Bradford’s newest live music and entertainment venue has a long history as the beating heart of Bradford. This world class venue has 3000+ seated and 3,500+ standing capacity, hosting music, comedy, events and entertainment in the centre of Bradford. The venue now known as Bradford Live opened in 1930 as a 3,318-seat art deco cine-variety theatre. Over the years Bradford Live has been known as the New Victoria, the Gaumont and the Odeon. The renaissance revival style building combined an auditorium with cinema and stage, ballroom and restaurant. Following a period of dereliction, this magnificent art deco building was saved from demolition and fully restored, bringing it back to its former glory as an entertainment hub for the city.
Join us for the reopening of this fully refurbished historic venue in the 2025 City of Culture.
A ROCKING HISTORY From rock royalty to solo superstars, Bradford Live has welcomed some of the world’s most iconic acts to Bradford. Here are five artists who have played our venue over the years:
The Beatles, 1963
Appearing at the bottom of the bill supporting 16-year-old headline singer Helen Shapiro. The band returned in December 1963 to headline two sold out performances and in 1964 to kick off the UK tour.
The Rolling Stones, 1965
Tom Jones, 1968
Buddy Holly, 1958
Frankie Lane, 1953
TIMELINE – 95 YEARS OF HISTORY IN THE HEART OF BRADFORD
1930 – The New Victoria opens in the heart of Bradford, a 3,318-seat art deco cine-variety theatre, one of the largest cinemas at its time in the UK.
1950 – Name change to the Gaumont.
1960s – Global stars like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, before and after household success, perform during this decade.
1969 – The Gaumont closes its doors – and changes its name to Odeon Film Centre & Top Ranking Bingo Club
2000 – The Odeon closes its doors.
2002 – A campaign is formed to save the iconic building from demolition.
2013 – Bradford Council acquires the building from the Homes and Community Agency.
2014 – Following a competitive process, Bradford Council awards Bradford Live the rights to develop the historic former Odeon building. The ambition is to renovate the building and return to operation as a multipurpose venue hosting live music, entertainment, conferencing, weddings and banquets.
2021 – Development commences in restoring and modernising the venue. The architect is Tim Ronalds Architects of London, a firm with an outstanding reputation for heritage buildings with works including the Hackney Empire and Wilton’s Music Hall.
2024 – Practical completion certified and site handed back to Bradford Live and Bradford Council.
2025 – Bradford becomes the UK’s City of Culture and Bradford Live reopens.