LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022 // BRAMHAM PARK, LEEDS
THE 1975, HALSEY, DAVE, MEGAN THEE STALLION, BRING ME THE HORIZON AND ARCTIC MONKEYS ROUND OFF FESTIVAL IN PERFECT STYLE AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022.
★★★★★ (5/5)
ARCTIC MONKEYS HEADLINING READING FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: PHOEBE FOX
We were back at Leeds Festival after three year gap due to COVID, although we didn’t attend last year’s pilot return festival, this year’s festival felt very real to everyone and made it feel COVID had gone away.
As last year many changes happened to festival like adding second main-stage and losing the pit stage, it took us some time getting used to the new arena format but soon felt like being home again at Bramham Park.
This year’s festival seen nearly 100,000 festival goers each day across the weekend and as well as very hot weather across each day of the festival which meant lot sun-burnt festival goers, a ton of drinking which seen people collecting used cups across the arena make some extra money as well protecting planet and following Reading and Leeds Festivals slogan this year ‘#NoMusicOnADeadPlanet.’ as well special guests appearances on stage from crowd members, AJ Tracey flying upto Bramham Park after his Reading Festival set earlier on Saturday to appear on stage during DAVE’s epic headline set on Saturday at Leeds Festival and one and only YUNGBLUD during Bring Me The Horizon’s headline set on the final day.
This year’s line-up felt very different to previous years across Reading and Leeds Festivals history. Line-up felt very diverse this year which good thing but lot of festival goers were lacking rock-n-roll guitar bands which has made festivals it’s name today. This year’s line up seen The 1975 and Halsey lead first day at Leeds Festival which was then followed by Dave and Megan Thee Stallion on second day and closing up things seen Bring Me The Horizon and Arctic Monkeys close Leeds Festival 2022 on the Sunday.
The 1975 were announced as headliners ten days before the festival due to legendary rockers Rage Against The Machine pulling out due to frontman Zack De La Rocha injuring his leg earlier in the summer this year.
It was noted during Halsey’s set who mentioned herself and Megan are the festival’s first female headliners since 1995 apart from Paramore’s co-headline slot in 2014. So was great to finally see this happen which very long due.
BROOKE COMBE PERFORMING ON THE FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Friday unsurprisingly seen a smaller crowd across the weekend compared to crowds on Saturday and Sunday at Leeds Festival 2022 and this was because of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE fans refused to attend due to the legendary band pulling out of the festival and band’s replacement which wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but most importantly Rage Against The Machine fans.
Our first day kicked off over on Festival Republic Stage which this year was presented by IHG@ Hotels & Resorts. The stage was opened by Scottish twenty-one year old ‘Brooke Combe’ who in recent months has started making her name as an artist, releasing her first singles ‘Are You With Me?’, ‘A-Game’ last year and ‘Miss Me Now’ earlier this year. Her presence on stage was fantastic the crowd were really feeling her music and dancing away as she performed on stage wearing a white-tank top and long pair black dresser trousers and white-pair sunglasses.
Over on the main-stages on the first day seen Mallrat and The K’s open up both East and West Main Stages. Lot of festival goers were confused which Main-Stage was which but we soon got used to called West Main Stage (Leeds) and East Main Stage (Festival Republic) going what was written on the top of each Main-Stage at Leeds Festival this year.
We soon moved over to BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage as we heard one and only ‘Dylan’ was performing on stage and she is known for her first singles ‘No Romeo’ and ‘Girl Of Your Dreams’ despite being on early on the day she managed to drawn in massive crowd to the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage tent. She came on wearing black leather despite being very warm across Bramham Park. A lot of people will know Dylan for opening up for Ed Sheeran on his current world tour across UK and European leg few months ago.
DYLAN PERFORMING ON THE BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Before first day seen of bigger known artists and bands performing on various stages across the arena seen festival sets from likes of Willow, Bru-C on main stages, then on Festival Republic stage seen Abby Roberts, Daisy Brain on stage and on BBC Radio 1 Introducing Stage seen upcoming talents from Boy Bleach and Medulla.
Back over to the Main-Stages seen first of this year’s diverse line-up changes compared to previous years line-ups which seen Rap/Grime become big theme across this year’s festivals. Friday seen upcoming talent of Denzel Curry and Rap heroes ‘Run The Jewels’ who were suppose to be sub-headlining for Rage Against The Machine before they had pull-out. Instead Charli XCX was announced to sub-headline along with new headliners The 1975. She had replaced Maneskin who dropped out the festival alongside Jack Harlow to perform and accept awards at MTV Video Music Awards (MTV VMAS) in New York.
Although Charli XCX managed to pull in massive crowd performing well-known hits ‘I Love It’, 'Boys’, ‘Boom Clap’ and recent massive single ‘Beg For You’ She came on owning the stage which got festival goers in great mood to be able to make good sprint over to West Main-Stage to catch headliner ‘Halsey’ who was due headline West Main-Stage next.
CHARLI XCX PERFORMING AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022 ON THE MAIN-STAGE
PHOTOCREDIT: SAM MCMAHON
Other performances on Main-Stages before Charli XCX and Halsey seen the likes of ‘Pale Waves’, ‘DMA’s and ‘Bastille’. We managed head back over to Festival Republic stage to seen performances from ‘The Native’ and ‘The Blinders’ who both performed to massive crowds in the tent. Both still upcoming bands but both have have made their names as bands with singles ‘Halfway House’ and ‘Adore Me’ by The Native and ‘Brave New World’ and ‘Ramona Flowers’ by The Blinders. - The Native have been special guests on tours for The Vamps and Bastille recently and The Blinders have opened up for likes of Courteeners and Blossoms on previous tours before COVID. Both are definitely contenders to perform on Main-Stages in future years.
There was also headline performance in Alternative Stage which was packed out for funny man ‘Russell Howard’. He came on stage to massive crowd and doing his fine, his performance went down a storm as he joked about COVID, Boris and Tory Government and even Royal Family. It was truly classic gold performance.
RUSSELL HOWARD HEADLINING ALTERNATIVE STAGE AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN PHOTOGRAPHY
First headliner of the weekend was Halsey who was closing Main Stage West who came on stage saying they were in a bad way after being struck by Food poisoning days before the festivals and weren’t 100 per cent. Although we give them praise for still coming on stage and performing. Halsey’s performance was their debut appearance appearing at both Reading and Leeds festivals. Their performance featured inspiring visuals and a electrifying light performance. Hasley bought in a massive crowd with some festival goers most likely just coming from Charli XCX’s crowd as well anyone was watching Bastille previously on stage before Halsey.
They performed some most iconic tracks like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘Closer’ and ‘So Good’ plus many more which left the crowd in a great mood.
Halsey performing at Reading Festival 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: Jasmine Safaeian
Closing Day one over on Main Stage west was the return of Manchester’s ‘The 1975’ who frontman Matt Healy describes their Leeds Festival set as “Just. Fucking Bangers”. He defiantly didn’t lie to the crowd with band’s new album ‘Funny In A Foreign Language’ due out in October, they’ve used this weekend’s headline performances at both festivals as an last-minute replacing Rage Against The Machine as an opportunity to do a greatest hits set and tease their upcoming album release including some singles from the new album thrown into their set.
This is bands first UK show appearances since before COVID and the crowd couldn’t get enough. The band came onto stage performing ‘If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)’, ‘Love Me’ and ‘Chocolate’ which was greatest opener for their set. Their set continued to get better when band performed new singles ‘Happiness’ and then didn’t lie about performing bangers, they just kept coming and ended their set with singles ‘People’, ‘The Sound’, ‘Sex’ and ‘Give Yourself a Try’.
Band also gave their new appearance which seems to change on every album, new theme is completely white canvas lighting and wearing all black suits which felt like the band were undertakers at funeral but his didn’t keep the crowd not engaging the band in great style.
THE 1975 HEADLINING LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: MATT EACHUS
Onto Saturday of this year’s Leeds Festival which seen the Main-Stage be opened up by the mighty Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes. As predicted his wild set showed mosh pits to hardstanding while doing a crowd surf, as well creating a female and non-binary-only mosh pit during his third song. Frank Carter said “it was the happiest pit you’ll see this weekend” he was definitely right. Carter played all his well known tracks and left the crowd in storm and he also bought in huge crowd especially for a Saturday lunchtime performance.
Following from Carter’s performance the Main Stages seen performances from BBNO$, Black Honey, and Wallows.
We were next back at Main Stage East for London’s upcoming Griff who won Brit Award’s Rising Star award last year. She has had a fantastic year so far opening up for Dua Lipa on her ‘Future Nostaglia: World Tour’ earlier this year and most recently opening up for Coldplay at London’s Wembley Stadium two weeks ago as part of their ‘ Music Of The Spheres: World Tour ‘. Her short set consisted of her first singles which has made her name including ‘Head On Fire’, ‘Good Stuff’ and her Whitney Houston remix classic ‘One Night’. The crowd were enjoying her set, expect Griff to move up line-up at Reading and Leeds in further years to come.
GRIFF PERFORMING ON MAIN STAGE AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: EMILY MARCOVECCHIO
Now we took a trip over to BBC Radio 1 Dance Tent as everyone was talking about rising DIY Pop star ‘PinkPantheress’ non stop yesterday and today, this performance gave festival goers the first chance to see the new artist for almost two-three years which seen her perform her mixtape ‘To Hell With It’, along with her single ‘Pain’ which left the crowd in a great mood. She was defiantly the highlight of the weekend so far for festival goers.
Over on the BBC Radio 1 Introducing Stage seen likes of Honeyglaze, Flowerovlove, Sisi, and Deadletter take to the stage to try catch festival goers ears to engage in their upcoming music sets.
PINK PANTHERESS PERFORMING ON BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: MATT EACHUS
Back over on the Festival Republic stage seen performances from Scene Queen, Kid Kapichi, Tigercub, Sick Joy, and Tigress. Main Stages seen Joy Crookes, Circa Waves, All Time Low take to the stage before two of most talked artist/band were due to take on place on both Main Stages shortly.
First up on Main Stage East was Brit-Award winner ‘Little Simz’ who seemed to bring in biggest crowd of the day so far which seen people running from Main Arena entrance straight down to Main-Stage East just have glimpse of her powerful set ‘Introvert’ before continuing with a powerful set including ‘Venom’, ‘Woman’, ‘Selfish’ and ‘Two Worlds Apart’ which all feature on her fantastic sophomore and debut albums ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ and ‘Grey Area’. She defiantly left the crowd in a buzzing mood for tonight’s headliners ‘Megan Thee Stallion’ and ‘Dave’. We can certainly predict Little Simz will follow their footsteps one day and headline Reading and Leeds Festivals in the nearby future.
Next up over on Main Stage West seen oxford favourites ‘Glass Animals’ take to the stage which seen another huge crowd drawn in and most likely some crowd goers coming from Little Simz’s set nearby. As you predict Glass Animals stage set would always be bonkers and colourful with Basketball nets to Pineapples which band now associated with. kicking off their set with iconic hit ‘Life Itself’ before continuing to play bangers after bangers including ‘Heat Waves’, ‘The Otherside Of Paradise’, ‘Gooey’ and ‘Take A Slice’ the crowd just couldn’t get enough of them they’re another band we would say watch out for as they could well headline the festivals on their next album release.
Straight after Glass Animals seen the same sort crowd for Little Simz running to Main Stage East to catch a glimpse of ‘Polo G’ this one artist we’ve never heard of till today but his famous hit single ‘Rapstar’ seemed just got the crowd going wild and also seemed like perfect opening for Dave who was due to come on very same stage next.
POLO G PERFORMING AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022 ON THE MAIN STAGE
PHOTOCREDIT: LINDA BORSCIKA
Finishing up on the BBC Radio 1 Introducing stage seen Dolores Forever, Priestgate, BILK, and Dan D’Lion performing to small crowds. Back over to Festival Republic Stage seen Cleopatrick, As It Is, a secret set from The Interrupters and headline set from Fever 333 which was insane.
Then we we were down to two remaining headline sets on both Main Stages. First up was Megan Thee Stallion on Main Stage west stage. She seemed to bring in massive crowd for her set but at same time a lot festival goers preferred to go head to Main Stage East for a spot in crowd to watch Dave’s headline set which was understandable but didn’t also help that Stallion came on stage nearly thirty-minutes late which meant her set was overlapping the start of Dave’s Headline set on Main Stage East.
Despite all of this, Megan Thee Stallion seemed to having the time of life performing bangers off her debut ‘Good News’ and and most recently released sophomore album ‘Traumazine’. She also had time to include fans from the crowd to join on her stage which she referred as “the hotties” to throw some dance moves on stage including one them twerking with Stallion herself on stage. There also one fan on stage which tells Stallion about a boy who recently dumped her (which led to crowd booing) and another one gets her chest signed by Megan after saying she’s her idol. Overall she was second female artist to headline Reading and Leeds festivals this year as well first since 1995 which meant her headline set would go down in history of the festival. Overall crowd was very happy to see her on stage and left her set in very good mood to head over and now watch Dave.
MEGAN THEE STALLION HEADLINING MAIN STAGE WEST AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: LINDA BORSCIKA
Now we come to the moment in history that everyone been waiting for, one name everyone has been talking about all year, and at festival for past 48 hours. Finally Dave arrives on stage to what be biggest moment in Reading and Leeds festivals history. Dave’s set from start to finish is fantastic, he is youngest ever solo headliner of the festival and bought in the biggest crowd of the weekend so far. He set consisted of hit singles and music off his debut album ‘Psychodrama’ and his recently released sophomore album last year ‘We’re All Alone In This Together’. From start to finish the crowd couldn’t get enough of Dave on stage, singing along to words just really having a good time.
Fans went into frenzy when a certain AJ Tracey appeared on stage alongside him to perform their hit track ‘Thiago Silva’ which he also performed previous night at Reading Festival so was special moment to witness. His performance also included well known tracks such as ‘Starlight’, ‘Location’ and a Headie One cover ‘18Hunna’. It was definitely a special moment to witness.
Dave’s also used his performance to protest against a zombie government at Westminster and also to talk about his past and his upbringing in London where a lot of knife crime attacks take place which has inspired his music which has made his name today.
DAVE HEADLINING MAIN-STAGE EAST AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: GEORGINA HURDSFIELD
Onto the final day of Leeds Festival 2022 which seen warm weather continue on Sunday and massive crowd like last night (of both Day and Campers) ready for one band who will close this year’s festival later on the day.
Our day kicked off over at Festival Republic Stage catching upcoming rockers ‘ Thumper’ who did an fantastic set on stage. We never heard of them before till going and seeing them. They managed bought in an small crowd although shame were on so early as they were defiantly worth seeing very early on in the day. It felt like great setting ahead of tonight’s headline sets from Bring Me The Horizon and the return of Arctic Monkeys. The crowd seemed know some their tracks including ‘25’, ‘Fear Of Art’ and ‘The Loser’. We would certainly seem them again.
Kicking off music on Main Stages seen - The Sherlocks, Dayglow, De’Wayne and The Lathums take to the stages across first couple of hours of last day of Leeds Festival 2022. - BBC Radio 1 Introducing Stage seen Corella, Gabe Coulter, and BEMZ take to the stage.
THUMPER OPENING UP ON FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE ON THE FINAL DAY OF LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Now over to BBC Radio 1 Stage which seen packed out tent for Madison Beer who enjoy a great year so far. Coming on simply with two dancers and wear all black crowd went into frenzy as she performed her first track ‘Baby’ and then just continued to perform bangers after bangers such as ‘Reckless’, ‘Selfish’ and even her hit collaboration single ‘All Day and Night’ with Jax Jones and Martin Solveig. Madison Beer had sold-out UK Tour few months ago and seems to making great career ahead for herself. She released her debut solo album last year ‘Life Support’ and had great response, she is definitely a contender to headline Reading and Leeds festivals in the nearby future.
Back over to the Main Stages seen Poppy and AJ Tracey take to the stage and same sort crowd yesterday turned up for AJ Tracey’s performance who was only announced recently as Jack Harlow pulled out from performing at the festival to go and perform at MTV VMA’s in New York. Music continued on at Festival Republic stage which seen The Skinner Brothers Taipei Houston, Kid Bunswick sueco, Casyette, carolesdaughter and closing the stage for the weekend was HO99O9. BBC Radio 1 Introducing stage seen Alissic, Christian Alexander, Grove, A.M.C ft Phantom, secret set from The Lathums, Joesef and closing up the stage for the weekend was Uninvited.
MADISON BEER PERFORMING AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: SAM MCMAHON
Back to the Main-Stages seen performances from the likes of Enter Shikari, and Fontaines D.C. Both managed to bring massive crowds to their sets on both Main Stages. Enter Shikari opening their set to massive confetti pyro shoot started their set to great start and just continued to play bangers after bangers. Their short set included protest speeches from frontman Rou Reynolds against water supplies, climate and LGBT rights. They even included track ‘The Void Stares Back’ which had bought on stage special guests Wargasm to join them on stage and they also teased their new track with Pendulum ‘Sorry, You’re Not a Winner’. Pendulum were announced as secret set later on in day in BBC Radio 1 Stage. So there was chance Enter Shikari may appear on stage with them.
Fontaines D.C were next up on Main Stage East after Enter Shikari’s set on Main Stage West. Kicking off with ‘A Lucid Dream’ crowd were already going for Fontaines and seemed like was going to be a great set. Continuing with bangers band went onto ‘Sha Sha Sha’ and then onto likes of ‘Roman Holiday’, ‘Nabokov’ and ending their set with ‘I Love You’. Fontaines D.C were proving why their next greatest band, touring non-stop this year and evening announcing more UK headline shows later this year and selling them out shows their appearance at festival could well be headlining the festivals in the future.
Next up over on the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage seen last secret set of the weekend at Leeds Festival 2022. It was incredible Pendulum who are making their return music. As news went around about them playing the tent was packed out despite being on against Wolf Alice who was on stage few yards away on Main Stage East. Bringing tons of pyro to the stage band kicked off their set with a belter called ‘Driver’ before playing banger after banger, including ‘Witchcraft’ and ‘Watercolour’. They also had time to include their brand new single with Enter Shikari ‘Sorry, You’re Not A Winner’ which Rou Reynolds teased during their set earlier on the day. Rou Reynolds even made appearance during Pendulum’s secret set which perfect ending moment for Leeds Festival 2022.
PENDULUM PERFORMING AS SECRET SET AT THE BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE ON FINAL DAY OF LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Up on the Main Stages before headliners was Wolf Alice currently one of most talked bands in Indie rock scene in Britain right now the four-piece fronted by Ellie Rowsell has had a great couple of years. Firstly being discovered by The 1975 and being shortly signed to their record label ‘Dirty Hit’ the band have had massive success with all three of their albums with their most recently third album ‘Blue Weekend’ making their name more as a band.
Coming onto stage with prank intermission of them being late for the festival went down a storm the Leeds Festival crowd as they went straight into their set with ‘Smile’. Before continuing with bangers after bangers including ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’, ‘Bros’, ‘Delicious Things’ and ‘The Last Man on Earth’. It was definitely the four piece who are proving why they should be sub-headlining for Arctic Monkeys who were due on stage next. They’re surely be ones to watch for now as they will most likely headlining Reading and Leeds festivals on their next album which would be something to witness.
WOLF ALICE PERFORMING AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: SAM MCMAHON
Now was the final acts of the weekend on both Main Stages at Leeds Festival 2022. Main Stage West seen BRING ME THE HORIZON finally headline Reading and Leeds festivals and Main Stage East seen Arctic Monkeys make their long awaited live return in the UK and their first appearance at Reading and Leeds festivals since their last headline set in 2014.
After many years BRING ME THE HORIZON’s dream finally came true to headline Reading and Leeds festivals. Their last appearance was on former BBC Radio 1 / NME Stage tent as a secret set during 2018’s festivals. They’ve since changed a lot from that set and released new album ‘AMO’ the following year since their last appearance.
Bringing a massive light show and kicking off with pyro and confetti, BMTH got the crowd going during first song which many bands can’t do till later in their set after they’re warmed up. Kicking off their headline set with ‘Can You Feel My Heart’ their set just continued storm the crowd with bangers like ‘Teardops’, ‘MANTRA’, ‘Drown’ and ending their set with ‘Thrown’.
Frontman Oli Skyes and co brought out a special guest ‘Ed Sheeran’ for their version of his single ‘Bad Habbits’ at Reading Festival the previously night so speculation was flying around if Ed Sheeran would make appearance at Leeds Festival to but instead rumours flied around all day at certain home man was going appear instead and rumours turned out to be true ‘YUNGBLUD’ appeared on stage to perform band’s track ‘Obey’ which was magical performance. Yungblud had just played festival day before in Europe so quick jump come play Leeds Festival as special guest for BMTH’s headline set. Yungblud is definitely a contender for headlining Reading and Leeds festivals next year or years to come.
Overall it was great performance from BRING ME THE HORIZON and perfect way to end Leeds Festival 2022.
BRING ME THE HORIZON HEADLINING FINAL DAY AT LEEDS FESTIVAL 2O222
PHOTOCREDIT: SAM MCMAHON
Now over to Main-Stage East for the final headliner of the weekend. The anticipation has finally arrived for the live return of Sheffield rockers ‘ Arctic Monkeys ‘ who making their first UK live appearances since 2018 at this year’s Reading and Leeds festivals as well their return to festivals since their last headlining performances in 2014 for their album ‘AM’ back then.
Kicking off their set with god hit single ‘Do I Wanna Know’ the crowd went into frenzy as frontman Alex Turner and co appeared on stage. Before continuing with bangers such as ‘Brainstorm’, ‘Snap Out Of It’, ‘Why’d You Only Call Me When Your High?’, ‘I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor’ and ending their set with classic ‘505’.
ARCTIC MONKEYS CLOSING LEEDS FESTIVAL 2022
PHOTOCREDIT: MATT EACHUS
Their set was like continuation from their previous album ‘Tranquillity Base Hotel + Casino’. There was deep cut’s during their set including likes of ‘Potion Approaching’ and ‘That’s Where You’re Wrong’ which defiantly different approach to their normal sets from previous albums, although crowd didn’t seem like they were complaining one bit. Their set even teased their upcoming new album ‘The Car’ which is due to be released in October and gave the crowd a funk-nodding new song ‘I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am’ which seemed to go down with Leeds crowd.
Band once returned to stage for Encore to set their slow set with explosive encore which included ‘Arabella’ and ‘R U Mine?’ which ended the weekend perfect at Leeds Festival 2022.
We’re definitely looking forward to the new album from Arctic Monkeys and band soon recently shared first single from it literally following day from their headline set at Leeds Festival 2022, the track called ‘There’d Better Be a Mirrorball’ already huge hit from the band.