The Wait Is Over - Bradford Live

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.

Tickets are on sale now at www.bradfordlive.co.uk

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 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.”

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.

At a point in our evolution when it seems as if we’re sleepwalking into a world where humans might be redundant, and much of what we do can be done better and more efficiently by machines, what better time to celebrate our own flawed humanity. And who better a guide to lead us than Bill!

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.

The fab four bring their decades of talent – and friendship – together in this special event showcasing the showbiz skills that have won each of them national treasure status.  With hilarious comedy routines and stunning musical performances, this fantastic variety show promises to dazzle.

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.

Your host ED GAMBLE is an award-winning stand-up comedian, writer, and podcaster. Headline act PHIL WANG regularly performs stand-up to sell- out crowds around the world, and released his first Netflix special, Philly Philly Wang Wang, in 2021.

LOU SANDERS is one of Britain’s most original comedians and most recently starred in LOL: Last One Laughing on Amazon Prime. LUCY BEAUMONT is a hugely talented stand-up, comedy actress and writer. She recently starred in Taskmaster and Meet the Richardsons. And Bradford lad JONNY PELHAM is one of the most exciting stand-up comedians on the circuit with numerous TV comedy appearances.

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.

Justin Sullivan, New Model Army, said: “At last! We'd like to invite everyone from near and far to a proper hometown gig... we're looking forward to it already!”

Terrorvision commented: “We are well chuffed to be playing this amazing venue and can't wait to check out the whole building! Don’t think we’ve been in since we watched ET at the cinema! Can we get popcorn in our dressing room? Excited that all us Bradford bands are coming together to play Bradford Live and bring the ROCK!”

Paradise Lost added: “We are extremely happy to be part of Wool City Rockers, a celebration of Bradford's alternative culture at the brand-new Bradford Live. Once the old Odeon, and now a completely refurbished venue. From our early days Bradford played a very important part in our development with key gigs at The Frog and Toad, Queen’s Hall, Bradford Uni and St George’s Hall. Ascend with us...”

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.

No-one knows the 90s like Jo – she was right there on the cutting-edge, leading the charge as Britpop blew up, dance music exploded, and indie went wild. Now you can relive those magical memories on a dancefloor once again with the queen of the 90s.

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 CLARE TEAL 5 is a truly exciting collaboration between Clare and her regular trio led by world class pianist Jim Watson and featuring the UK’s finest jazz musicians.  

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).

The future is now. Humans have become plugged in and completely connected to a world full of Artificial Intelligence – A world in which it is hard to distinguish reality from fiction. AI has become so advanced it’s considered a life form of its very own. Is this the next stage in our evolution? What exactly have we created? What makes us human? ...SOUL.

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).

Since its debut in 1996, Lord of the Dance has revolutionised Irish dance for the global stage, thrilling more than 60 million people in 60 countries with its fusion of spectacular choreography, powerful music, and captivating storytelling. Conceived, choreographed, and produced by legendary dancer Michael Flatley, the show has become a benchmark for live performance and theatrical innovation.

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 brand-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.

A spellbinding spectacle where laughter and wonder collide, it's a celebration that knows no bounds, uniting people of all walks of life in a shared moment of joyous folly. Witness a show that revives the art of clowning, drawing in those who've turned away from the circus tents of old.

SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW is a cavalcade of chaos and charm that invites you to leave the everyday behind and indulge in pure, unadulterated delight. A real spectacle that is not to be missed.

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.

The title originally premiered on Broadway before delighting audiences in the West End, and has been re-staged to tour the UK. The story follows Buddy, a human raised as an elf at the North Pole, as he embarks on a journey to New York City to discover his true identity and rekindle the Christmas spirit.

Packed with catchy songs, dazzling choreography, and laugh-out-loud comedy, ELF THE MUSICAL delivers an unforgettable holiday experience. Bradford audiences will be swept away by the colourful costumes, energetic performances, and magical moments—including Santa Claus himself soaring across the Bradford Live stage in his sleigh! Whether you’re a longtime fan of the movie or experiencing Buddy’s adventure for the first time, this uplifting tale of love, family, and festive fun is a must-see event.

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.

In addition to our exciting launch season, we’re delighted to be supporting BRADFORD 2025 UK CITY OF CULTURE events at Bradford Live in 2025.

The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra will lead a celebratory concert called YORKSHIRE CALLING at Bradford Live on Yorkshire Day (Friday 1 August) presented in association with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.

The evening promises a spectacular celebration of all things Yorkshire, featuring special guests including celebrated poet Ian McMillan, and the BBC’s Bantam of the Opera Choir. It also welcomes Leeds based international concert pianist Yuanfan Yang.