ROUNDHAY FESTIVAL MAKES A TRIUMPHANT DEBUT, BRINGING WORLD-CLASS LIVE MUSIC BACK TO LEEDS

Roundhay Park welcomed a new chapter in its rich musical history this weekend as the inaugural American Express presents Roundhay Festival made an emphatic debut, transforming one of the UK's most iconic outdoor venues into a three-day celebration of live music spanning pop, hip-hop, orchestral performance and everything in between.

Produced by AEG Presents in partnership with Leeds City Council, the festival honoured Roundhay Park's legacy—once home to legendary performances from The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Michael Jackson and U2—while introducing a new generation of festival-goers to a world-class programme of international talent.

Friday belonged to global superstar Pitbull, who delivered a joyous, high-energy headline set that saw thousands of fans embrace the occasion by donning his trademark bald cap, black tie and white shirt. Backed by dancers and surprise guest Lil Jon, Mr. Worldwide tore through anthems including Don't Stop The Party, Hotel Room Service, I Know You Want Me and Timber, turning Roundhay Park into one enormous celebration. Earlier in the day, Jason Derulo, Tinie Tempah, Lil Jon, Jazzie Martian and Los Tucanes De Tijuana ensured the opening day rarely paused for breath.

Saturday shifted gears as Lewis Capaldi returned to Leeds for an emotional headline performance following his break from touring. From the soaring emotion of Grace to the inevitable mass singalong of Someone You Loved, Capaldi reminded audiences exactly why he remains one of Britain's most beloved songwriters. The day's line-up also featured standout performances from Conan Gray, Jessie Murph, Jacob Alon, Kerr Mercer, Ber, Maya Lane and Nieve Ella, showcasing a diverse cross-section of contemporary pop, indie and folk.

Closing the inaugural festival, Sunday's All Things Orchestral programme brought an altogether different atmosphere to Roundhay Park. Hosted by Myleene Klass and conducted by Stephen Bell, the world-renowned Hallé Orchestra captivated audiences with cinematic classics and orchestral favourites, joined by acclaimed tenor Alfie Boe for a series of powerful performances. A nostalgic closing set from DJ Yoda rounded off the weekend, celebrating '90s culture through his signature audiovisual mash-ups.

Beyond the performances, Roundhay Festival demonstrated a commitment to the local community, working with regional suppliers and independent street food vendors while delivering a large-scale event that celebrated both Leeds' musical heritage and its future. With three distinctly curated days of programming and thousands of attendees across the weekend, the festival's debut firmly establishes Roundhay Park as one of the UK's most exciting new destinations for live music.