Leeds Festival got off to a stormy start over the weekend, with multiple stages being cancelled due to the heavy stormy weather conditions. This affected multiple artists, some not being able to perform at all such as much anticipated Reneé Rapp, Bradley Simpson, beabadoobee and Crawlers. It was fair to say the festival attendees were massively disappointed with the cancellations and delay but not to worry, the weather eventually calmed down and Leeds Festival finally kicked off in full-swing!
On Friday, we first set our eyes on Pendulum who took to the main stage in smoke, performing “Napalm”. They warmed up the crowd instantly with their explosive distorted guitars, synths, and heavy vocals. The crowd didn’t stop growing; everyone wanting to witness iconic Pendulum taking over the main stage. They were definitely one of the loudest bands on the line-up!
Next was Reading-based band, Only The Poets on the Festival Republic Stage. The four-piece returning to Reading and Leeds, and more than welcomed the welcome from the crowd. Their set included “Crash”, “miserable” from their new EP, better on the internet, and fan favourite “JUMP” which is also one of the band’s favourites to perform, and you could see why; their energy knocking up a level with this track. Lead singer, Tommy Longhurst, had the most vehement energy throughout the set and the band’s complimentary vocals topped off the performance. Every song was as catchy as the next; it was impossible not to dance!
Hmegrown Leeds band Venus Grrrls took on the BBC Introducing Stage, next. They instantly captivated the growing crowd with their instrumental melodies and lead singer, Grace Kelly’s, soulful voice. They closed the set with powerful track “Goth Girl” which was the perfect choice to leave a lasting impression on the crowd.
Singer/songwriter and producer, Michael Aldag, was next to take to the stage, and was instantly engaging with the crowd. His expected comedic stage presence was uplifting after the delayed start to the festival, “Congratulations to the BBC Introducing Stage for being the last one standing today” before he continued with his delightful set. The crowd were shouting the lyrics back and fully enjoying Michael’s catchy tracks and unique vocals.
We managed to catch the remainder of Catfish and the Bottlemen’s set, and it was nearly impossible to get through the herd of people who had gathered to watch the Welsh indie band. This is a band that have numerous popular hits, and the crowd were shouting the lyrics back throughout their set to songs such as “Twice”, “Fallout” and “Cocoon”. They are a festival classic and the atmosphere was unreal!
A little while later and we were ready to see Liam Gallagher closing off the main stage for the night, on his solo “Definitely, Maybe 30 Years tour” from history-making band Oasis, who have very recently reformed after 15 years. Celebrating a massive 30 years of the album, and an inflatable globe in the middle of the stage whilst 1994 was displayed across the large screens – the excitement in the main arena expanded for miles. He opened with the band’s big hit “Rock ’n’ Roll Star” followed by “Columbia” and later dedicated “Up in the Sky” to “all of the tents that blew away” that afternoon, making the thousands gathered to see him in his classic form reverberate with laughter. He teased “Wonderwall” throughout the night but settled on “(It’s Good) To Be Free” and “Whatever”. No matter what was played, the crowd enjoyed every second of it, and left the arena feeling very satisfied with Gallagher’s charismatic and classic performance.
DAY 2 – SATURDAY:
Saturday soon came around and thankfully the weather had mostly settled. Already there were plenty of fans at the Festival Republic stage, enjoying Seb Lowe’s amazing stage presence and clever lyrics. He has such a raw talent which was exhibited, and the crowd’s reaction to his political and relatable songs proved he is one to watch out for. His set included “5168 Days”, “Ode to Britannia” and “Terms and Conditions”.
Neck Deep were quick to gather a large crowd on the Main Stage, the Welsh pop-punk band performing tracks of their latest self-titled album including “Dumbstruck Dumbf**k” and “Sort Yourself Out”. Frontman, Ben Barlow donning a ‘NO WAR’ shirt, spoke about the current state of the country and the world at the moment, but with so much reassurance and belief in humanity before they dived into another new track “We Need More Bricks”. He also mentioned that the band wouldn’t exist without headliners blink-182, and that they loved the band so much that they did their own version of Blink’s “Aliens Exist”, before playing fan-favourite “Take Me With You”.
Neck Deep were lined up for another set later that evening, and they promised to play older tracks for the OG fans – and they did not disappoint! Their second set of the day in the Festival Republic tent was packed out long before they were due on stage. Ben encouraged a “girl pit”, and got everyone chanting before they dived into fan-favourite “She’s A God”, and finished it by sweetly doting “you’re all Gods” to the women in the crowd. Highlights from this set were singles “Can’t Kick Up The Roots” and “December” from 2015 album, Life’s Not Out to Get You which is always a moment for any Neck Deep fan!
It has to be said that artists performing on the BBC Introducing Stage this weekend have been an integral part of Reading and Leeds Festival 2024. Beren Olivia graced the stage on Saturday afternoon with her vigorous vocals, heavy drums and magnetic melodies. She performed tracks from her latest EP, If We’re Being Honest such as “Wake Me Up” and “She’ll Be Dancing” which were massive hits for the welcoming crowd. Beren also performed BBC Introducing’s Track of the Week, “I Feel Like Talking”.
Next to take the stage was Kid Brunswick, who already had eagerly awaiting fans at the barrier before he made a big entrance. Already, it was impossible to tear your eyes away from the stage with his heavy tracks and soaring energy. The mosh pits were soon opened which were strongly encouraged, setting an unreal atmosphere. He performed songs such as “Prescription Kid” and “Blow”.
Headliners blink-182 hit the main stage on Saturday night, opening with massive single “Feeling This”, setting the atmosphere for the rest of the night as the top tier band continued to play one of their classic rock show sets. They are a band that could play hit after hit, which was proven when the familiar chords of all time favourite “I Miss You” started playing along with “First Date”, “Always” and of course, “What’s My Age Again?”. The Californian band also played newer songs including “MORE THAN YOU KNOW” and “EDGING” taken from their latest album, ONE MORE TIME.
An unexpected but brilliant moment was when the band threw it back and played a snippet of +44’s “When Your Heart Stops Beating”, followed by another snippet of Box Car Racer’s (blink-182’s former side-project band) “There Is”. It was only right that drummer, Travis Barker, had to have his turn in the spotlight and a chance to sing “FUCK FACE”. This was definitely a highlight of their set!
“This song is about blink-182; the highs, the lows, the friendship, the break-up, the reconciliation…” bassist and vocalist, Mark Hoppus started, introducing “ANTHEM PART 3” also taken from their latest album. This felt like a purposefully placed song to have in the setlist, after we had just witnessed the collaborative effort of covering their throwback bands, which Travis was heavily involved in. The lyrics hit differently after that, the band have come a long way.
The encore was tour-titled “ONE MORE TIME”, a chilled but beautiful close to their anthemic set at Leeds Festival 2024.
SUNDAY – DAY 3:
We kicked off Sunday with Canadian singer ThxSoMch, AKA Carter De Filippis, in the Festival Republic tent. His music could be heard for miles; the catchy, heavy beat instantly keeping us hooked and making it impossible not to move to. Carter’s high energy and crowd engagement was just as captivating and really added to the performance. He got the whole crowd jumping and his song “CAROLINE” was definitely a crowd favourite.
Fontaines D.C. were a highly anticipated act, with people running to the front to try and get a glimpse of the Irish five piece. Their talent was obvious and they were a true joy to listen to, with tracks such as “Jackie Down the Line”, “Nabokov” and “Boys in the Better Land” that drove the crowd wild.
We couldn’t miss Kid Kapichi, a crammed crowd with more fans pouring out of the Festival Republic tent. They had a heavy feel and each member had their own masterly energy which created an exceptional atmosphere and a must-watch performance. Their unique sound and truthful lyrics stood out from the rest of the line-up with songs such as “Let’s Get to Work” and “Can EU Hear Me?”.
Lana Del Rey took to the Main Stage in the early evening, and had tens of thousands of fans waiting for her arrival. She really used the big screens to her advantage, showing the incredible staging mixed with her live performance, which was beneficial to those watching from further away. She had people swaying to “Arcadia” with their phone torches in the air, and ended the show by sitting down her with dancers and closing her set with “Young and Beautiful”.
Is it really a music festival if you don’t rush to the other side of the venue to catch another set? We managed to catch Viagara Boys entertaining a loud crowd at the Festival Republic stage. The Swedish rockers were as wild as expected; with mosh pits and lead singer, Sebastian Murphy, crowdsurfing all whilst psychedelic lighting reflected inside the otherwise dark tent. His vocals and the band’s instruments on “Research Chemicals” was a moment you would have been disappointed to have missed.
However, the night wasn’t over yet, with DJ Sonny Fodera lighting up and creating a lot of noise on the Chevron Stage (which thankfully reopened after the storm!). He remixed some classics including “Feels So Close” by Calvin Harris and “Better Off Alone” by Alice Deejay. It got the large crowd ready for The Wombats who shortly took over the stage.
It goes without saying that The Wombats are an absolute British classic; opening with “Moving To New York”, which had artwork-related effects on the Chevron wired roof. It was shortly followed by another sing-a-long with “Techno Fan” and the everyone was jumping which set the mood for the night. They announced they have just finished their sixth album and played a new track, “Blood On the Hospital Floor” which went down a storm.
They ended their set with classic “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” and fan-favourite “Turn”, leaving the thousands on a dopamine high.
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