It’s that time of year again, as festival season moves to close its doors until next year, multi-venue festival Live at Leeds in the City puts its foot in the way, preventing the door from coming to a complete close. Taking place this Saturday across Leeds’ city centre, spanning 14 venues across the city, including the much-loved Brudenell Social Club, LUU’s Stylus, and Leeds Beckett’s Student Union, Live at Leeds in the City boasts a star-studded line-up with over 100 hotly tipped names split between those stages. But when the festival has so much to offer, who should you be seeing?
1. Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs – Leeds Beckett SU – 1:30 pm.
It may seem a bit rogue to put on a band like Pigsx7 at 1:30 p.m. at a festival, but what better way to dust off the morning cobwebs than with metal? Already deemed one of the ‘most exciting heavy acts that Britain has produced in recent years’, Pigsx7 are destined to put on a good show. With tracks built on rumbling basslines and giant riffs, Pigsx7 are guaranteed to get adrenaline levels rising for festival goers, with their formidable live sets – they are a band poised to perform on even bigger stages in the future. It would be silly to miss the chance to see them perform.
2. Nell Mescal – Belgrave Music Hall – 4:00 pm.
Heading out on tour just two days prior to Live at Leeds, Nell Mescal is not to be missed. Mescal has already garnered almost 50,000 streams for her latest single, ‘Teeth’, released just last month. Effortlessly merging the intimate with the grand, Mescal’s vocals are soft-spoken yet hard-hitting, speaking candidly about her experiences with friendships and relationships, leaving a lasting impression.
3. The Last Dinner Party – Leeds Beckett SU – 7:45 pm
Having just released their third single, ‘My Lady Of Mercy’, which premiered with Clara Amfo as BBC Radio 1’s ‘Hottest Record’, The Last Dinner Party are one of Live at Leeds’ must-sees. The band’s live shows, which have earned them slots at Glastonbury Festival, are like nothing that has been seen before, as vocalist Abigail Morris commands the stage and the audience with the confidence of a band that is headlining stadiums. A set that is certain to become one of this year’s Live at Leeds’ ‘I was there moments’, be sure to get to Leeds Beckett SU early to ensure you’ll catch a glimpse.
4. Wunderhorse – Leeds Beckett SU – 8:15pm.
Bursting into the spotlight with the release of their debut album, ‘Cub’, last year, and supporting Irish post-punk’s Fontaines D.C. across their worldwide tour last year, Wunderhorse’s Live at Leeds performance marks the beginning of the band’s almost entirely sold-out UK tour. Having already toured this year, and having played at festivals across the country, Wunderhorse have made a name for themselves with their captivatingly powerful live performances. The band have this year been testing out new material, so lucky fans at their Live at Leeds performance might get a preview of what’s to come.
5. Shame – Stylus – 9:15 p.m.
Festival headliners Shame have just arrived back from a USA, Canada, and South America tour – featuring sold-out shows in Mexico City and have also played a standout set at Glastonbury Festival in June. With their third album, Food For Worms, Shame reached new heights – allowing them to further cement their status as one of the most exciting ‘post-punk’ bands the UK has to offer. Perhaps your last chance to catch Shame in a smaller venue, their headline set certainly isn’t to be missed.
