Live at Leeds is a metropolitan one-day festival which showcases the most exciting bands and artists on the current scene, local or otherwise. It’s been running since 2007, and has become one of the city’s most anticipated events of the year. The music festival takes place around the city centre in the many diverse venues that Leeds has to offer. Last year saw the likes of Gaz Coombes, Lucy Rose, Spector and Telegram, and in previous years has hosted a broad variety of artists such as Savages, Courtney Barnett and Marina & the Diamonds. We can expect a similarly exciting day of music from this year’s line up, including Circa Waves, Rat Boy, Mystery Jets, Sheffield duo Slow Club and the electrifying Shura.
The city boasts a myriad of venues of varying size and atmosphere, perfect for accommodating the diverse set of musicians on the line-up. The O2 Academy, a large space with an excellent PA, will be graced with acts such as headliner Jess Glynne, whereas more intimate venues such as The Brudenell Social Club and Oporto, which have more of a pub or bar ambience, are more suited to smaller indie bands like Beach Baby, Sundara Karma and Blossoms. The Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen has recently joined the roster of hosting venues, which also offers Dough Boy’s Pizza and Patty Smith’s Burgers if you fancy an edible respite from the music.
Live at Leeds is unique in the sense that each person wears a wristband which admits them to any participating venue in the city on the Saturday, giving everyone a chance to go wherever and see whoever they want. What’s great about this festival is that as well as attracting some of the biggest names of the current year, they always showcase the local talent of Leeds-based bands. Returning this year is Corinne Bailey Rae, who appeared at the first Live at Leeds, as well as local lads Vitamin in anticipation of their imminent debut album, and the derivative-yet-refreshing 60s-inspired group The Velveteens, comprised of teens from Leeds. See the full line-up on the Live at Leeds official website, on the ‘Artists’ page.
Live at Leeds will kick-start spring in the North, revitalise returning students and create a buzz of excitement throughout the whole city. Tickets are £32.50, available from the official website as well as the main ticket sites (Ticketmaster, See Tickets etc). You can also purchase tickets from Jumbo Records and Crash Records in Leeds. If necessary, depending on availability, it’s also possible to pay on the door at any of the Live at Leeds venues.
This year’s festival will take place on Saturday 30th April (Bank Holiday weekend).
Words by Zia Larty-Healy