Live At Leeds in the city - 16th nov 24

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Review and photos - Lewis Wolstenholme

Last year I was lucky enough to attend Live at Leeds: In the City, where I got to see acts that have since achieved great success, such as The Last Dinner Party who played Glastonbury after their set in Leeds and Wunderhorse who are about to set off on a tour supporting Sam Fender. And now, in what feels like no time at all, it’s that time of the year again! Across 14 venues and with over 100 different artists, the festival showcased a huge variety of music spanning nearly every genre you could think of.

This year’s headliners were Everything Everything, Leeds’s very own Mercury Prize winners English Teacher, and The K’s, who all delivered incredible performances.

I started my day at Headrow House, watching upcoming artist Ben Ellis, an indie pop musician performing an intimate acoustic set of original songs, plus a brilliant cover of "Hopelessly Devoted to You" from Grease. Next, I headed to Leeds Beckett Student Union for Marika Hackman, whose perfect harmonies and alt-indie set were mesmerizing. A strong highlight of the day was English Teacher’s set. Leeds Beckett was packed to capacity, and it was clearly a warm homecoming for the band. They played a great mix of songs, including my personal favourite, "Nearly Daffodils."

I usually find navigating festivals a bit chaotic, but Live at Leeds once again provided a brilliant setup. The venues were close to each other, and the lineup cleverly grouped artists of similar genres, making it possible for me to see 8 of the 9 acts I had initially planned to catch.

One final set that surprised me, and turned out to be my favourite of the day, was Esme Emerson. A brother-sister duo about to set off on a headline tour across the UK. They played a set of original acoustic songs at the BBC Introducing stage at Oporto. With great on-stage energy, great atmosphere, a brilliant sound tech and an outstanding performance, those 30 minutes were flawless. For an idea of their sound, check out their song "Fade Out."

One thing this festival offers again and again is a space for music lovers to discover their new favourite artists. The Live at Leeds organisers have once again smashed it, curating an incredible lineup that has had me diving into new music all week while editing and writing this review. 

I highly recommend attending this festival next year, but be aware: the venues, especially in the evening, can reach capacity quickly and I wouldn’t want anyone missing out on music queuing outside! From a brilliant showcase of Leeds and its venues to the great artists this year presented, Live at Leeds In the City was a perfect showcase of everything there was to offer!

Here's to next year!

Review & Photos - Neil Milner

This was a plum assignment for me. Being asked to review King Creosote (aka Kenny Anderson) performing 2023’s outstanding record ‘I Des’, shortly after finding out the awful news that the gig was sold out, (for me that is, obviously not for him), was a welcome, delightful chore on a Sunday night.

But I should be balanced and objective. So, the encore song ‘Follow me’, after his 7-piece band pretended to leave the stage was a lame Amanda Lear cover. But he instigated a conga with some of the audience to divert our, or maybe my attention. (As a brief aside, he performed the same song for 6-music’s Marc Riley the following night where it sounded wonderful!).

He made a 47-minute record last over an hour because of his between song banter, which ranged from highly amusing and witty, to questionable. But that’s the extent of my criticism. The rest of it was a total joy. 

It is unusual to play a full album only a year after its release, especially as his canon is so extensive. But I remember him telling Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie in an interview on their 6-music show last year, that touring for an artist at his level, especially as he lives in a remote part of Scotland, was a logistical and practical challenge. So, it is a genuine privilege to see him perform on this tour.

Following album opener ‘It’s Sin That’s Got It’s Hold Upon Us’, he played what he called his death trilogy ‘Burial Bleak’, ‘Dust’, starting with the poignant ‘Blue Marbled Elm Trees’, containing the beautifully plaintive words ‘I had the best time, laughing with my girls, I had the best life offered up by this blue marble, or any alien world’, all whilst imaging his fantasy funeral. Those words strongly resonate with me.

‘Walter de la Nightmare’, ‘Love is a Curse’, ‘Ides’ and ‘Please Come Back I Will Listen, I Will Behave, I Will Toe the Line’ are ballads, sung and played superbly here, continuing the enthusiastically melancholic streak of most songs, with just ‘Susie Mullen’ providing a spiky pop counterbalance.  

Despite 7 people in his band, there was no bass guitarist or drummer. Instead, we had a couple of keyboard players, a percussionist, someone providing samples, an accordionist, and two acoustic guitarists; one being Anderson, the other his support act Emily Barker.

Emily is an Australian singer-songwriter, musician and composer or many records, the latest being her 2024 album ‘Fragile as Humans’, songs from which made up most of her set. 

She was mostly solo, and beautifully performed her songs. She was a great storyteller, incorporating stages of her life into both the music and conversations with the audience. 

It was clear she is having a blast on this tour and has a great on-stage rapport with Anderson, contributing towards a wonderful evening.

Links:

King Creosote

Setlist

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Emily Barker

Facebook

Instagram

Spotify

YouTube

Sonic PR

Review & Photos - Phil Wright

What do these bands all have in common?  Silk, The Rich Kids, Visage, Band Aid? Yes, you’ve guessed it, the awesome Midge Ure!

From the get go, Midge was in really fine voice, (despite a bit of the man flu). He started with the Rich Kids’ song Marching Men, before heading into a set list that covering the years, the bands and perfectly showcased the writing, playing and singing talents of this often-overlooked man. 

Midge sings lead vocals and plays lead guitar as needed, occasionally moving over to his keyboards. As a result of both natural talent and years on the road, this man displayed outstanding stage presence and the ability to hold the attention of any audience. 

This is not called ‘THE CATALOGUE OF HITS TOUR’ for nothing. I had forgotten some of these great song’s but one no one will ever forget ‘VIENNA’.  

Midge, even with a cold, gave a stunning performance showing his powerful vocal range and the crowd loved it. As the opening chords to ‘Fade to Gray’ were played, the audience jumped out of their seats dancing.

If I was to be corny, I could say it was like ‘ Loves Great Adventure’ watching the audience, of all ages, up on their feet. 

Midge even gave a nod to the one band he said should have played LIVE AID… ‘Thin Lizzy’ with his perfect cover of ‘The Boys Are Back in Town’. This was one of the best feel-good nights out I’ve had in a long time. Seeing the audience dancing the night away but no one was ‘Dancing With Tears in Their Eyes’. (Sorry it had to be done).

Chuff Media

Review & photos - Liam McEvoy

It was a cold and windy night that welcomed legendary punk rockers Spear of Destiny and Skids to Leeds Becket on their joint Tour. The atmosphere was Electric and both bands performed storming sets that had the crowds rocking all night. 

Up First were Spear of Destiny. Formed in London in 1982 by frontman Kirk Brandon the band have been going strong for over thirty years and based on this performance they are showing no sign of slowing down. 

The band stormed the stage opening with their 1987 track Land of Shame which brought the energy from the off. It was clear that the band have a wealth of experience as they worked the crowd expertly. 

The electricity was palpable in the room and Spear of Destiny continued to perform at an astounding pace playing some of their biggest tunes such as Rainmaker and Young Men which had the crowd rocking throughout. 

The energy continued to build in the venue Mosh pits breaking out as the band stormed through the punk infused Soldier Soldier. Spear of Destiny closed their brilliant set with the incredible ballad that is Mickey before storming to a close with Liberator which had the packed audience rock to the end. 

Next up on the bill were Skids and whilst Spear of Destiny were a tough act to follow Skids were able to match the energy and keep the crowd rocking and energised. Front man Richard Jobson exploded onto the stage bouncing around like a bundle of pent up energy. Skids opened with Animation followed by the thundering track Thanatos. 

Touring to celebrate the 45th anniversary of their 1979 album Days in Europa the band kicked of their set with a number of tracks from the album including Animation, Charade and Working for the Yankee Dollar.

Jobson and crew showed no sign of slowing down and began to delve into their back catalogue starting with The Saints Are Coming followed by fan favourite Into The Valley which had the crowd rocking out. 

The band continued with their biggest tracks playing TV Stars and Hurry on Boys before closing their epic set with the anthemic A Women in Winter. 

On a cold night in Leeds both Spear of Destiny and Skids brought the heat with two brilliant sets that had the crowd rocking from start to finish. 

Set List Spear of Destiny

1.  The Sweeney Theme - Intro

2.  Land of Shame

3.  Rocket Ship

4.  Rainmaker

5.  Young Men

6.  Spirits

7.  Waster

8.  Playground of the Rich

9.  Never Take Me Alive

10.  Judas

11.  Soldier Soldier

12.  World Service

13.  Mickey

14.  Liberator

Set List Skids

1.  Animation

2.  Thanatos

3.  Charade

4.  Pros and Cons

5.  Working for the Yankee Dollar

6.  The Olympian

7.  Masquerade

8.  A Day in Europa

9.  The Saints Are Coming

10.  Into the Valley

11.  TV Stars

12.  Circus Games

13.  Hurry On Boys

14.  Charles

15.  A Woman in Winter

Sonic PR

Review & photos - Huw Williams

A wave of pure nostalgia washed over the crowd as Scottish alt rock stalwarts Del Amitri brought their catalogue of 90s hits to the O2 Academy in Leeds.

Judging by the demographic, many were there to relive their youth, recalling the decade that will have seen many through the formative years of high school and university. Some are hardcore fans. Others are familiar with the 1998 best of compilation Hatful Of Rain, which someone at the rear of the venue was declaring as his favourite Del Amitri record!

A sharply-suited Justin Currie led the band to the stage and they took their positions to a warm reception. 

It’s been more than 20 years since the band troubled the charts, but that hasn’t dulled the memories that their hits conjure up. Nor has it dulled the memory of the songs themselves. From the off, the songs are sung back at the band, seemingly fresh in the memories of the majority of the crowd.

Despite his trademark floppy hair now greying, Currie’s voice has stood the test of time and delivers the hits with great quality. There’s a bittersweet tenderness to the lyrics of their biggest hits, and these are certainly the centrepiece of the evening. Starting with the (relatively) new Nation of Caners from the 2021 album Fatal Mistakes, they then move straight back to the early days - Opposite View, followed by Not Where It’s At.

The melancholic lyrics that defined some of their songs - Driving With The Brakes On, Be My Downfall, Never Too Late To Be Alone - are delivered with tenderness and earnest that is reflected back at the band. There’s a warmth and connection that perfectly illustrates how relatable fans find the songs, and how much they’re relishing the time in the presence of a band that sadly, may not be on the road for too much longer. 

That’s not to say there’s no fun in this evening. Far from it, there is still some humour as Ian Harvie cuts a joyful figure at stage right, jumping, posing, rocking out before sharing some lovely moments with Currie as they jokingly disagree on how to end one of the songs. 

The band’s sound is reliably high quality and fills this iconic venue with its warmth and richness. From the barrier, to the back of the balcony, Currie’s delivery of the lyrics is still clear and encourages singalongs at every turn. That’s where the real joy comes from. Mass participation, celebrating the days when we were all a lot younger, still finding our way in the world. 

Time may no longer be on the side of Del Amitri but in stark contradiction to one of their lyrics, they still very much have that crucial piece of geography. Tonight, they were absolutely where it’s at. 

Set list:

Nation of Caners
Opposite View
Not Where It’s At
Kiss This Thing Goodbye

Always The Last to Know

It’s Never Too Late To Be Alone

Missing Person
Driving With The Brakes On

Buttons on my Clothes

Don’t Cry, Don’t Cry

Just Like A Man

The Ones That You Love Lead You Nowhere

Lonely

All Hail Blind Love

Move Away Jimmy Blue

Here & Now

Stone Cold Sober

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This City Loves You Back

Nothing Ever Happens

Whiskey Remorse (excerpt - in response to crowd request!)

Be My Downfall

Review & photos - Levi Tubman

A cold grey Yorkshire Tuesday, a perfect evening for staying in, but tonight even before the doors open there’s a strong gathering, always a sign of a good lineup! 

First up are Blue Violet and taking to the stage it's clear a lot of people have come tonight to see them play their own brand of alternative electronic tinged rock. From listening to them I was expecting something more sedate and quiet, but instead we get a structured and catchy wall of sound. The drums are pounding in your chest, the drummer is going hard but the kick drum is loud, along with the low end keys rumbling the room.

On the other side of this are the guitars and vocals, from husband-and-wife Sam and Sarah, which could be from another band. A lot of the songs have lighter guitar work instead of heavy chords, against the contrasting drums it creates a fantastic sound with the guitar easily cutting through. Taking the lead vocal spot, Sarah is a fantastic front woman, with boundless energy she’s hardly ever still. 

Set against this motion her vocals are almost other worldly and ethereal, like they’re coming from somewhere else, creating a unique sound, seamlessly merging frantic loud energy with catchy fragility. 

As the first band on it’s a short set, s the band themselves say, but they’re gearing up to tour their new material and I have to second the band by saying keep an eye out for them touring with a longer set you won’t be disappointed. 

It’s a quick turn around and before we know it Echo Belly are taking the stage, there’s no messing around as they launch into a trio of songs before addressing the audience.  Sonya’s voice hasn’t changed at all, it still retains all its tone and warmth, but I feel she was let down a little with the sound. Any worries that there were some vocal struggles where quickly put to bed on quieter sections, for some reason the vocal level was just a little too low, while this can help with the bands style they were just a tad too low at times.   

At one point that ever present smile drops, and Sonya makes a cutting action with her hands and mouths enough stop it, and steps back from the edge of the stage. Whoever was causing the discomfort either takes the hint or is stopped after a few times, the night is so happy and positive it would be a shame for one idiot to spoil it, but the professionalism shines through and they’re not put off.

Were asked to sing along, which gets a cheer, but this is followed up by “you can sing along in your Yorkshire accents” that’s it, it’s for Yorkshire now a roaring cheer goes up and you can hardly hear the band over the singing. Throughout the night jokes are made to the audience about the greatest hits are coming, and who wants to hear something they actually know now? 

It’s just the right amount of audience interaction, while quite minimal, its quite personal at times, calling out individuals who requested the last song of the night saying its next! And after calling out older more obscure songs someone’s accused of “just showing off” its light full of laughter and wasn’t used to fill dead space of a light set. 

As with all bands there are always going to be songs you know they’re going to play, but I didn’t expect and acoustic version of Worms And Angels from their second album On, and for it to be a stand out song of the night . Its delicate and beautiful, with its lightness letting Sonya’s voice shine through, and it’s not changed one bit. 30 years on from their first album it sounds just as it did on that first record, it’s not a particularly powerful voice,  but instead beautiful and precise, with quite a unique tone it really shapes their songs and style. 

Announcing it’s the last song of the night, their met with loud booing, before silencing the crowd joking it’s an encore, you know we walk off pretend to be done, then come back on stage and you all pretend to be surprised! I like a little sass between my songs.

Echo Belly are one of those bands that will keep surprising you, as you forget just how many songs of theirs you know. It’s not just the classics, despite joking about playing songs you might not know, their newer post 90’s material holds up and sounds fantastic, I’ve listened to newer albums I’ve not tried before after seeing them played live. If you’ve a melancholy alternative indie itch that needs scratching this is the band for you, I’ve not listened to them in a few years trust me put that cd on or get online and give them a listen. 

Set Lists 

Blue Violet 

Undercover 

Imagine Me 

Sweet Success 

Hard Rain 

Human After All 

Asylum 

Echo Belly 

I Can't Imagine the World Without Me

We Know Better

I'm Not a Saint

Car Fiction

Iris Art

Father, Ruler, King, Computer

Fear of Flying 

Worms and Angels (Acoustic)

If the Dogs Don't Get You, My Sisters Will

Down to Earth

Something Hot in a Cold Country