Over the summer Leek Arts Festival committee underwent a transformation with several long-standing members retiring. New members, Andy Norton (Vice-chair) Jane Cassidy (Treasurer) Steve Hammersley (Publicity & Marketing) and Jennifer Bell (Secretary) have joined the three remaining members Jo Cox (Chair) Matt Swindlehurst and Lee Millward to ensure the festival brings an exciting programme of events in 2025.

All official Leek Arts Festival 2025 events will take place at The Foxlowe Arts Centre, Market Place, Leek.

Headlining Leek Arts Festival 2025 are Space. The Liverpool based 4-piece have sold over 5 million albums world-wide and scored 8 top 40 singles of which include ‘Female of the Species’ and ‘Neighbourhood’. Space remain as a very popular and exciting presence on the live music scene. They perform on Saturday 17th of May.

There is stand-up comedy with Richard Herring on Friday 2nd May. ‘Can I Have My Ball Back’ is a hilarious examination into Herring’s own experiences with testicular cancer. Herring is one of the biggest names in the comedy entertainment industry, with a career spanning 30 years. His collaborators include, Stewart Lee, Chris Morris, Al Murray, Dawn French, Michael Palin and Stephen Fry.

Closing the festival on May 31st is Judie Tzuke. Best known for her 1979 top 20 hit ‘Stay With Me ’Til Dawn’ Judie Tzuke has released over 30 albums in a career spanning 50 years. She has worked with some of the music industry giants including, Tony Visconti, Elton John and Brian May. Still releasing new material ‘Jude The Unsinkable” is her latest album. This is a rare opportunity to catch one of the UK’s best and most unique singer/songwriters.

Other music events in the festival include Both Sides Now tribute to Joni Mitchell on Friday 23rd of May and the massed musical mayhem of Joe Broughton’s Birmingham Conservatiore Folk Ensemble on Thurs 29th May. Manchester-based Audioweb play on Friday 30th May. Staffs-based film company King Street Studios will be live-streaming an episode of their TV music show The Honey Box on 27th April with Sinini Ngweny, Helen Walford and Tyler Kent.

For the younger audience, there will be two kids disco on Sat 10th May.
Auntie Dawn’s Discos for 7-11 years from 4:30pm – 6:30pm, with prize games and balloon modelling. Then, a Silent Disco for 12-16 years old 7:30pm -10:30pm.

While the main body of the programme takes place from late April and throughout May there is a trio of taster events on offer in March to launch the festival.

On March 21st, Red Snapper bring their unique blend of euphoric afro-jazz and dark hip-hop. The hugely popular Nile Rodgers tribute act Chic Out! appear on Saturday 22nd for a night of disco floor fillers. Then on Sunday 23rd we welcome Skids frontman Richard Jobson for an evening of conversation with renowned music journalist John Robb. The evening will end with a short acoustic set of classic Skids songs.

As usual, in addition to the official arts festival programme of events, there will be ‘umbrella’ events from community organisations and a whole lot of live music events taking place in Leek’s local pubs. Details of these events and full listings can be found on the Leek Arts Festival website and listings app.

As a replacement for the printed leaflets, this year we are launching a dedicated listings app for your smartphones and tablets. Developed by local web company Tumbili Kidogo this will provide you with up to date event information and access to tickets at your fingertips.