By Hannah Farr
As an autumn chill settles across Leeds, so do the familiar sounds of guitar riffs and indie revelers, which can only mean Live at Leeds in the City is back for its 16th year!
This year boasts a jam-packed lineup including Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Kid Capchi and The Last Dinner Party across fifteen of the city's best stages. We can’t wait to get back to you with more Live at Leeds in the City content soon, but to get the party started, here are our top recommendations based on the festival's incredible alumni.
If you’re a Sam Fender fan…. Wunderhorse is for you!
Geordie royalty Sam Fender took to the stage in 2019 before the release of his debut album ‘Hypersonic Missiles’. Indie-rock group Wunderhorse supported Fender in a string of shows, boasting a loud and gritty sound with elements of Slater’s punk past trickling through. Singles “Leader of the Pack” and “Teal” are guaranteed to get the crowd singing along, with the potential of a mosh pit or two!
If you love Baby Queen, go see Ellur
Indie-pop star Baby Queen appeared on the lineup in 2022 following on from the release of her first EP “The Yearbook” in 2021. Ellur, “Just a lass from Halifax who thoroughly enjoys a good boogie and writing indie pop tunes”, guarantees to bring good vibes, with a sprinkling of existential coming of age dread. Singles “Moments” and “Anywhere” are sure to get the crowd pumped up - she’s definitely not one to miss!
If Lovejoy is your favorite internet band, you haven’t listened to Honeymoan yet!
Lovejoy’s meteoric rise to stardom led to their appearance on the line up in 2022. Alt-pop band Honeymoan recently supported Lovejoy on a leg of their spring European tour, bringing their infactuous blend of psychedelic-pop, catchy hooks and danceable basslines to the stage. Following on from their debut album release last month, “Sorry Like You Mean It”, Honeymoan will certainly have you grooving the night away.
Are you a Holly Humberstone stan? Nell Mescal is definitely for you.
Humberstone first graced the Live at Leeds in the City lineup in 2019 as ‘one to watch’ and they couldn’t have been more right! Mescal perfectly encapsulates the hopeful, longing and tumultuous experience of being a woman in your early twenties through dreamy instrumentals and heart wrenching lyrics.This irish-born, indie-folk singer will definitely get you in your feels in singles “In my head” and “Graduating”, but is sure to help you dance those away in “Homesick”!
If you can’t get enough of Wet Leg, you need to see The Last Dinner Party.
We may be stretching the definition of alumni a bit too far here, Wet Leg performed at Leeds Beckett Student Union three days after Live at Leeds 2022. Either way, you simply cannot miss indie-rock five piece The Last Dinner Party. Captivating audiences throughout the ‘23 festival circuit with intriguing and mysterious performances, singles “Nothing Matters” and “Sinner” will undoubtedly leave you asking for more. Fortunately, the newly released single “My Lady Of Mercy” will have you rocking out to the very last chord - a perfect way to spend a saturday!
We are absolutely ecstatic to be attending Live at Leeds in the City this year and can’t wait to see what all the incredible artists have in store. Make sure to follow our socials to keep up to date with our Live at Leeds in the City coverage.
Live at Leeds in the City takes place on the 14th of October across 15 venues in Leeds.