Words – Bill Adamson, Photos – John Hayhurst
What an event, fifteen stages spanning the whole of the Leeds city scape. We were never going to make it to every stage, but we managed to see artists on seven of them! There were nearly 140 acts playing and we kicked off our Live At Leeds journey at the Wardrobe for HotWax.
This fabulous trio gave us some rather spiffing scuzzy punk infused garage rock with the occasional wander into prog territory. They are from Hastings, and I reckon Harold would have won in 1066 if HotWax had played for his troops before the battle. Incidentally fact fans October 14th was the 957th anniversary of the death of Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in 1066!
Next it was a quick hop to Leeds Beckett Main Stage for Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs. This was a full-on heavy rock assault at precisely rock o’clock from a band that is totally in control of what they do. A huge tsunami of riffs and synth licks with a truly magnificent front man in Matthew Baty. A perfect band for a gig in Leeds Leeds Leeds Leeds Leeds Leeds Leeds Leeds. The God of Rock broke the mould when she made Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs.
Next it was the Beckett second stage for Ziyad Al-Samman, wow, what can I say? It was as if Borat had gone on a complete Lionel Richie trip performing some wonderfully warped disco tunes. Apparently Ziyad is your new favourite Habibi music maker. He was brought up in Amman, Jordan and now resides in London. It was a strange, yet captivating set. I do believe that Ziyad is indeed my new favourite Habibi music maker!
After a quick jog across Leeds, we arrived at the Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen for a band with possibly the best name of the day, Cousin Tony’s Brand-New Firebird. This lot were all the way from the land down under, Australia. Sadly, after what felt like a great soundcheck I found them a little disappointing. A bit like a bland Bran Van 3000, albeit with a few jolly jazz japes thrown into the mix.
Then it was another brisk walk to Oporto for Chalk, and they were well worth the walk. Truly awesome with a skilled and magnificent use of vocal effects from Ross Cullen. But it wasn’t all about effects, he has a great voice. Drummer Luke Niblock was incredibly tight. All this was topped off with Benedict Goddard on guitar and other noises, a musical genius. This three-piece sound like a thousand men!
We stayed in Oporto for Home Counties, a band that grew up in a small village outside of Buckinghamshire. They have a sound that evokes Talking Heads, Devo and the B-52s with a singer who has a great voice and the dance moves of Ian Curtis. A band with a signature sound that is very original. It was shaping up to be a long day, so we remained in Oporto for Bedroom High Club. I didn’t catch their whole set but what I did witness was very good. Shades of Kurt Cobain vocally and later period Blur musically.
Next it was back to Leeds Beckett Main Stage for the Last Dinner Party. This was a towering set from a band who are very good, but not yet great, although they are still growing and starting to live up to the hype. I reckon that their debut album will be something special. Abigail Morris fronts the band like a star in waiting, they have elements of Kate Bush in their songs and performance. Slaney Bay were next on the Beckett Second Stage. They were a little late starting thanks to some sound problems. There was a shoegaze indie kind of vibe to their music, but I felt that overall, they were just a bit average. Maybe I caught them on an off day.
The Beckett Main Stage was the scene of a brilliant set from Wunderhorse. A powerful band with a performance that enthralled the crowd. They reminded me of a young Radiohead. It is worth mentioning that they sound checked with full songs and that, frankly, was like a tasty hors d’oeuvre before the main Wunderhorse meal.
After that we decamped to The Brudenell Social Club for the rest of the day. The Brudenell Community Room hosted Honeymoan from South Africa. There was some wacky angular dancing from the lead singer, and they are in possession of some rather nifty pop rock songs with an emphasis on the pop. Perhaps an Altered Images for the 21st Century. Junodream were next to take the Brudenell Main Stage. They are clearly great musicians, and they have some good songs, on a couple they rock out like a young and still vibrant U2. But when they went full chill out on an instrumental tune it came close to sending me to sleep.
Another Sky were next in the Brudenell Community Room and probably the best band of the day, followed closely by HotWax. Another Sky were formed six years ago in London and sound like modern prog rock with a sprinkling of metal. Catrin Vincent’s voice is gorgeous and otherworldly. This was a mesmerising and stunning performance from a band on peak form. “Psychopath” was a highlight for me.
The Brudenell Main Stage had Fat Dog next, and the room was rammed. This was party central, and Fat Dog rose to the occasion with a rollicking, raucous, range of rock ‘n’ roll. A storming set from a fantastic band and a great way to close my day at Live At Leeds.
