As 2018’s festival season draws ever closer, Live At Leeds is once again standing as the ultimate destination to hear the very best in new music and stunning live favourites – adding a huge raft of names from across the musical landscape.
One of the most acclaimed new guitar bands of recent times, The Magic Gang have become unrivalled leaders of soaring indie anthems. Triggering singalongs no matter where they go, the Brighton natives have burst their way into hearts with the likes of ‘Alright’, ‘All This Way’ and ‘Jasmine’ as a band born for huge live moments. With their debut album set to emerge this year, their appearance at Live At Leeds is primed to be the crowning of future indie royalty, and sure to be one of the most talked about sets of the day.
Speaking about joining the bill, The Magic Gang said:
“Can’t wait for Live at Leeds! Last year’s show at Church was one of our favourites from 2017, ur always bringing it Leeds.”
Not only bringing the essential sounds for the year ahead to the city, but also championing the thriving music scene that flows through its streets, Live At Leeds 2018 sees one of its adored favourites return in the shape of Pulled Apart By Horses. Packed with a menacing punch of garage-rock fever, they’ve become renowned for adrenaline-fused live shows and an uncompromising ability to have crowds in the palm of their hands in no time. With 2018 marking 10 years together as a band, expect Pulled Apart By Horses’ set at Live At Leeds 2018 to be nothing short of unmissable. With equally huge choruses to boot, 90s heroes Ash are sure to bring a tour-de-force of infectious hits from across their storied career. Expect ‘Girl From Mars’, ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘Shining Light’ to erupt crowds when their phenomenal live show rolls into Live At Leeds 2018.
Speaking about their slot at Live At Leeds 2018, Pulled Apart By Horses said:
“We’ve haven’t played LAL for a few years now and it’s been going from strength to strength since we last appeared on the bill. It made sense to come back to it this year though. We’re always buzzing to be part of it and nothing beats a good old hometown show. Roll on May!”
Guitar legends Ash said:
“We’re buzzing to be announced for the 2018 Live at Leeds line up; it’s already looking like an amazing bill and it’s an honour to be added for our first appearance alongside some great artists. Expect a set full of classic Ash hits alongside some exclusive surprises. We’re Buzzing for it!”
Packed with thrilling new names, Live At Leeds is a coming together of the most anticipated emerging talent you’ll be hearing talked about again and again in 2018 and beyond. Bound for a huge year ahead, Ten Tonnes will bring his vibrant and punchy garage hooks to the city, likewise Liverpool’s own Louis Berry is set for a defining Live At Leeds moment when his rockabilly charms take over the city, with London’s alt-guitar buzzers Sorry set to continue their talked-about rise with a set that pushes the boundaries of what a guitar band can be in 2018. Frantic energy and glorious pandemonium are guaranteed with Doncaster’s Yungblud, swooning dream-pop will light the way with Her’s and the eclectic musical blendings of Alaskalaska will leave your jaw firmly on the floor – all serving up invigorating and talked-about sets from bands truly thriving in original flavours.
Speaking about joining the bill, Louis Berry said:
“I love Leeds man. It’s a boss place! Playing up north in general is on fire, but Leeds is definitely one of the cities that stands out. I’ve always had great gigs there, from small venues to festivals. I’m looking forward to playing Live at Leeds this year and things will be a lot different this time. Let’s have it!”
Yungblud commented on his appearance, saying:
“I’m fucking BUZZING to come back home and play this festival!! My boy Lewis Capaldi is playing as well and we’ve literally not seen each other in months, finally we’ll be able to catch each other’s sets”
Across the city, Live At Leeds 2018 is crammed with sensational sounds from across the musical spectrum. From the swooning country croons of Catherine McGrath, the unmistakable punk-showmanship of Sports Team and the hypnotic tones of Grace Lightman to the snarling visceral ferocity of TOUTS, the lo-fi fuzz of Stella Donnelly and the gritty glam-soaked tide of The Ninth Wave – there’s always something new and different around every corner. Beach hooks are bound to land in style when Sunset Sons return to Live At Leeds, with hip-hop morpher Denzel Himself, Dutch favourites Pip Blom, anthemic songwriter Dermot Kennedy, art-rock newcomers Caro, the raw emotions of Bruno Major and Kent trio Lady Bird all set to kick off their summer at Live At Leeds. With the likes of Nelson Can, LUCIA, Queen Zee, Fling and many more also announced, Live At Leeds 2018 is the only place to go to find your next favourite act.
Sunset Sons said about their return to Live At Leeds:
“We’re buzzing to be getting back on the road for our first UK festival show for 2018 at Live at Leeds. Loads of new tunes as well. See ya down the front!!”
Leeds’ own Caro said:
“Dead chuffed to be playing Live at Leeds again, always a big highlight of the year for us.”
Queen Zee said about joining the lineup:
“Live at Leeds gives us a brilliant line up year after year, to be a part of it is an honour. Especially excited to catch The Horrors”.
Brighton favourites The RPMs said:
“We’re fired up to be making our Live At Leeds debut this year, so many brilliant bands have come through LAL and we can’t wait to jump into the fray and crack out some of our new tunes. Apparently, we’re ‘mashing up synthpop, dance with the hookiness of big pop and a wee dose of introspective ambience with high-powered energy’, but mainly we’re just lining up “flickering indie pop sprinkled bombshells” to explode in your ears”…apparently.”
Hatchie said:
“I spent my 21st birthday watching bands at Live at Leeds a couple of years ago so I’m super excited to be heading back this May to play our first UK show!”
Tyne said:
“Super excited to be playing in Leeds with so many golden artists and bands. Can’t wait to be a part of this line up in May. Bring it on!”
Moncrieff said:
“I’m buzzing to get lairy at Live at Leeds 2018. The festival has hosted loads of my favourite artists in the past and the line up again this year is sick.”
These names join an already stunning bill leading the way in new music and future superstars, from returning game-changers such as Circa Waves, Peaceand The Horrors to trailblazing new favourites such as Pale Waves, Blaenavon, Spring King, Anteros, Lewis Capaldi, Tom Walker, Sam Fender, Will Heard, Grace Carter, Boy Azooga, whenyoung, Bloxx and many more – Live At Leeds is the celebration of new music that 2018 needs, and the first place to hear the essential sounds it has to offer.
Speaking about the new additions to Live At Leeds 2018, Festival Director Andy Smith said:
“We’re pleased to add The Magic Gang, Pulled Apart by Horses, Ash, Dermot Kennedy, Sunset Sons, Louis Berry and High Tyde to the 2018 event, all of which are doing great things at the moment. There are also some really exciting emerging artists who I personally think will go on to have fantastic careers like Bruno Major, Catherine McGrath, Ten Tonnes, Cassia and Stella Donnelly, to name a few. There’s still plenty more to be announced for this year and maybe a few surprises along the way.”
The festivities of the Live At Leeds weekend are set to kick off on the Friday night (May 4th) with a very special showcase presented by PRS Foundation’s Momentum Music Fund Showcase at The Wardrobe – featuring appearances from supported artists such as Our Girl, Chelou, Fenne Lily and very special guest headliners to be revealed shortly. Entry to the show is free, with more details at https://www.liveatleeds.com/
Live at Leeds is a core event in the 2018 programme of Leeds International Festival.
Tickets are on sale now, starting from £36 at https://www.liveatleeds.com/