Leeds Competition has been the staple of my summer time for the previous 4 or 5 years (I’ve misplaced rely), however yearly, it by no means fails to disappoint me – right here’s what I actually thought
Daniel is an Assistant Celeb and Leisure Editor on the Mirror. He studied an MA in Worldwide Journalism at Sheffield Hallam College earlier than becoming a member of Attain in 2019. When he is not busy down on-site at music festivals to convey the most recent updates and unique backstage chats, he could be discovered writing about all issues celeb and his love for One Path and Oasis (he says seeing them stay was the most effective night time of his life). He is additionally keen on a cup of tea – or ten. Earlier than working within the leisure trade, Daniel studied an NCTJ in Public Affairs and labored as a information reporter.
Leeds Competition is over for one more yr and as all the time, I’m already lacking it. This yr, Hozier, Carry Me The Horizon and Travis Scott headlined the pageant and though I didn’t attend on Friday, this weekend didn’t disappoint me.
I come to Leeds with mates yearly, whatever the astonishing resort costs (I refuse to camp) however I by no means remorse it. Strolling into Bramham Park on Saturday, I immediately heard The Kooks and I felt like I used to be a teen once more.
Seeing Rudimental on the Chevron Stage below a whole bunch of hundreds of LED lights was definitely an expertise. Though there have been plenty of “kids” (most likely round 18, however nonetheless, kids), they’d all people going wild for his or her greatest hits, in addition to taking part in legendary songs.
READ MORE: Britney Spears shares heartbreaking perception into ill-fated Sam Asghari wedding ceremonyREAD MORE: Nelly Furtado’s unbelievable response to physique shamers as she proudly returns to highlight
However I made a decision to take it simple till Chappell Roan was as a consequence of carry out. Final yr, I used to be barely confused as to why Chappell was performing regardless of solely having one album, now although, I fully retract that. Listening to Pink Pony Membership and My Kink Is Karma stay was definitely an out of physique expertise.
I can’t lie, I listened to her rather a lot within the lead as much as become familiar together with her music and I believe it’s secure to say, I’ll be a fan for some time now. Nevertheless, Hozier – wow. Simply wow. The Irish musician used his platform to face in solidarity with Palestine and urged folks to make use of their voices, round 80,000 screams of help echoed across the park and I felt actually blown away by how he managed to do that.
Though there have been whispers that the BBC reduce his efficiency off, it was later confirmed that he determined to not permit the company to air his set. Whereas Hozier may like his whiskey neat, I can affirm, no whiskey was consumed throughout his efficiency, though it was to be anticipated, Take Me To Church went down an absolute deal with.
It was bizarre listening to the phrase church blasted round Bramham Park however I don’t know the way it labored, nevertheless it simply did. The choice to have Hozier shut Saturday was arguably the most effective.
Comfortable Play additionally used their efficiency to boost consciousness of the continuing battle within the Center East, after there had been a famine declared in Gaza, claiming that Israel is “committing genocide.”
And whereas most festivals would immediately halt a set like this, it simply reveals how a lot Studying and Leeds care about causes, they allowed the efficiency to proceed. However… to Sunday… Bilmuri, an American band I’d by no means heard of till my good friend mentioned “Let’s go watch Bilmuri,” and I’m now a fan.
Johnny Franck, frontman of the band actually opened as much as us (the gang), throughout their efficiency, he defined how simply 9 years in the past, he was in a low psychological well being state and the followers saved him. I hadn’t anticipated to be stuffed with such emotion nevertheless it simply proves how unbelievable the facility of music is.
Onto Carry Me The Horizon, the principle set, though I wasn’t born in Sheffield, it was my residence from 2017 till simply final yr, and I additionally spent most weekends in my teenagers travelling there so Carry Me holds a particular place in my coronary heart.
Oli Sykes is kind of actually, the most effective frontman a band may ever have. The expertise is off the scales and his character simply provides to it. Again in Sheff, he has a vegan restaurant and bar, Church Temple of Enjoyable and weirdly, it felt as if I used to be in there.
The visuals on stage have been nearly an entire duplicate of the stained glass home windows at Temple of Enjoyable and let me inform you, it felt very unusual pondering I’d been transported to my favorite restaurant.
Oli introduced a feminine fan on stage for his or her 2013 monitor Antivist and though she appeared like a teen, let me inform you, she had essentially the most unbelievable presence on stage and will have given plenty of the performers a run for his or her cash.
Whereas most festivals usually see drama on and off stage, there’s simply one thing about Leeds that doesn’t have the identical ranges. If there’s hassle within the crowd, it’s sorted in a short time, the safety and medical groups are high notch, one thing which they deserve extra reward for.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to the be within the backstage visitor space, the place I used to be lucky sufficient to stumble upon Crimson Rum Membership (the most effective band from Merseyside, examine them out should you haven’t heard of them), after which my favorite podcast host, Jack Dean, recognized on-line as JaackMaate.
Lots of people give podcast hosts, YouTubers and many others flack, however he was genuinely one of many nicest chaps I’ve ever met and was so completely happy once I was chatting to him (maybe a bit an excessive amount of) about how nice his podcast, Jack’s Pleased Hour is as he’s by no means afraid to push the boundaries and break the taboo round sure topics. We chatted about his episode with Rebecca Goodwin and the way nice it was to present her a platform to debate the unbelievable work she’s performed since becoming a member of an grownup content material web site, together with shopping for homes to lease at very low costs for ladies in want.
General, I’ve to say that this yr at Leeds was implausible and I can’t anticipate subsequent yr, possibly I’ll attempt Studying however that’s to be determined.
READ MORE: Consumers ‘obsessed’ with ‘scrumptious’ hydration drink that beats mid-afternoon hunch
Observe Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Fb , YouTube and Threads .
