Live at Leeds is an annual festival featuring some of the best up and coming UK and international artist, held at various music venues across Leeds. In previous years, it has featured the likes of Royal Blood, Wolf Alice, The 1975, Catfish and the Bottlemen – and even Ed Sheeran..! Here’s a small selection of artists I’m hoping to catch at this year’s festival – you never know which ‘next big thing’ you might stumble across…
VANT : 12pm – 12:45pm – Dork Stage, The Wardrobe
After a year on hiatus, Mattie Vant has finally returned – and this new era of VANT is set to be better than ever. Unafraid to experiment between different genres, Vant’s politically fuelled lyrics truly strike a chord – and with all the major events that have occurred in the past two years, there’s certainly plenty to shout about.
Notable tracks: ‘Talk Like Thunder’, ‘Birth Certificate’ and ‘Exoskeleton’
Lucas Watt : 2:30pm – 3pm – The Social
The Skipton born singer and guitarist recently released his debut EP ‘broken reflections’ this January. Mixing soulful ballads and flaming riffs, Watt’s raw vocals and spirited melodies are meltingly good – catch him now before he’s playing much bigger venues.
Notable tracks: ‘tightrope’, ‘why did i call’, ‘more than this’
No Hot Ashes : 3:15pm – 3:45pm – Dork Stage, The Wardrobe
Stockport 4-piece No Hot Ashes bring the funk to indie rock – and after powering through a sold out show at AATMA in Manchester, the band are about embark on what may possibly be their last time playing ‘small’ venues. Characterised by gritty vocals and zingy riffs, No Hot Ashes bring a laidback, yet highly energetic live set to the stage.
Notable tracks: ‘Easy Peeler’, ‘Skint Kids Disco’, ‘Eight Till Late’
WOOZE : 4:30pm – 5pm – Dr Martens Second Stage, Brudenell Community Room
The Korean/British duo WOOZE bring an effortlessly cool psychedelic mix of funky riffs and infectious pop melodies. The duo stand out amongst the crowd – their cleverly unique sound has placed them on a rapid ascent towards sell out shows across the UK.
Notable tracks: ‘Hello Can You Go’, ‘Ladies Who Lunch With Me’, ‘Party Without Ya’
Sam Fender : 6pm – 6:45pm – Leeds Festival Stage, o2 Academy
2018 was a huge year for the North Shields singer – and 2019 is set to be even bigger. The ‘Dead Boys EP’ showcased his exceptional ability to capture listeners both lyrically and musically, whilst his latest release, ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ has propelled him even further. Sam Fender is on the rise – and you don’t want to miss him.
Notable tracks: ‘Poundshop Kardashians’, ‘Hypersonic Missiles’, ‘Leave Fast’
Black Honey : 8:15pm – 9:15pm – Farah Stage, Leeds University Union Refectory
With the release of their debut album in 2018, Black Honey are going from strength to strength. Knocking back the sexist label of ‘female-fronted band’, Izzy B Phillips owns the stage at every gig. In a recent interview with NME, she discussed how she’s even refused entry into her own gigs “Usually I’m having to scream at some security guy: ‘You fucking sexist!’ before I can get to play at my own gig.” Black Honey never fail to put on a good performance – from the energetic Americana-esque ‘Hello Today’, to the more subdued ‘Baby’, the Brighton four-piece are archetypes for creating cinema-soundtrack-esque tunes.
Notable tracks: ‘Corrine’, ‘Crowded City’ and ‘All My Pride’
Tom Grennan : 9:45pm – 11:15pm – Leeds University Union Refectory
After the release of his debut album ‘Lighting Matches’ in 2018, Tom Grennan just keeps getting better. ‘Found What I’ve Been Looking For’ quickly became his most popular single – scoring his first solo chart position. Grennan’s soulful, Nutini-esque vocals and soaring melodies prove again and again he has the ability to top the charts.
Notable tracks; ‘Barbed Wire’, ‘Sober’, ‘Little By Little Love’
LDOI 