A mega 20 bids sealed Bradford as the fourth UK City of Culture in January 2025, yet it’s been something of a neighbour to Leeds for many years in regards to its growing music scene bubbling under the surface. After all, Nirvana played in Bradford in 1991…

Something of a former industrial powerhouse, and with the accolade of the world’s first UNESCO City of Film under its belt, Bradford now has oodles of extra strings to its bow of credentials. And through the Bradford 2025 campaign*, it’ll enjoy some significant investments to boost its profile, facilities and cultural infrastructure, too. In turn, this means existing artists that have been pushing hard and carving out a name for the city already should benefit hugely from the new opportunities that come with the status. 

Among the first thing to look out for is the bumper list of gigs now curated for the year. So far, there’s been all sorts, including a long weekend just gone of traditional and fusion jazz — as well as afrobeat rhythms and pumping reggae. That was from two major headliners: Richard Hawley and the Black Dyke Band, and KOKOROKO.

Dates for your diary 

• 19th April: Jacqui Dankworth Trio, The Beacon, Wibsey Park
• 9th May: Bassline Symphony (AKA a very cool setup of the bassline DJs and the Orchestra of Opera North), St. George’s Hall
• 17th and 18th May: The Bradford Progress (basically, a sonic journey traversed by various local singers), venues around the city
• 21st May: The Mercury Prize-nominated Nadine Shah, also at St. George’s Hall
• 7th October: The charismatic alternative artist John Grant, again at St. George’s Hall

Explore more of what’s going on in Bradford in 2025 here. Exciting times are afoot!

*With thanks to Bradford 2025 for all the info.