Live at Leeds (facebook/twitter) is set to take over the city on the first weekend of May for its sixth instalment with hundreds of acts playing across some of the city’s best venues including The Brudenell Social Club, Nation of Shopkeepers and this year’s new addition The Wardrobe. It’s one of my favourite day festivals in the UK and, for 2012, has put together a fantastic line-up – from King Charles opening proceedings on Friday at The Cockpit to Male Bonding and Young Magic on closing night.
Dog is Dead
Brudenell Social Club @ 10PM
This is a band that I first reviewed for The Blue Walrus in February last year after catching an amazing set of theirs at the Brudenell. This five-piece from Nottingham offer their own special interpretation of indie pop, employing trumpets, synth and simply amazing vocal harmonies. They are an act who have been ‘tipped for big things’ for a while, but are still awaiting that big break, so this is a great opportunity to see them in a small venue. There most recent release ‘Two Devils’ which the band described as “a tale of guilt and insanity stemming from a twisted relationship in which a girl falls sick” is brilliant, offering all the bands best features while allowing them to engage with a new eerie, atmospheric and almost ghostly sound.
Alt-J
Holy Trinity Church @ 9pm
A lot of hype has surrounded this band (formally known as FILMS) and many have them down as being one of the big breakthrough acts of 2012. They play genre defying music, infusing a heavy presence of keys with guitar, bass and scattered tinny drums. Front man Joe Newman vocals are really refreshing, with an engaging mix of subtle and harsh tones which add something to the band’s already impressive vocal harmonising.
The History of Apple Pie
Leeds Met Backroom @ 7.15pm
They make simple guitar-heavy tracks based in late 80s US rock. The soft and subtle lead vocals of Stephanie Min cut through the strong lo-fi guitar riffs. It’s grungy but surprisingly light, yet nothing as twee as their name would suggest. For fans of YUCK and people who like tracks about school, bad friends and other juvenile things.
Team Me
Brudenell Social Club @ 2pm
This Norwegian six-piece show a real talent for combining different instruments and genres. While offering an enjoyable indie flare to all their tracks, the band’s real skill lies in adding subtlety and delicacy while retaining an energetic an engaging live show.
We Are Augustines
Leeds Met Backroom @ 9.15pm
Brooklyn based indie rock trio We Are Augustines create atmospheric ‘heart on your sleeve’ old fashioned rock, with similarities regularly drawn to The National and the Gaslight Anthem. The BBC described their debut album ‘Rise Ye Sunken Ships’ as “permeated by an abject sadness… a musical diary from the dark, difficult days of frontman Billy McCarthy.”
Spector
02 Academy @ 6.15pm
This band is an obvious choice for LAL goers this year. They have done incredibly well, conquering the radio with their infection rock-pop hits including ‘Chevy Thunder’ and ‘What You Wanted’. For people new to the band, Spector offer a saviour to the stagnating world of guitar music, creating instantly catchy anthemic gems. They put on a great show as well, with lead singer Frederick Macpherson’s banter certainly worth a trip.
…and then there’s “The Unconference” for those interested in the music industry and engaging with characters in the music business side of things as well as the annual five-aside football tournament for charity.