The Iconic Brudenell

By Stuart Glossop

The iconic Brudenell has always had a place in my family: mum and dad used to go there for the “club turns” as mum called them. She even once came home reliving a night spent dancing with Frankie Vaughn. Not sure this was true as in later years she confessed she did it to annoy my dad because he wanted to stay in that particular night! But in essence The Brudenell was a lively and fun loving venue that embraced music under a wide and diverse umbrella that had no boundaries. This has not changed

The open music policy still believes in freedom and creation and holds the belief that music and expression provide useful social interaction. Indeed, ask me to list my most memorable moments there and they will be bands you may not have heard of – July Talk, The Sundowners, Hinds, Sweet Billy Pilgrim and Sunflower Bean are on my list. Not that all the bands are unheard of. The Brudenell is most famous for hosting secret gigs for bands like Franz Ferdinand and the Kaiser Chiefs. However, it has been a centrepiece of the Leeds music scene for a number of years, 

The name Brudenell is said to come from the family of James Thomas Brudenell, who owned Kirkstall Abbey after it ceased to be a monastery in 1539. James Thomas Brudenell was also the Earl of Cardigan. The Brudenell Social and Recreational Club has a long and varied history and was formed on December 8th, 1913, it bought its first premises and current land shortly afterwards where it is still located today. However, there was a danger of maybe losing it forever until the news that The Brudenell will get £220,429 to host a free weekly event, as well as stream events while working with partners such as Music:Leeds and Made With Music. Check its website for streams and socially distanced gigs coming up until a return to normality!

Nathan Clark, owner of the venue told us “It’s been a difficult year for all, we realise this provides long term survival, security and resilience for us. We see it as a partnership and a community when other venues look at shows and wonder how much money they can make off it. We though are not going anywhere”

I cannot wait to get back there too.

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