The Cockpit Research

The Cockpit in Leeds is my favourite ever venue. I have never been disappointed at any gig or club night I have been to what they have hosted. The location is directly under the train station and a five minute walk from a bus stop to my flat so it is really convenient and not difficult to find either.


History:

The Cockpit is an independently run live music and club venue in the heart of Leeds City Centre managed by locally based promoters Futuresound Music. The venue is built underneath a series of three railway arches, giving the venue its distinctive curved ceilings.

The Cockpit opened in 1994 and was previously called The Cock of the North pub. The alternative live music venue was set up by Colin Oliver (still the main band promoter and owner at The Cockpit), while Richard Todd (who joined him a few months later) took charge of our alternative club nights and began the now legendary club, Brighton Beach.

Since opening in 1994, the Cockpit has attracted some of the biggest names in music to Leeds and has remained dedicated to seeking out the most exciting new bands at the very start of their careers. In the last 15 years we've seen Coldplay, The White Stripes, Amy Winehouse, Queens of the Stoneage, Flaming Lips, The Libertines, Mars Volta, My Chemical Romance, Panic at the Disco, The Hives, Elastica, Les Savy Fav, The Killers, At The Drive In, Fall Out Boy, Hot Chip and Bloc Party amongst many, many others take to the Cockpit stages for truly legendary performances.

Now:

Gigs take place on our three stages most nights of the week showcasing bands from the Leeds music scene to an international level. Club nights follow the live music on Tuesdays to Saturdays where you'll hear Indie, Rock, Electro, Guitars, Metal, Skate-Punk and much more.

I have done a fair amount of photography work there, best work coming from bands The Ocean Between Us, and Anchored By Avarice.

The Clubnights:

Slamdunk:

Slam Dunk celebrates it's ten year anniversary this year. If you are from Leeds or are into pop punk / emo / ska / metal, then the likelihood is you are already aware of Slam Dunk. If not, get to the Cockpit on any given Tuesday to find out what the fuss is about!

Not content with having the number one specialist music night in the country, Slam Dunk's ten years has seen the night grow into a brand, including show promotion, a record label, guest spots up an down the country and an annual festival that has gone from strength to strength over the years, cementing Slam Dunk as the foremost player in the game.

The Cockpit plays host to Slam Dunk every Tueday, providing three varied rooms of music for you to dance, mosh and pogo too.

Southern Fried:

Stereotypical 90's hip hop themed night with a wide selection of RnB, Hip Hop and Pop. Speciality drinks such as: Crunk Juice / Purple Drank / Double Gin and Juice / Double Vodka Orange Soda are available to buy on the night. And rather than 'Guestlist', you can get on the 'Pimplist' if you write a song request on the event page on their social network page.

The Session:

Every Friday at The Cockpit they bring you the best in floorfilling indie disco from festival singalong classics to the newest, coolest acts on the scene, as well as dipping their toes in the live music pond with all new 'The Session Presents...' events happening in the coming months.

The Garage:

Whether you're seriously into rock music, or seriously into having a bit of air-grabbing, guilty pleasured fun, THE GARAGE is on every Saturday night! This night brings everyone together in three different rooms playing a variation of rock music and mainstream pop too.

Overall, The Cockpit is a venue aimed at young people who enjoy an alternative night out to mainstream clubs and prefer a heavier range of music and a place to gather and appreciate local and international artists and bands play in a unique atmosphere.