Halifax Piece Hall will welcome some of the world’s biggest acts to the historic venue with the summer season set to kick off with a bang this weekend.

The schedule for TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall 2025 includes 36 headline shows from the likes of Nile Rodgers and Chic, Gary Barlow, Simple Minds, Roger Daltrey, Anastacia, Weezer, Pendulum, The Libertines, Travis, Faithless, Texas, Khruangbin, and Rag’n’Bone Man. Indie legends James, fronted by Tom Booth, will play two shows in the iconic courtyard this weekend.

The first being on Friday, June 6 with a second appearance coming on Saturday, June 7. Tickets for the schedule of gigs are on-sale now – you can buy tickets here.

Ahead of the concert series beginning, Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, chief executive officer of The Piece Hall Trust, has kindly chatted to us to preview the action.

She’s also given us a hint of some new additions to the fun as well as provided a tease for two ideal bookings. Find can find out more in our Q&A below:

Firstly, thank you very much for sparing some time to chat. How excited are you feeling about the summer season about to begin?

“I’m incredibly excited. It’s just amazing to see how the season has grown over recent years. We started off with a single gig in 2018. This year we have 36 – a new record.”

How satisfying is it to see such a varied selection of acts on a very packed schedule and were there any bookings which were particularly pleasing to secure?

“It’s very satisfying. We have some absolute legends from the worlds of rock, pop, indie, dance, disco, reggae and soul on our immense line up this year. I’m particularly excited to welcome The Human League and Simple Minds – both iconic bands from my childhood listening. And, at the other end of the scale, I’m really looking forward to seeing Leon Bridges, a true contemporary star and a unique talent. That will be a very special show.”

Down the years, we’ve seen so many acts, some of the biggest names in music, praise the venue, that stunning setting must provide such a unique pitch when approaching the big name artists?

“I guess we are fortunate in that the venue sells itself. Well, you’ve seen it haven’t you? We actually often get approached by artists wanting to play here as they’ve seen the pictures and films and can see how special it is, plus artists talk to each other and we have a growing global reputation these days.

“After covid we had some huge stars really wanting to play outdoor venues, and that went in our favour, we welcomed Duran Duran, Paul Weller, Sir Tom Jones and Nile Rodgers and Chic that year to name a few – and it’s just grown and grown from there.

“The Piece Hall is a unique site of architectural beauty with a stunning backdrop and combined with that famous Yorkshire welcome from the crowd – who wouldn’t want to play here?”

The popularity of the programme just seems to increase year-on-year and that feeling of ‘getting it right’ is clearly demonstrated by how many of the shows are sold out?

“The big global stars do sell out very quickly, especially the rock shows, as there’s a big metal community in the area, but we do still have availability for some shows. We like to try and cater for as many tastes as possible.

“This year, for the first time we have four seated shows. We know not everyone can stand for four hours and we wanted to try something different. These performances are shows which are touring the UK theatre circuit that we wouldn’t usually have been able to put on but we’re welcoming Anastasica, Roger Daltry, Squeeze and Badly Drawn Boy plus we have a classical show with Il Divo. But it’s a challenging time for the events industry and I’m very grateful to everyone who buys a ticket, supporting the live events industry but also supporting this precious heritage site, the last of its kind in the world.”

It does feel like The Piece Hall and, particularly the summer series, has helped bring the town to a new set of people in recent years – that must be an amazingly rewarding feeling?

“It’s been amazing to hear people laud us as one of the UK’s best venues and it was an absolute honour earlier this year to collect the Northern Music Award for Most Inspirational Venue early this year. I was and am so very proud of the team.

“We have a growing reputation not just nationally but globally now. The last two years have seen us welcome audience members from mainland Europe, South America, and Australia. It really does feel good and means that people not only get to experience an amazing night of music, but learn about this unique building and the history of the world’s only remaining Georgina cloth hall.”

Is there anything new we expect this year as part of the experience? And, in general, is there anything you’d like to highlight to those attending?

“There are a few new things this year. We’ve moved our VIP experience ‘The Live at Lounge’. I don’t want to give away too much so people can enjoy the surprise but this year it is located in the Caygill Rooms, with stunning views over Beacon Hill, there’s a DJ, access to an afterparty and a really ‘rock ‘n’ roll star’ backstage vibe.

“Also, this year for the first time we are hosting an exclusive pre-show dining experience at The Trading Rooms. We’ve had to close in previous years, but we’re using the space differently this year to allow our flagship restaurant to stay open and this really is the perfect way to start your night with a specially developed three-course meal from our talented chefs.

“We’ve increased the size of the accessible viewing platform significantly this year. We have a lot of customers with accessibility needs and try our hardest to serve them as best we can, as usual every show will be fully signed by our amazing and talented team of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters. They’re a joy to watch and really help to bring the shows to life for audience members with hearing issues.”

There’s often been talk of the significant economic boost the concerts bring to Halifax. How important is it to yourselves to support and feel firmly part of the local community?

“Part of The Piece Hall’s mission is to be the major catalyst for regeneration in Calderdale, and I really believe Live at The Piece Hall has helped us to keep delivering on this ambition. It really has put the area on the global map. It’s a great feeling seeing people spilling out of bars, cafes and restaurants on gig nights and knowing that hotels are all full and taxis booked up.

“I’ve been contacted by various local businesses thanking us for the difference the gigs make to their takings – and now with 36 shows – there is even more for people to capitalise on. But it’s about so much more than money and the economic boost, the social and emotional benefits may be harder to quantify but are just as valuable. Our former MP Holly Lynch had a great phrase to describe it saying ‘the people of Halifax have got their swagger back’ and I agree. Local people are quite rightly incredibly proud of their Piece Hall and so am I.”

Looking to next year, is there anything you can tell us about plans?

“Well as you can imagine conversations are always being had – but you’ll have to wait until at least September for any details. My focus right now is making sure this season is the best it possibly can be and enjoying some magical moments.”

Is there a dream booking you’d like to secure in the coming years?

“Well, if we’re talking a wishlist it would have to be Bruce Springsteen and Madonna. How amazing would they be?”

And finally, what is the message to the many thousands of people coming to the fun as part of TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall 2025?

“Overall, my message is just that I want people to come and enjoy themselves. It’s easy to feel weighed down by the world we find ourselves living in and these moments of joy and togetherness are more important than ever right now.

“Come with a smile on your face to enjoy an amazing night out with friends and loved ones, be kind, look out for one another, and enjoy some magical musical moments making memories to last a lifetime.”

Halifax Piece Hall 2025 summer concert series line up

TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall 2025 includes 36 headline shows from the likes of Nile Rodgers and Chic, Gary Barlow, Simple Minds, Roger Daltrey, Anastacia, Weezer, Pendulum, The Libertines, James, Travis, Faithless, Texas, Khruangbin, and Rag’n’Bone Man.

You can see the schedule below:

• June 6 – James

• June 7 – James

• June 10 – Gary Barlow

• June 12 – The Corrs and Natalie Imbruglia

• June 14 – Pendulum with support from Normandie

• June 20 – UB40 ft Ali Campbell with support from Bittie Maclean and Reggae Roast featuring Mr Williamz

• June 24 – Deftones with support from High Vis

• June 26 – Dean Lewis with support from Henry Moodie

• June 29 – The Teskey Brothers with support from The Heavy Heavy

• June 30 – Weezer with support from Bad Nerves and Teen Mortgage

• July 3 – Train

• July 4 – Busted with support from Soap and Muddy Elephant

• July 5 – Olly Murs with support from Lemar and Absnt Mind

• July 6 – The Script with support from Tom Walker

• July 7 – Simple Minds

• July 10 – Rag‘N’Bone Man with support from Elles Bailey

• July 11 – The Human League with support from Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey and Blancmange

• July 22 – Paul Heaton and Riane Downey with support from Billy Bragg

• July 23 – Paul Heaton and Riane Downey with support from Billy Bragg

• July 24 – Leon Bridges with support from Gotts Street Park

• July 25 – Texas

• July 26 – Travis with support from The Magic Numbers

• July 27 – Il Divo with support from Laura Wright

• July 30 – Roger Daltrey with support from Ocean Colour Scene’s Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison

• July 31 – Anastacia with support from Casey McQuillen

• August 1 – Squeeze and Badly Drawn Boy

• August 2 – The Saw Doctors with support from The Undertones

• August 7 – Extreme with support from Terrorvision

• August 8 – The Libertines with support from Gans and Kissing People

• August 9 – Echo and The Bunnymen

• August 12 – The Smashing Pumpkins with support from White Lies

• August 16 – Supergrass with support from Sports Team

• August 22 – Faithless with support from DJ Graeme Park

• August 23 – Doves with support from Cast and Apollo Junction

• August 24 – Khruangbin

• August 29 – Nile Rodgers and Chic with support from The Brand New Heavies

Tickets for the schedule of gigs are on-sale now. You can buy tickets here.

You can find the latest event news in Yorkshire and nearby by visiting our What’s On homepage. There you can also find days out guides for things to do across the region.

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YorkshireLive – Halifax | News