2 May 2025
Some of the biggest names in comedy, music and live entertainment are set to appear at Bradford’s £50 million refurbished live entertainment venue, BRADFORD LIVE – the beating heart of Bradford. THE WAIT IS OVER!
The first shows have been announced, with more acts to be revealed over the coming weeks.
Leading global live entertainment company Trafalgar Entertainment were named as the new operators of Bradford Live earlier this year. Trafalgar’s Joint CEO & Creative Director, SIR HOWARD PANTER, said: “We wanted to open our brand-new venue Bradford Live with a bang and what better to celebrate the occasion than with some of the biggest headline names in comedy, music, variety, and family entertainment. The wait is finally over, and the good times are coming. There really is something special for everyone.
“We’re delighted to be working with Bradford City Council and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture on building a world-class legacy for the city, which will bring cultural and economic vigour to the city. We’ve assembled the kind of opening season that this magnificent venue and Bradfordians deserve. And there’s more to come with further artists being announced over the coming weeks. Bradford Live isn’t just a great venue for Bradford, it’s one for the whole of the UK, and it will be up there with the best of the best.”
The incredible line-up, featuring some of the biggest names in comedy, music and live entertainment, includes: Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley, Shane Richie & Joe Pasquale; Bill Bailey; Rob Brydon; Ed Gamble; Jo Whiley; Diversity and Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance.
We welcome one of the UK’s biggest comedy stars, BILL BAILEY, to Bradford Live with his critically acclaimed THOUGHTIFIER show on Saturday 30 August, in association with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Four titans of British entertainment BRADLEY WALSH, BRIAN CONLEY, SHANE RICHIE and JOE PASQUALE will join forces to help launch Bradford Live with their spectacular variety show THE PRAT PACK on Sunday 31 August.
After a sell out West End performance in 2024 ROB BRYDON is bringing his celebrated Christmas show to Bradford Live on Wednesday 10 December. Accompanied by a fabulous eight-piece band, Rob will usher in the festive season in his own inimitable style with songs, stories and even an impression or two. A wonderful warm-hearted evening for all the family.
Bradford Live audiences will be laughing out loud with our exclusive hilarious night of comedy on Saturday 4 October starring some of the UK’s brightest comedians. PHIL WANG, ED GAMBLE, LOU SANDERS, LUCY BEAUMONT and local Bradford lad, JONNY PELHAM all take to the stage for one night only in BRADFORD LIVE AND LAUGHING.
NEW MODEL ARMY + TERRORVISION + PARADISE LOST – Three mammoth Yorkshire rock bands co-headline an exciting one-off show as new venue, Bradford Live, plays host to WOOL CITY ROCKERS on Saturday 13 December in association with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. Doors open at 4.30pm.
Taking its name from the seminal Bradford late 70’s / early 80’s music zine Wool City Rockers, the show will also feature GRIFFS MAGIC THEATRE, an art exhibition and full supporting cast.
JO WHILEY is quite simply the ultimate authority on British music – and the voice and face of a generation is headed to Bradford Live on Friday 26 September with a dazzling new show as she rummages through her record bag to dig out the very best of 90s ANTHEMS.
Expect exhilarating swing from Yorkshire’s award-winning jazz vocalist and long-time BBC Radio 2 & Jazz FM broadcaster CLARE TEAL, who visits Bradford Live on Thursday 16 October with a fabulous new show to celebrate 25 years of touring.
The UK’s most successful dance group DIVERSITY is set to take to the road in spring 2026 with a major new UK Tour – SOUL – and you can catch them at Bradford Live on Wednesday 29 April 2026 (on sale 9 May 2025).
Bradford Live will play host to one of the world’s most iconic dance productions in June 2026, as Michael Flatley’s LORD OF THE DANCE – 30 YEARS OF STANDING OVATIONS specially extends its UK 30th Anniversary Tour to open in West Yorkshire. The production will take over the newly restored venue for five unmissable performances from Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 June 2026 (on sale 9 May 2025).
Expect things to get hair-raising on Halloween, when TV presenter and explorer extraordinaire STEVE BACKSHALL descends on Bradford Live as part of his DEADLY LIVE! tour on Friday 31 October.
CBeebies Megastar JUSTIN FLETCHER comes to Bradford Live on Saturday 8 November as part of his first live tour since 2022 with a rand-new rock-tastic live show JUSTIN TIME TO ROCK.
BLUEY’S BIG PLAY is the theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. Join the Heelers in this live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets at Bradford Live from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 December (on sale 16 May 2025).
Bradford Live will also play host to two arena-sized shows this autumn. Join us for an unforgettable experience that promises to sprinkle a little magic into your life and remind you of the joy in being wonderfully silly, as you immerse yourself in the whimsical world of SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 November.
As Bradford Live celebrates its first Christmas, we’re joined by Buddy the Elf to spread some festive cheer! Following six sell-out tours, ELF THE MUSICAL comes to Bradford Live on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December. A heartwarming, family-friendly stage adaptation of the beloved holiday film, ELF THE MUSICAL is guaranteed to bring festive cheer to audiences of all ages.
BRADFORD LIVE – the beating heart of Bradford – is a world class 3,000+ capacity live entertainment venue, together with event spaces, located in the heart of Bradford city centre. The former Odeon Cinema was originally built in 1930s. Following its closure in 2000, the magnificent art deco building has now been fully restored with a £50m investment, bringing it back to its former glory as a live music venue and entertainment hub for the city.
