Festival Review: Live at Leeds in the Park 2024
This years' festival season kicked off with an all-dayer of indie goodness up north.
So here we were again. We had such a good time last year that we decided to don our walking boots and trek through the field once more. All for the sake of entertainment.
From its outing last year, the coordinators behind Slam Dunk brought their indie pre-party of Live at Leeds to Temple Newsam for another year running this May bank holiday weekend. Celebrating the newest talent to gorging out on the biggest alt artists right now, Live at Leeds series has always been a must-attend for avid indie fanatics. Since its tenure in 2007, the all-dayer has boasted such acts like Two Door Cinema Club, Bombay Bicycle Club, Sundara Karma and The Vaccines over the years. Established bands that, always earn themselves a spot as feel-good indie anthems for any playlist throughout the Summer.
While the torrential downpour failed to hold off for the whole day, it was evident that the weather situation wasn't going to dampen any folks' spirits. After all, rain at our summer festivals are a guarantee as much as the live music is. The irony was not lost on the wet festival-goers either, especially when the likes of Kooks' Seaside and Circa Waves' T-Shirt Weather were bellowed out in the rain, as the umbrellas and ponchos were drawn out rather reluctantly might I add.
This year, the distinctive indie-rock brand of The Kooks topped the bill as they blasted out Ooh La and She Moves in Her Own Way, while measured alternative outfit The Cribs - arguably overlooked in the indie sphere - closed off the Clash Big Top stage, running rampant with their set hits of Men's Needs and I'm a Realist. Elsewhere, new-kid-on-the-block Declan McKenna showed us why his new wonky and wonderful style of workings-out were worthwhile, as British Bombs played out in a fitting chorus of angst, during the most tumultuous of times for world news. While it was apparent that McKenna may have had quite an avid following of young indie fans, it was the fun and sweet indie-pop boffins of Sea Girls who had one of the most overzealous crowds on the day.
Of course, Live at Leeds always doffs their hat to the best up-and-comers in indie too and this year was certainly no different. The first to swan in were Vistas - their indie roadtrip soundscapes earning them a spot amongst popular series Heartstopper. Cosmo Pyke swiftly followed on the DIY stage, a Serotonin boost amongst the sunshine, as he introduced new material from his recently released EP, Low.
Enigmatic Irish soloist Orla Gartlan blitzed up a triumphant performance on the DIY Stage, while Manchester-based wordsmith Seb Lowe threw out his two cents on Dork's Hype Stage which was fittingly, always rammed throughout the whole day. Elsewhere, Sprints brought their noisy rock renditions off of their debut, Letter to Self. Meanwhile, Andrew Cushin bought his belter-rock attitude to The Temple stage - which was a name chosen by one lucky competition winner earning their way to step through the festival gates.
Leeds-local record store, Crash Records were also present and repping the new Northern pull of demand, presenting a wealthy catalogue of vinyls and band singings throughout the day, as the likes of newfangled Liverpudlian-based collectives of Courting and The Mysterines flocked to the tent after their equally exciting acts. Another two on the belt to keep a side-eye view of.
Sandwiched between noisy songwriter Billy Nomates - celebrating last years' CACTI release - and darkened indie heroes White Lies, lay Baxter Dury. A mesmerising performer and realist, Baxter's spoken deliverance and deadpan observations woven within balearic beats was a stand-out throughout the festival day. Jolted new-wave arrangements gleaned at the Big Top marking a performance to be proud of. Funnily enough at this point, this was where we had our first YORKSHIRE belted out for the day. Considering we were now knee-deep into the afternoon of the festival - and where we were, mind - that really wasn't bad going.
As The Kooks' Naive played out its final farewells to the Leeds' crowd, we swooned over just how much ripe and rampant music was on offer throughout the day; all coming from the inner (and outer) circles of indie-pop, rock and alternative. As if you didn't know already, the UK is ripe with new talent.
Live at Leeds in the Park is the perfect suggestion to get a delicate taste of festival lifestyle - all the while listening to the best right now all in one indie bite-sized day package.
If you missed out this year in the fields, Live at Leeds in the City returns to Leeds' prestigious venues on the 16th November 2024. Spearheaded by unearthly indie giants Everything Everything, this one is not to be overlooked.
Words by Alex Curle
Photography by Katie Probert // @k4tiephotogr4phy
