O2 Academy Leeds is a spectacular building situated at the site of the former Town and Country Club and in more recent years, Creation nightclub (2001-2004), AMG restored the Grade I listed building to its former glory as one of the City’s most historic music venues. 

Originally the Coliseum building on Cookridge Street, the venue was opened in 1885 by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Designed by William Bakewell, in Gothic style, it featured an ornate stone frontage and a hall described as ‘one of the finest in the North of England’ (Kelly’s Directory – 1914). 

In its early years, it was used for circus and Variety shows of the day, through to political meetings and religious gatherings. Changing hands between various theatre and property developers, the Coliseum converted to a cinema in 1938 and was renamed the Gaumont. It closed in March 1961 and re-opened as a Bingo Hall and Social club, through to use as a television studio in the 1980s until 1991. 

From 1992 to 2000, it was home to the legendary Town and Country Club, playing host to many high profile acts including Blur, INXS, Mark Knopfler and The Stones Roses.
Following a £4.5m refurbishment, the venue opened with an outstanding show by the most successful band from the City, Kaiser Chiefs on Wednesday 8th October 2008. 

Since opening, the venue has been an instant hit with artists and promoters and customers, all delighted the venue retains as many original features and grandeur of its former years by converting back to the theatre format, but adding up to the minute and facilities and production values.

Designed to the highest technical specification, the auditorium is theatre style and has a capacity of 2,300 with original brick features and exposed beams and perfectly combines its magnificent heritage with a modern development. 

The venue also has a 400 capacity second room downstairs called ‘Underground’. An intimate club space, it marks a contemporary twist to AMG’s venue portfolio, with minimal design and multiple screens, top of the range PA and lighting specification to host the perfect club events and pre and post bar trade. 

Awards
• Total Production International Awards 2009 ‘Favourite Venue’ (nomination)

CAPACITY

2300

Stalls: 1800
Balcony: 500 mixed unreserved or reserved seating and unreserved standing.

A varied number of options for all users, offering production-complete facilities of the highest specifications. 

Capacity options range from 1,800 (stalls only) to 2,300 persons.

VENUE RENTS

Touring production - £1.00 per head + associated show costs.
In-house production - £1,600 + £1.75 per head above 1,000 sales

Detailed rate card available on request

BARRIER

In-house Mojo pit barrier

SECURITY

Showsec International Ltd.

STAGE DIMENSIONS

Width: 12.19m
Depth: 7.3m
Height: 1.2m
Clearance: 6.4m

POWER

Please note Powerlock connections

SOUND

63 Amp 3 phase available for touring sound

LIGHTING

200 Amp 3 phase available for touring lights

LAND LINES / SHORE POWER

2 X 16 Amp CeeForm Supplies

DRESSING ROOMS

3 x dressing rooms

Dressing rooms 1 and 2 complete with en-suite shower rooms, plasma TV, fridges and soundsystem available with inputs for MP3 players / CD players
 
Dressing room 3 has full access to showers and WCs

CREW SHOWER ROOM

An additional shower block containing WCs and two showers cubicles for touring crew.

PRODUCTION OFFICE

Direct Dial: 0113 389 1570
Direct Fax: 0113 389 1571
Wireless internet
Fixed speakers for main room monitoring

RIGGING / LOADING POINTS

Due to the nature of the building O2 Academy Leeds has built a static ground supported mother grid. This is made from James Thomas Engineering 76 x 52 Supertruss on 30.5 x 30.5 legs

Built to support a variety of configurations but due to the nature of the grid we request that any production that falls out of the standard configurations is submitted to O2 Academy Leeds in writing at least 3 weeks before a scheduled date. Initial diagrams of the mother grid available

LIGHTING POINTS

There is standard provision for 3 x 10 meter trusses, made from 52 x 52 GP Truss. Each has two 1 tonne motors on 1 tonne points. If the position of the truss needs to be changed then we will require a diagram with dimensions and weight approx. 4 weeks before a show.

PA POINTS

Due to the large depth of the balcony the PA in two arrays, with the majority of the PA on purpose built ground support. If you wish to use your own PA, please supply a plot, weights and dimensions at least 4 weeks before the show.

NB: A full rigging plot is available on request.

LOAD IN

Two available routes:

1. Push down from street (Portland Crescent) at the stage end of the venue onto main auditorium floor – approximately 50’.

2. Push from street (Portland Crescent) at the stage end up ramp onto stage.

LOAD OUT

Please note that on shows with an early curfew (club nights) you will be expected to load out via stage and stage left exits.

PA

Please note there is a £500 de-rig charge for house PA.

FOH SYSTEM:

D&B J Series Line Array split into two hangs
3 x boxes per side covering the balcony
5 x boxes per side covering the Stalls / floor
4 x D&B J series Subs per side

FOH DESK:

Soundcraft Vi6
BSS Z-FDS 960 Graphic Equaliser
Tascam CDRW900 CD Writer

STAGE MONITORS

12 x Martin LE1500
Martin Blackline H3 Sidefills
Martin Blackline S218 Sub Enclosure
334 Minidrive control
Crown Amplification

MONITOR DESK

Soundcraft Vi6
BSS Opal Graphic Equalisers
48-way Analog Multicore with split at FOH and on stage for travelling Monitor desks or recording

MONITOR DESK

10 x BSS DI
6 x AKG451
8 x Sennheisser 604
1 x Sennheisser 602
1 x AKG D112
1 x Shure Beta 52
1 x Shure Beta 91
6 x Shure Beta 57
4 x Shure Beta 58
4 x Shure 57
6 x Shure 58

DJ EQUIPMENT

2 x Pioneer CDJMK3
2 x Technics 1210s MKII
1 x Allen & Heath Xone 64

LIGHTING

LIGHTING CONTROL:

1 x Avolites Diamond 4 Elite console
1 x Avolites Pearl Expert

LIGHTING FIXTURES:

8 x Robe 700 AT Spot mode 1
8 x Robe 575 AT Wash Zoom mode 2
4 x Robe 4 Cell LED Blinders   
4 x 8 Cell Blinders
4 x CS4 Moving ACL
8 x S4 Junior Zoom
8 x 6 way Bars of Par64 (4 with cp 61 4 with cp62 lamps)
6 x Short nose par 64 Double Yoke floor cans
2 x DT7000 Digital Spot / Video Projectors 6500 lumen
6 x Robe 250 AT Spot
6 x Robe 170 Spot AT
10 x Martin Atomic Strobes
12 x Anolis Arcline 36 under the balcony
4 x 144 Arcpower
4 x Anolis Arcline 36 driven by 2 arcpower 72

6 x Robe 170 Recess under the balcony
1 x Unique Hazer mark 2
1 x Unique Viper High output smoke

STAGE RISERS

5 x 4ft by 8ft Litedeck with stock of 6”, 12” and 24” legs
1 x 2ft by 8ft Litedeck with stock of 48” legs suitable for DJ setup

AV / VIDEO SYSTEM

13 x Samsung 32” LCDTV behind the bars
1 x Projector Sanyo PDGDDXT10 equipped with a long throw lens
1 x 4m electric screen – mounted at back of stage
1 x Hippotizer Stage Dual Output with version 3 zookeeper software and DMX control
2 x Kramer VP 8x8 VGA Matrix
1 x Biamp Nexia Sp control
1 x Panasonic WV-CL920A Camera including specialist Lens
1 x Denon DN-V310 DVD player

CATERING ACCESS & FACILITIES

Kitchen / catering is accessed via lift on the ground floor
Kitchen equipped with large catering sink, preparation surface, microwave, fridge freezer
Catering can stay in during the show if required

CATERING POWER:

32 Amp single Phase on CeeForm
Numerous 13 Amp sockets available

PARKING FACILITIES

Space for x 1 bus & 7.5 tonne truck or splitter and car, power available.
Articulated Lorries must tip and go to either Elland Road, Leeds United FC or Leeds Armories.
Extra parking for buses can be arranged at Leeds Metropolitan University (2 mins walk).
£50 per vehicle all day subject to availability.
Limited on street parking.
Truck dispensation by arrangement in advance with Leeds City Council, via venue.

LAUNDRY

Towel hire available

CLUB SHOWS

Please note that on shows with an early curfew house stacks and racks will be used. Touring monitors / desks and lighting specials are permitted.