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Article criteria suggests the writer be completely neutral to the topic of their article. When Jackie, Michael and Jamie, components of the 1990s, took to the 'O2 blueroom' stage on Saturday 16th June 2007 to tune their own instruments; my neutrality died.
Dance Stage line up announced for Leeds Festival 2006...
With the Main Stage and Radio One / NME Stage line-ups now pretty much confirmed and only a very limited amount of day tickets available for both sites, Leeds Festival organisers Mean Fiddler have this week announced the line up for the Dance Stage.
Joseph Seager caught up with Karl Larsson, front man of Swedish band Last Days Of April.
The Topman Unsigned Stage line up is announced for Leeds Festival 2006
Although the Futuresound 2006 competition is still to come to a close -with six winners expected to be announced shortly- the line up for the Unsigned Stage at this year's Leeds Festival is already taking shape...
Ricky Warwick was, and still is, the formidable front man for one of the heaviest rock acts the UK has ever seen. Victoria Holdsworth asks the questions...
First ten bands announced for Leeds Festival 2007's Unsigned Stage
Sandman Magazine have this week revealed the first ten bands that will appear on the Unsigned Stage at the Carling Weekend: Leeds Festival 2007.
Victoria Holdsworth catches up with Hull band The Bonnitts before they go on stage at Beach 2006 in Scarborough
Dillinger Escape Plan @ Leeds Festival 2002
Dillinger Escape Plan got things off to a storming start on the Main Stage at Leeds. Coming at you with mighty 3-minute power bursts of songs the kids down the front loved it.
Kaiser Chiefs @ Leeds Festival 2006
The meteoric rise of the local boys continues as they step out on stage in front of a huge "KC" back drop that twinkles in the night sky throughout their set.
Taking Back Sunday @ Leeds Festival 2006
The New Yorkers upgrade to a main stage slot as they return to the Leeds Festival delivering a large portion of current album 'Louder Now' in live form.
American Hi-Fi @ Leeds Festival 2001
The recent media hype surrounding Boston four-piece American Hi-Fi would appear well justified after they rip-roared through their Leeds festival date in front of a crammed Carling Premier Stage.
Defenestration @ Leeds Festival 2001
Named after the act of chucking things out of windows and with an average age of 19, these Kerrang! faves certainly know how to scream a tent down.
Entering the cool downstairs bar of The Wardrobe I'm greeted by a sea of the city's most beautiful inhabitants.
Deadstring Brothers @ New Roscoe
Looking like Matt Bellamy and sounding like Mick Jagger, Kurt Marshke leads Deadstring Brothers through this evening's set with excellent vocals and some chirpy banter with a lukewarm crowd.
Fresh from an NME pasting, Your Vegas take to the Faversham's stage in front of a good sized crowd. The review of new single 'Flybuzz' criticised the band for daring not to be an identikit copycat of every other band you can hear on the radio or read about in the press.
So summer is now over and it's time for Steve Kind and his Panama Promotions team to get back into the fray, but this time three times a week.
The Strokes @ Leeds Festival 2002
Julian Casablancas hobbles on stage with the help of crutches tonight but, almost inevitably, he somehow manages to make it look like the coolest entrance imaginable.
After queuing to get in behind a long line of mainly under 18's the Cockpit is pretty much full. By the time we get in, Piebald have kicked off their set and there are more than a few heads nodding in the audience.
The Cockpit is sold out tonight and the biggest challenge for me tonight will involve trying to get a brief glimpse of the band, as most of the Hundred Reasons fanbase seem to tower above the 6ft mark.
Despite several grumbles that the organisers had mistakenly billed him as Lawrence Of Arabia, the New Zealander and his band impressed with their five-part harmonies and several accapella breakdowns.
Female-fronted ensemble playing piano with auburn hair and vintage-style dress. No I'm not talking about Kate Nash but Rose Elinor Dougall aka Rose formerly of the Pipettes.
A matter of minutes after Lyca Sleep have completed raising hairs on backs and with the girls in a quiver the uninitiated are quick on the information trail, keen to learn more.
An especially young crowd had been let out to play by their parents for this gig, and it showed in their random appreciation of their fine friends on the stage performing.
Entering the Cockpit the first thing that hits you is the heat, the second is the fact that Brassy are already on stage.
There's the possibility of a successful band here, but it's unlikely to be named Louie. I mean, it could form from Louie, or component members thereof, but for now all we see before us is a band going through the stage of self-finding, identification and formation.
Another Saturday night at the Highwood saw the typical mix of youth and experience that has become all so common under the banner of the bearded soundman.
Bad Beat Revue @ Joseph's Well
There are about a dozen people in the room but I think somebody has forgotten to tell Bad Beat Revue's front man.
Prior to tonight, I'd heard approximately three Saosin songs, and to be honest didn't have a clue who was supporting them.
A nervous anticipation greets Cornershop when one-by-one they take to the stage to gradually build up tonight's opener "Heavy Soup", taken from their latest and rather excellent album "Handcream For A Generation".
Andrew WK @ Leeds Festival 2002
The one-man party machine drew a large crowd to the Main Stage to witness some self-abuse antics. The performance is full of energy from the start; Mr WK and backing band run around like lunatics.
The hall is already filling up not long after the doors open for the gig tonight. Support acts Das Wunderlast and Art Brut bring in impressive crowds, getting the party started with the mixture of Das Wunderlast's experimental indie pop and Art Brut's indie pop punk, showing the audience a taste of the quality that tonight's gig has to offer.
That Fucking Tank @ Leeds Festival 2008
That Fucking Tank, confounding expectations as usual, are here on the BBC Introducing Stage like basking sharks in a paddling pool.
Archie Bronson Outfit are a funny looking bunch. Stepping on stage somewhat shyly, they immediately establish the position of slightly odd-looking country folk; an array of bad, ill-fitting shirts and fuzzy beards that just don't seem to sit quite right on their pasty faces.
thisGirl @ Leeds Festival 2002
Having got a support slot with this band, this was a perfect chance to check them out. The band play punk metal type stuff with mellow bits in between - a bit like Lost Prophets but not quite as heavy.
For the uninitiated The Haunted are from Gothenburg, Sweden. Formed from the ashes of seminal metallers, "At the Gates", their music is that of unbelievable extremes.
The Tennessee Traincrash @ Cockpit
We've been in the Rocket for an hour and a half so far, patiently waiting while amateur night clears its throat.
Only a handful of bands have lyrics that when cut bleed humour and wit, music that sparks involuntary bouts of movement resembling that of a seizure, an image gleaming like a 6ft neon sign that says 'now', a set void of a single poor effort AND who possess the ability to hold an audience even if they were doused in Kerosene and set alight.
Smashing Pumpkins @ Leeds Festival 2007
Probably the luckiest thing that could've happened this weekend did actually happen. The sun came out.
Whilst waiting for Lyca Sleep to take the stage I'm reading a fanzine which hails the band as the best live act of the year.
There's not a great crowd down tonight, but there often isn't for opening bands so hopefully it'll fill up later.
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.
Requested personally by Swedish post-rock wonders 'Jeniferever' to be thier tour support, expect lush finger picked melodies ghosting underneath fragile vocal lines that place him somewhere between Nick Drake, Iron and Wine and Red House Painters.
Despite arriving fairly early to Leeds Met, I managed to just miss support act Ben's Brother. The prompt stage times saw Seth Lakeman begin his set just shy of 20:30; fortunately the venue seemed just about full when he began.
The Labels @ The Bedroom (Wakefield)
Tonight at The Bedroom sees WEAREYOU (of Thursday night @ Carpe Diem fame) expand its reaches to Wakefield.
With 'Hey There Delilah' firmly planted in the Top 5 of the UK charts, this gig tonight is most definitely sold out.
Having played at The Cockpit before to only a handful of people, it wasn't looking good for Look See Proof when myself and my friends walked in to The Cockpit to find only one couple sat in the corner.
The Glitterati @ Fibbers (York)
After some initial confusion it turn out this is the Phluid I already know of, not a York band by the same name.
Capdown sure are up for fun this afternoon. The Milton Keynes ska-punkers have plenty to say for themselves and engage in banter with their large and fully appreciative crowd.
Bloc Party @ Leeds Festival 2008
The last day of the festival. It threw it down on Saturday Night but when The Blackout came to the main stage, they had a little battle with the elements.
The Parkinsons @ Leeds Festival 2002
Twelve months ago a rough looking, attitude laden and downright riotous Portuguese four-piece opened up the Carling Stage proceedings to a mere fifty people.
This was perhaps my most anticipated gig of the year so far. Ever since hearing 'Daddy's Gone' I've been a big fan and having missed their last trip to Leeds at the Faversham I was not going to miss this one.
These are rather depressing times in this country - as if the fact that no-one dares put their money within 50 miles of a bank account and that Norwich's county town may soon be Atlantis isn't bad enough, there's been barely the thinnest of smatterings of sunshine to brighten us up.
Following Manchester's Hooker was never gonna be an easy job, but The Gossip still managed to be the humble stars of this oestro-centric line-up.
The Horrible Children @ Joseph's Well
The first band to take the stage - in front of an already large crowd- were Diverse, who seemed to go down well with the audience.
Soundtrack Of Our Lives @ Leeds Festival 2002
The second that Soundtrack Of Our Lives step onto the stage, the biggest conceivable raindrops begin to plummet from the sky.
Vincent Vincent and the Villains @ Brudenell Social Club
To say it lacked atmosphere would be understatement of the year, especially considering the reputation that North by South Best has.
Ambition is lacking and lazyitis seems to be rife in Liverpool at the minute, as the latest Coral - lite band tortures my ears.
FF'ers are confronted by the biggest crowd of the day. It's really hard to get up to the front, and in pretending to be important, with a bag and an officious clipboard I attract the attention of two young fans who ask me who is about to play.
Hooks For Hands - The Carling Stage A packed out and excitable Carling Tent rips into a huge roar as unknowns Hooks For Hands take to the stage.
Band Profile: Concentration Champ
Band Members: The Champ, The Deputy We are the perfect band to invite to dinner. I (The Champ) was born in a barn just south of Plaistow in London, in which I lived till I was old enough to wipe my own arse (roughly 24 by that stage).
Shadow of Memories @ Joseph's Well
Tonight is a 4 band line-up featuring Botulus Canis, Foruta, Eborsisk and Shadow of Memories. Due to my bus situation I arrive just at the start of the second band, Foruta; so unfortunately I can't review the first band.
Things look very bright for the music scene in Leeds at the moment, and tonight is a great testament to that.
Leeds bands and music fans lose the popular BBC Raw Talent radio show
With immediate effect BBC Radio Leeds has decided to cease broadcasting Raw Talent, the weekly two-hour programme of new regional music presented by Hull's Alan Raw and produced by Katie Noone for BBC Radio Humberside.
Early starts usually mean the opening band play to no one; sadly for Medium 21 this was true tonight.
It's just like any other Saturday night. You're having a good ol' laugh with your mates down at the tin.
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.
I was looking forward to seeing The Wombats, and it being Star Wars day the usual obvious greetings were exchanged before we headed up to the venue.
Edison Medicine @ Joseph's Well
Apologies to Mizkarrage of Justice, as I was late (I always seem to be late these days). I got there in time to hear something I recognised but couldn't place and as I was scrabbling round for a pen realised it was cover of something.
Corinne Bailey Rae @ The Refectory
First up Jack Savoretti - at 22 years old half English and half Italian, blessed with Latin good looks and a voice that many would die for.
As readers will see from the by-line at the bottom, we are breaking our rule of not reviewing our own gigs.
Benjamin Wetherill @ Cardigan Arms
Smashy bang. Quite a few gigs on tonight and I decide to go see Leeds' best dressed gentlemen and a bag load of bands he has decided to grace the Cardy Army with.
Sunday nights at Joseph's Well are rapidly turning into something a bit special on the Leeds music scene.
ESCLAVAGE A rather melodic beginning for a band that seem ready to tear the new roscoe down. This song turns into a roaring mosh-fest in seconds with all members showing good stage presence.
Ten Seconds Of Chaos @ Joseph's Well
I attended this show not quite knowing what to expect as I had heard a mixture of opinions on several of the bands, but when I arrived to a relatively large anticipating crowd, I thought I might be in for a good night.
Donning a pair of mucky old Converse Trainers - I headed down to Bad Sneakers, I felt, suitably attired.
The Pattern @ Leeds Festival 2002
Ahhh, The Pattern... one of the forerunners of the trashy, garage rock revival that has seen the music media continually cream their pants at the possibility of another band beginning with 'The'; the same scene that has spawned thousands and thousands of wannabe new bands, each one attracted by the fact that 'you don't actually have to play that well'.
Quote from myself 5 months ago in my Glasvegas review from the 13th June Cockpit gig... "Glasvegas were absolutely brilliant and deserving of all the hype.
The Hair @ University of Lincoln
You can take the band and the reviewer out of Yorkshire but you can't take the Yorkshire out... The Hair are an extremely tight outfit who have talent in abundance.
The Young Knives @ Leeds Festival 2008
British Sea Power start the final day and drive away any remnants of the morning's deluge. Unfortunately the wind, or the Main Stage's volume limiter, conspire to also wash away the sound, so only the manic flag waving at the front gives hint to how good they are.
I knew I really couldn't miss this! I have seen both Albeit and Sugarvalve before but not Mariko. Saying that I feel as though I have.
Having been told that The Cellars have been overhauled and improved, I was certainly interested which prompted my attendance tonight.
Chevron @ McDermotts (Wakefield)
Wandering into McDermotts on Saturday night I noticed that tonight held the promise of music. Four bands whose apparent self-proclaimed musical leanings sounded tempting (if beer mat flyers are to be believed).
Plasticine: The Man Who Makes Volcanoes
Describing yourself as the sort of band journalists hate to write about because you are so genre defying is equivalent to tying up a lamb in front of a lion...
The Glitterati @ Fibbers (York)
"We all wanna be big, big stars but we don't know why and we don't know how". So sang Counting Crows, which subsequently became their 'how'.
Why is it that only guitarists can pull off wearing a cowboy hat? And why is it only drummers who wear vests?
"Let's rock 'til we drop" says My Awesome Compilation frontman Chris Driver to kick off tonight's proceedings, the 18th leg of this European Atticus tour, featuring the Leicester four piece as well as Americans Hopesfall and Tsunami Bomb...
And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead @ LMUSU
Now almost two years since its release, though not dated a single day, "Mistakes & Regrets" is greeted with the loudest roar of the night before even a word is sung as the unmistakable slow melody line builds up into a blast of intense raw energy, a Stateside version of The Cooper Temple Clause's "Panzer Attack" for want of a comparison.
Goldie Lookin' Chain @ The Refectory
It's been a bit of a weird day. Walking towards Leeds Uni to interview Goldie Lookin' Chain I'm sure Eggsy walks past me.
Not many people are here to watch Buzzkill; a real shame, as they give it their all. Unfortunately there is a problem with the saxophone, meaning we don't get to see Matt Perrot strut his stuff, and this leaves half a brass section by the name of Ben Whittington, who's trumpet can barely be heard except during his fiddly solos.
After spending Saturday watching sport, namely Leeds Utd beating Liverpool, then spending the early evening at Joseph's Well, where the glamorous (or is it sexy?) Albeit were set to headline yet again, I ventured down to The Rocket.
After standing in possibly the longest box office queue to get the tickets that Ticketmaster never sent, by the time we got into the new Leeds Academy (Carpet?
So then after months of waiting the night was finally here, our first chance to see the Academy. After an hour in Walkabout (who will do a roaring trade on a Friday night with two quid drinks compared to £3.20 next door) we got our first glimpse of the Academy and our first reaction was how busy it seemed.
This was actually my first visit to The Faversham; well first time as a punter, I have actually done a few jobs for them.
"You've got to see Voodoo Glow Skulls. They, like, invented ska-punk man. Mad as fuck", mumbles the ever-reliable drunk, fired in the general direction of where I'm standing.
Having had this band recommended to me, receiving an email from BMG with a sound snippet and then stumbling upon a lonesome copy of this EP I decided that it was fate and took the poor little blighter home with me.
Tonight showed just how much I enjoy spending my time down at Joseph's Well. Less than 24 hours after being played on national radio, a Peel Session no less, the Lorimer boys are out in force again; Chris on the doors as usual and Jock doing the sound.
Dot Allison @ Leeds Festival 2002
It's difficult to make out Dot through the rather er, smoky atmosphere in the Dance Tent this afternoon.
Themselves @ Brudenell Social Club
Mr. Whiskey and No Dice start proceedings with a DJ set that seems to last forever, but creates the atmosphere for Alias.
Dandy Warhols @ Leeds Festival 2002
Two potential schools of thought here. A laidback and pretty stoner rock vibe is perfect for a sunny Summer afternoon on the Main Stage or could it be there's a pervasive sense of ennui because the Dandy Warhols have been hauling the dead gee-gee of 'Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia' around for just a wee bit too long.
A guilty pleasure of mine has always been 'dumb music'. Okay, I'll happily listen to 'Bush Baiters' and 'Peace Preachers' without too many complaints, but sometimes one needs to wind down and forget about the troubles of the world for a few hours.
A common figure in the Arts is Everyman - he may seem unremarkable in many ways but there's always something more for us to discover about him.
With people still slowly drifting into the venue The Glitterati take to the stage. A crack of drums and a howl of overdriven guitars sees the band launch into 'Heartbreaker' and a rampant set that keeps upping the energy levels with each song until you feel veins are going to burst somewhere on stage.
The selling point of this gig seemed to be that Twisted Wheel have been given the NME seal of approval, to which I wondered is an NME seal of approval really what we are judging new bands now?
A launch gig for a single that isn't actually finished or due out for maybe another month if that... surely such inefficiency can't be associated with The Playmates?
The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster @ Cockpit
Your author arrives to find his name "missing" from the guestlist and after several minutes' discussion with the venue authorities finds out that his name is on the list - so then, some advice - get people on the door who can read.
It is a tribute to the Leeds' live music scene, its followers and local promoters, that tonight boasts four completely different bands, completely different styles and, for yet another Lock & Load event, a top gig.
Stars Of Track & Field: Not Here To Shop
Having spent the last three years in Carlisle (at University) I watched the development of a local band by the name of Stars Of Track & Field.
The poster on the door has an ominous message - "last gig for at least 9 months" - dare we expect then a classic Cud set, with all the drama, trimmings and japery?
To say this was a popular night would be somewhat of an understatement. We were packed and packed in proper...
Juliette & The Licks: Got Love To Kill
Perhaps one of my biggest regrets of this year's Leeds Festival was allowing myself to get swept along with the hype and be all eager-beaverish, arriving early at the Carling Stage on the Sunday to secure a 'good spot' for young scamps, Arctic Monkeys.
1990s @ Wireless Festival 2007
Article criteria suggests the writer be completely neutral to the topic of their article. When Jackie, Michael and Jamie, components of the 1990s, took to the 'O2 Blueroom' stage on Saturday 16th June 2007 to tune their own instruments; my neutrality died.
"When you're on, yeah you're really fuckin' on!" yells the diminutive Jenny Lewis, singer and guitarist for Rilo Kiley, an odd looking bunch of misfits from the stable of Saddle Creek, the label started by one Conor Oberst and pals.
Mr Shiraz @ Scullys (Heckmondwike)
The Agency Well I think this is the 3rd or 4th time I've seen The Agency. They play a kind of punked up ska, which is a refreshing change from what we hear all to often coming out of America.
The Music @ Leeds Festival 2002
It's the hometown dream... their favourite sons headlining the world's largest dual-site festival in front of 2,000 ecstatic music fans and with the news that Take the Long Road and Walk it may be hitting the UK Top Ten in a couple of days the atmosphere is electric.
Jon Gomm @ Love Apple (Bradford)
I think we all know the story by now. A young sprightly reviewer who has never seen Jon Gomm before sits himself down and waits in anticipation.
The first-floor room at Milo's is, under normal circumstances, easily missed. You may have passed it en route to the facilities, but normally you'd be loafing around downstairs thinking that the (admittedly consistent) bar soundtrack was about as much aural stimulus as you'd require for an evening's drinking-cum-socializing.
The stage is dark, and the unmistakable soundtrack from A Clockwork Orange starts playing, it goes on for ages.
After waiting for what seemed like an eternity for any action on stage and supping the over priced bottles of beer (because the draft had run out!) Oceansize took to the stage amidst an array of guitars (6 in total), laptops and large drum set-ups.
Arriving at about 7pm, there was already a lengthy queue outside the venue. We got into the "Over 18's" venue at about 7:30, and as everyone else was running down to the front, we decided to join them all.
Levellers @ St George's Hall (Bradford)
3 Daft Monkeys are a three-piece made up of a female violin player / vocalist (Athene Roberts), electric bass player Jamie Waters and male vocalist / 12 string acoustic guitarist Tim Ashton, who also plays a kick drum and occasionally adds whistle to what their website calls a "colourful carnival of sound".
Rumours a-plenty, stories abound. Prior to tonight's gig, various fora have been discussing Smith's behaviour, where at Stoke, for example, he wanders off stage half way through a song, no-one knows where he's gone, and he appears up on the balcony watching the rest of the band play.
Saturday night saw a packed house at the Cockpit, where over 300 people were out in force to witness a three-band bill topped by Capital State.
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.
drum 'n bass
Kill Manticore @ Royal Park Cellars
For all my scheming and plotting, it is the simple things in life that keep me most amused. Plans. I love plans.
Tonight's high profile appearance for US band Sleater-Kinney has moved. Its moved next door after the overwhelming response to the girl-punk rock band has left the Rocket Venue unable to cope - just short of 250 people are packed into the Cockpit for the bands first non-festival appearance in Leeds and the first gig on their Uk tour.
Many People don't like ska. I am one of those people. I just don't get it! I understand the aspect of "fun" in the music, I understand that many local ska bands incorporate as many instruments as possible in order to rectify the lack of musical talent.
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.
Formed from the ashes of seminal 90s metallers Carcass, Arch Enemy typify the ferocious intensity that is death metal.
I started my day in a very groggy fashion indeed. I had already come to terms with the fact that my football team (Tamworth FC) will be slogging it out somewhere outside of the football league next season, and that I was flat broke after paying long overdue bills...
O Fracas @ Brudenell Social Club
As many of the city's music fans descended on to the capital for the Camden Crawl, the rest of the Leeds faithful shrugged their way through the slippery streets of Hyde Park to the Brudenell Social Club where O Fracas were launching their new single "Follow Sue".
Les Savy Fav record like a fucked-up Pixies and play live like complete mad bastards in an art-punk, post-hardcore vein, which is no surprise when they feature a front man like the bearded Tim Harrington.
Parting company with one's musical tastes takes a lot in today's tightly packed music world, but the styles of Vicious Cabaret and The Humour are two bands not of the norm and can hold their heads up high among the rest of the Arctic Monkey wannabies out there as they challenged listeners at The Mixing Tin in Leeds to a different style of music.
After an interminable wait, a severely depleted Melaton grace the stage. The lead singer informs us that traffic made them late and half the band are still stuck in it, so they will attempt a shortened set with him and the bass player.
The Old Romantic Killer Band @ Brudenell Social Club
The Despondents, although showed considerable effort, ultimately fell flat. The impression they gave off certainly wasn't helped by the lead singer's 'eccentric' white sunglasses.
Leeds is quiet tonight; most of the local bars are empty, probably due to the appalling Leeds weather.
With Leeds festival just around the corner it's that time again for the Futuresound competition. Tonight was the turn of The Black Helicopters, Ten Seconds Of Chaos and The Xenith Sound to win over the crowd and more importantly the judges with their interpretations of what passes for good music these days.
The Chapman Family @ HiFi Club
A small crowd have assembled in the plush surroundings of the Hifi club to see what this month's New Slang has to offer.
The Tennessee Traincrash @ The Vine
The intimate carpet, curtains and ceiling lights of the Vine's upstairs room dispense a surreal good humour to all who have entered the packed-out space, up here on the edge of abnormality.
This record made me nostalgic for 2003. Look there's Franz Ferdinand climbing rapidly up the greasy pole, from Carling Stage to festival headliner, from NME tour opener to cover idols.
David Thomas Broughton @ Faversham
Nothing could prepare me, or the dozens of those in my locality for what we were about to see "grace" the stage in front of our very eyes.
Nottingham's Headway may or may not have chosen to call themselves the same thing as the Brain Injury Association, but they certainly do not induce any sort of injury on you.
Rage Against The Machine @ Leeds Festival 2008
Another sunny start proves the weathermen wrong again and brings out huge crowds. Standing on his (soap) box, Beans On Toast is one man with a guitar, making the world a better place through songs about sex, drugs, politics, MySpace and wellies.
The idea behind mentioning Sigur Ros in the first line of their bio, was probably a vague effort on the part of Fell City Girl's PR team to try and draw off the inevitable tide of comparisons heading their way.
Broken Social Scene @ Irish Centre
leedsmusicscene.net writers, you disappoint me. I cannot understand how nobody has decided to write about this yet.
There's no wasting time with Loqui, 3 seconds in and I am already reaching for the volume knob. Here I am presented with two bitesize chunks destined not to fit in anywhere whilst still remaining a bit too familiar and of course it comes as no surprise that Loqui don't seem to care either way.
Half Man Half Biscuit @ Cockpit
It's been a while since this band have graced any stage in Leeds, and it's an obvious welcome return judging by the full house that's in front of them, even at 14 quid a pop.
Reverend And The Makers @ Cockpit
There's an air of anticipation amongst the crowd; The Cockpit is sold out and as this is the closest venue to Sheffield of their July tour dates plenty of people have made the trip up the motorway from Sheffield.
Its the second night of the FutureSound 2000 competition as three more bands battle it out for the chance to play at Leeds Carling Weekend festival.
Earl Okin: Musical Genius and Sex Symbol
Yeh OK. The best joke on this live recording is the first one. "Teenage Dirtbag" done in bossa nova style.
Quite an eventful Saturday evening in the end. Firstly, I chatted away to Aeon prior to the Juno-2 gig at Royal Park Cellars - the interview should appear on the site in the next week or so - and then I bumped into Bella.
10,000 Things @ Brudenell Social Club
Time for the three kings to return to their kingdom, time for a superb local act to grab some of the glory and have some for themselves.
The eagerly and long-awaited appearance of Eminem - exactly a year late in fact - rounding off Friday night on the main stage in Leeds, was a show of two halves - neatly mirroring those two much-debated characters.
Herman Dune @ Brudenell Social Club
Championed favourably by the late John Peel, Herman Dune are a band brimming with mystery. To this day I'm still not 100% certain of their exact origin.
It's certainly an ambitious move to name your band after a bit of a left-field literary icon. As far as beat generation goes, old Jack is arguably the man and so you're always going to have to live up to that kind of expectation with those familiar with the object of your affection or demonstration of knowing cool.
On the second and fourth Thursday of every month, Leeds offers us a new acoustic night: "Stripped" at Baby Jupiter.
It's an early festive treat for punters at The Vine, although when I arrive it looks like a makeshift Berlin Wall made of sheets has been erected, with the bizarre prospect of a gig one side, and a huge fucker of a piss up with 70 quid plus rounds on the other.
Venues with pillars are shit. Especially big huge stone ones a few feet square. That aside, the Blank Canvas is a rather cool venue and seems to be increasingly used.
The Rocket Bar does not look very welcoming to The Old House tonight as they take the stage, fewer than 30 people are in the room watching though this soon changes as the blast through opener Platoon.
As much as people complain about gigs being continuously empty the Highwood continues to buck that trend totally.
Unfortunately this tour is undermined by its premise, it's a fucking MySpace tour. Most of the crowd are 12 who think they're cool 18 year olds because that's what it says on their profile and MySpace is gospel don't you know.
Moving Units @ Brudenell Social Club
Comparing bands is a funny business. You can say that a band are like the Happy Mondays, and mean it to be a good thing, but find that you are actually putting someone else off.
Just as The Buzzcocks and more recently the Sex Pistols have celebrated their thirty year anniversaries, The Misfits and their horror punk are touring for their birthday.
Apparently 'Lee' in front of me was number 8 and the Chuckle Brother-esque guy "remembered '66", the army of football paraphernalia clad men, held their pints aloft, sweated profusely (football shirts have never been designed for sweat) and from their post McD guts chanted "Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Yorkshire", taking particular care to emphasise the ork.
Saturday night saw the debut for new club night: Fake Hips upstairs at the Library Pub. Having arrived slightly late to see the full set from openers The Electricity In Our Homes, I can't say I regretted my tardiness from what I heard.
Leeds lads Guns on the Roof, with an average age of 18, have supported Stiff Little Fingers and the UK Subs here before.
Nightmare Of You @ Joseph's Well
Nightmare Of You are going to be so huge it doesn't bear thinking about. If mine and literally anyone else who's thus far come into contact with Long Islands Nightmare Of You predictions are correct tonight will have been one very special and significant show indeed.
With a top ten single and a top ten album to their name in recent weeks, it is of no surprise that tonight's gig is sold out with the standard touts outside asking for any spare tickets.
Two support bands. Why? Why oh fucking why? Maybe I need clarification, but I thought the whole point of a support band was to warm up the crowd for the main event, not take away all the time from them?
Electric Six @ Brixton Academy (London)
An evening of pure cheesy-student-rock music laced throughout with lyrics befitting the kind of teenage cliché that surfaces so often on title sequences to All American Highschool dramas.
A real mixed crowd of various ages, shapes and colours. People who should certainly know better at their age(s).
The Duke Spirit @ Joseph's Well
Fact: good image + good stage presence + good songs + lot's of A&R men = getting a good record deal. ...And all this is true about Duels, the first band on tonight, at an absolutely jam-packed Joseph's Well.
A much-billed single launch beckoned tonight at the Fenton with a joint headline of les Flames! and The Scaramanga Six.
The Unisex: Watching Traffic EP
It seems that when they are not busy making porn movies, the people of Sweden also like to produce top notch records for the rest of the world to enjoy.
Motion City Soundtrack @ LMUSU
Support act The Matches' front man Shawn Harris boasted a flamboyant dress sense and quite a long tongue.
Tupamaros @ Royal Park Cellars
First - an apology to NONE OF THEM KNEW THEY WERE ROBOTS - as I trotted down the steps of The Cellars for this my first "Collective AKA" night, I heard the final chord of their set and saw the singer lie down on the stage.
MIZKARRAGE OF JUSTICE - for a first gig these guys did well! They opened their set with 'So What' by Metallica and surprisingly did well.
I'll admit it, before this gig I had never heard of Scars On 45. We were mainly there to see Redwire, so when we got into the Cockpit and saw that the big room was open I was surprised.
Imagine a world where Axl is king, and Wayne and Garth are the court jesters. Time stands still beyond the Eighties, and Francis Rossi and Lemmy have a love child.
A bunch of really hairy, middle-aged blokes are on stage playing rock and roll, having a shout at George Bush, and causing mayhem.
So I'm wondering where my drunken comrades are and thinking if I'm going to get my coat back from the bag they have before I have to brave it back out into the winter night.
Stateless are the band of Chris James, Leeds friend of the Shadow. Mixing hip hop, dance and rock they are a good start to the show, and should have been on after the next group.
LaRusso: My Indecision Is Final
Self recorded and self produced eh? Usually sounds like a recipe for disaster amongst local bands. Well, not this time, I suggest everyone ships out to Casa La Russo and asks them to work their magic on their own records.
All fingers and no thumbs here. Middle Finger Salute have an average age of sixteen, but sound well beyond their years.
Another Saturday, once again striving for that elusive intimate gig, the night that blows all the others out of the water, the Leeds hard rock fraternity, raise two fingers defiantly toward its heavily subscribed, yet vastly popular indie scene, and turn out in force to the one place they feel at home.
A prolific indie band and a back-to-basics set from a folk-rock band interspersed with poems sung by a rather quirky young man to backing tracks on an iPod were always going to make for an extremely odd gig experience.
Tonight was a much-anticipated event. Visa had been away from the live scene for around 7 months, taking time to build a themselves a studio and record some fine tunes indeed.
A sparsely populated Rocket bar greets us tonight, surprising considering who is playing but nevertheless, we obtain some drinks and make our way to two of the twelve spare stools.
I dunno about anyone else but it really bugs me when bands, especially ones at the bottom of the bill, start acting as if, on top of paying the five quid entrance fee to their gig, us punters somehow owe them our undying appreciation for watching them peddle their musical wares for half an hour.
The Fratellis @ Leeds Festival 2006
Day three: my, doesn't time fly? The sun's out too, which is a welcoming start to the day especially for those camped out near the Main Stage for the first of two Flogging Molly appearances.
What once was Parva is now The Kaiser Chiefs. With a brand new set and a brand new sound the band introduce their new selves to us with "Less Is More".
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Leeds Town Hall
So then ladies and gents lets go back a couple of years when Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, the Strokes and the White Stripes were unleashed on us surrounded by a haze of media frenzy and unadulterated cool.
It's nights like this that show what's great about the Leeds music scene. As I'm walking to the Well it pisses it down.
The start time is really delayed, doors are at 7ish and Help She Can't Swim do not appear until 8.45pm.
Sounding like a hybrid of The La's accompanied by Beach Boys-esque style vocals The Restaurant open a mixed evening at the Vine in terms of style and quality.
Flies are Spies from Hell @ Royal Park Cellars
For this sleep deprived reporter, the prospect of having to walk deep into Headingley on a Thursday evening, with an exam at 9 O'clock the next morning, was not a particularly inviting one, but none the less I upped the courage and made the effort.
Piranha Deathray are four camper than camp indie fops who look set to steal the Scissor Sisters' crown for most gloriously tongue in cheek band around.
What a stupid rule! You're in the venue but to get to the room where the bands will be performing you have to go back outside and round to the other entrance instead of walking ten yards through the doors in front of you, quickly supping off the fresh pint you've just acquired!
Hatch @ Woodkirk Valley Country Club
A Friday night running up to the New Year and a last minute decision, and a very kind offer of a lift from Steve Kind, sees me travelling out to Woodkirk Country Club, former home to Strychnine Lounge gigs.
MALIBU STACEY This is what I need. I've been at work all day, now I'm out with my ex- girlfriend having been stood up by all the people I was supposed to meet, and here are the first band of the night, the un-heard of Malibu Stacey.
The evening kicks off with MOJO PIN, a young band who I have not heard before. I was suitably impressed for a first hearing (normally I prefer to hear bands at least once before I review them); although the vocals were a little soft in parts and definition to the words would be an asset, especially when announcing songs.
Army Of Freshmen are like young kidults with limitless energy and their live show is exhausting to watch.
I arrive at the Cockpit just in time to see openers Captain take to the stage. They go on to set the tone of the evening with their shimmering, often delicate indie pop music.
A charity gig for the Asian earthquake appeal saw local men-of-the-moment Kaiser Chiefs headlining on the eve of their short tour in America, and saying a fond farewell to the Joseph's Well crowd that has championed them over the last year and more.
My first gig of 2003 and in the dreaded month of January, the skint month, the after payday month, the "gigs are low priority on my spending list" month - but no, what's this, "you'll have to squeeze in at the back"; "you can stand on the chairs if you want"; "I'm not going to the bar again, it was murder" for tonight The Primrose is packed for its first gig of the year and the first gig ever for The Cat Pack all 19+ of them.
There's a lot of competition for our attention in Leeds this evening, there's the Wannadies with Mommy and Daddy at the Cockpit, there's a whole city filled with vulnerable teens pissing mum and dad's money up the wall in fresh meat week, and best of all there's the episode of Eastenders before the one where Dirty Den comes back.
Inner City Sumo @ Cardigan Arms
It wasn't a huge crowd that braved the Kirkstall Road winds to see these 4 bands in The Moog Productions evening at The Cardigan Arms.
Manic Street Preachers @ Leeds Festival 2008
A night of torrential rain hasn't dampened anyone's spirits, although the ground is a little muddier than it has been over the previous 48 hours.
This was the last night of The Dykeenies' latest tour, and by the time Figure 5 took the stage the big room in the Cockpit was already filling up in anticipation.
Taking my girlfriend to see her favourite band was a good choice. Not only did it gain me ace boyfriend points but it also let me go see Guillemots.
Biffy Clyro @ Leeds Festival 2007
Mute Math - The Carling Stage The New Orleans quartet are perhaps only known thus far as recently re-doing the Transformers theme and for their excellent video to "Typical" which has attracted over 1 million views on Youtube.
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.
Dillinger Escape Plan @ Cockpit
As the freezing weather continues, still the devotees come out in droves for what was rumored to be DEP's last ever UK tour.
While !!! certainly wouldn't win a 'Google-friendly' award they seem to have built quite a loyal fan-base and concreted a strong reputation as an enthralling live act.
The Cribs @ Kentish Town Forum (London)
The tour that began with unconscious shenanigans in Birmingham, ended here as The Cribs poured their last ounces of energy into this final night blow-up at the Forum.
"George Harrison isn't dead" Well that's according to the pensioner who took it upon himself to stand by the speakers throughout the whole of Dakota's performance, waving his walking stick and strutting his stuff, heckling at the poor lads, putting fear into the lives of those who dared breathe let alone stand more than a couple of metres from his well-guarded stage front.
Well, another night of Bright Young Things bands down at Uncle Steve Kind's joint and tonight it is The Gordon Bennetts, Mutiny and Harold.
There are many gigs that you go to knowing in advance that it's going to be very good and there are those much rarer ones that you hope will end up being more than just a great gig.
I must apologise to the first band of this evening (Superman's heroes or something?). Anyway. I arrived slightly late (8:40) but I thought that I'd still catch about 20-25 minutes of the first band.
It's a curious trait about us humans, we find release and fulfillment in a variety of different ways.
The Distillers @ The Refectory
It was cold, it was raining and I had to queue up for like half an hour to get in... but to be honest that's the only real negative of the night; well there is another but I'll get on to that soon enough...
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies @ The Vine
Whiskas - Transmission promoter and tonight's doorman - is stressed. The doors are open, thirty punters are milling around already and The Black Helicopters are still sound checking.
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.
Once again I found myself racing for the front barrier with roughly half the population of Leeds' High Schools in order to witness what has to be said, one of the most mind bogglingly unhinged extravagancies this city has held in quite some time.
Opening proceedings tonight are local boys Infrasound. Coming across a little like Annie Christian or Delirious they specialise in riff heavy verses and more melodic, driving choruses.
I was first introduced to Midlands three piece, The Enemy, during their hastily arranged support of Kasabian at the Refectory last year.
I battled my way through the scrum of fancy dress students that seem to be permanently hanging about near the door of the Packhorse, skipped passed the street drinkers getting out of the cold, and headed upstairs.
To my shame, I can't remember the last time I've done this - turn up at a gig with almost no knowledge of any of the bands on the bill.
"The first band will start at 8," shouted the manager of the cockpit. Ah good I thought. 8.10 ... 8.20 ...
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.
Upon arriving at the pub, I purchased the usual pint of wife-beater and made my way down stairs. Sitting down in the rather empty basement room I was surprised that the first band was not already on.
Another cracking line-up courtesy of the Blue Star boys, this time with a bit of a rockier edge leading to possibly the fullest showcase since Leeds Music Scene maestro Dave Sugden and Joseph's Well manager Karl Baird began the monthly nights back in December 2000.
Hekety @ Woodhouse Liberal Club
Hekety: a 5-piece ceilidh band from Sheffield that's very much easier to listen to than spell if you've only heard the name spoken.
The Scaramanga Six @ Joseph's Well
Well blimey! I walk into Joseph's Well at about 3:20pm after standing in the pissing rain for 20 minutes outside the place (yes, you said you were opening at three!) but at least it gave me chance to sober up slightly seeing as I had been in Carpe Diem for the three previous hours and was somewhat jolly already.
Now I don't know a great deal about Ska, and I'm not overly familiar with punk, therefore I was really looking forward to tonight's gig, as I was sure it would be a bit of an eye opener for me.
The Glitterati @ Joseph's Well
I was too late for tonight's openers - I arrive and they say "thank you and good night" - just too late.
Three long years I've been waiting!!! Finally Mover are back in town... hurrah!! I had never heard of the band before I saw them support The Bluetones in 1998 at the T&C but they completely blew me away.
Spear of Destiny @ Joseph's Well
About 10 minutes before Catylyst were due on stage, I was asked by a certain gentleman if I'd review tonight's proceedings.
The night begins as Dead Combo take the stage, and this electro-rock duo have a rather big challenge in front of them.
Tonight really didn't start well. After I'd encountered the frankly bizarre system of a 'paying guestlist' (?) we are told that due to technical difficulties, original support act Printed Circuit had to pull out, so enter Hood keys man Gareth Spencer and his side project The Unpleasants.
A Hawk And A Hacksaw @ Holy Trinity Church
Contemporary Music Network tours are usually pretty special. But this was extra special. This was my first time in the Holy Trinity Church, and whilst the architecture hardly resembles that of the York Minster or Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, I don't think there are any live venues in Leeds which can match this type of setting.
Bands old and new played to an expectant Warehouse on Sunday, as legendary rock gig 'The Valley' resurrected itself from the ashes.
Have you noticed that it's getting harder and harder to tell bands apart from their roadies? This is not necessarily because of the lack of true rock stars we possess at the moment (© NME), rather that bands are employing their own 'posse' as opposed to the black-leather clad roadies of the last few decades.
The hyperactivity begins outside with some rather fresh-faced Humour fans chanting an assortment of aphorisms, which can be heard a good few streets away.
The memories are hazy, the order of events may not be quite right but I know two things; beer flows freely in The Fav and amazingly it didn't rain, or at least certainly not enough to water down my Sol or to kill any of the musicians on stage.
The Somatics @ Brudenell Social Club
Quite a good idea to have a band from each of three Yorkshire cities and playing a gig in each one, getting the local audience to give an additional sense of purpose and bring in a readymade crowd.
Review featured with permission from www.whisperinandhollerin.com Upon walking through the front doors, the first thing you notice tonight is just how young looking 90% of the 300 strong crowd is inside the aircraft hanger like Cockpit.
Porcelin @ Woodkirk Valley Country Club
I was really surprised when I turned up early to see the place packed! I've been to the Valley a few times before and have not seen it like this for ages...
Metal is on a definite upsurge at the moment, what with Limp Bizkit topping the charts and Amen on the front cover of NME and so on.
Five bands. The Fav. For free. F me! It must be Easter Sunday. First on The Acutes bang out their bluesy rock which, when you consider the band have no bass player, brings obvious but perhaps unfair comparisons with The White Stripes.
The Strokes @ Leeds Festival 2002
Firstly let me state the thing this weekend confirmed for me, above all others, that people at festivals so often have such varied opinions about the bands they saw.
Zombina and the Skeletones @ Bassment
I would like to start by saying that I wasn't going to do a review for this gig when I went, but in the Bassment they have these new drinks called 'Vodka Mudshakes'.
Average, average and average. Armor For Sleep are darn average. Why are they average? Good question. On the surface every trait possessed by AFS is matched toe to toe by every other successful emo band of the last three or four years.
Bright Young Things - a new showcase of talent - has hit venues across Leeds this past week and I caught up with the Leeds Met.
The Mooney Suzuki in Leeds. The Mooney who?! Luckily, a few raw enthusiasts for this New York beat combo managed to rustle up a crowd barely reaching a hundred, a real shame for a band whose live reputation back in the USA is huge.
four day Hombre @ Fibbers (York)
Fibbers of York is a great venue that has started to attract some great bands. Tonight was no exception.
There is laughter in the air tonight; people look determined to have fun. Young innocent faces rejuvenate my past and my Sixth Form days come flooding back to me.
Imodiom are a young, energetic, underskilled, 12-year-old pop punk/rock band. OFM are a fantastic, under promoted, slack drummered, great frontmanned, beautifully written, lo-fi grunge band.
Opening with a wave of fuzz and pomp filled riffs, three piece Relapse play dark rock. To use the word 'emo' to describe this band is risky, it's the equivalent of when neo-conservatives use 'liberal' to describe their opponents - however it's not a dirty word, and certainly in this case it's no bad thing.
Occasionally bands with edgy names proclaiming gritty sounds can sell themselves short, others should be seriously checked under the Trade Descriptions Act.
Strike Anywhere @ Joseph's Well
It's bloody freezing outside, it's a 5 o'clock kick off and it's nearly 6.30. Nice one Paul, you tit.
Slightly Alien @ Joseph's Well
Last Wednesday's show at Joseph's Well brought together three bands who complemented each other very well.
After our pre-drink sesh-on, at what was quite possibly the cheesiest pub venue that Leeds city centre has to offer, we felt bitter, confused, traitors to our good selves and to what we knew to be the real reason the city of Leeds has built its reputation as the capital of live music.
For the uninitiated in things Nasty, Nasty Fest is the coolest, most fashionable festival in Leeds. This is the land of the true fashionista, where colossal hair for the boys; plunging neck lines for the girls and the most god damn cool clothing available to mankind are compulsory!
Another night at the Well, they are going to have to give me my own chair at this rate... I have seen both Catylyst and Mariko before, but not Cube, although I have heard a lot about them.
The Appleseed Cast @ Brudenell Social Club
A Swedish sauna? The surface of Mars? No, tonight ladies and gentlemen we are privy to the delights of live music in the Brudenell in mid-June.
Seismic Loveshift: Any Old Price
"sei'smic love'shift (n.) - geological earth movement akin to orgasm commonly occuring in West Yorkshire, created by the tumultuous confluence of crisp drumming, melodic bass, clean guitar and vocal mellifluence performing some of the most thoughtful, inspiring and haunting music of the twenty-first century" - SL.
The Vine seems to have a cross section of every genre of rock 'n roll tonight, as we move through pseudo funk, light indie, Maiden-esque metal and then finally some anthemic indie stompers.
It's been one long round of scaring A&R men since we introduced you to those 'Frenchcore' nutters les Flames!
Minus The Bear @ Joseph's Well
Minus The Bear are a breathtakingly awesome band with a sound so in tune with the times whilst being apart from other bands of the guitar-electronics melody section, base-drums rhythm section set up.
Before I say anything, allow me to make perfectly clear that I am not a death metal fan. With that said, I must say that the Monday night show at Joseph's Well was entertaining, educational, and yes, even enjoyable.
Welcome to the MTV2 Spanking New music Tour, tonight we have a real treat for you, with performances from Fields, ¡Forward, Russia!
After trekking through Leeds - without a coat - in the bitter Yorkshire winter, we were greeted with a problem relating to our guest-list places, which meant we were able to just get in the venue in time to see Cancer Bats in full swing.
It makes a change tonight that the Rocket is actually packed to it's brim tonight and it only helps that the music being played is deserved of such a crowd.
On many occasions throughout history a tiny crowd has witnessed a great miracle. Throughout musical history small numbers have seen something magnificent, which has transpired for the artist to go beyond these initial setbacks to playing huge venues and sell millions of albums.
God love Alkaline Trio, the unflappable red and black macabre attack are one of those one-of-a-kind bands that unassailably distinguish themselves from the pack and become a staple ingredient of your listening diet with inherent ease.
Virginia Creep @ Joseph's Well
A night filled with highs and lows took place at Joseph's Well as three exceptional bands showcased their talents and one band were a disappointment to most concerned.
The Royal Park Cellars has a rapidly growing reputation, and gets better every time you catch a band down here.
four day Hombre @ Joseph's Well
I was looking forward to this gig as I knew pretty much nothing about goad and Leafeater and hadn't seen four day Hombre for almost 10 months.
Lightning Bolt @ Brudenell Social Club
The venue is slowly starting to fill when Like a kind of Matador take to the stage. A trio comprising of a guitarist, a drummer and a flutist who then proceed to produce some mighty fine concept rock.
Good old rock and roll that's what Vatican Jet dish out! Apparently standing in for Being 747, these lads did a great job!
Fifth Goodbye put in a refined performance in front of an expectant crowd to promote their new EP entitled 'This Is My Impression'.
Slipknot @ Leeds Festival 2000
When I set off to the Leeds festival this year, I'd decided upon writing a full length weekend review.
Dillinger Escape Plan @ Cockpit
With their latest album "Miss Machine" combining freeform jazz-instrumental passages alongside breakneck metal workouts, it would be fair comment to say that the crowd for tonight's Dillinger Escape Plan gig consists of an eclectic cross-section of Leeds music followers.
The first band to be showcased were York-based Kanuba, a fresh-faced quartet whose funk-rock billing doesn't really reflect their versatility and ability to cause a stir with some heavy beats and bass lines.
Kaiser Chiefs @ L'Aeronef (Lille)
A strange little venue, on the third floor of a shopping centre. The key word though is 'little'. About the same size of the Met, it's smaller than anywhere you're likely to find the Chiefs in this country any more.
Stateless @ Brudenell Social Club
It is about 8.15 when the Worriedaboutsatan boys set up in front of the Brudenell stage. There is a small crowd of people gathered to watch Gav and Tom as they begin to create strange noises scattered with heavy cut up beats and slow swarming chords.
When I heard the first Beirut album, 'The Gulag Orkestar', I thought that Rufus Wainwright had started singing with Romanian folk bands.
My day started off surreally, an early morning phone call from my old dear asking me if I've heard of a band from Sheffield, called Milburn?
Foo Fighters @ Leeds Festival 2002
After a f**king long walk home the night before and with a mild sense of too much Carling I opted to drive in on Sunday and be entertained with the knowledge that my car awaited at the end of it all.
Malcolm Middleton @ City Varieties
Malcolm Middleton cuts a strange figure onstage at the Leeds City Varieties. His is a personality that would instantly spring to mind if someone were to ask for an example of unease or embarrassment, and that's an impression made even clearer by the faded grandeur of the venue.
The Young Knives @ Tokyo (Huddersfield)
How soon the times change. Only 12 months ago you would have been hard pressed to name more than 2 live music venues in Huddersfield and even then they would have been part-time.
A pretty quiet start to the evening for a Saturday night in Leeds, and bloody cold too, so I was looking for something to warm my cockles.
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.
i concur @ Brudenell Social Club
There's a strong sociable ambience at tonight's EP launch for i concur. The whole evening is endearingly informal - partly a product of the choice of venue, but most importantly of the obvious musical friendships between groups.
Being 747 @ Royal Park Cellars
First up are an intriguing prospect called Jail. This band features a front man armed with a yellow fluorescent tube (lit up, of course), wandering around the stage and the crowd and it's not really obvious if he knows what he's doing or not.
Edward Harrington - Guitar, vocals Alex Greaves - Bass, vocals, percussion Robert Harrington - Drums, vocals, percussion When Edward, his brother Robert and their friend Alex decided to form a band in 2001, the then-young-teens could only have dreamed of the status and respect they would achieve within half a decade.
I didn't have a clue who the support was going to be this evening, so I eagerly awaited the arrival of the support band: Captain.
It's official. The Bridewell Taxis are proving to be the hottest ticket in Leeds. After selling out their re-union gig at Joseph's Well in October in the space of 48 hours, tickets were again snapped up in double-quick time for their appearance at Pudsey's Bien Venue on Thursday December 8th. Pre-ordered sales were in three figures and tickets to see the re-formed band are like the proverbial gold dust.