the man who didn’t want us to sing ‘Delilah?’ They may stop the choir from singing it, but they haven’t stopped the crowd. Keep on singing it-and I’ll keep on singing it too.”

Jones’ personal fight for the song is not new either-the singer leaped to the ballad’s defence in 2014 when calls for its banning first appeared. Speaking at the time about the song, Jones said, “it makes me very proud to be Welsh. I think if they’re looking into the lyric about a man killing a woman, it’s not a political statement. It’s just something that happens in life that [a] woman was unfaithful to him and he just loses it.”

Politicians have weighed in and defended the banning as well, citing that often times during rugby or football matches, incidences of domestic violence tend to increase. The WRU have further stated that their decision to ban the song is based around the belief that some supporters will find the subject matter upsetting.

The song was censored earlier this year due to its connotations to domestic violence https://t.co/RQgwZYStcN

— NME (@NME) July 24, 2023

The song was a significant hit for Jones when the singer released the single in February of 1968. The song reached number 1 in several European countries and found success in Great Britain where it reached number 2. The WRU’s decision is sure to divide some sections of supporters while furthering the debate on censorship and public interest. Tom Jones is on tour now and tickets can be purchased here.

Tom Jones Tour:

24/07/2023 – Cardiff Castle – Cardiff
26/07 – Sandown Park Racecourse – Esher
27/07 – Dreamland – Margate
28/07 – Dreamland – Margate
30/07 – Tio Pepe Festival – Jerez De La Frontera, Spain
01/08 – Plaza de Toros – Alicante, Spain
03/08 – Festival de Terramar – Catalunya, Spain
05/08 – Cardiff Castle – Cardiff
06/08 – Audley End House and Gardens – Saffron Waldon

The band also announced their 2022 UK Tour and will be performing before then at a homecoming concert in Cardiff entitled We’ll Keep A Welcome on December 18th.

The Welsh band formed in 1992 counts frontman Kelly Jones (Lead vocals, lead guitar and keyboards), Richard Jones (Bass guitar, harmonica and backing vocals), Adam Zindani (Rhythm guitar and backing vocals) and Jamie Morrison (Drums and percussion) as the band’s lineup. Tony Kirkham (Keyboards) is a touring member of the band.

Stuart Cable (1992-2003), who sadly passed away on June 7th 2010 and Javier Weyler (2004-2012) were previous bands members. The band’s debut album Word Gets Around released on August 25th 1997, reached number six in the UK Official Albums Charts and achieved Gold status in the UK.

The band’s second album release Performance and Cocktails achieved UK Platinum status and reached number 1 in the UK Official Charts. The band featured on Tom Jones’s single “Mama Told Me Not To Come” (2000) from his album Reload (1999). Tom is now also set to join the lineup of the band’s homecoming Cardiff concert along with Catfish and The Bottlemen.

Frontman Jones has also released solo material with albums Only The Names Have Changed in 2007 and Don’t Let The Devil Take Another Day in 2020 with a documentary of the same name. The band are now back working together with the release of their new single, new album and UK tour.

In speaking of the new single frontman Jones said that the single was influenced by early ZZ Top and other musical influences, he said “Hanging On Your Hinges was influenced by my love of early ZZ Top and darker stuff like Masters Of Reality and maybe some Iggy Pop too”

The band’s new album Oochya is the band’s 12th studio album and replaces the band’s expected compilation celebratory album to mark their 25th Anniversary.

The album recorded in just seven days and set for release on March 4th will accompany the band’s 2022 UK tour due to start on March 18th in Manchester. Pre-sale tickets go on sale on September 8th. Those who pre-order the band’s new album will automatically be entered for pre-sale access to ticket’s.

2/2 By pre-ordering the album from our official store, you’ll be automatically entered to receive pre-sale ticket access this Wednesday! Pre-order ‘Oochya!’ here: https://t.co/RQLNkYSLh3 pic.twitter.com/lJ5XfKHAQs

— stereophonics (@stereophonics) September 6, 2021

Listen to Stereophonics new album Oochya here

See Stereophonics Tour dates below. Tickets are available here

18/12/21 Principality Stadium- Cardiff (Featuring Tom Jones, Catfish and The Bottlemen)

18/03/22 Arena- Manchester
20/03 P&J Arena- Aberdeen
21/03 Hydro- Glasgow
23/03 Arena- Leeds
24/03 Arena- Newcastle
26/03 Centre- Brighton
27/03 BIC- Bournemouth
29/03 Arena- Liverpool
30/03 Arena- Nottingham
01/04 O2 Arena- London
02/04 Resorts World Arena- Birmingham

Sir Jones said in a statement that the song is a very powerful one at any age, that “It’s about having confidence in who you are, particularly during this time of a pervasive, boundless media that can wield so much influence, it’s more important than ever to know and be strong in your own self.”

Sir Jones released the first single off his upcoming LP earlier this year titled ‘Talking Reality Television Blues’ , a cover of the song by Todd Snider, saying “Last year, during lockdown and after 5 years of enormous personal changes, I finally found the need to express myself through my music”. Speaking of the album’s title, Sir Jones commented “Who expects what is always so completely unexpected? My personal clock started ticketing in 1940, and with all the magnificent strangeness of life on this planet both speeding up and slowing down, the album is titled Surrounded By Time.”

The upcoming album is an album of self-reflection and the struggles faced by Sir Jones in the couple of years, and will be released on the 23rd of April, 2021.

So here’s that Radio 2 Live at Home line-up in full!

Featuring
Classic Hyde Park sets
New sets from @SherylCrow, @nilerodgers @CHICorg @RebeccaFMusic, @CraigDavid, @erasureinfo, @RealSirTomJones, @thekillers, @johnlegend, @mcflymusic, @GregoryPorter, @ThePretendersHQ pic.twitter.com/TnRTlvMQhT

— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) September 1, 2020

The festival will take place over the weekend of September 12/13. All the sets will be available on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer. Throughout the weekend there will also be highlights shows and compilation footage, and furthermore, special BBC Red Button content. After this, the footage will be available for another month.

On Saturday, the live hosts include Fearne Cotton and Rylan Clark-Neal. Sunday’s sets will be presented by Trevor Nelson, Sara Cox and Zoe Ball. A detailed line-up is available in the tweet below.

The UK acts will film their performances at Radio 2’s Live At Home stage which is somewhere in the British countryside. American performers will stream their sets from remote locations; rumour has it that The Killers’ set takes place on the roof of a Las Vegas hotel, and Nile Rodgers and co. will be live in Central Park, New York.  British synth pop duo Erasure will perform live from either side of the Atlantic!

In addition to new sets, the other ‘headliners’ will be compiled of some of the best previous performances from earlier years. These will be available on iPlayer in the lead up to the event. They include Elton John, The Pet Shop Boys, Take That and Kylie Minogue. BBC Radio 2 have shared a teaser clip from Elton John’s “spellbinding” 2016 set – watch it below!

“And you can tell everybody this is your song…” You can now re-live @eltonofficial‘s spellbinding Hyde Park set as part of Radio 2 Live at Home. Watch on @BBCiPlayer. Listen on @BBCSounds. pic.twitter.com/e8KMGbfsKB — BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) September 1, 2020

Speaking about Radio 2 Live at Home, Craig David says: “Whilst we can’t party in person, we can have a house party for Radio 2 Live at Home.” Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders adds that, “After months in lockdown, come rain or shine, we are so happy to be able to perform in the glorious British outdoors for Radio 2 Live at Home!”

The Head of Music for Radio 2, Jeff Smith, had this to say about the newly digital festival: “Radio 2 Live At Home will celebrate some of our favourite artists performing in the great outdoors, as well as offering the opportunity to relive some classic sets from our Festival in a Day from years gone by. Who wouldn’t want to relive Jeff Lynne’s amazement at 55,000 people singing along as ELO performed their first full set in 27 years, or Kylie’s impromptu reunion with Jason Donovan on stage for a unique performance of Especially for You.”

The Irish singer announced his departure from the BBC musical talent show on Twitter today, stating;

‘I had two wonderful seasons on The Voice and as everybody knows I gave it my heart and soul and couldn’t be more proud of the show and what we have achieved. My focus will be on The Script moving forward as we are about to embark on the most important part of our career as a band’

O’Donoghue coached this years victor Andrea Begley to success, and was also the mentor for last years runner-up Bo Bruce, whose debut album, ‘Before I Sleep’ made the UK Album Chart top 10 in May – outselling the winner, Leanne Mitchell, whose self-titled debut achieved first-week sales of just under 900 copies. He is the second judge to quit the show, after Jessie J announced her departure earlier this month.

It is unknown whether the remaining judges, Sir Tom Jones and will.i.am will return for Season 3, as will.i.am stated previously that he would only return if the judging panel remained the same.
O Donoghue’s band, pop-rock outfit The Script recently finished the global tour for their third album, ‘#3’, and will be appearing at V Festival this August.