Iconic Leeds music venue The Duchess where Oasis played to just two people gets blue plaque

A former music venue where Oasis once played to just two fans has been recognised for nurturing the stars of the future.

Coldplay, Blur, Pulp, Green Day, The Cranberries and Nirvana all performed at the Duchess of York pub, known as 'The Duchess'. The site, now a Hugo Boss store, was noted for its "significant contribution to the music industry" by the Leeds Civic Trust.

Owner and promoter John Keenan was recognised for giving a chance to some of the biggest names in popular music. Noel and Liam Gallagher played to just two paying fans in 1993. Manic Street Preachers and Coldplay also performed early in their musical careers. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain slept upstairs two years before the 1991 release of their multi-platinum selling album 'Neverland'.

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A blue plaque unveiled at the site includes the citation: "The Duchess of York (1988-2000). This building was once the heart of Leeds music scene." John Keenan helped transform “The Duchess” public house into a vibrant incubator venue for new artists including PJ Harvey, Oasis, Radiohead and Coldplay.

Oasis' 1993 performance was to a practically empty room before they returned to a much bigger crowd a year later. Guitarist Bonehead later said: "Just two years after playing the Duchess we walked out in front of 250,000 people at Knebworth. Those little venues with people right in your face are where you learn your craft. If you can do it there, you can do it anywhere."

The Gallagher brothers have just announced their intention to reform and play a series of gigs sparking a huge demand for tickets.

The trust awarded the plaque after approving its nomination from a group including Amanda Burns, who said it was a chance to "celebrate our city’s creative cultures".

She added: "Promoter John Keenan brought notable figures from the wider music industry to the city. He provided a platform for unknown talent to be nurtured and careers were built from these opportunities on the world stage. I hope this is just the beginning of the story for the recognition of grassroots venues and their positive impact on communities."

Dr Brett Lashua, co-editor of a book documenting the city's music history, said it was the city's 'most important grassroots venue' where emerging bands and artists performed on their way to 'becoming commercially or culturally successful'.

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