The sight of the vibrant pink bloom appearing on the park near my home finally heralded the sign that Spring was here and Winter was well and truly behind us. The warmer weather, brighter nights and lighter mornings were a welcome sight and, as such, gave me the first chance to pack away the waterproofs and wellies.

April was an interesting month full of new opportunities, new discoveries and great moments. First up, the big news around the UK, and soon to be the world, was the opening of the long-awaited new live arena in Manchester. Unfortunately, while the opening night was a success, the following months were nothing but a timetable of cancellations and bad press.

Elsewhere I got my chance to finally see the much talked about Scottish band Dead Pony when they came to Leeds and they didn’t disappoint. Cirque Du Soleil rolled into town and, again, was a sense-smashing spectacle while the FD Arena was taken over in April for the return of Mancunian superstars Take That.

Down the M62 in Liverpool, 16 year old Issy Hobson came off the bench at Walton Hall Park to equalise with the last kick of the game against a high-flying Arsenal side in the WSL while the Download Team held a media day ahead of the return of the mega rock festival in June.

Here’s my April in ten photos…

Photography ® Graham Finney Photography

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1. The iconic Cirque Du Soleil performing at Leeds First Direct Arena

2. Harrogate parks awash with colour as their famous blossom marks the start of Spring

3. Olly Murs performing in Leeds the day after becoming a father

4. Take That in concert at Leeds First Direct Arena

5. Celebrities arrive for the launch night of Co-Op Live in Manchester

6. Olivia Dean performing at a sold out Leeds Stylus

7. The Team gather for the Download Festival 2024 Media Day

8. The Warning Rock a Sweaty Leeds Stylus

9. Dead Pony in concert at Leeds Beckett University

10. Everton’s Issy Hobson celebrating a last-minute equaliser against Arsenal