s entertainment

Sawthroat @ Cross Keys (Morley)

Well coming to this gig I really didn't know what to expect due to Sawthroat having a new guitarist who has only been a member for a few weeks.

The Humour @ Leeds Festival 2008

The Humour are all about chugga chugga rock played with strutting ego and a confident American accent.

Lupine Howl @ Cockpit

Ten people sit on the floor. Why? Are they as bored as I am? Are they also drawing comparisons with the aptly titled new long player from tonight's entertainment: The Bar at the end of the World.

The Hives @ Leeds Festival 2002

As well as being one of the best bands of the weekend, Swedish five-piece The Hives are an unfailing entertainment act.

Mama Scuba @ The Vine

It's a Friday night at the Vine, it's 8 O'clock, Duels are about to start so where the hell is everybody?

Catylyst @ Woodkirk Valley Country Club

WOODKIRK VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB is turning into one of the most popular venues in Leeds with a mix of local, novice, signed and professional bands playing week in week out.

Sharron Krauss @ Korks (Otley)

Sharron Krauss was billed as an "avant garde" singer/songwriter and an expectant crowd had gathered at Korks, a venue which had, in a previous incarnation, operated as a night club of ill repute.

Engineers @ Cockpit

All the way from Norway are Magnet, creating epic and beautiful soundscapes rather than mere songs. Even Johansen has a voice direct from the Gods, and a band of great ability to help him recreate the self-made sounds of his two albums thus far.

Robochrist @ Brudenell Social Club

It's not at every gig where the between-band entertainment consists of various luminaries of the Leeds music scene, including members of The Scaramanga Six, les Flames!

Living Thing @ Borders

The first time that I've ventured into the Borders Cafe Bar and it's to see Pete and Annabelle, aka Living Thing, playing a free acoustic set to a crowd that is settling back and relaxing to the early evening entertainment.

Loqui @ Leeds Festival 2008

If theatre was the chosen style then Loqui came right out and did it properly. Their cast of oddballs was choreographed around Rob Chapman (trombone, vocals and ego) and their music swirled, raced and bewitched.

Detroit Cobras @ Cockpit

Detroit Cobras are a ballsy and real 'covers' band with a difference. Operating in various guises since 1994, their repertoire consists of garage-type covers of forgotten Motown, soul and rock'n'roll classics.

The Stoops @ New Roscoe

Tonight's entertainment was a mixed bag of punk, blues and prog, stoner doors stuff, which surprisingly went together well, though no band lit up the evening as something special.

Johnson House @ Dr Wu's

Well, I told you all about this gig - so those that didn't come along missed a real music treat! Johnson House are a real enigma of a band, and probably Leeds' best kept secret.

Darren Poyzer @ Grove Inn

Where Darren Poyzer appears, unusual things happen and people enjoy themselves. Over the weekend of 20-22 August, he even had to forego his own birthday gig back in his Glossop-Manchester-Oldham homeland because he'd been such a success at the 'Arts for Life' Edinburgh Festival that they wanted more.

The Convulsions @ The Junction (Otley)

The Convulsions are a four piece R+B band who add a new dimension to the concept of "high energy". The Junction is a small venue used to more sedate entertainment; perhaps a game of darts while enjoying a nice pint of Timothy Taylor's for instance.

Giant Drag @ Joseph's Well

Joff Whitten is a rather talented boy: a solo performer he mixes an acoustic guitar, a bass and wistful vocals, throws them all into a loop, swaps instruments, generates layer-upon-layer and comes out with some rather intriguing folk-pop.

Jack Afro @ Cockpit

Three may allegedly be a magic number, but everybody at the Cockpit for Futuresound's third competition heat must have been doing too much calculus recently, accidentally multiplying three by something else and making the end result only distantly related to our original magic number.

Outsider @ Cockpit

It was a funny ole evening and was one of those gigs where there were loads of Mums and Aunties and Pringle wearing Dads hunched in embarrassment at the back near the bar...

Juxtaposition @ Joseph's Well

There's a very good turn out for this winter solstice gig at Joseph's Well, and a distinct air of anticipation before Juxtaposition take to the stage.

Kate Rusby @ City Varieties

Go to a folk gig... what is that about? Well, I've been into Kate Rusby's music since I got her excellent album "10" as a present from a discerning music lover.

Wilful Missing @ Primrose

It started out looking like an almost over-modest evening's entertainment. With no announcement either from pub staff or from himself, Dave Willis did a 25 minute set of strummed acoustic guitar (loud) and effective voice - before leaving the performance area in the same anonymous fashion he'd arrived, though to energetic applause from his listeners.

Frank Sidebottom @ New Roscoe

It's Frank Sidebottom at the New Roscoe, you know it is, it really is. It's a middle aged man in a papier mache head, who really should know better by now.

Atholl Ransome @ Grove Inn

The cognoscenti gathered in the music room of the Grove as light slowly faded across a daylong sky of flawless blue.

The New Drifters @ Denby Dale Festival

Whilst the V Festival as happening at Weston Park and Chelmsford and the Moor Festival at Ilkley, I chose to spend my weekend at the Festival at Denby Dale.

The Amazing Pilots @ Royal Park Cellars

Any band with a name containing the word "fury" give you a huge hint as to what they're going to sound like before playing a note, so it's no surprise that Two Wheel Fury provide a riotous, fun affair ranging from punk to alternative rock sounds.

Tempting Kate @ Fenton

Before we get stuck into the review I feel it's necessary to have a whinge. Stealthman were supposed to be playing tonight but unfortunately the landlord decided to be a prick and ban them from the venue due to them being under-age, after they had lugged all their gear in and sound checked.

Eureka Machines @ Leeds Festival 2008

Eureka Machines charge up the whole show for the next three days by demolishing Friday's graveyard slot, tearing out classic rock songs like Saturday night was already half way through and speeding us all up to life-threatening pulse levels.

four day Hombre @ Royal Park Cellars

I had a feeling tonight was going to be a good night and it was. Steve Kind introduced each of the bands and let us know what we were in for...

Mama Scuba @ Joseph's Well

Brazil are probably the most over-underrated Leeds band not to come from Leeds. Tonight there are times in their set which opens up the night that are literally entertainment of the highest order, and at other times they drift off into a sort of in-between world where your mind wanders and you lose focus on what they are trying to do.

Paranova @ The Old Cock (Halifax)

The Old Cock has recently been celebrating the renewal of is entertainment license, and a decent sized crowd had assembled in what is the town's temple of live music. The support slot was filled by a band new to my ears, a swampy rock outfit named The Roller 6ix.

Angie Palmer @ Jug & Barrel

What comes next in your career if you've just heard you've got your first 5-star CD review (in Country Music People magazine) and Bob Harris has told the world of Radio 2 that you're one of Britain's best current singer-songwriters as he too endorses your new album?

Gallows @ Cockpit

The last time Watford went head to head with Leeds, the action took place on a football field and the results were a little different.

Whole Sky Monitor @ Rocket

LES FLAMES! are in their element tonight: it's a decent stage in a big scruffy bar with a hundred plus smiling faces to hear their best shot.

The Hives @ The Refectory

The searing heat inside the Refectory is only made more intolerable by the 5 minute fire alarm that kicks the night off.

Galitza @ Joseph's Well

It was always going to be a little bit special. Buzz. Anticipation. Electric atmosphere. One song. Could have been twenty.

Pray For Hayden @ The Vine

I'd never previously seen any of the bands I saw on Wednesday night but when I left at 11:15pm I felt like I'd heard three of them somewhere else before.

Madeleine Brooks @ Jug & Barrel

"Prepare yourselves for a textured sound," chuckled Madeleine Brooks in sympathy for the audience's predicament as well as her own.

Optimus Prhyme @ Joseph's Well

SWAMP DONKEY opened tonight's bill at Josephs Well. Two things that grabbed me about this band were the cool graininess to the singer's voice and the fact that they weren't that tight.

Low @ Cockpit

I missed the first couple of songs by Low's support act, My Latest Novel, due to a half hour frantic search for my ticket.

Mr Shiraz @ Cockpit

An average crowd age of about 9, thanks to the support acts still being in their nappies, gave the Cockpit a very Byker Grove feel as teeny rockers Blake drew the curtain on their tolerable set.

Martha @ Cockpit

Fifth Goodbye were the first band of the evening's entertainment, and they had to put in a very solid performance to be able to stand up to the following bands, and a solid performance it was.

The Glitterati @ Cockpit

Pounding of drums and wail of guitar signifies that My Exploding Heart have come to the stage. Singer/guitarist Danny Carr thrashes out power chords like it's the last time he'll play a gig while faces of orgasmic exhilaration come from frantic drummer Mike Quarry.

Benjamin Wetherill @ The Vine

Underground rock mega-haven, The Vine, looks bare and empty tonight. A smattering of people enjoy their overpriced drinks in relative silence.

Worriedaboutsatan @ Atrium

Poor Pifco. Unfortunately for them, the organisers of tonight's event, Tiny Cat, haven't realised that for those living outside of the city centre the cutoff point is basically about 11pm.

Bodixa @ Joseph's Well

Those of us braving the wind and rain on Sunday night were treated to a quality evening of unplugged entertainment as the Well played host to another Naked Bar Guitar evening.

The Labels @ The Bedroom (Wakefield)

Tonight at The Bedroom sees WEAREYOU (of Thursday night @ Carpe Diem fame) expand its reaches to Wakefield.

Mansun @ Cockpit

Okay let's be straight right from the start. We weren't exactly there for Athlete right from the start.

Phluid @ Royal Park Cellars

A night of ROCK down the Royal Park... when isn't it these days? The Royal Park is getting a name for itself now as a more rock sort of venue, possibly due to promoter Steve Kind's insistance that all bands rock at all times.

Beautiful Feet @ Royal Park Cellars

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that as much as anything else when it comes to gigs, the 'flow' of an evening's entertainment is as important as the quality of the music in catching and holding people's attention.

Foals @ Faversham

I was rather excited about getting tickets for this gig. Not only was I off to see one of my new favourite-bands-you-haven't-really-heard-of-but-will-soon, GoodBooks, I was going to a student only night.

Kate Nash @ Cockpit

The first in a series of Live at Leeds gigs, an initiative to celebrate the city's 800th Birthday, Kate Nash managed to kick off the three day extravaganza with pure class.

Rent @ Love Apple (Bradford)

Often, during times of contemplation (for which read: "hangovers") I wonder what the point of music actually is.

Uiscedwr @ Commercial (Cleckheaton)

There aren't many indications Cleckheaton is the place to be. Five minutes from Leeds on the westbound M62, the town sits unsignposted beside junction 26, where the distant Bronte zone and none-too-close Salt's Mill are announced.

Sawthroat @ Morley Town Hall

Last weekend saw the first Morley Battle of the Bands and proved to all that attended that this was not a one off event and that the future of the Morley Battle of the bands is secure.

Idiot Pilot @ Cockpit

It's 8pm and the Cockpit pit is already absolutely rammed. That's saying quite a lot considering there are only 2 bands on tonight, Idiot Pilot and The Seal Cub Clubbing Club.

Bilge Pump @ Brudenell Social Club

The Brudenell Social club played host to three bands, all helping to raise funds for the Asian Earthquake Disaster appeal.

Unexploded Shells @ Primrose

I've always liked The Primrose as one of Leeds' smaller music venues and I have always managed to catch some good bands there, tonight was no exception.

Jens Lekman @ Faversham

Considering the amount of publicity Jens Lekman has been getting in recent months, it was a little surprising to see The Fav wasn't packed.

Chumbawamba @ Trades Club (Hebden Bridge)

Chumbawamba had worldwide fame thrust upon them as the digital age got under way the second half of the nineties.

The Cribs @ The Refectory

So here we are at the Refectory, the house lights go down and on comes Giant Drag. If you have never seen or heard of Giant Drag before then here is your first impression of them.

The Butterfly @ Brudenell Social Club

The Engine Room is made of metal this evening as the most entertaining DIY night in Leeds introduces us to three bands that are as heavy as led - The Butterfly, Mishkin and the wonderfully titled White Boys for No.10 Down Syndrome Street (more usually known as (the slightly more offensive) White Boys For Gay Jesus).

The Icarus Line @ Cockpit

Colour of Fire, acclaimed local(ish) alt-rockers, opened up tonight in front of a reasonable crowd. Having just finished a considerable UK tour, they didn't seem at all tired, or perturbed to back in their regular gigging territory.

Northern Theremonic @ Royal Park Cellars

I came tonight for only the second time to the Royal Park pub and I was indeed a Panama Virgin. I had heard good things about Steve Kind and his nights and was eager to find out if they were true.

Eels @ The Refectory

Student feeding-ground by day, 'The Refectory' at Leeds University Union may not seem like the obvious location for a night of top musical entertainment, but I was certainly impressed by the sound and light show at the excellent Placebo gig here this time last year.

Bobby Conn @ Joseph's Well

So it's my first time back at the Well since that whole unfortunate 'incident' when The Stills overran by about six hours or something.

Bloodhound Gang @ LMUSU

For all of those about to read, if you know either of these bands then you will most certainly know what will be coming up in this review.

Diawara @ Highwood Hotel

Having settled myself down before soundcheck with - wait for it - a glass of water (not being one to skint the rock and roll lifestyle), I watched with interest as a varying and frankly baffling array of workshop tools, guitars, miniature drumkits and animal-print amps were wheeled onto the small stage by an equally delightful assortment of long metal hairstyles, arranged tent-like above the leather-jacketed Fobia, and the tie-and-shirt-type figures of headliners, Diawara.

Aces & Eights @ Cockpit

Aces & Eights are one of the only recent bands who have not come directly from MySpace. Rather than relying on the support of their, admittedly, over 1000 "Friends" they've worked their way up through the grimy Leeds pubs to arrive, not quite signed and slightly tainted, at the Cockpit.

65 Days Of Static @ Brudenell Social Club

Aaah the all dayer. The closest thing you get to a mini festival, and with a rather interesting 8 band bill scheduled for the Tasty Fanzine event, the Brudenell Social Club seems to be slowly buzzing with prospect for the bands to come.

Iggy & The Stooges @ Harewood House

As soon as you walk into the grounds of Harewood House, it hits you right in the face: this gig is as close to a sixties' "peace and love" throwback as you're likely to find in this day and age.

Cansei de Ser Sexy @ Leeds Festival 2008

Turning up on Friday morning, swapping my piece of paper for my press pass, pitching my tent in guest camping and making my way to the arena, I was really pleased I'd been able to come to Leeds this year.

Parva @ Corn Exchange

A gig in aid of 'A GOOD CAUSE' eh? (the 'good cause' in question being Wheatfields hospice). Thankfully tonite's gig and the Junction 47 II CD it is designed to promote owe more to the 'Help' album than they do to 'Live Aid' - bringing together genuinely good bands from Leeds to do what they do best - play quality music with scarce a lighter-waving ballad featuring a children's choir in sight...

Editors @ Millennium Square

First up, playing to a half empty square, are The Motorettes. These Geordie guys aren't half bad really, even though they fit the mould of typical indie rockers.

Soft Cell @ The Refectory

In all the years of being a fan this was the first time I saw Marc 'live'. I had seen former associates of his from Vicious Pink some time back.