Author: Sam Harris

Sam Harris

Working across the North East’s creative, cultural and corporate sectors for over a decade, Sam has built a career shaping & delivering standout events, campaigns and projects that celebrate the UK’s world-class workforce. From festival fields to grassroots gigs, she is driven by a passion for championing emerging artists and supporting local economies – a mission fueled by her own background as a musician – most notably through her female-led events & artist agency Marisam Events. When she’s not side stage or scheduling social media content, you’ll likely find her deep in a true crime podcast/documentary, or trying to justify the purchase of yet another Diet Coke.

Top Five Albums

Dead Poet Society – FISSION | Paramore – This Is Why | Bad Omens – The Death of Peace of Mind | The Civil Wars – The Civil Wars | The Royston Club – Songs For The Spine

Ghostwriter Expands Strategic Live Music Partnership with AMAAD to launch TESTBED a new 1500 capacity venue in Leeds

Ghostwriter Consultancy & Events, is proud to announce its latest collaboration with venue operators AMAAD (A Man About A Dog) for the redevelopment and relaunch of TESTBED Leeds. 

This project marks a significant expansion of the proven partnership between Ghostwriter and AMAAD, where TESTBED will be joining the ranks of The Prospect Building (Bristol) and Quarters (Brighton), both AMAAD venues where Ghostwriter has played an instrumental role in development and success. Working in tandem with AMAAD and TESTBED owners James Abbott-Donnelly and Laura Wellington, Ghostwriter will spearhead the live music programming and operations of the venue/ Together, the teams aim to establish the venue as a premier destination for touring artists in the North of England. 

The launch of TESTBED marks the latest milestone in Ghostwriter’s expanding live music partnership model. The venue joins an impressive national roster that includes Glasgow’s Braehead Arena (5,200), Bristol’s The Prospect Building (Main – 3,000 & Crane – 1350), Liverpool Olympia (1,917), Tramshed Cardiff (1,000), XOYO (Birmingham – 800 & London – 700) Quarters Brighton (450), Leeds Warehouse (475), Cardiff’s The Globe (350) and Camden Assembly (200). Along with all other Ghostwriter partner venues, TESTBED will be a no-merchandise-fee venue, ensuring artists retain 100% of their merchandise revenue while on tour. With a network stretching across the UK, Ghostwriter continues to solidify its reputation as a premier national partner for venue operations and live programming.

Building on the success of their existing collaborations at The Prospect Building in Bristol and Quarters in Brighton, Ghostwriter and AMAAD are set to transform the 10,000-square-foot industrial space on Leeds South Bank. The venue is scheduled for a comprehensive overhaul to deliver permanent infrastructure improvements, including the installation of a custom L-Acoustics sound system, high-quality lighting and upgraded customer facilities, before reopening in September 2026.

As a 1,500-capacity standing live space, TESTBED 2.0 fills a vital gap in the Leeds live music market. Ghostwriter’s involvement ensures the venue is perfectly positioned on the national touring circuit, offering top-tier facilities for international A-list talent while remaining deeply rooted in the local community.

“We are delighted to be expanding our partnership with AMAAD into Leeds,” said Ghostwriter’s Commercial Director Carl Bathgate. “Our work together in Bristol and Brighton has proven how vital high-quality, independent spaces are to the UK’s cultural landscape. By bringing our programming & operational expertise to TESTBED, we aim to honour Leeds’ rich musical heritage while providing a state-of-the-art and competitively positioned platform for the next generation of live performers.”

Working with both national and local promoters, Ghostwriter has delivered a wide variety of high-profile shows to The Prospect Building in Bristol including artists such as Little Simz, Biffy Clyro, Mac DeMarco, Kneecap, Geese, Pendulum and The Last Dinner Party. At TESTBED, the focus will remain on a diverse and forward-thinking programme that balances international icons with local heroes.

TESTBED founders James Abbott-Donnelly and Laura Wellington said: “This partnership with AMAAD and Ghostwriter marks a new chapter for TESTBED. It gives us the backing to take what we’ve built and push it further – without losing what matters. From the start, this was never about just another venue, but about creating a space that truly holds people, where experience, culture and care come first. This allows us to achieve those goals. We’re still hands-on and committed to those values, now with the opportunity to build something bigger for Leeds and beyond.”

The redevelopment of TESTBED marks the next phase of Ghostwriter’s commitment to delivering high quality spaces for live performance. By combining AMAAD’s reputation for pioneering large-scale event promotion with Ghostwriter’s industry-leading expertise in venue operations and live programming, TESTBED is set to become a cornerstone of the vibrant Leeds cultural scene.

Liverpool Olympia Transforms into Community Interest Company to Empower Local Culture

The historic Liverpool Olympia has officially embarked on an ambitious new chapter by transitioning into a Community Interest Company (CIC). This strategic move aims to cement the West Derby Road landmark as a vibrant cultural hub, dedicated to providing educational opportunities and tangible benefits to the local community.

Unlike a traditional charity, a CIC is a limited company designed to benefit the community, ensuring all profits are reinvested directly into local initiatives.

A Vision for Community Empowerment

The new Liverpool Olympia CIC is committed to creating a welcoming environment through a variety of engagement activities:

  • Arts & Education: Developing bespoke training and empowerment programmes.
  • Inclusive Engagement: Ensuring equal opportunities across all community, arts, and training activities.
  • Resource Access: Securing local, regional, and national funding to drive positive change in residents’ lives.

Managing Director Chris Zorba highlighted the dual mission of the venue, stating his pride in collaborating with the CIC to preserve the building’s 120-year heritage while evolving its role as a modern entertainment and community asset.

Preserving a Frank Matcham Masterpiece

Designed by the visionary architect Frank Matcham, the Olympia opened in 1905 as a purpose-built indoor circus and variety theatre. The building’s storied past includes:

  • The “Elephant Pit”: A basement area where circus animals were once housed.
  • Aquatic History: A massive 80,000-gallon tank below floor level for water spectacles.
  • Iconic Performers: A stage graced by legends ranging from Harry Houdini and The Beatles to recent stars like Robbie Williams.
  • Versatile Legacy: Previous incarnations as a pioneering cinema, a wartime Royal Naval depot, the famous Locarno dance hall, and a Mecca bingo hall.

Alan Smith, Head of Heritage Preservation at Liverpool City Council, described the venue as a “magnificent example of Liverpool’s architectural treasures” and a vital “gateway” for restoration plans extending from Everton to Bootle.

The Future of the Olympia

The venue remains a high-demand location for modern media, having recently hosted productions like Peaky Blinders and Tin Star, alongside its regular schedule of live music, comedy, and sports.

As part of this new chapter, the CIC will actively seek financial support from funding bodies to maintain the building’s fabric and restore the historic site to its former glory.

Want to learn more? Visit the Liverpool Olympia for full details on upcoming events and community initiatives.