It's one of the most beloved events in the global comics calendar, and it's coming to Yorkshire this November.
Thought Bubble, the UK’s largest comic art festival and the highlight of the year for film, gaming and comic fans in Yorkshire, has confirmed it will be going ahead with a physical festival in 2021.
Due to take place at Harrogate Convention Centre on 13th and 14th November, the festival has just revealed some huge announcements for its lineup.
These include iconic American comic book writer Frank Miller, best known for his work on Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns and Dare Devil. Miller will appear alongside Eisner-nominated artist and writer, Joëlle Jones (Wonder Girl, Lady Killer), and multi-award-winning Thor artist Christian Ward.
And there's more. Leading comics figures such as Megdalene Visaggio, Doug Braithwaite, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Peter Krause, Sarah Graley, Matt Ferguson and Emma Vieceli are also set to attend.
The convention takes place over a weekend and will include hundreds of comic-creating exhibitors.
On top of this, there'll be panels, workshops, screenings taking place throughout the festival. We even hear there's an opera on the cards.
The event is scheduled to take place after the planned dropping of covid restrictions in the UK, however organisers are still being incredibly mindful about guests' safety.
Alongside the main festival and comic convention, there will also be a number of special projects taking place throughout the summer across Yorkshire.
These will include a series of ‘Thought Bubble Socials’ with the Belgrave Music Hall and Pop-up Bubs Lounge at The Beck and Call pub in Leeds and Deershed Festivals ‘Base Camp’ event in North Yorkshire.
Speaking on the upcoming festival, festiva; manager Chloe Green said: “It’s incredibly tempting to run screaming with excitement towards Thought Bubble 2021 when we have a line-up like this, instead we are cautiously edging towards those convention doors with so much hope.
"The comics community is bursting to get together, and we cannot wait to be with you all again!”
Tickets for Thought Bubble Comic Convention are on sale now with free admission for the under 12s, carers and over 65s, giving access to all events within the comic convention; panels, workshops, guest signing and the three huge halls of comic creating exhibitors, publishers.
Tickets can be purchases via the Thought Bubble website.
What's On
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Mumford & Sons add new Leeds show at the First Direct Arena to sell out UK tour
Clementine Hall
Two new arena dates have been added to their forthcoming UK tour, after selling out the entire run within two hours.
Ahead of dropping their fifth studio LP Rushmere at the end of the month, the cult favourite folk-rock outfit announced a brand-new European tour in support of the record, including a limited UK leg.
The now sold-out arena run starts in Europe in November before now arriving in Leeds on Sunday 30 November.
The significance of the band’s return can be found in the title of the new album, as Rushmereis the spot where it all began for the boys: a pond located on Wimbledon Common in south-west London where Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane first hung out.
However, the multi-award-winning acoustic-driven British rockers and folk revivalists are now a trio following the departure of Winston Marshall, who quit the band back in 2021 following controversies surrounding his right-wing beliefs.
Image: Supplied
With that in mind, it’s rather fitting that they have insisted that beyond just a place and a title, Rushmere is alsothebeginning of a new phase.
Following an intense period of creativity, the project was produced by fellow nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb and recorded at the famous RCA Studio A in Nashville, as well as in Savannah, Georgia and back home at Marcus’ studio in Devon.
The album itself drops on this Friday 28 March and judging by the little that we’ve heard so far, they’ve been well worth the wait.
As for the arena show, tickets will go on sale this Thursday 27 March at 10am.
Best of all, they’re donating £1 from every ticket sold straight to War Child UK – this sort of stuff should be standard for any big act as far as we’re concerned.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd June 2021 
