A month on from the UK's beloved festival, Bethany Coldwell reviews her experience at Leeds Festival, along with its incredible lineup of acts.
Leeds Festival - whether you’re a connoisseur or a critic, this summer’s line-up was not one to be
dismissed too easily, hosting a weekend packed with artists old and new, complete with a sprinkling
of Matty Healy. A post- GCSE celebration for many, and a weekend of harsh realisation of the
realities of time and growing older, feeling slightly outnumbered by younger counterparts for the
rest of us. This year’s festival offered a plethora (I love using that word) of genres from timeless indie
rock to modern d and b. Now, although displeasing to many OG Leeds rock n rollers, the
metamorphosis of the Reading and Leeds specialisation is one that many find rather appealing, with
an abundance of alternative and indie festivals becoming increasingly better attended across the UK.
Leeds festival’s focus has begun to utilise its large following, nationwide popularity and pure scale to
offer something for everyone. Despite this, I kept my time at Leeds on a slight tunnel vision
consisting of the more rock-focused artists, but that’s just me. I had high hopes for this year’s line-
up, with The Killers, Sam Fender and Billie Eilish as main stage headliners, and it didn’t disappoint,
offering a weekend of incredible performance.
August bank holiday seemed to roll around again all too soon as the festival season came to an end,
but it did so through the peace offering of a weekend of unexpected sunshine (on the most part),
alongside a (more expected) leaky tent, breakfast beers, being really rather starstruck and some
unforgettable musical moments. With a seemingly more controversial response to the line-up year
on year, 2023 featured some huge bands with the likes of Imagine Dragons, and the late addition of
The 1975, who herded all doc-marten wearing, cigarette-smoking attendees to the main stage for a
monumental rendition of their self-titled album; but, more on that later. The seemingly hundreds
and thousands of other stages located around the arena hosted artists like Loyle Carner, Easy Life
and Bakar, as well as emerging artists such as Frankie Beetlestone and Caity Baser.
After a mission equivalent to the first journey to Mars (my first time driving on a motorway in a
Honda Jazz, whose favourite speed is 30mph), three trips to the car and a celebratory can of Lidl’s
own ‘scrumpy jack’ cider, the first evening came to a close. But, not before a Rock-n-Roll-through-the-ages themed karaoke show by Massaoke, who we conveniently stumbled upon amid a search
for some warm chips. They brought the most fantastic atmosphere to the beginning of the weekend
with an abundance rock hits from Bon Jovi to Blink-182, with flares, sunglasses and a whole lot of
rock n roll.
Friday morning began as Thursday had ended - with a little bit of rock and roll. The Amazons were
the first act on our agenda, with a set list of songs performed with style, soul and a LOT of bass. The
four-piece, in my opinion, deserved a much larger crowd, offering stunning harmonies and songs
that really got your head nodding, showcasing the talent of a band through dynamic shifts in tempo
throughout the set, met harshly with rocky drums. They put their heart and soul into the
performance, ending the set throwing the drum sticks into the crowd in true rock star fashion.
Holding up a can of Carling with the words ‘it’s never too early’, front man Matt Thomson left the
crowd raring for more.
"They put their heart and soul into the performance, ending the set throwing the drum sticks into the crowd in true rock star fashion."
With a brief interlude of Hot Milk, Manchester-based pop-rock band whose sound bordered punk,
brought an alternative-emo feel to the line-up, which was very welcome. As a complete contrast, the
Festival Republic stage hosted Royal Otis. Far from home, the Australian duo stuck true to the
modern-rock sound that has made its way out from down under in recent years; as a BIG Spacey
Jane fan, I loved that their music resembled that of other Australian groups, but their sound had a
much rockier feel and was not as laid back as I was expecting. Think Arctic Monkeys if they were
from a beach town and also surfed- you can hear it, right? Next up was a set from Bakar, who
upgraded from the Radio One Dance Stage from last year. He accumulated a massive crowd with his beautifully chilled vocals and trippy graphics, with his song Hell N Back being met with echoing vocals from the crowd. Leaving the main stage, we were reeled in by a god-like voice: ‘music has the power to get you through anything’ preached Rob Damiani, lead singer of DON BROCO, whose post-grunge sound reeled us in like magnet to metal. The hard rock group performed a stellar set, finishing with T-Shirt Song in which their evidently eager and loyal crowd swung their shirts around their heads before the instruction left the frontman’s lips - it was truly a sight to see.
The afternoon consisted of much more laid-back vibrations from Steve Lacey on the main stage, to
Ethel Cain and TV Girl later on. We remained in the Festival Republic stage to catch COIN’s set - a
bucket-list band for me, with Malibu 1992 consistently in my top 10 year in and year out - I sang my
heart out and so did they. The chilled afternoon didn’t last forever, though, with headliner Billie
Eilish taking the main stage by storm as the last performance of Friday. Frankly, I could talk about
her performance for pages and pages; the production was fantastic, with detailed graphics that
added just enough atmosphere without taking away from the music, an epic sound and a set list that
showcased how extremely talented she is. I was speechless at the versatility of her voice and artistic
style, alongside brother Phineas; both of whom went from stomach-churning, heart wrenchingly
stunning songs like i love you and (crowd approved) new release What Was I Made For?, to such as
bad guy which had the crowd jumping. It was truly astounding. Enough said.
"Frankly, I could talk about her performance for pages and pages; the production was fantastic, with detailed graphics that added just enough atmosphere without taking away from the music, an epic sound and a set list that showcased how extremely talented she is."
Day two offered just as much passion, despite the many artists beginning their sets with the
declaration of their extreme hangovers from their previous evening at Reading. Essex born Bilk
encouraging mosh pits at midday, I was astounded by the energy at such a time, given the obvious
look of sleepless nights from the crowd. But, what better way than to carry on? Hair of the dog and
all. They offered low-key rock with a very streets-esque sound which I really enjoyed.
BBC Introducing stage delivered one of the highlights of the festival on a golden platter, with 21 year
old Frankie Beetlestone smashing up the stage like it owed him something (figuratively). There’s not
much I love more than seeing individuals my age pursue something they love, and with Frankie’s
performance it was obvious how much he was made for the stage and how much he wanted to be
there. His presence was so poignant and quickly attracted quite the crowd, although not half as big
as he deserved. Dancing and bouncing around the stage like no one was watching, his energy was
contagious and the effort that he put into his set was really admirable, with fake notes sent flying
from a cash gun for his song Get Paid, I loved every second and it was evident that he did too; he is
def initely one to watch. Next, of course, I had to catch Sea Girls’ set to get my All I Want To Hear You
Say fix, and it satisfied just as much as it always does. My only critique with their set was the lack of
enthusiasm from the audience, which slightly dampened the mood for such a high-energy happy-
vibe set. I still loved it though.
Another act I was excitingly introduced to was 5 piece Kate Bush-style indie-rock band The Last
Dinner Party; it was so refreshing to see female-identifying artists so confidently themselves on
stage. Lead vocalist Abigail Morris floated around the space like an angel, it really was mesmerising.
Following on from this, Grammy-winning Wet Leg graced us with a great set and a wave of
enthusiasm from the crowd. After recently ending their time supporting Harry Styles on the last leg
of his Love On Tour, they accumulated a very significant following with their controversially
alternative style and raunchy dancing. The crowd loved it.
After a teasing rain cloud and a change of clothes as the evening drew cooler, we made our way
through the unforgivingly busy crowd that had packed together for the second headliner of the
weekend, Newcastle’s own Sam Fender. Black and white football shirts clouded my vision in the
tense lead up to the set. The atmosphere for the last performance on a summer evening, the sun has
set, the lights on the stage come up. It’s a feeling you chase all year until the time comes around
again. It was my first time seeing Sam Fender, and it could not have exceeded my expectations
mor e. The set was full of rocky tunes, with the occasional mesmerizingly heartfelt song like Spit of
You which was met with the same enthusiastic reception all the same. I just wish they would have
turned the volume up! He ended his set with Hypersonic Missiles accompanied by fireworks. It
doesn’t get much better than that.
"The atmosphere for the last performance on a summer evening, the sun has set, the lights on the stage come up. It’s a feeling you chase all year until the time comes around again."
The sun rose on what was to be my favourite day of the festival. With a sudden, and extremely
unwanted, whirlwind rainstorm that made its way through the zips of our tent and sent us into
panic, quickly using up the last of our 1 loo roll to save our belongings, it seemed as though this
happy bubble we had been living in had popped. However - the rain proceeded to leave as quickly
as it arrived. With clear oversized ponchos around every corner, we headed back into the arena.
Soggy, muddy, but full of excitement (and a breakfast beer for good luck) we approached the main
stage just in time for the lovely Arlo Parks, whose sweet tone brought out the sunshine. Following
Arlo, one of my favourite bands of all time, Easy Life, played a stunning set and even played single
Ocean View. I had to make the heart-breaking choice to leave before the end to catch the start of
Inhaler’s set. As a girl who was brought up on U2, it only seems right to enjoy the music of Irish 4-
piece Inhaler, who play modern indie rock. I love their music, and so does my U2 mega fan of a
father. However, I was left somewhat disappointed by their set at Leeds. The music was great, the
crowd adored the set list and the black and white graphics upheld their rock and roll vibe. Their
sound is fantastic and it would be stupid to dismiss the talent of the group, and the evident angelic
voice of lead singer Elijah. However, it was their stage presence that really left me with a small crack
in my heart. I know the news is all nepo baby this, nepo baby that at the moment, but when
compared to the likes of Frankie Beetlestone who we had watched the day before, the chilled out,
slightly monotone demeanour of the band didn’t really do it for me in terms of live performance.
Personally, I enjoy a set 100 times more when it seems like the artist is also having the time of their
life, and although I’m a massive fan of Inhaler’s music, they didn’t offer the vibe that that was the
case.
My mood was rapidly uplifted, however, by the unexpected and last minute opportunity to meet
the lads from Easy Life! This really set the tone for the remainder of the day. Nothing But Thieves
were fantastic, with flames bursting from the stage emphasising the heavier nature of their music!
The vocalist really showed off their talent and the crowd loved it! Now for the two highlights of the
festival for me. Obviously, I was ecstatic at the thought of seeing The 1975’s self titled set for the
first time. I was sceptical how far they would go with the whole self titled, potential deluxe album
thing. But, seeing some of my favourite songs EVER live was just a moment that cannot be compared
to anything else. The 1975 - you either love them or you hate them, but their ability to move a crowd
is undeniable. I had the time of my life, seeing She Way Out and Settle Down live. THE 1975 intro, there were tears.
Finally, the last headliner of the weekend, and arguably the band I was most excited to see (sorry
Matty), The Killers took to the stage. I know most of the crowd were waiting for Mr Brightside and
Mr Brightside alone. Did it stop me from singing at the top of my lungs for the rest of the set in a
group of silent 17 year olds? Absolutely not. Was I a couple of beers deep? Maybe. But, boy did they
put on a show. The set list was jam packed with their best hits from the last 20 years, Smile Like You
Mean It, All These Things That I've Done and Spaceman all made an appearance. And of course, to
everyone’s excitement, they ended their set with the British national anthem Mr. Brightside which,
from where I stood, was mostly just sung by the crowd. There were fireworks, there was a long drum
solo, they really had it all. What a fantastic way to end what was in fact an epic weekend. Say what
you will about Leeds Festival, but their versatility of genres and line up of talented artists was the
recipe for a weekend of really great music and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for next
year!
Bethany Coldwell
Edited by Tabitha Smith
Image 1 courtesy of Official Leeds Festival via Facebook
Image 2 courtesy of Frankie Beetlestone via Instagram
Image 3 courtesy of Inhaler Dublin via Facebook
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