I had the absolute joy of interviewing the fabulous Glasgow rock band Anchor Lane at the Leeds Festival last Sunday. It was shortly after they opened the final day in style with a barnstorming set on the Festival Republic Stage.
Click here to give it a listen and let me know what you think. If you cannot listen on Buzzsprout click here and choose your favourite stream/ podcast service. Spotify is always the last to update!.
The interview was for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem and Soundsphere Magazine.
All photos by John Hayhurst of Snapagig.com
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I had the honour and pleasure of interviewing the magnificent ALT BLK ERA at the Leeds Festival last Saturday. It was just a few hours before they headlined the BBC Introducing Stage with a stonkingly good set! Their new EP ‘Freak Show’ is out tomorrow, it will be an absolute belter!
Click here to give it a listen and let me know what you think. If you cannot listen on Buzzsprout click here and choose your favourite stream/ podcast service. Spotify is always the last to update!. The interview was for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem and Soundsphere Magazine.
All photos by John Hayhurst of Snapagig.com
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I was lucky enough to interview ace Reading band the Amazons after their storming set at the Leeds Festival last Friday. Click here to give it a listen on Buzzsprout and let me know what you think. If you cannot listen on Buzzsprout click here and choose your favourite stream/ podcast service. Spotify is always the last to update!. The interview was for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem and Soundsphere Magazine.
All photos by John Hayhurst of Snapagig.com
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
This is it then, the final day of Leeds Festival for 2023. What will we get to see before the sun finally sets today? read on to find out! The Festival Republic Stage was my first stop for Glasgow’s Anchor Lane. Heavy, loud, and magnificent, a bit of Royal Blood and a lot of British classic heavy rock. The band is tight and skilful. How they make such a great and deep sound without a bass I have no idea, but they do! The vocalist knows how to rock, and his stage presence and audience involvement are better than many of the so-called bigger acts! I also had the opportunity to interview the band. That will be published soon.
Anchor Lane
After that, it was a trek through a major downpour for Baby Queen on Main Stage East, it was as though the heavens had opened just in line with the start of her set. But that did not deter her hardcore fans who sang along to every word. Baby Queen reminds me of Self Esteem, with maybe some Kate Nash influence in there too. She is a wonderfully engaging artist who really shows empathy and care toward her fans. The band is incredibly tight and the vocal harmonies from the guitarist add an extra level to each song. The tunes are all full of perfect hooks and Baby Queen has great pop sensibility too. The highlight for me today was “Buzzkill”. In a previous Baby Queen review, I said “If Cyndi Lauper and Kate Nash adopted a daughter and raised her together, I believe that daughter would become Baby Queen”. I stand by that description!
Holly Humberstone played a beautiful set on the Main Stage East in advance of her new album ‘Paint My Bedroom Black’ which is due out in October. She managed to hold off the rain and “Superbloodmoon” had us all bouncing around! Easy Life were on the Main Stage West and played some blissful summery pop and funked-up disco with some jazz tones. Some elements of Bruno Mars and Bran Van 3000. They took a risk singing a song about rain, but they pulled it off and it stayed dry for their set. Next, it was a quick run over to the Festival Republic Stage for Scouse punks High Vis. This was full-on hardcore punk with passion, power, anger, and energy in abundance. Great message songs in their set as well.
My first visit to the BBC Introducing Stage today was for a Leeds band with a French name, L’Objectif. Lots of cool laidback soulful soft rock tunes with emotion and passion turned up to eleven. But when they rocked out, they had a feel of Matt Bellamy in the vocal department. Inhaler played the Main Stage East. What do you need to do as a rock star if your dad is Bono? Probably not sound like his band. Inhaler are exceptionally good, but I cannot shake the young U2 vibe, maybe they will grow on me. Zand took over the Festival Republic Stage and made it their own. They play what they describe as ‘ugly pop’. That is quite an apt description, the sound is jagged, harsh, electric, and so, so good. Zand’s performance was monstrously majestic and reminded me of Peaches with whom they have previously toured.
Today’s not-so-secret set was another appearance by Baby Queen, this time on the BBC Introducing Stage. It was short, punchy, and fun. The crowd was super excited and frankly, they were right. It was an impressive set. I love “We Can Be Anything” and I had not appreciated until now how the “open your mind” refrain sounds like the experimental sound of George Harrison in the sixties. Does it sound like that to you or was it the dope fog I walked through earlier today? Mothica a.k.a. McKenzie Ellis played a storming set on the Festival Republic Stage and thrilled the crowd to the max. This set and her Reading set earlier this weekend was the first time she had ever played in the UK. On the strength of this she will be back. The music is different and very original and yet at the same time evokes an eclectic understanding of music history.
Lucia and the Best Boys
Lucia and the Best Boys were next on the BBC Introducing Stage. They are from Glasgow and are like an alt.Texas. Lucia has a voice every bit as good as Sharleen Spiteri and she put on a striking performance. Their first album is out in September. keep an eye out for it. Pixey, a.k.a Elizabeth Sinead Hillesdon from Ormskirk, was the headline act on the BBC Introducing Stage Sunday night. Her sound feels like a slick 21st Century Motown crossed with the fun and the impeccable pop displayed in Junior Senior’s “Move Your Feet” from 2002. Slaves changed their name back in 2022 and are now known as Soft Play. In contrast to their new name, they played it as hard as hell on the Festival Republic Stage bringing a colossal cacophony of loud, mountainous modern metal.
The 1975 were chosen once again to be the super sub after replacing Rage Against The Machine last year they are here to replace Lewis Capaldi in 2023. Are they conspiratorially nobbling headline acts to ensure that they get the gig? What are the odds on them doing the same thing next year? It was a perfunctory set from a band that first established themselves more than ten years ago. I doubt that it will go down in history as one of the best-ever headline sets, but it was OK. Matty Healy won over some new local fans when he claimed that the band had been exiled from Manchester and that the Leeds Festival was now a hometown gig for them.
KennyHoopla rocked the Festival Republic Stage to its foundations, well at least to its deep-rooted tent ropes. This was easily one of the best sets of the weekend for me an undoubtedly the most energetic. Hoopla ran, leapt, spun, and jumped around the stage like the Duracell Bunny powered by a nuclear reactor. He climbed high up one of the girder-like tent supports at one point and overcame some radio mic issues by prowling around the stage like Iggy Pop on speed-infused Viagra. His band is incredible, especially the guitarist. The highlight, and there were many to choose from in his 9-song set was the electrifying performance of his 2020 US hit “How Will I Rest in Peace if I’m Buried by a Highway?”. This guy is something special.
The mysterious and enigmatic masked rockers Sleep Token followed KennyHoopla onto the Festival Republic Stage. I know that the whole masked thing has been done so well before by Slipknot, but Sleep Token add another deep layer of intrigue, spookiness, and weirdness. The good thing is that it is not just a mask gimmick thing, they are a great band with some stunningly good songs. Opener “Chokehold” and “The Summoning” were my favourites. Hardly any details are known about the band other than they come from London. The lead singer is known as Vessel and the band members use Roman numerals as names; II, III, and IV. Overall, it was a thrilling theatrical show. The festival was closed by Las Vegas band, the Killers 20 years after their first big hit “Mr. Brightside”. This was the band’s second headline slot ate Reading and Leeds having previously had the honour in 2008. Their set was everything we have come to expect from a Killers gig, all the hits and a few deeper cuts and some snazzy showmanship by Brandon Flowers. A Killers show has become a Brandon Flowers show as many of the original band no longer tour. But that did not matter to a very fired-up crowd. The three-song encore included “Human” and naturally, “Mr Brightside”. The only thing that was missing was an Elvis-style announcement at the end that said, “Brandon Flowers has left the building”. Well, that is it for 2023 at the Leeds Festival, we will see you in 2024!
All photos by John Hayhurst of Snapagig.com
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Kicking off things on Main Stage West it was Lil Tjay who, for reasons currently unknown, failed to turn up yesterday. He is clearly a good rapper, and his DJ had some great beats and, MC skills. But the bottom line for me was I felt that Lil Tjay has all the stage presence of a used tissue. Also, was he lip-syncing at times? Maybe he was just having an off day! Next on the Main Stage East, it was superb Leeds band Yard Act who were accompanied on stage by a bunch of mannequins dressed in trench coats, who turned out to be dancers. This band is so refreshing, every bit as good as the Blockheads with some Talking Heads influence. Vocalist James Smith is just a one-off with perhaps some Mike Skinner and Ian Dury influence. A momentous set from a band who will headline this festival one day. After that, it was a dash back to Main Stage West for the god-like genius that is Frank Turner, along with his Sleeping Souls. I always feel positive and emotional when I see Frank play live. He is one of the most passionate performers in rock and this was a truly formidable set. Too many highlights to mention but “Photosynthesis” and “I Still Believe” were special indeed.
I took time out to interview the wonderful ALT BLK ERA next, and more of them later. Then it was over to the Festival Republic Stage for the Last Dinner Party. They are the subject of quite a bit of hype, did they live up to it? I think they did, in bucketloads. Musically they evoke classic seventies sounds like 10cc, Supertramp, and even Queen. But vocally they are simply first class in both lead and harmonies. I would love to hear singer Abigail Morris take on a cover of the odd seventies classic, “See Me, Feel Me” by the Who, maybe. It was keyboard player Aurora’s birthday today and the whole crowd sang Happy Birthday to her. This was an impressive set, “Nothing Matters” was perfect. I caught a few songs from Seagulls on Main Stage West. I thought they were good. Inoffensive indie pop rock like the Pigeon Detectives and Scouting For Girls.
Mimi Webb was on Main Stage East next. She played a hit-packed pop-fuelled set which hit the spot for most people in the crowd. After a short break, I was back at Main Stage East for Wet Leg. I like some of their songs and they played well and were clearly enjoying themselves, I am guessing you know there is a “but” coming right? Yes, there is. Personally, apart from one or two songs I find them a little bland! I was wandering past the BBC Introducing Stage, and I spotted that Antony Szmierek was about to start. I discovered his music recently via the weird algorithms that Spotify has with a great tune called “The Words To Auld Lang Syne”. He played that and did a great Sugababes cover. The highlight for me was “Twist Forever”. Mr. Szmierek appears to be a teacher as a group of kids all around 16 years old rocked up with a “Mr. Szmierek” sign. One of my favourite sets of the day.
I said there would be more on ALT BLK ERA later and this is it. They headlined the BBC Introducing Stage and after overcoming a few issues during soundcheck they played a set the force and power of which could be measured using a seismograph. Supported by an extraordinarily good drummer and a guitarist who might well be called Mr. Riffage. Together they produce a gargantuan metal hybrid sound which is often like the Prodigy on steroids. There were rough edges, but this is a young band that I believe has many fabulous years ahead of them. They played the title track of their upcoming EP, “Freak Show” which sounds classy. The Arctic Monkeys cover was so different from the original that it was perfect. But the highlight was set closer “I’m Normally Like This”.
Next, it was a stroll across to Main Stage West for a thumping set from Foals. I have seen them a few times and they are an immensely good live band with phenomenally good songs. At their base, they are essentially a funk band with musical muscle who overlay those huge bassy beats with great rock guitar and vocals. They clearly have an affinity with the sound of James Murphy’s LCD Sound System. They opened with the 2021 single “Wake Me Up” which brought a tired audience to life. They followed with some of their finest songs from their increasing canon of work. I think “(summer sky)” was the top choice for me, especially as they played it just when the sun was about to set. Finally, it was time for the mighty Sam Fender to grace the Main Stage East. The crowd was awash with hundreds of Newcastle United shirts waiting for a triumphant headline set from their Geordie Prodigal Son. He gave Bramham Park what many are already calling a career-defining set while showing his love of the North by wearing an Angel Of The North t-shirt. The encore came with waves of love from an adoring crowd.
All photos by John Hayhurst of Snapagig.com
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Main Stage East was my first hit of the Friday, and it was a powerful set from Reading band the Amazons. I sense a lineage through the best of 60s and 70s British Rock from the Small Faces to Bad Company. Their recorded stuff is good, but the band takes it to another fabulous level when they play live. A perfect way to warm up the Friday crowd, although more audience interaction earlier in the set would have made it even better. On this basis, I think the next Amazons album will be classy indeed.
Next, it was Hot Milk on Main Stage West. They have an underlying pop-punk sound with some incredible metal injections and old-school punk. The crowd was properly up for this and would have moshed until the sun went down. To be fair many of them probably will! Next, it was the Snuts on the same stage they are purveyors of pop-infused, anthemic, indie rock songs that are perfect for a sunny festival afternoon. A quick dash to the Festival Republic Stage to catch the Royston Club. A bit like Pulp spliced with the Housemartins with an injection of heavier sounds. Some great hooks and yet more sounds for summer. My first visit to the BBC Introducing Stage allowed me to catch TWST, clearly someone who embraces the strange, but in a very good way. She is a great performer with a touch of Barbie, Madam Misfit, Gwen Stefani, and a Disney Princess with attitude. She has a gorgeous voice that works on proto-power ballads and some awesome dance bangers.
Don Broco played the Main Stage West and for me they get better and better every time I see them. This was a thunderous set from a fantastically talented band. The crowd went batshit crazy for them. I love their positive message and confidence. Huge shout out to the drummer, he is not only good with the sticks. He has a great voice too. The Festival Republic Stage was packed tight for Scottish sensation Dylan John Thomas. He has some delightful, devilish, dervish-style songs that are filled with electro-folk and alt.country stylings. I feel that Mr. Thomas has a great knowledge of the history of Scottish music from the battle hymns of Bannockburn to Andy Stewart, the Proclaimers, Big Country, and Franz Ferdinand. The Main Stage East played host to Rina Sawayama, and she put on a spectacular performance. She has some excellent funky, poppy, hook-laden tunes constructed with dance in mind. Janet Jackson fans and anyone with a pair of disco trousers will have loved this supremely confident set. The costume change where Rina changed into a dominatrix in her boudoir red vampish corset-style outfit with tassles and then gave a mild BDSM routine with a whip, a riding crop, and light bondage. Probably not one for the kids but entertaining nonetheless!
I made another visit to the BBC Introducing Stage, this time for Grandma’s House. This trio is punk with a hard-hitting, well-played sound with what feels like a DIY ethos. I felt some echoes of early White Stripes and oodles of riot grrrl vibes. A short hop across to the Radio Xtra Stage for Lost Girl, she was damned good. Tons of sublime dance and R&B sounds and some boundlessly, energetic, and stylish dancing from two stupendous and perfectly syncopated dancers. There were some fine beats from the DJ, which included some magical African-style percussion. Lost Girl was signed to a label when she was 17, she is now 23 and has not been able or allowed to release any music. So, she has left and is now independent. I am looking forward to new stuff from her.
I just managed to catch the last three songs from on the Main Stage East from Steve Lacy. He first came to prominence as the guitarist in the alternative R&B band The Internet from 2015. He is a talented guitarist and vocalist and somewhat Princelike in his style and performance. He closed with “Bad Habit” which was a US number and a UK top 10 hit last year. I am so glad I got to catch even a small part of his set. Imagine Dragons were on the Main Stage West next as one of the joint headliners. Personally, I think whoever closes the night is the real headliner. But to be fair to them they played like headliners. “Thunder” and “Follow You” were highlights for me. Finally, it was time for Billie Eilish, and it felt like everyone on site had converged on Main Stage East for her performance. Like many headliners, she has had her own stage constructed, a huge ramp. She put on a fabulous performance and as expected the crowd loved her. She was like a feminist alt.Barbie with a hugely colourful outfit.
All photos by John Hayhurst of Snapagig.com
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Last night was the now legendary Leeds Festival prequel or overture. Something that doesn’t happen at Reading. The Festival Republic Stage was the place to be, and we were treated to a whole bunch of bangers from some banging bands; BBY, Panic Shack, King No-One, and James Marriot. For us, I think Panic Shack just about shaded it with a loud, funky, punky set. Who was your favourite?
Photo of Panic Shack by ace rock photographer John Hayhurst of Snapagig
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Let’s start with the Friday lineup for this year’s Leeds Festival. Firstly though, we have now come to expect this joint headline thing for Leeds/ Reading each day of the festival. I don’t see the point, are the punters getting more value for money? That is debatable, but maybe, but not a great deal. Surely the last act to play on that particular night is the main headliner, right? Anyway, enough of the mini-rant. The Main Stage East headliner on Friday 25th August is the towering talent, Billie Eilish. Earlier in the evening Rina Sawayama will undoubtedly put on a stunning set. Also, keep an eye out for the Amazons, they come highly recommended by my daughter. Main Stage West on the Friday looks a little “safe” to me with Becky Hill followed by Imagine Dragons. However, to balance that we will be given a stonking double whammy of the magnificent Don Broco followed by the rather awesome Snuts!
The hot ones hitting the Dance Stage on Friday are likely to be Shy FX and Eliza Rose in my opinion. The Festival Republic Stage will undoubtedly host a real screamfest when Lovejoy perform the headline set. Further down the bill, you will see the sublime Tom Odell and the rather wonderful Royston Club. My pick for Radio 1 Xtra Stage is the headliner K-Trap. Of course, the BBC Introducing Stage never lets you down and the one not to miss on Friday is the Goa Express.
On Saturday the Main Stage West hosts a very early highlight when it is opened by none other than the genius and all round top bloke, Frank Turner along with the mighty Sleeping Souls. I would consider selling my grandmother to get a ticket to see Frank Turner, but as she died many years ago, I won’t be tempted! You Me At Six will bring some good noise with them and Trippie Redd will bring some fine US rap ahead of what will be a truly rambunctious set by festival stalwarts and Leeds/ Reading favourites, Foals. Over on the Main Stage East try not to miss the arch wit and supreme talent of Yard Act, who will be opening proceedings on the Saturday. I reckon Yard Act have the potential to be headliners (or joint headliners?) in the future. Later on the Main Stage East, we get to judge whether Wet Leg are as good as the hype that surrounds them. Expect the Main Stage East to be closed with a highly charged and incendiary set from Sam Fender.
The Radio 1 Dance Stage has the Murder Capital listed early on for Saturday. Dance Stage? Really? But trust me getting to see the Murder Capital at a festival is worth the weight of all the illicit substances in your rucksack, you’ll probably feel healthier for losing that stuff too. The Festival Republic Stage features an incredibly eclectic and rather excellent bunch of acts for Saturday at Leeds. Make sure that you are in attendance for Yonaka, Lauren Hibberd, and Bilk at the very least. Check out the Last Dinner Party too. Are they an industry plant? many think that they are, but personally, I don’t. However, I am keen to see whether their performance will live up to the weight of expectations and plaudits heaped on them. On the Saturday I will try and catch as many acts as I can on the BBC Introducing Stage. But whatever happens, I will definitely be there for headliner Alt Blk Era.
Of the two Main Stage lineups for Sunday 27th August, Main Stage East looks stronger for me. Likely highlights will, I think, be Baby Queen, Holly Humberstone, Nothing But Thieves, and obviously indefatigable indie rock darlings, the Killers. Main Stage West is to be headlined by perennial super subs, the 1975. Last year they filled in for Rage Against The Machine and this year they will be covering Lewis Capaldi’s slot. Apart from the 1975, I reckon that Arlo Parks will raise the East Stage’s game in the afternoon.
MK will headline the Radio 1 Dance Stage. The Festival Republic Stage hosts a classy lineup on Sunday, including Mothica, Scowl, High Vis, and Fat Dog. Then the Radio 1 Xtra Stage will be nicely smashed by Malaki and Nippa. Once again the BBC Introducing Stage has a great selection. Standouts on Sunday for me will be Hannah Grae and Hotwax.
It is since I attended my first festival, which was Reading, and I recall a stunning set from Thin Lizzy back then (in 1975!!!!) I don’t believe that the lineup for 2023 looks like one of the best on paper, but on the muddy fields of Bramham Park, it will be a different matter entirely!
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