We’re back for another year at Leeds Festival. With COVID restrictions fully lifted the festival was able to welcome back even more artists from abroad as well as some of Britain’s hottest up and coming talent. With the sun shining down, the stage was set for a classic.
By Graeme Smith
Photos by John Hayhurst (@snapagig)
Thursday
Thursday is always a bit of a funny day at Leeds Fest. The crowds arrive demob happy and restless to party. The Festival Republic stage always opens with a DJ to warm up the tent so the first live act has a challenge on their hands to keep the energy up.
The challenge this year went to Tom A. Smith who, to his credit, delivered. He played a set of lively, youthful indie rock complete with a former BBC Introducing Hottest Record in The World and a well-received cover of Swedish House Mafia’s Don’t You Worry Child.
Following him was the pink-clad bubblegum indie pop of Leicester’s SOFY. She and her band delivered a high energy set complete with Lily Allen-esque storytelling and a tribute to Eminem’s My Name Is. She proved to be an early highlight. Keep an eye out for her – she’s going places.
As the sun set, things got hazy with Lime Garden. They brought a dark electro groove that combined the gritty vocals of Stevie Nicks with the hypnotic grooves of Foals. As their set came to a close they lurched into Kraftwerk-style electronic Avant Garde. I’m not sure they’ve settled on a sound yet but their stage presence is electric – another highlight.
Rounding off the night was a one-two punch of indie rock bands The Royston Club and Cassia. The biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Royston Club who were clearly a favourite of the mostly young crowd. Yet, Cassia gave them a run for their money in terms of singalongs, and brought a breezy yet funky style to the stage. They channelled ’80s influences (and not just their floral shirts).
Friday Afternoon
Friday started for us with two entries into the “girls that shred” Parthenon. First it was Dylan on the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage who had pulled an impressive crowd so early in the day. She treated those who turned out with cover of Guns ‘n’ Roses Paradise City alongside her own brand of indie rock. Then it was local lass Abby Roberts on the Festival Republic stage who had made her fame on Tik Tok. The cover here was The Cardigans’ Love Fool.
But it seemed the Dance Stage was where it was at in the afternoon. The brilliant 100 gecs (a personal favourite) got the tent bouncing and was followed by a take-no-prisoners show from Ashnikko with her inimitable brand of explosive pop.
Friday Evening
The evening brought with it rock in two forms to the Festival Republic stage. First lively punk from Liverpool’s Crawlers, who flamboyantly announced the release of their new album in October exclusively on stage. Then it was the hazy pop rock of blog favourite Beabadoobee who looked very at home on stage following the reception of her hit second album Beatopia.
While Charlie XCX danced it up on the Main Stage East, we were enjoying a very different vibe at the Festival Republic stage thanks to the laid-back rock of Chloe Moriondo. That was followed by the eclectic hip hop of Miso Extra on the BBC Introducing stage.
Then, our night was brought to a close by male-fronted Stone at the Festival Republic stage. They brought the energy with their hyped-up, swaggering, high octane indie rock and proved to be the final highlight of our first two days.
Phew! Stay tuned for the second part of our review coming soon…