Festival Preview | Live at Leeds - In the City | 14.10.2023

By Craig McInnes

With festival season done and dusted for another year - we turn our attention to the autumn and winter run of shows that just happen to include festivals, just the indoor versions with absolutely no mud and no sweaty mornings in a tent. 

I look ahead to another year of the highly successful Live at Leeds as the festival makes its return to the city centre with another big line-up. The sister event to the summers ‘In the Park’, Live at Leeds In the City has been a highlight of the year for me personally and other festival goers since 2011 and has been a staple for upcoming bands both from Leeds and beyond. Occupying iconic city centre venues like  Leeds Becket University, The Wardrobe & Key Club. 

I’ll be taking a look at some of the must see acts across the day on what is a very stacked bill. 

First up, and the main reason I’ll be taking the trip down south for this festival - South Arcade. The 4 piece from London only burst on to the scene in 2021 but have since racked up a strong following and landed some pretty special support appearances, quite recently touring the UK with Australian icons, Yours Truly. 

The band shot to fame when their January release Sound of An Empty Room became quite the TikTok hit making it their most played with just under 500k streams on Spotify. Notable appearances at UK festivals such as 100Above and Truck - they are certainly building up the recognition they deserve and this shows with their first ever headline tour being sold out playing gigs in Manchester, Birmingham and their homecoming in London’s iconic Camden Assembly. The futures looking bright for South Arcade and you can catch them playing songs like their recent single Silverlight on The Key Club stage. 

Following on from South Arcade, a band that joined them on that tour will also be taking to the stage in their very on hometown - Artio. The 4 piece alternative pop/rock band have continued to excel in their ability to tear down the boundaries between genres, their effortless combinations of synth-pop, new-wave and nu-metal placing them firmly on the map.

The band have just unleashed their latest single Wallflower through local label, Slam Dunk Records. The single has had its airtime on Radio 1 spun by Alt icon Alyx Holcombe. Catch them in The Hyde Park Book Club. 

BBC Introducing will be doing a take over in The Oporto Irish Bar - one of the stand outs for me is local 4 piece all female Alt rock band - Venus Grrrls. From twinkling synth motifs to raspy guitar lines, the girls present the dark yet empowering discourse surrounding their own synergistic experiences.

With plays on Radio One and Radio X. The Leeds band are turning all the heads right now and it was tipped by Radio 1’s, Nels Hylton that 2023 would be their year. Jack Saunders also noted that ‘This is what i'm talking about, by being bold in your music’. Close to 5k streams on latest single Liar Liar in only 3 weeks - it’s clear to see there is good attention on this band and rightly so. This is your perfect time to catch them in close proximity. 

From the smaller venues to the main stages of the event and a trip over to Stylus to conclude the day in style. A strong day in this venue ends with two of most exciting bands I’ve seen recently. 2nd from top are Hastings based Kid Kapichi. 

Since their formation in 2014 the hedonistic Hastings quartet Kid Kapichi are setting the scene alight with their riff-filled, riotous rock music that promises to kick you even when you are down. Mosh-pits and melodies galore, the band’s live shows are equally as electrifying as their music; the charming lads sure are making their mark in music.

Straight on from what will certainly be a sweaty set from the Hastings boys. We end the must acts with post-punk Londoners, Shame. 

This band are a must see on any bill. The energy they bring to a live show leaves you breathless come the end. They combine keen-eyed observations with a willingness to challenge themselves and their audience. With hints of Soft Play (formally Slaves) you can expect fast paced chaos during their sets with little chance of clam. With 3 albums under their belt the band have dabbled in different styles but they’ve certainly never lost the intensity of their sound. 

Closing off this stage will be done in style and should a must see for any attendee.