YORKSHIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS AT BRADFORD LIVE
The first public concert to take place at Bradford Live since 1968 has been hailed as “wonderful”.
Thousands of people flocked to the newly-restored £50 million venue for the Yorkshire Calling event on 1 August.
The concert – which was held on Yorkshire Day and also as part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations – featured the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, celebrated poet Ian McMillan, singer and TV presenter Aled Jones, international concert pianist Yuanfan Yang, and Bantams legend Chris Kamara and the BBC’s Bantam of the Opera choir. The BBC’s flagship weeknight entertainment and lifestyle programme, The One Show, also broadcast live from the event.
The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra performed A Northern Score – featuring poems written and narrated by Mr McMillan to celebrate influential northerners through the ages, set to an original score composed by Ben Crick, conductor of the orchestra.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, was among those who attended.
He said: “What a special occasion to be at Bradford Live alongside so many people for the first public concert since 1968.
“Saving this magnificent building is something so many people across Bradford campaigned on for so many years, and it was great to be able to celebrate alongside so many of them on the night.
“The concert itself, Yorkshire Calling, lived up to the occasion too.
“A wonderful celebration of Bradford and Yorkshire, taking place as we hosted Yorkshire Day alongside Ilkley, I know there was a lot of emotion and pride in the auditorium.”
This week see’s Trafalgar’s official opening events for Bradford Live with a Family Open Day, the Live at Last Club Classics Night, Bill Bailey, and the Prat Pack gala performance. A full report on all of that next month!
And ahead of the Prat Pack on 31 August, Bradley Walsh made a special appearance on The One Show last week to promote the show and the opening of Bradford Live.
Yorkshire Calling episode – 1 August
Bradley Walsh episode – 15 August
