LEEDS FESTIVAL 2009
Bramham Park - 28th-30th August
Leeds Festival is always the highlight of the festival season and with Arctic Monkeys playing the fest just a few days after they release their dark new album the stakes are set high for Radiohead and Kings of Leon on the following 2 days…..
….but what about the bands lower down on the bill or on the other stage. After all that’s for us what Leeds has always been about - a chance to discover some new bands amongst some old favourites
FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Patrick Wolf’s “Magic Position” is potentially one of the great singles ever released but this show will all be about the new album “The Bachelor” which was funded by Band stocks (the new service where fans fund the album in return for special fan privileges) and featured collabs with Alec Empire amongst others. Designer Magazine saw him a few years ago when he last played Leeds and assure us this is a must see……
The Rakes are perhaps one of the most underrated UK bands around at the mo and “The Light On Your Mac” has been a staple of our DJ sets for the past few months. Expect a crack festival set with the early material such as “22 Grand Job” and “Work Work Work”
We’re gonna put our hands up and say we just don’t get Delphic new future indie dance shizzle but are gonna give them a second chance at Leeds Fest. Early shows were disappointing but since then with tours with the likes of Orbital coming up and some shows which have attracted near legendary status in Manchester they could just have turned things round
SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS
In a just world Kids In Glass Houses would be much higher up the bill than opening the main stage, but it’s a day that will start with an amazing Welsh rock band and probably end with an amazing Welsh rock band in Lostprophets. Since playing tiny shows for Designer Magazine a few years ago the band recently were one of the supports for Fall Out Boy this year on their Arena shows and start recording their 2nd album in august prior to the Leeds Festival show. Expect some newies to be aired and expect them to feature massive massive hooks
We haven’t heard much of Master Shortie’s debut but “Dance Like A White Boy” is an anthem of Prodigy sized proportions. For that reason we’ll be in the dance tent checking out Shortie who is this followed my emo-crunkers 3Oh!3
We’re not sure how big the Festival Republic Stage is but we’re sure it will be too small for La Roux who’s captured the nation with her take on 80s Depeche Mode-esque synth pop. Going up against Radiohead, Lostprophets and Deadmaus will be tough but this may just be one guilty pleasure taking a chance on…
SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Who’d have thought we’d spend 2009 talking about how good the Horrors actually are? Possibly the biggest turn around ever from a truly abysmal debut album to a record that’s had praise heaped on it from the likes of Trent Reznor.
“Try Honesty”, “The Ex”, “Devil In a Midnight Mass” - all defining singles from Billy Talent who in vocalist Benjamin Kowalewicz was a versatile front man who alternates between about 3 different characters in his head. A storming energetic live show really captures the heart of Billy Talent and a must see at this years fest
Marmaduke Duke have their own cult following but its interesting that it’s a band sporned from members of Biffy Clyro and Sucioperro - 2 bands that couldn’t be further apart from the brash sounds of the Duke. The band have only toured twice to date so this a rare opportunity to catch them live
FESTIVAL REPUBLIC / BBC INTRODUCING HIGHLIGHTS
There’s probably too many too mention on these stages so here’s a quick run down ot the highlight here
Festival Republic
* Baddies - Engerica were a band that should have been massive and born out of that Baddies deliver a more indie friendly finely tuned version of the previous band. Expect big things
* Bear Hands - One of New York Undergrounds finest. Listen to “What A Drag” for evidence
* Middleman - Winners of the Futuresound contest and after a storming set at Kendal Calling its easy to see why. Imagine a cooler rockier version of Just Jack
* Skint & Demoralised - In our heads this is a Northern version of the 90s band Spearmint. You’re probably too young to know them so ask your older brother or just imagine indie pop meets Northern soul
BBC Introducing
* Everything Everything - A bit of Wonky Pop meets the Futureheads from one of Manchester’s most interesting bands…..the anti-thesis to Manc lad rock
* Kinch - Kids in Manchester were whispering about Leeds band Kinch a while back but we didn’t get it until they got some decent recordings. Fine indie pop
* The Ruling Class - The Ruling Class arent from Manchester but their sound is steeped in baggy with a front man who looks like Tim Burgess circa 93. That said it works and is far better than the likes of the Twang
* Soft Toy Emergency - Electro pop from Liverpool and look set to take over where sadly The Tigerpicks manc born / scouse bred pop didn’t
And if that wasnt enough......................
Dance to the Radio stage - Thurs 27th August - Pre-fest party
As in previous years with the likes of Wallbirds DTTR kick things off in grand style with
Blood Red Shoes
Brighton’s Steven Ansell and Laura-Mary Carter, better known as Blood Red Shoes will be headlining the DTTR stage this year, their only English festival appearance in 2009. Signed to V2 the band released their debut ‘Box of Secrets’ last year including the singles ‘I Wish I Was Someone Better’ and ‘It’s Getting Boring By The Sea.’ The band are currently holed up in Liverpool recording their second album with producer Mike Crossey. Expect a great show and a perfect start to your Leeds Festival weekend.
Wild Beasts
Fresh from the release of their universally acclaimed second album ‘Two Dancers’ Kendal natives & Leeds based Wild Beasts return to Leeds Festival to play their first of 2 shows over the weekend. Their live set has been honed down to near perfection, including the singles Hootin’ & Howling, The Devils Crayon & Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants.
Bear Hands
From the same stomping ground as MGMT, Amazing Baby & Boy Crisis comes Bear Hands. Having toured the UK a number of times over the last year including a tour with Passion Pit & Hockey the Brooklyn band are already making waves on these shores with their post-punk charged set. Bear Hands formed in 2006 and consists of Dylan Rau, Ted Feldman, Val Loper and TJ Orscher.
Airship
Expect to know the names Elliott Williams, Marcus Wheeldon, Steven Griffiths & Tom Dyball very soon. Airship have already toured the UK with Marmaduke Duke and Nine Black Alps this year and this autumn tour with Editors. The band have been described as Manchester’s answer to Mew and we wouldn’t argue with that. A brilliant live band and another not to miss.
Holy State
Leeds based 4 piece punk outfit reminiscent of Jesus Lizard & Hot Snakes. The band featured on DTTR’s 4x12” Volume 2 compilation along with Huw Stephens ‘The Music Sounds Better With Huw’ compilation. With some seriously good tunes and a ferocious set get pitched up early and come down to see them before they explode.
© 2000-2009
Designer
Magazine unless otherwise stated.
All Interviews by Alex McCann unless otherwise stated
NB: Please seek permission before using any articles within this site
Contact
us: designermagazine@hotmail.com