Belated Leeds Post

The greatest British festival rolled 'round again in the usual slot of the August bank holiday weekend and I couldn't of been more excited. This year I was no longer a newbie to Bramham Park and all of the wonders it holds. Reading & Leeds mark the end of the festival season, despite Bestival still to come, the ex Carling, now festival Republic weekend is the true curtain call.

This year, they really out-done themselves; packing the weekend with must-see acts spawning all genres, and legends almost everyone would agree are unmissable. The headliners alone (Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead and Kings of Leon) would be worth the ticket price.

Friday 28th August

Skint & Demoralised were the first band I saw, providing comedic lyrics, truthful poetry and a good feeling to kick start our weekend. Joking that "Busted were better" as my friends and I walked over to the main stage for Fightstar, it was apparent that the festival madness had begun - people screeching, howling and just generally having drunken fun... at 12:30 in the afternoon. As one random girl said in passing, "I love how you can have a can at 9AM here, and no one thinks you're an alcoholic." Concurred. Totally true. If the two men in morph suits aren't drunk, then God help them in the real world.

So then as some friends were scoffing down some of the many junk food delights on offer, I thought Chickenhawk would be a good band to kill some time to. (Basing this conclusion on the fact they are called Chickenhawk.) Performing on the BBC Introducing Stage, they weren't bad when you got up close, but from a distance they sounded terrible. Maybe they'll be on the Festival Republic Stage next year. My fingers are crossed for them - I like their band name.

Spinnerette looked like a sensible option next. Brody Dalle with her smoke stained vocals and just her whole stage presence attracted me, because when I was younger, I wanted to be just like her. Spinnerette were okay. Just okay. Ms Dalle was cool, but I'd of rather seen The Distillers.


One incorrect assumption to make would be that music is the only thing to be involved with at Leeds. Jack Whitehall was on the comedic menu and don't think that something wrong with the tent (they had to "sort it out" before it collapsed) would stop the Alternative Stage overfilling. If I hadn't of heard most of the jokes on his TNT show, then it would of been so much funnier. However Mr Whitehall is one who laughs at himself and his geeky persona and "I did comedy as a last resort" light-heartedness makes him all the more hilarious and a top banana to see live.

I'd seen Enter Shikari before, and despite a new album since then, there were no surprises or anything unexpected, except mid-set when singer Rou exclaims "Can I get a reeeeeewinddd?!"
Erm, if you like...? How odd. Overall, they were just a band to bounce to in the afternoon air. Hockey were a sharp contrast, offering up feel good dancey music at it's finest. Reaching the NME/Radio 1 stage too early for The Maccabees, I had to endure one of the many poppy ("Oh Hollie you're wrong, we're pop punk") tween bands, this one - no different to any other - are called You me At Six. During the small section of their set I witnessed, they managed to ruin last years headliners Rage Against The Machine and perform a number of songs which I couldn't tell the difference between.

Right, so I my timing was completely wrong and The Maccabees weren't on for ages, so I caught a little of Maxïmo Park (good, yes) before eventually returning to the NME/Radio 1 Stage at 18:25 for The Maccabees. They proved themselves to me (sounds ridiculous, I know) but the last time I saw them live I was utterly disappointed, far from impressed, but now they have proven that they really are one of the best bands around today and I would recommend anyone to give them a listen.

White Lies were one of the bands of the weekend. Epic. Thrilling and with very little, if there were any at all, gimmicks. Harry McVeigh gave me a sight chuckle when he dedicated set-closer 'Death' to a member of management who had just had a baby. The sound was so good, they're just fantastic.



It's amazing how The Prodigy can still have such an effect on an audience now, after so long. People today still go mad over the songs they did 15 or so years ago, yet people bang on about Oasis sounding the same, or Kasabian having too much hype. The main stage was packed, it was amazing that we got so close to the barrier for Arctic Monkeys. Although I don't think they were the band of the weekend, or did anything to leave you in awe, there was something great about Arctic Monkeys. Just about everyone I spoke to after the gig said they were bad. Perhaps it was because this was my first time at one of their live shows, or maybe it was because I was a geek and learnt the words for 'Humbug' as best as I could ready for the weekend, but I enjoyed it. Granted the power cut - or over timed pause - during 'Brianstorm' was slightly annoying and there wasn't very much interaction (talking that is) with the crowd, but they were good. Isn't the point of seeing a band to experience the songs? And as for "They didn't play many old ones" Bullshit. Yes 'Teddy Picker' and 'Mardy Bum' were missing, but if you wanted to hear 'Whatever People say I Am..." then you should of went to see them three years ago.


Saturday 29th August

3OH!3 are a more dancey version of The Bloodhound Gang. They're a hilarious act, and one who you shouldn't really like... but just love. Well worth getting up early for a brunch time treat at the Dance Arena. 'Don't Trust Me' was their highlight. But seriously who are these people?



The View were on fire over on the main stage and one man - complete with Strongbow box on head - got his wish of appearing on the big screen near the end of their set. Well done mate. Passion Pit's singer has a crazy voice. The Massachusetts five piece were great, but the comparison between Michael Angelakos' speaking and singing voice is mad. (Good mad, please note.)

Time to pop back over to the Main Stage for Vampire Weekend who played very few from the debut. This would usually be a bad move for a festival slot, but being as the new ones didn't sound that different from the old ones, we'll let them off. Plus, once 'APunk' and it's cutsie intro begins, all is forgotten and Bramham went wild.

The Gaslight Anthem are a good live band. And despite not knowing many lyrics myself, I loved them. Now we all know Bloc Party are a must-see. Moving up the bill since last year, Kele and co rocked the main stage, 'Flux' was brilliant as per, but it was new single 'One More Chance' which really got the crowd going. Set-closer 'Helicopter' was a wise choice, a mass sing along erupted and it brought with it memories of Guitar Hero. (Haha)

The time had come. Radiohead were minutes away. There's something beautiful about them. Something special. I don't actually think I can express how brilliant they were and I only have one criticism... Where was 'Creep?'

Sunday 30th August

New Yorkers The Virgins had a reasonable turnout considering the time, and the crowd were one to be proud to be part of. Lively and slightly excitable. Nice. I saw New found Glory purely for 'Kiss Me' and Funeral For A Friend because I couldn't be bothered to move. Both could of been worse. I enjoyed a nice croissant to some song from 'Hours', an album I bought years ago... Their new stuff sounds no different to that album (well I think it was new.)

Next I wandered over to the NME/Radio 1 Stage, which is where I'd stay from about 4PM till 9ish. The Horrors, Jack Peñate, Florence + The Machine, Friendly Fires and Jamie T. One after the other. Since 'Primary Colours', The Horrors have entered a new league of arty, abstract rock. Finally they can be taken seriously and listed as a band with potential to be around for a while. Their live show expands and confirms this. Faris Badwan is intense, and hypnotic as a frontman, as opposed to previous years when he has appeared awkward.

It seems everything wasn't new for Jack Peñate, as he still delivered a cracking live performance. He too seems to of gained slightly more confidence since his latest release, stage diving numerous times and losing his favourite shoes in the process. This didn't dampen his spirit and he joked with the audience, "I'll come for you." It was such a happy atmosphere, playing old favourites 'Torn on the Platform' and 'Have I Been a Fool?' but the greatest song of his set was - without question - 'Be the One.' It made women and men alike scream in delight. 'Let's All Die' was brilliant and full of life oddly, and since this set I can't get enough of 'Pull My Heart Away.'



Florence Welsh nearly made me cry. Her voice is so amazing, powerful and bolts through you with such force, yet it is filled with beauty. Florence + The Machine played a fantastic, yet unfinished set. Be that due to the leak in the tent right above the drummer, or the crowd singing a Happy Birthday chant to Ms Welsh, we will never know... It's just a shame that their five star album 'Lungs' didn't win the Mercury Prize the other night.

Ed Macfarlane can dance. He's probably my favourite dancer of 2009 actually. And his band Friendly Fires know how to put on a show. New song 'Kiss of Life' got a good reception, but my personal highlight was 'Skeleton Boy' and 'Jump in the Pool.'



Jamie T is always fantastic live. He puts on a simple show, one which the crowd play a part as important as Jay himself. To hear the entire tent sing in unison for the majority of his songs is enchanting. Sadly, yet like many, I left early in order to get a good spot for Kings Of Leon. It's well annoying, but the security block off the left hand side entrance to the Main stage area and you have to walk all the way around burger stalls and merch stands to get anywhere close. Luckily, I timed everything perfectly and didn't even have to listen to any of the fucking Kaiser Chiefs. Well done Hol.



Kings of Leon own Leeds. We'd all heard that frontman Caleb Followill had an outburst on stage at Reading, so we were sceptical. Apparently there was a lack of interaction and communication, but let's face it - it was obviously a technical fault and not the band themselves. Every song was strong, crowd and Caleb singing together, the band enjoying it as much as the audience, the rain not even mattering. Some said that it was only until 'Only By The Night' that the Tennessee based boys became stadium rock, but songs like 'the Bucket' or 'Molly's Chambers' sounded just as correctly placed as any 'Sex on Fire' or 'Use Somebody.'. Mr Followill gave heart-warming speeches about England and you can tell just how grateful they are for everything they have. They worked hard for the main stage headlining slot at one of the biggest festivals in the world... they deserved to be there, and I'm happy they were the last band I saw at Leeds Festival 2009. Oh and Caleb dedicated 'Fans' to "those who didn't come for two songs." Any ideas what two songs he meant? Haha, love it.