When: 15th October 2022
Where: various locations in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Live At Leeds: In The City is an eclectic and long-running day of new music across a bunch of large and small, iconic and up-and-coming Leeds’ music venues. Following the success of the first ever Live At Leeds: In The Park this summer, this year’s iteration of Live At Leeds: In The City on the 15th October is set to be just as triumphant.
Gracing the top of the line-up this year are Pale Waves, Sundara Karma, and White Lies, all of whom are returning to Live At Leeds. Sundara Karma are bold and forward-thinking with two albums, born of indie rock and classic songwriting whilst evolving into irresistible pop rock. White Lies are a post-punk offering who formed in 2007 and have since settled into a pattern of writing, recording, touring and repeating the process. Pale Waves have stormed into the independent scene following a series of support slots with The 1975, after having been signed to the same label, Dirty Hit. Forging their own sound with their second album Who Am I, which was released in February 2021, their music is an exploration of different themes which emerges with clarity and optimism. Following the aftermath of Covid-19 and the resumption of live music, the LAL veterans are bound to put on a stunning show and bring the festival atmosphere to Leeds’ city centre on Saturday.
Known as the North’s leading festival for burgeoning talent, it’s possible that any venue you decide to walk in this Saturday will host a new favourite. Whilst I could give you my personal recommendations of artists to catch, I’d highly suggest wandering into the city’s smaller venues such as Oporto, The Wardrobe, Hyde Park Book Club, Sela Bar, Northern Guitars and Nation of Shopkeepers throughout the day. You’ll be sure to stumble across something different and all of these independent venues offer a stellar selection of drinks and their own individual, tangible atmospheres. Plus, if you need food throughout the day, Belgrave Music Hall sells burgers, loaded fries and pizza – just downstairs from where the music will be happening – and Oporto serves up a range of vegan goodies too.
Live At Leeds – having originated in 2007 whilst celebrating the city’s 800th birthday – also takes over Leeds’ most popular venues including The O2 Academy, the Leeds Beckett Student’s Union, and the legendary Brudenell Social Club. You might decide to go for the bedroom pop of Baby Queen, some idiosyncratic surf-pop combined with Welsh history from Melin Melyn or if you’re looking for something awe-inspiring, Jerub – a finalist in 2021’s BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge Introducing talent search – who will provide real and touching lyrical solace. Whilst ethereal, decadent and hard-hitting, The Dinner Party are inspired by the best of glam rock and new wave and you’re lucky enough to be invited to party with them in Leeds. There’s certainly plenty to go at.
After a whirlwind of a day and frantically running between venues – fuelled by a mix of upcoming talent and good food – I’ll see you at The Wardrobe’s official afterparty.
All the information for Live At Leeds: In The City can be found on the official website
