In its inaugural yr, Roundhay introduced a few of the greatest names in pop, R&B and rap to Leeds in a seamless manufacturing worthy of a nicely established pageant
It’s not simply No10 that’s levelling up within the North of England. Music festivals are too. Bringing the star energy of BST Hyde Park to central Leeds, yesterday noticed the inaugural run of recent child on the block, Roundhay Competition. A close to copy and paste of subsequent week’s BST line-up, it noticed huge hitters Los Tucanes De Tijuana, Lil Jon, Tinie Tempah and Jason Derulo take to the stage earlier than headliner Pitbull.
As I stepped off the prepare in Leeds, the bald caps started to multiply, with teams of pals dressed as Pitbull in shirts, ties, bald caps and drawn-on facial hair. Subsequent weekend, when Pitbull headlines BST Hyde Park, there shall be a world document try for essentially the most bald caps worn in a single place. I’m certain if Guinness have been at Roundhay yesterday, regardless of the document was earlier than, would have been damaged early.
As I arrived on website, I used to be struck by the pageant’s effectivity contemplating it was its first day of operation. Queues have been fast, safety was swift and earlier than we knew it, my sister and I have been strolling down Roundhay Park’s well-known hill to the sound of Get Low by Lil Jon.
Lil Jon introduced the vibes to Leeds on Friday(Picture: Redferns)
And let’s speak in regards to the hill. The place the stage is, the panorama seems a bit like a ball of ice cream has been scooped out of a bath. A bowl, with hills on all sides, it’s a genius spot to carry a present, permitting a superb view from in every single place.
Skilled hype man Lil Jon whipped up the gang with Yeah and Flip Down For What, main all 69,999 of them in a rousing refrain of UK nationwide anthem Candy Caroline. Assembly him backstage, he praised UK audiences. “They know how you can occasion,” he advised me.
Subsequent up was Tinie Tempah, who arrived in a gargantuan darkish inexperienced Rolls Royce. Whereas the very begin of his set was marred with technical difficulties, Tinie quickly brushed them off to deal with Roundhay to his greatest hits. Simply him, charismatic DJ Charlsey, and a backing monitor on stage, the vitality the rapper was capable of deliver to the Park was unbelievable.
The Mirror’s Hannah Britt with Tinie Tempah
Move Out and Earthquake have been my favourites, the soundtrack to my uni days. Backstage, I requested Tinie the way it felt to be the person behind so many membership bangers. “An honour and a privilege,” he stated.
Then it was time to sprint over to Jason Derulo, who took us again to 2009 with a high-octane set of hits spanning his entire profession. Using Solo was quite a lot of enjoyable. Derulo danced and confirmed off his pitch-perfect voice, though at instances I used to be distracted by the sheer quantity of crotch on present.
Surrounded by dancers wearing a approach that might make Ann Summers blush, it was half live performance, half tender porn. The gang didn’t appear to thoughts although, lapping up Wiggle, In My Head and Need To Need Me.
Pitbull followers pay homage to their hero in bald caps throughout day considered one of Rounday Competition(Picture: Getty Pictures)
With an hour to go earlier than Pitbull, I had a wander across the website. I used to be impressed. Queues have been nonetheless brief, bogs have been ample. All the things was slick and dealing. The well-oiled spirit of BST was alive and nicely. Together with the drinks costs.
Then it was time for the primary occasion. The person, the parable, the legend. Mr Worldwide himself. Should you’ve by no means seen Pitbull dwell, you should. It’s bonkers. The Miami native has featured on so many songs it’s like listening to the Prime 40. They got here one after the other, a veritable wrecking ball of pop anthems: Fireball, On The Ground, Lodge Room Service, Timber…
There was a celebration in Roundhay Park and we have been all invited. Ending on Give Me All the things and a speech about unity, Pitbull solved world peace and raised the collective world dopamine ranges by a 3rd.
Pitbull performs onstage throughout Roundhay Competition at Roundhay Park on July 3, 2026 in Leeds(Picture: Getty Pictures)
So what might they enhance? Nicely, notably the one ladies on the invoice have been scantily clad dancers with cheese wire thongs on. It wasn’t a bastion of sunshine for feminism. And the VIP space didn’t serve rosé.
Other than that, it was as slick as we all know and love BST to be. And its location in Leeds opens up the expertise to these residing North of the Watford Hole. Extra subsequent yr please.
*Pitbull will carry out at American Specific presents BST Hyde Park this Friday, July 10. For extra info, see HERE; and for extra info and updates on Roundhay Competition, see HERE
