Live at Leeds in the City
Leeds is often an unsung hero, musically speaking, drowned out by its noisier Northern neighbours.
Until now...
Come and find out just how the city is making a real difference to upcoming bands and artists, including the current Mercury Prize Winner.
'There’s real support for musicians in Leeds at the moment…Venues are willing to take on new artists and I think that’s integral to the health of the scene.' - English Teacher lead singer Lily Fontaine.
For anyone interested in the independent music scene, Leeds is leading the pack: three acts who were born or lived in Leeds were nominated for this year’s prestigious Mercury Prize.
It is a city jam-packed with unique, independent venues and phenomenal talent. Music flows through its veins, with some of the UK’s most highly regarded and exceptional independent venues (Brudenell Social Club – regularly cited as a favourite by performers, and actually name checked by English Teacher in their acceptance speech, The Wardrobe, Domino Club, Project House to name a few) as well as talent development organisation Music:Leeds supporting, nurturing and promoting artists from across Yorkshire alongside artists from over the world.
“The Brudenell Social Club is where Yard Act played their first ever gig, but it was also a training ground for us in previous bands. It’s been integral to what we do. It’s mentioned on the album, when we talk about “Nathan’s house” on ‘100% Endurance’, that’s The Brudenell. It’s our spiritual home, it’s nurtured us and it just made sense to come back here.” – James Smith, Yard Act, NME 2023.
Live at Leeds
Leeds Festival might be the city’s most recognised and long-running music event, but for rising talent, Live at Leeds in the city (16 November) showcases the best new music.
Since 2007, Live at Leeds has platformed an impressive line-up of multi-genre indie artists including Stormzy, The 1975, Wolf Alice, Lizzo, Ed Sheeran, James Blake, Kae Tempest, Mumford & Sons, AJ Tracey, Alt-J, Loyle Carner, Bombay Bicycle Club and Metronomy.
Hosted by multiple venues across Leeds City Centre including vibrant live music bar The Wardrobe, casual hang-out spot the Hyde Park Book Club and pre-loved electric and acoustic guitar store-come-café Northern Guitars, ticket holders have access to gigs from over 40 up-and-coming artists. Live at Leeds is one you’d kick yourself for missing.
Gig Trippers
Leeds has also taken the No 1 spot as the go-to destination for gig trippers in recent research by Trans Pennine Express, confirming it’s the best place to visit for a gig. The city is also home to many vinyl and record shops worth checking out. Flick through vinyl at Crash Records and Jumbo Records, or even grab a new potted plant with your music at the cleverly-coined Plant and Deck.
This is all to say that a trip to Leeds will always be accompanied by its own soundtrack, being home to Leeds Conservatoire (formerly Leeds College of Music) – where English Teacher studied and formed – has meant that there are always new artists trying to break
through, to be heard, so pay the city a visit to find out more and hear, not just see, for yourself.
'Musicians from outside London don't really have the same opportunities…but if you look back over music from this country, Yorkshire in particular has thrown out some of our most prolific songwriters.' – Lily Fontaine.
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Details supplied. Image credit Giles smith
THE DETAILS
Tickets for Live at Leeds in the city
James Smith, Yard Act, NME 2023.
Plant & Deck
Trans-Pennine Express article
Whether it’s a small, intimate gig for an up-and-coming indie band or to see your favourite artist at their sell-out stadium tour, Leeds comes out on top as the go-to destination for your next gig trip.
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