A Guide to Live at Leeds
This is the one to go to when you’re short of time and money this Bank Holiday Weekend but longing to hear the best that current independent music has to offer.
A stalwart of urban day festivals, Live at Leeds promises the everyday music enthusiast a tour around some of the best music venues in Leeds with some killer acts to match. Unfortunately, recent years has seen a loss of some of these beloved venues up and down the country, with 35% of live music venues have closed within the past decade. This is a worrying trend in as there are many emerging artists that rely on the presence of these venues to promote their music, whether it is mainstream artists or underground acts on the rise.
So who are the ones to see at which venues this Saturday? What would the ideal Live at Leeds experience be?
Live At Leeds
Start time: 12pm (although wristband collection is open from 10am at The Leeds College of Music)
Venues: 19 (all within walking distance from LCM)
Artists: 200+ (phew!)
Ticket Price: £41.80 (general admission inc. booking fee)
- Considering the amount of talent that is being showcased, you’ll need to be aware of schedule clashes and traffic. Make sure you consider walking distances and queues as most of the venues will only have a limited capacity. Google Maps is always handy or you can even download the Live At Leeds app for routes and additional information about venues. And as always, the early bird catches the earworm…
- If you have any free time between sets, make sure to eat properly and hydrate as the venues will mostly be standing only. Local eateries around the venue routes include The Belgrave Canteen (next to the music hall), Ice Scoop, Grove Café (for vegan food), Common Ground (within the University of Leeds) and LS6 (near the Hyde Park Book Club).
- As the venues are fairly spread out, we would recommend planning your day to fit in as many artists in as possible. However, the number of venues will probably depend on the acts you want to see as it is possible that most of your favourite artists are in the same venues.
So considering these three points, who are the acts that we are excited to see during this year’s Live At Leeds?
Eve Belle, 1:00 –1:30pm at Nation of Shopkeepers
Eve Belle is a singer-songwriter from Donegal, Ireland. She creates melodic acoustic ballads that focus on emotions felt within relationships, from the inklings of infatuation to the ire felt from wanting independence near an approaching break-up. Definitely one for the sentimental people.
Bloxx, 2:15 - 2:45pm at The Wardrobe (Dork Stage)
Bloxx are an alternative rock band from Uxbridge, UK. Their music is a mixture of 80’s power-pop and grungy basement rock so would be a great band to see for fans of the 1975 and Foals. They have also been on a national tour, even performing at York Venue, The Crescent, with local band The Vedettes supporting.
Dream Wife, 3:30 - 4:15pm at Leeds Beckett SU (Momentum and Independent Stage)
Dream Wife are band of feminist punks that originate from Brighton, UK and Iceland. Having made waves back in 2017 with their song Somebody, a protest song about female objectification, they are back with their refreshing riot-grrl revival attitude. One to see for the aspiring punks who are against the patriarchy as many music festivals are still heavily male-dominated with their headliner set lists.
Body Type, 6:00 - 6:30pm at Hyde Park Book Club
Body Type are a surf-rock quartet from Sydney, Australia. Their music is filled with jangly guitar strumming and rumbling bass riffs which allude to other similar modern surf-rock acts such as Say Sue Me and Courtney Barnett, and carries through a DIY aesthetic. One for fans who want to explore independent music from the Southern Hemisphere or who want to remind themselves of the approaching summer season.
Goat Girl, 7:45–8:30pm at Leeds University Union (NME Stage)
Goat Girl are a collective of lo-fi post-punks from Brixton, London. With a similar slant to the other female bands on this list, their music is for those who view conventional standards with an eye roll and a refreshing hint of sarcasm, even if it appears to be slightly morose. One for fans of Du Blonde and Parquet Courts.
Indoor Pets, 10:00 - 10:45pm at The Brudnell Social Club (Dr Martens Boot Stage)
Indoor Pets are an emo-rock group from Kent, UK. Formerly known as Get Inuit, they released their electric debut album, Be Content, back in February. Their music is full of angst but is also extremely upbeat. One for fans of Weezer, a legendary band that they will be supporting at their O2 Academy Brixton set in late-June this year.
Stay tuned for Rachel’s review of Live At Leeds, 4th May, here at URY Music.
