READING & LEEDS 2023 – ACTS NOT TO MISS (LEEDS SATURDAY / READING FRIDAY)
READING & LEEDS 2023 – ACTS NOT TO MISS (LEEDS SATURDAY / READING FRIDAY)
MAIN STAGE EAST
YOUR HEADLINER…. SAM FENDER
If Sam Fender’s debut album, 2019’s “Hypersonic Missiles”, introduced a smart, street-wise British songwriter with a penchant for euphoric, hard-hitting guitar anthems, it was 2021’s peerless “Seventeen Going Under” that sent the Newcastle artist stratospheric. An acute observer, Fender turns the mirror not only on the streets he grew up walking, but on himself too. The record is a tough-talking but also tender account of Fender’s childhood. It’s also a coming-of-age story, marrying relatable family themes and broken friendships with devastatingly colossal choruses.
“Seventeen Going Under” is already a record that has taken Sam right across the globe, playing to bigger rooms and wider stages, whilst reaping a clutch of awards too (including BRITs, NMEs, Ivor Novellos, and a first Mercury Prize nomination).
LOYLE CARNER
WET LEG
MIMI WEBB
Mimi Webb projects a voice as magnetic, massive, and magical as her personality. As “the girl next door” with a hell of vocal range, she’s quick to laugh, will let you know precisely what’s on her mind, and isn’t afraid to be heard. Originally hailing from the UK town of Canterbury, the pop singer and songwriter turns up the volume on every emotion with skyscraping runs and open-heart honesty.
Inspired by the likes of Amy Winehouse, Emelie Sandé, and Sam Smith, she started writing songs of her own at 13-years-old in diaries before eventually learning guitar. Around the same time, she enrolled in The BRIT School—known for alumni such as Adele, Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, and more. Three years later, she left home, moved in with a host family, and attended the prestigious BIMM [British Institute of Modern Music]. In 2019, she landed management, and inked a deal with Epic Records, followed by the release of her debut single “Before I Go” in 2020.
YARD ACT
Yard Act formed in Leeds in September 2019 when Ryan Needham found himself temporarily living in James Smith’s spare bedroom. Settling into a system of programming, looping and layering, the alchemy between the two created a base from which to build their complex and ever expanding narrative world. “Ryan is a vibe guy, whereas I overthink everything,” laughs Smith. “It’s been the greatest creative partnership I’ve ever had. When you find a groove that works, it just kind of looks after itself.”
With just three hometown shows under their belt, world events intervened. But rather than letting the pandemic derail them Yard Act set up their own imprint, Zen F.C. and across the course of 2020 and into early 2021 released four increasingly coruscating, hilariously dark singles.
MAIN STAGE WEST
Your headliner… foals
While ‘Antidotes’ immediately established Foals as a critical and commercial success, they were one of several breaking British alternative/indie bands making waves at the time. But as they achieved five consecutive Top 10 albums from their debut to Part One of ‘Everything Not Saved…’ Foals now seem to be almost the last ones standing. And they have flourished on their own terms. Their biggest moments – ‘My Number’, ‘Mountain At My Gates’ or ‘In Degrees’ – feel just at home on the Radio 1 airwaves as they do during the band’s electrifying festival headline sets. They might place greater or lesser importance at various moments on big riffs, dance beats or sprawling psychedelia, but their reputation and following has grown with each record.
BICEP LIVE
you me at six
One of the most successful bands to emerge from the UK in recent years, You Me At Six, recently released a brand new single entitled ‘Deep Cuts’ via AWAL Recordings.
The tracks follows the near frenzy of excitement reached by fans online after the band teased the dawning of a new album, their 8th studio record entitled ‘Truth Decay’, which will be out early next year. ‘Deep Cuts’ is the first new music to be revealed and is a huge rock anthem with a sophisticated nod to the music they grew up on; Emo and Pop/Punk, but with a very modern twist.
You Me At Six are masters of their genre, representing pop rock & emo on a global level, with two UK Number 1 albums including 2021’s ‘SUCKAPUNCH’ and a further 4 Top 10 Records. They have amassed over half a billion streams across platforms, have graced the covers of global magazines and have had 18 singles on BBC Radio One playlist alone; well and truly proving their mainstream appeal.
The band recently celebrated the 10 year anniversary of their milestone UK Gold certified album, ‘Sinners Never Sleep. The newly packaged UK album was released alongside two very special sold-out shows.
With a busy year ahead and a new album coming in 2023, You Me At Six can safely enjoy their status as one of the biggest and most prolific British bands of the 21st Century.
sea girls
FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS
BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE
SUB FOCUS B2B DIMENSION
MOTHER MOTHER
THE MURDER CAPITAL
FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE
PALAYE ROYALE
Equal parts brit-pop, glam rock and art-punk, Palaye Royale has amassed over half a billion streams throughout their career and earned a legion of cult-like fans with their adrenaline- fueled, Rock n’ Roll circus. First landing in Los Angeles as teenagers, Las Vegas-bred brothers Remington Leith (vocals), Sebastian Danzig (guitar), and Emerson Barrett (drums) , worked their way up through the ruthless L.A. rock scene while briefly living out of their car, soon finding themselves headlining arenas and touring the world with the likes of Yungblud. In an unexpected yet auspicious turn, the trio’s fourth full-length Fever Dream emerged from a much-needed break in the chaos, returning to their roots and composing most of the album on piano. Equal parts ecstatic head rush and in-depth meditation on the state of the human psyche, the result is Palaye Royale’s boldest and most visionary body of work to date.
YONAKA
Sometimes you have to go through the shit to emerge victorious on the other side and fight your way through the proverbial tunnel to find the light. And this is the exact journey that Brighton’s Yonaka have spent the last year navigating, and ultimately, conquering.
Now coming out the other side armed with a new lease of life, they are ready to share a story of empowerment and perseverance that is set to rival the greats. All packaged up into some alt-rock bangers, of course.
Starting their story a few years ago when they met at Brighton university, vocalist Theresa Jarvis, bassist Alex Crosby, drummer Rob Mason and guitarist George Werbrouck-Edwards instantly jelled, quickly building their name with raucous live sets and a seamless merging of pop, rock and hip-hop inspired beats.
NORMANDIE
We all have our secrets. Whether we’re ready to face them or not, each and every one of us has something buried deep down inside that we desperately keep hidden away from the prying, judging eyes of the rest of the world. But sometimes those secrets become so powerful that they can no longer stay buried, festering and gnawing at our souls so much that they can stop us from living life to the fullest. He didn’t realise it until recently, but Philip Strand was harbouring one such secret for the longest time.
Not anymore.
THE LAST DINNER PARTY
From serenading the dimly-lit corners of East London pubs to Courting interest from several major record labels, agents, promoters & publishers in a few short months, The Dinner Party have burst forth gloriously into the guitar music renaissance.
Conceived during a wine-stained evening in Brixton, the name embodies a musical and aesthetic ethos of decadence, mystery, spectacle and charm. Finding artistry in the intersection between the beautiful, sublime and grotesque, the band are guided by their favourite Romantic poets and Gothic novelists.
The preceding years of isolation and anxiety have only served to heighten The Dinner Party’s creative appeal as they usher in a new era of unashamed maximalism and untethered euphoria. They cast their net of inspiration across artists and genres, from Kate Bush and David Bowie, glam rock and new wave, to unexpected moments of twelve bar blues, classical overture and heavy synth breakdowns.
Singer Abigaille, guitarists Emily and Lizzie, keyboardist Aurora and bassist Georgia weave a fantasy of haunting melodies, explosive choruses, and lyrics that embrace tragedy and triumph in equal measure. At their shows, the band lead audiences through the soaring crescendos and pin-drop silences of the most debaucherous dinner parties, gathering a dedicated and growing company of attendees with every performance.
The band are currently based in London writing, recording, and preparing for their next spectacle.
You are cordially invited.
The Dinner Party
HIMALAYAS
Himalayas are a four-piece rock band from Cardiff who have spent the last few years honing their sound and style. Heavy guitar lines, dual vocals and huge anthemic hooks hold and captivate audiences old and new. Having played at countless festivals including Reading and Leeds and SXSW, sold out local venues and received an impressive amount of radio and international interest in 2019 they started the New Year with plans to step up their game. And then 2020 happened and nobody was expecting that!
Undeterred the band locked down and carried on writing and rehearsing when possible.
LAURAN HIBBERD
Brimming with charisma and satire-fuelled anthems, the DIY Magazine Class of 2022 star’s remarkable potential is reinforced by the groundswell of support across the press landscape (The Guardian, The Times, The Independent,
NME, The Line Of Best Fit, Dork, DIY, Billboard, Consequence of Sound, NYLON, Clash, Gigwise, Kerrang, Rock Sound, Upset) over the last few years, as well as significant praise across the BBC Radio 1 (Clara Amfo, Jack Saunders, Gemma Bradley) and BBC 6 Music (Chris Hawkins) airwaves, as she tackles the next phase in her thrilling development.
BBC RADIO 1XTRA STAGE
MEEKZ
When enigmatic Manchester rapper Meekz performed at the BRIT awards in February, alongside U.K rap’s heavyweight champions – Dave, Fredo, Ghetts & Giggs – it felt like that moment when a gifted Olympic boxer switches codes to the professional ranks, and competes for the world title in their first professional bout. The live rendition of his unforgettable verse on Dave’s ‘In the Fire’ was the clear standout, and introduced his gravelly, powerful tone – revered by his peers and rap fans – to a mainstream audience of millions. He admits there were nerves beforehand. “I just wanted to get it right,” he says. “But I was worried about the moment and the fellas were more worried about the afterparty … That’s when I realised I need to loosen up in this bitch!” he jokes. The warmth of the memory radiates in his voice. “My nana phoned me and cried, and said she loves me. She’s never, ever said that to me. That was emotional. It was an amazing moment for me, a ‘pinch me’ moment. But this is what I came to do.” For Meekz, this is only the beginning.
CLIMATE LIVE: BUS STAGE
CHARLOTTE PLANK
Aged just 21, Charlotte Plank is a singer-songwriter-producer who is inspired by an eclectic array of artists that range from Amy Winehouse to Nirvana, and within the dance space Fourtet to Prodigy. Her impressive online aesthetic (IG) is heavily directed by her love of fashion.
BBC MUSIC INTRODUCING STAGE
SATURDAY
Day 2 will see ALT BLK ERA headline the stage with sets from Antony Szimierk, Frozemode, Charlotte Plank, Lexie Carroll, Blazer Boccle, Frankie Beetlestone, Haunt The Woods and Cole Bleu playing sets during the day. Worth checking out the new talent on this stage during the day.,