Live At Leeds, the first proper new music festival on this summer’s calendar, kicks off on Saturday and we’re dead excited. We’ve got our own stage starring Naaz and a load of great acts, and have already chosen some of the city’s finest new acts to see. Here, we cast the net a little bit further and pick some of the best acts hitting up venues this weekend.
Bakar
Who: Camden-based artist who blends indie, pop and hip-hop on his varied and electrifying discography,
Best track: ‘All In’
Where: NME Stage, Headrow House – 5pm
Naaz
Who: Dutch pop purveyor who knows her way around a chorus or two, as showcased on the whopping new single ‘As Fun’.
Best track: ‘As Fun’
Where: NME Stage, Headrow House – 9pm
Rascalton
Who: One of Britain’s most exciting new punk bands. They’ve been causing a ruckus up in their hometown Glasgow, and they’ll bring their searing live show to Leeds.
Best track: ‘Told You So’
Where: Hyde Park Book Club – 11pm
Stella Donnelly
Who: Wales-born, Australian-based artist whose debut EP ‘Thrush Metal’ was a powerful and unmissable listen last year.
Best track: ‘Boys Will Be Boys’
Where: Brudenell Social Club – 7pm
IDLES
Who: Bristol punks making a move on becoming one of the nation’s most vital bands. Debut album ‘Brutalism’ showed a band full of heart and banging tunes, and upcoming second album will no doubt cement their legacy.
Best track: ‘Mother’
Where: Dr Martens Stage, The Wardrobe – 12pm
Yungblud
Who: The Sheffield-native showed flashes of a young Alex Turner on self-titled debut EP and has a stage presence that few can compete with.
Best track: ‘King Charles’
Where: Oporto, BBC Music Introducing West Yorkshire Stage – 7pm
Cosmo Pyke
Who: South-London artist who dabbles in lush melodies, killer choruses and a writing style that will ring true with Britain’s youth.
Best track: ‘Chronic Sunshine’
Where: DIY NEU Stage – Brudenell Community Room – 10:45pm
Dylan Cartlidge
Who: The 22-year-old grew up in Stoke as a teen and his music has a truly otherworldly appeal. Like Miguel meets the Black Keys. Fucking brilliant.
Best track: ‘Scratch, Sniff’
Where: The Chapel – 5pm
Gaffa Tape Sandy
Who: A part of Bury St Edmunds’ ever-flourishing rock scene, the three-piece offer a stinging dose of rock and punk on their recent output.
Best track: ‘Beehive’
Where: Oporto, BBC Music Introducing West Yorkshire Stage – 4pm
Pale Waves
Who: Goth-poppers Pale Waves are gearing up to release their debut album later ths year, so this’ll be a good chance to check in on new material
Best track: ‘The Tide’
Where: DIY Stage – Brudenell Social Club – 11:15pm
