Urban festival Live At Leeds is taking place throughout the Yorkshire city between 2-5 May this year. With a host of names joining the line-up with week, organiser Andy Smith has made us a Playlist picking out his personal highlights from the 2014 bill. “This is without a doubt our strongest line up to date and one that we’re all really excited about,” he says. “The festival has grown a lot this year and we’re adding new venues like Leeds Town Hall, which is always an amazing space to put shows on in. We’ve also got an even bigger programme across the whole weekend this year, as well as the Saturday wristband event, with the likes of Blood Red Shoes, Melt Yourself Down and Snarky Puppy playing on the Friday night and Neurosis and Kodaline playing their own headline shows on the Sunday night.
Circa Waves – Stuck In My Teeth
“I’m really excited about these guys, they show how vital indie music can still be. It’s like the best parts of The Strokes and The Libertines but with their own little spin on it; I can’t get their latest single out of my head the moment.”
Lizzo – Paris
“We had Lizzo supporting Har Mar Superstar at the end of last year and she totally stole show, which is no mean feat considering who she was supporting. She’s been described as Bikini Kill meets Missy Elliott which is pretty spot on, a nice fresh take on rap music.”
Forward Russia – Thirteen
“I’m so chuffed we managed to pull this one out of the bag, their reunion show last year was insanely good. They’re heading up the Dance To The Radio stage at Leeds Town Hall with I Like Trains and Sam Airey so will be a nice little celebration of great Leeds music down there.”
Royal Blood – Bury Tomorrow
“Probably the most exciting new band I’ve heard in a long time. Their latest track is on constant rotation round mine accompanied by some pretty good singing along. It’s just awesome, balls out, rock, and there’s only two of them! I can’t wait to see them do it live.”
Solomon Grey – Last Century Man
“Acts like Solomon Grey are why I love my job – Receiving an email with a link to a couple of videos and just being totally blown away. They’re a pretty mysterious bunch but musically it reminded me of something like M83, the kind of huge electronic soundscapes you could imagine headlining some pretty big stages in the not too distant future.”
NB I Couldn’t Want You Anyway and Embassy are currently unavailable
Jack Garratt – I Couldn’t Want You Anyway
“This guy is insanely talented. He’s really new but already getting all the right kinds of attention, it’s kind of down that James Blake type of introspective electronica path, nice atmospheric synths and beats, with a voice that really makes you sit up and listen.”
George Ezra – Cassy O
“I went to see George play down at The Wardrobe in Leeds the other night and it was something else; Just him on his own with an acoustic guitar and his voice. He sings like he’s had about 40 years of hardened drinking and smoking behind him but he’s still only 20. I can see him being a very exciting prospect for the future.”
Woman’s Hour – Darkest Place
“Probably one of the most standout new bands of the last 12 months for me. They channel this kind of spacious, skeletal, electronic sound that isn’t a million miles away from The xx. They also released a great cover of Dancing In The Dark, it’s ace.”
White Royal – Embassy
“These guys are one of the most promising acts knocking about in Leeds at the moment. I don’t think they’ve even played a gig yet but have been getting loads of good write ups online which judging by their tracks are totally deserved.”
The Hold Steady – Your Little Hoodrat Friend
“When we saw the Hold Steady were prepping a new album it was a complete no brainer, they are perfect for LAL. A great, high energy band with massive choruses who really know how to work the crowd, the perfect kind of headliner if you ask me!”
For more and the latest ticket news, head to Liveatleeds.com.
