Warehouse23

Down a sloping street radiating off from Wakefield’s Westgate Road, Warehouse23 is an independently run live music venue – widely considered to be one of the city’s best. It’s an unassuming, single-storey building, with gig posters dotted along the front wall. Inside, this 850 capacity venue has an industrial vibe, and is the ideal setting for cutting-edge local and international talent. Warehouse23 has played host to high-profile gigs from hugely popular bands and artists; the likes of Kasabian, The Hoosiers and The Slow Readers Club have all graced the stage.

Gig-goers have use of the venue’s cloakroom, with storage for any larger items actively encouraged. Those who get peckish after a few drinks can buy snacks (crisps, nuts and pork scratchings) from the bar – or, with some forward planning, enjoy a meal at Bengal Palace opposite Warehouse23. Established in 1983, the restaurant serves up authentic Asian cuisines, with an extensive list of starter dishes, curries and sides featuring on the menu, as well as offering a friendly ten percent discount to people with a Warehouse23 ticket or wristband.

Warehouse23 is just one of the venues that takes part in Wakefield’s annual Long Division festival , an award-winning event that places the best emerging grassroots artists alongside legends of Indie and DIY music, with past highlights of the festival such as The Fall and Ghostpoet playing here. The gig venue is also incredibly well situated, just a five-minute walk from Wakefield’s Westgate station and close to other major cultural draws in the city – including Neon Workshops, home to a gallery, shop and incredible courses in neon, The Theatre Royal Wakefield, dating back to 1894 and host to shows for families, fans of music, drama, comedy and more, and the Gissing Centre, childhood home of overlooked Victorian novelist George Gissing.