Events
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See details of all Launchpad events here: launchpad-music.com/events
Launchpad X Wakefield Exchange - Showcase Gig - Saturday 12th September 2026 - Green Gardens + Lauren Mikki + MAAME
<p>Launchpad is once again teaming up with Wakefield Exchange to present a more showcase gigs for 2026. Shining a spotlight on incredible musicians from across Yorkshire.</p><p>Wakefield Exchange is The city’s go-to destination for, creativity, culture, leisure and work. It’s a place where casual food and drink pair seamlessly with extraordinary encounters in art, craft, and innovation.</p><p>Best of all, the gigs are free entry and open to everyone.</p><p><br></p><p>Join us on <strong>Saturday 12th of September 2026, 7pm–10pm</strong>, at <a href="https://www.wxwakefield.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Wakefield Exchange</strong></a> for the first evening of outstanding live music.</p><p><br></p><p>Catch music from:</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.launchpad-music.com/2025-event-speakers/greengardens" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>Green Gardens</em></strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><em>“All this will be back again, growing</em></p><p><em>Fastest from the dogs graves’</em></p><p><em>Leeds’ Green Gardens form intricate indie-rock songs that value tenderness and extremity in equal measure. Real love and care for sweet melodies, lo-fi guitars, warm drums and the tension of their relationships sits at the heart of their music. Reflecting on loss and relishing the euphoria of passing joys, they explore a hushed sanctuary inspired by Sparklehorse, and the crushed lo-fi guitars of the genre’s giants The Microphones and Broken Social Scene.</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Lauren Mikki</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p><em>Lauren Mikki is an artist who turns quiet moments into something luminous. Fusing ethereal vocals with literary inspired lyricism, she shapes an indie soul sound that exists beyond genre, intimate yet expansive, delicate yet emotionally direct. Influenced by the warmth of Laufey, the introspection of Clairo and the soul rooted elegance of Olivia Dean, her songs unfold like short stories, grounded in feeling and carried by melody.</em></p><p><em>Her work has earned plays on BBC Radio 6, a Spotify Fresh Finds UK and IE feature, and praise from BBC Introducing, who named her “one of the most exciting artists in the uploader.” Now supported by Youth Music through their Next Gen Fund, Lauren Mikki represents a new wave of thoughtful, genre-blurring UK artists, crafting music that resonates long after the final note fades.</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>MAAME</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p><em>Maame is an independent Leeds based artist carving out an honest, emotionally driven space in music. Blending pop, soul, R&B, and ballads, her songwriting is guided by feeling—delicate when needed, powerful when it matters. Her voice carries just the right emotional weight, cutting through with clarity and conviction. Each track unfolds like a new world: raw, unpredictable, and unforgettable. Her passion for music deepened whilst she was living in Margate, Kent after taking vocal lessons with artist Hughie Gavin (JAKL). She later joined the Social Singing Choir and the Institute Collective Choir, lending her voice to SWIM DEEP’s To Feel Good (2018) and BBC Radio Kent (2020). Maame has performed at Dreamland with the choir, Elsewhere in Margate, and as a solo artist at the POW Festival in Ramsgate. After the release of her debut single, she has received coverage from press such as York Calling, Beach-house and Music Arena Ghana.</em></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Curious about Launchpad and the support we offer across Yorkshire? Come and chat with one of our team at the venue!</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Feeling Peckish? WX has some incredible street food & drink vendors that have something for everyone…</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Smash & Dash - <a href="https://wxwakefield.co.uk/Food-Drink/Details?id=2514" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Smash & Dash Wakefield | Wakefield Exchange</a></p><p>Gray’s Coffee Shop - <a href="https://wxwakefield.co.uk/Food-Drink/Details?id=238" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gray's Coffee Shop | Wakefield Exchange</a></p><p>La Chingada Tex Mex - <a href="https://wxwakefield.co.uk/Food-Drink/Details?id=236" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">La Chingada Tex Mex | Wakefield Exchange</a></p><p>The Exchange Tap - <a href="https://wxwakefield.co.uk/Food-Drink/Details?id=235" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Exchange Tap | Wakefield Exchange</a></p><p>Spudz Wakefield - <a href="https://wxwakefield.co.uk/Food-Drink/Details?id=2512" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spudz Wakefield | Wakefield Exchange</a></p><p><br></p><p><em>*Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported supported by Leeds City Council through the Leeds Cultural Investment Programme, PPL Giving and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL.</em></p>
Twisted Nipples Events with Sonic Futures and Launchpad present - Sleuth Gang + Provenance + End Credits + Hitlist
<p>Twisted Nipples Events is partnering with Launchpad and Sonic Futures to showcase some incredible talent from the North.</p><p>The lineup includes 2 amazing Leeds bands picked by us - Sleuth Gang and Hitlist. Plus hot rising stars from Teesside, chosen by Sonic Futures - Provenance! A great mix of genres for what should be an ace night.</p><p>Tickets available <a href="https://bit.ly/4ivBqWw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>HERE</strong></a></p><p><strong>HITLIST</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hitlist.band/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@hitlist.band</a> from Leeds make allot of noise and have made enough to be recognised by BBC Introducing for their weird, incisive, bold, angry sound. A definite for fans of Wench and riot grrl</p><p><strong>PROVENANCE</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/provenance.bnd/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@provenance.bnd</a> are also one to watch and for a band so young, have already supported some big names, including Ocean Colour Scene, The Coral and The K’s - Blending atmospheric guitars, retro synths and catchy choruses into their indie sound. Hailing from both Manchester and Teesside collectively.</p><p><strong>SLEUTH GANG</strong> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sleuth_gang/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@sleuth_gang</a> a top twisted nipple favourite!!!! Carrying an insane amount of energy on stage , this high octane Leeds / York 7 piece wouldn’t be out of place on Glastonbury main stage, as they fuse hip hop, rock, punk, dance, screaming vocals and loud thrashing breakdowns into every track. Always one to get the crowd jumping. They are BBC introducing favourites , and Jericho Keys described them as being “fantastically feral ”</p><p>It's going to be a wicked night! Hope to see you there!</p><p><em>*Launchpad is delivered by Music Local, and is supported supported by Leeds City Council through the Leeds Cultural Investment Programme, PPL Giving and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL.</em></p><p><br></p>
Leeds Libraries in partnership with Launchpad present - Open Mic
Yorkshire Music Forum Convention 2026
<p><strong>Yorkshire Music Forum Convention</strong> is a free all-day event encompassing music industry focused panel discussions from leading experts on <strong>Thursday 15th October</strong> at <strong>Belgrave Music Hall</strong> in Leeds. </p><p><br></p><p>Taking place at one of Leeds’ most iconic music venues, the Yorkshire Music Forum Convention returns for its 10th edition with a dynamic programme designed to inform, inspire, and connect music professionals from across the region and beyond. </p><p><br></p><p>Featuring a lineup of respected industry voices, in-depth discussions, and valuable networking opportunities, the Convention offers a vital space where emerging talent and established professionals alike can come together to discuss what’s next for music in Yorkshire and beyond.</p><p><br></p><p>This year's forum will also include a Keynote Interview with <strong>Chris Tams </strong><em>(Director of Membership & International, BPI). </em>With a 30-year career in the music industry, Chris started as a radio plugger during the Brit Pop era, transitioned into the early days of the Label services boom, and spent seven years working in the digital music industry during the inception of many major digital services that are now well-known. A passionate advocate for independent music, Chris leverages his extensive global music knowledge to support the BPI’s members and the broader industry in reaching their full potential.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Sign up for free and keep up to date as we announce speakers joining us and the topics we will cover.</strong></p><p>Look back on last year's event<a href="/events/ymf25" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here.</a></p><p><br></p><p><em>Yorkshire Music Forum Convention 2026 is an Arnold Brown LTD event delivered in partnership with Music Local's talent development programme Launchpad, supported by Leeds City Council through the Leeds Cultural Investment Programme, PPL Giving and PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partnership supported by PPL. Additional support comes from The BPI </em></p><p><br></p>