`:top

The `!O2 Academy Leeds`! (formerly known as the `!Town and Country Club`!)`:cite-ref-1[`F5bf`_`[1`#cite-note-1]`_`f] is a music venue situated in `F33f`_`[Leeds`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Leeds]`_`f, `F33f`_`[West Yorkshire`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=West_Yorkshire]`_`f, England. It is run by the `F33f`_`[Academy Music Group`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Academy_Music_Group]`_`f, which has other music venues around the `F33f`_`[UK`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=United_Kingdom]`_`f. The Academy was nominated for the TPi Awards 2010 for the country's favourite venue.`:cite-ref-2[`F5bf`_`[2`#cite-note-2]`_`f]

>>Contents

• `F0af`_`[Building history`#building-history]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[The venue`#the-venue]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[Gallery`#gallery]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[See also`#see-also]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[References`#references]`_`f

• `F0af`_`[External links`#external-links]`_`f

-─

>>Building history

The venue for the Leeds Academy on Cookridge Street in the city was originally opened in 1885 by `F33f`_`[Prince Albert`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Edward_VII_of_the_United_Kingdom]`_`f`:cite-ref-3[`F5bf`_`[3`#cite-note-3]`_`f] and is a grade II listed Gothic building.`:cite-ref-4[`F5bf`_`[4`#cite-note-4]`_`f]`:cite-ref-nme1-5-0[`F5bf`_`[5`#cite-note-nme1-5]`_`f] In the nineteenth century there was a legal dispute with the `F33f`_`[Sunday Lecture Society`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Sunday_Lecture_Society]`_`f that met here as they were accused of disturbing the sabbath. `:cite-ref-pope-1979-6-0[`F5bf`_`[6`#cite-note-pope-1979-6]`_`f] The venue was known originally as the `!Coliseum`! where it hosted many different events during the early 20th century such as political meetings and circus shows.`:cite-ref-yep1-7-0[`F5bf`_`[7`#cite-note-yep1-7]`_`f] Between the 1930s and 1990s the building accommodated a cinema, television studio and bingo hall.`:cite-ref-yep1-7-1[`F5bf`_`[7`#cite-note-yep1-7]`_`f]

The venue opened in 1992 as the `!Town and Country Club`!`:cite-ref-yep1-7-2[`F5bf`_`[7`#cite-note-yep1-7]`_`f] and between 1992 and 2000 staged gigs by artists such as `F33f`_`[Placebo`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Placebo_(band)]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Blur`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Blur_(band)]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Tangerine Dream`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Tangerine_Dream]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Robbie Williams`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Robbie_Williams]`_`f,`:cite-ref-yep1-7-3[`F5bf`_`[7`#cite-note-yep1-7]`_`f] `F33f`_`[The Stereophonics`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Stereophonics]`_`f,`:cite-ref-8[`F5bf`_`[8`#cite-note-8]`_`f] `F33f`_`[East 17`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=East_17]`_`f and `F33f`_`[The Stone Roses`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Stone_Roses]`_`f.`:cite-ref-9[`F5bf`_`[9`#cite-note-9]`_`f] The venue however closed in 2000.

In 2001, after a £7 million re-development of the venue by `F33f`_`[First Leisure Corporation`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=First_Leisure_Corporation]`_`f, it opened as `!Creation Nightclub`!, but closed after six years in February 2007. The licence was acquired by AMG from Luminar and plans put in place for the new Leeds Academy in November 2007.`:cite-ref-yep1-7-4[`F5bf`_`[7`#cite-note-yep1-7]`_`f]

>>The venue

The venue itself has a large room accommodating 2,300 guests, including a balcony which can hold 500 people.`:cite-ref-amg1-10-0[`F5bf`_`[10`#cite-note-amg1-10]`_`f] There is also a basement room for gigs by up and coming bands which will accommodate 400 guests.`:cite-ref-amg1-10-1[`F5bf`_`[10`#cite-note-amg1-10]`_`f]`:cite-ref-yep1-7-5[`F5bf`_`[7`#cite-note-yep1-7]`_`f] The `F33f`_`[Kaiser Chiefs`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Kaiser_Chiefs]`_`f opened the venue with a gig on 8 October 2008`:cite-ref-nme2-11-0[`F5bf`_`[11`#cite-note-nme2-11]`_`f] Some other well known musicians which have played at The Academy have included: `F33f`_`[Twenty One Pilots`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Twenty_One_Pilots]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Marina & The Diamonds`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Marina_&_The_Diamonds]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Cher Lloyd`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Cher_Lloyd]`_`f, `F33f`_`[All Time Low`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=All_Time_Low]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Foals`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Foals_(band)]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Wolfmother`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Wolfmother]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Levellers (band)`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Levellers_(band)]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Michael Schenker`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Michael_Schenker]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Last Shadow Puppets`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Last_Shadow_Puppets]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Ellie Goulding`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Ellie_Goulding]`_`f, `F33f`_`[The Pigeon Detectives`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Pigeon_Detectives]`_`f,`:cite-ref-nme2-11-1[`F5bf`_`[11`#cite-note-nme2-11]`_`f] `F33f`_`[MGMT`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=MGMT]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Paolo Nutini`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Paolo_Nutini]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Anthrax (American band)`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Anthrax_(American_band)]`_`f, `F33f`_`[The Proclaimers`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Proclaimers]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Robbie Williams`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Robbie_Williams]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Madness`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Madness_(band)]`_`f, `F33f`_`[The Fratellis`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Fratellis]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Counting Crows`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Counting_Crows]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Johnny Marr`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Johnny_Marr]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Beady Eye`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Beady_Eye]`_`f, `F33f`_`[The Pogues`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Pogues]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Deftones`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Deftones]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Band of Horses`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Band_of_Horses]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Slayer`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Slayer]`_`f, `F33f`_`[Crystal Castles`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Crystal_Castles_(band)]`_`f and `F33f`_`[Hot Chip`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Hot_Chip]`_`f.`:cite-ref-nme1-5-1[`F5bf`_`[5`#cite-note-nme1-5]`_`f]

On 6 November 2008, it was announced that `F33f`_`[Telefónica Europe`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Telefónica_Europe]`_`f (owners of the O2 Network in the UK) had become the new sponsor of all Academy venues, in a deal with music promoter `F33f`_`[Live Nation`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Live_Nation]`_`f. The deal, which lasts for five years, sees all venues rebranded "The O2 Academy", in line with Telefónica's purchase of the Millennium Dome (now `F33f`_`[The O2`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_O2_(London)]`_`f).`:cite-ref-guardian-rebrand-12-0[`F5bf`_`[12`#cite-note-guardian-rebrand-12]`_`f]

>>Gallery

>>See also

• `F33f`_`[Listed buildings in Leeds`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Listed_buildings_in_Leeds]`_`f

• `F33f`_`[Music in Leeds`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Music_in_Leeds]`_`f

>>References

`:cite-note-1`!1.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-1]`_`f "Leeds Academy". Leeds Academy Official Site. Retrieved 19 August 2008.

`:cite-note-2`!2.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-2]`_`f "Academy Music Group - the UK's leading owner and operator of live music and club venues". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2010.

`:cite-note-3`!3.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-3]`_`f "Creation Leeds (Nightclub)". ClubZone. Retrieved 19 August 2008.

`:cite-note-4`!4.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-4]`_`f "The Town and Country Club, Leeds". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 17 February 2014.

`:cite-note-nme1-5`!5.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-nme1-5-0]`_`f "Leeds Academy set to open this autumn". `*`F33f`_`[NME`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=NME]`_`f`*. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.

`:cite-note-pope-1979-6`!6.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-pope-1979-6-0]`_`f `:citerefpope1979`aPope, Norris (1979). `*Dickens and Charity`*. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 91. `F33f`_`[ISBN`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISBN_(identifier)]`_`f 1349034363. `F33f`_`[OCLC`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=OCLC_(identifier)]`_`f 1033650826.

`:cite-note-yep1-7`!7.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-yep1-7-0]`_`f `:citerefrobinson2007`aRobinson, Paul (19 November 2007). "Leeds Town and Country Club back". `*`F33f`_`[Yorkshire Evening Post`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Yorkshire_Evening_Post]`_`f`*. Archived from the original on 31 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.

`:cite-note-8`!8.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-8]`_`f "Stereophonics - Leeds Town & Country Club". `*`F33f`_`[NME`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=NME]`_`f`*. 30 March 1999. Retrieved 19 August 2008.

`:cite-note-9`!9.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-9]`_`f "Bootleg Trade List". 8 November 2005. Retrieved 19 August 2008.

`:cite-note-amg1-10`!10.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-amg1-10-0]`_`f "O2 Academy Leeds". AMG. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2012.

`:cite-note-nme2-11`!11.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-nme2-11-0]`_`f "Kaiser Chiefs to launch Leeds Academy". `*`F33f`_`[NME`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=NME]`_`f`*. 19 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008.

`:cite-note-guardian-rebrand-12`!12.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-guardian-rebrand-12-0]`_`f `:citerefsweney2008`aSweney, Mark (6 November 2008). "O2 to sponsor Academy music venues". `*`F33f`_`[The Guardian`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Guardian]`_`f`*. London. Retrieved 6 December 2008.

>>External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to

O2 Academy, Leeds

.

• Official website

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