Max SteventonPromoter and venue operator AMAAD (A Man About A Dog) has partnered with TESTBED, an independent music and event space in Leeds.
The 10,000 sq ft industrial event space will join AMAAD’s venue portfolio, which also includes Quarters in Brighton and The Prospect Building in Bristol.
AMAAD said it will invest in the Butterly Street site, which will close for a full redevelopment. Planned upgrades include infrastructure improvements, a custom-built L-Acoustics sound system, lighting enhancements, and updated customer and back-of-house facilities. The venue is scheduled to reopen in September 2026.
TESTBED founders James Abbott-Donnelly and Laura Wellington will continue to operate the venue. The redevelopment forms part of their long-term plan for TESTBED 2.0 as a music and cultural space in Leeds.
Since opening in 2021 on Leeds South Bank, TESTBED has operated as a multipurpose venue with a 10,000 sq ft space and a capacity of 2,500. Following redevelopment, it will function as a 1,500-capacity standing venue.
Music programming will continue through partnerships with local promoters, including Arrival. AMAAD will also expand its partnership with live music programmer Ghostwriter to develop TESTBED’s live events offering.
AMAAD founders Paul Jack and Will Harold said, “TESTBED and its founders are a natural fit with our team, partners, and ethos, as we continue to expand the AMAAD venues portfolio. We’re pleased to invest in its future, and in Leeds, as it continues to grow as a vibrant cultural centre in the North.”