Last year, Leeds hosted the UK's first ever Popworld Festival and this weekend - the festival returns for a second round.
Last year’s event sold over 4,500 tickets and this year it promises to be even bigger and better than ever, with the pop favourites through the years like B*Wiched and Ronan Keating performing throughout the evening.
For those wanting to nosey at the event before committing to a ticket or those diehard fans that are researching everything they need to know ahead of the weekend, we've got you covered.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Popworld Festival 2023...
Who is performing at Popworld Festival?
Following on from the success of last year's Popworld Festival, the national club chain has returned with a brand new lineup for 2023.
The acts performing at this year's Popworld Festival are as followed:
Tickets are still available for Popworld Festival and can be purchased directly through the Popworld website.
Tickets cost £49.50 each and if you buy three tickets you'll get them at a discounted rate of £37 each, plus a fourth ticket free of charge.
Popworld Festival also says 'you'll even be able to get the discounted price when buying more than four tickets too'.
Tickets have now sold out for the viewing platform but general standing tickets are still available.
When is Popworld Festival?
Popworld Festival is taking place at Millennuim Square in Leeds on Saturday 5 August 2023.
What times does the event start?
Millennium Square advertises the event as starting from 6pm. It is expected that exact timings for each act will be released closer to the date.
Is there an afterparty?
Of course there is - it's a Popworld event.
It really is a dream come true for all pop lovers out there, guests can expect an evening full of pop classics, dance tunes and singalong favourites.
Popworld Briggate Street and Cookridge Street both be hosting epic after parties for guests to dance on until the early hours. Festival attendees are simply asked to show tickets at the door before midnight on Saturday 5 August for free entry.
Millennium Square says in its Summer Series FAQ that ‘Backpacks of any size or large bags will not be allowed into the arena. You are permitted to bring small bags or handbags no larger than 21cm x 29cm (approx. A4 size piece of paper)’, but mention that as all bags are subject to a search, it’s much easier not to bring a bag at all to speed up entry into the venue.
As for banned items, the list is pretty self explanatory: alcohol, glass, cans, chairs, portable furniture, large umbrellas, parasols, tents, gazebos, laser pens, air horns, fireworks, flares, smoke canisters, BBQs, paper lanterns or any lighting with a naked flame.
How do I get to Millennium Square?
Millennium Square is located in Leeds city centre, and is around a ten minute walk from Leeds train station.
Buses: The nearest bus stops from Millennium Square are located where East Parade meets The Headrow; Civic Hall; Woodhouse Lane and the Merrion Centre.
Buses 5, 19 and 19A go from near the train station (stop Station B) to The Headrow, where you’ll have to walk from there. This particular route is an 8 minute journey and it’s 11 to walk – so not much of a time saver but handy as an option.
The full address for you to pop into maps is: Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 3AD
The Wombats aren’t just still going strong - they’re getting better. And honestly? Long may they reign.
The Wombats absolutely tore the roof off the First Direct Arena in Leeds last night, Wednesday 26 March and what a night it was.
From the second they hit the stage it wasn’t just a gig, it was a full-blown indie-pop spectacle, packed with infectious energy, nostalgia, and a whole lot of dancing.
They kicked things off with “Moving to New York,” and honestly? The crowd was in from the first note.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Matthew Murphy’s unmistakable vocals rang through the arena and suddenly, thousands of people were screaming every lyric like it was 2007 all over again. It was one of those moments where you could just feel how much this band still means to people.
Despite the massive venue, The Wombats somehow made it feel intimate. The lights? Pure chaos in the best way - vibrant, colourful, and totally in sync with the band’s wild, bouncy sound.
Murphy’s cheeky banter between songs made it feel less like a polished arena show and more like a jam session with a few thousand of your closest mates.
Setlist-wise, they nailed it. “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” and “Greek Tragedy” had the whole place losing it, while the stripped-down version of “Techno Fan” gave everyone a minute to breathe (and maybe get a little emotional).
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Those quieter moments just made the high-energy choruses hit even harder. It was a rollercoaster - in the best way possible.
Then came the encore. If you thought the crowd was loud before, “Kill the Director” took things to another level. Pure, chaotic indie bliss. The kind of moment you don’t want to end.
Here’s the thing about The Wombats: some might say their older songs hit harder than their newer stuff, but is that just nostalgia talking? Or maybe it’s a generational thing?
Either way, they proved they’re still one of the most exciting live bands out there. They’ve still got the hooks, the humour, and the ability to turn a massive arena into a sweaty, euphoric singalong.
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.
Sophie Smith -
1st August 2023 
