December 11 | Written By Sophia Kenny

With venues and artists under pressure after the budget announcement, Live at Leeds in the City was an important day for artists and fans to network in independent venues,  letting fans discover new bands in an exciting manner, and giving independent venues the chance to communicate what they can provide to avid and new gig-goers of Leeds. 

Leeds Beckett University arguably had the busiest crowd of the day, with Mercury Prize winners English Teacher and Everything Everything headlining the stage. Those hoping to see English Teacher had to be quick to queue or already in the venue, as the crowd managed to overflow out of the venue itself.  

Leeds University Union also hosted festival headliners The Royston Club as well as acquiring another large crowd for dreamy-pop standout Alfie Templeman, who is currently on a UK tour, after the release of his second album ‘RADIOSOUL’, that features the standout track ‘Just a Dance’ with Nile Rodgers. 

Belgrave Music Hall was a hub for discovery, with indie-quartet Terra Twin filling out the  events room, followed by L’objectif who elevated the crowd with their homecoming set,  encouraging fans to sing along to their eiervescent single ‘The Dance You Sell.’

Gravy also had many fans in the crowd sporting their merchandise, having just released  their single ‘Five to One.’ The fresh-faced four-piece is already making an indent in the  industry, having been featured on BBC Introducing and having a headline show lined up at The Wardrobe for next February. Gravy are the ones to watch, particularly in the northern music scene.  

The Wardrobe also hosted some winning performances from the likes of Arkayla, who were a quintessential discovery for fans of The La’s and Crowded House. Arkayla’s sound is universally enjoyable for indie fans, featuring lots of acoustics, with a lyrical style reminiscent of Miles Kane/The Last Shadow Puppets. 

Van Houten also had an intense set, carrying out an accomplished performance that was a mesmerising watch. For fans of shoegaze, abstract indie and bands such as DIIV  and Jaws, Van Houten are a group to keep an eye out for. Van Houten certainly has a stylish ‘cool factor’ and is unquestionably keeping the shoegaze scene buoyant. 

Live at Leeds in the City had another successful year, with the concept of the festival  thriving nearly seventeen years after it first began. 

Live at Leeds in the Park takes place on Saturday 23rd May, in Temple Newsam Park.  Headlining the festival is Bloc Party, Leeds’ very own Yard Act, as well as Norwegian pop  sensation Sigrid.

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