Spring events
Grab your diaries and let the team at beyond guide you to the best music, comedy gigs and theatre shows coming up over the next two months.
1. Supergrass
Just when you thought the Britpop years had been consigned to history, Supergrass return to the O2 Academy to mark the 25th anniversary of their debut album, I Should Coco.
March 1st, academymusicgroup.com
2. Tom Rosenthal
In his new stand-up show Manhood, the beaky boy from Friday Night Dinner side-steps obvious material and instead recounts how he has spent his life trying to avenge the theft of his foreskin.
March 4th, cityvarieties.co.uk
3. Harrogate Film Festival
The programme includes a short film competition and a rare chance to hear rock filmmaker Tony Palmer, who has worked with everyone from the Beatles to Jimi Hendrix in conversation.
March 7th to 15th, harrogatefilm.co.uk
4. Frank Turner
With his latest album variously inspired by the woman who invented rock and roll, a serial killer from America’s Deep South, expect the unexpected from Turner’s gig at York Barbican.
March 8th, yorkbarbican.co.uk
5. Ghost Stories
Written by the League of Gentleman’s Jeremy Dyson and described as a twisted love letter to horror, West End hit Ghost Stories heads to both York Grand Opera House and Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre.
March 10 to 14th, atgtickets.com; April 21st to 25th, sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
6. Jamie Cullum
Last year saw the release of the diminutive singer’s ironically titled new album Taller and now comes the supporting tour which stops off at York Barbican. Limited availability only.
March 11th, yorkbarbican.co.uk
7. Cabaret
Possibly one of the greatest musicals to ever take to the stage – don’t miss this touring production of Sally Bowles and Berlin’s infamous Kit Kat Club when it stops off in Sheffield.
March 17th to 21st, sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
8. The Yorkshire Shepherdess
Having become an unlikely TV star along with her husband Clive and nine children, Amanda Owen heads to York Literature Festival to talk about life on one of the most remote farms in Britain.
March 22nd, yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk
9. Stewart Lee
He doesn’t do panel shows and he’s rarely spotted on the red carpet, but Stewart Lee is a national treasure. Honest, clever and biting, if you have never seen him live, book now.
March 23rd to 25th, leedsplayhouse.org
10. Blossoms
The indie favourites start their first tour of the new year in March. Stopping off at the O2 Academy, it will be the first chance to hear tracks from their third album Foolish Loving Spaces.
March 24th, academymusicgroup.com
11. Elbow
Manchester’s Elbow have built a reputation for being one of the country’s best live bands and this year there is a chance to hear them in the more intimate surrounds of the O2 Academy.
April 6th & 7th, academymusicgroup.com
12. The Book of Mormon
This outrageous musical comedy from the creators of South Park follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries and was described by the New York Times as the best musical of the century.
April 8th to May 2nd, leedsgrandtheatre.com
13. Snoop Dogg
The Doggfather’s influence on music is undisputed and along no doubt with a substantial entourage he heads to the UK and the First Direct Arena to celebrate 25 years in the business.
April 14th, firstdirectarena.com
14. Billy Bremner and Me
Take a seat at the City Varieties for an original comedy drama about one mediocre footballer’s desperate attempt to eclipse the great career of the Leeds United legend.
April 17th, cityvarieities.co.uk
15. Harry Styles
Few boyband members manage to forge a long and successful solo career, but after a pretty stellar first album One Direction’s Harry Styles could well be the exception which proves the rule.
April 11th, flydsaarena.co.uk
16. Betfred World Snooker Championships
At this time of year the mention of Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre can only mean one thing – snooker. Last year Judd Trump lifted the trophy, but can he make it two years in a row?
April 18th to May 4th, sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
17. Banff Mountain Film Festival
Settle in for a brand-new collection of short films from the world’s most prestigious adventure filmmakers and explorers as they push themselves to the limits in the most remote corners of the globe.
April 21st, yorkbarbican.co.uk
18. Bon Iver
American indie folksters have announced their first UK tour since 2018. Expect an immersive audio and visual experience as they rattle through their back catalogue, including Skinny Love and Holocene.
April 29th, firstdirectarena.com
19. The Lion King
The musical version of the animated hit was one of the first big West End musicals to arrive at Bradford’s Alhambra and it returns this spring for a seven-week run.
April 30th to June 20th, bradford-theatres.co.uk
20. The Unbelievable Chris Kamara Show
The former footballer, best known as Kammy, heads to Leeds Town Hall to talk about his life, career and how his ‘unbelievable’ catchphrase was born.
