Live Review

Live At Leeds – Various Venues, Leeds

• 14th May 2010

This is the fourth year Leeds has hosted an array of local and national bands across several stages.The length of the wristband collection queue suggests an enthusiastic public reception, ready for the first acts to hit the stage at 12pm – though apologetic posters scattered about the venues declare at least seven different performers have pulled out.

Rolo Tomassi play the Cockpit at 2pm but only those who arrived promptly are actually able to see the band – the room is packed to the rafters and while Eva Spence’s distinctive and impressive vocals penetrate the building’s entire lower level, the impossible volume of bodies means it’s upstairs to see Ed Sheeran in Cockpit 3.

Cockpit 3 is a very modest size but young Ipswich gentleman Ed has successfully filled it. While on the surface his sound is safe easy-listening, not unlike Jack Johnson, a few songs into his set it’s obvious he is more unique and diverse than you might first assume. The crowd are entirely in his thrall as he splices a bit of 50 Cent’s ‘In da Club’ into the end of the set, which sees him enveloped by the doting crowd.

Consulting the map, it starts to dawn just how spread out the venues actually are. Unless you adopt the Glasswerk approach and hail a taxi, there’s a lot of walking involved to truly get the best from the day. From Cockpit 3, it’s onto the Stylus at Leeds University to see Lightspeed Champion. It’s easy to see why this act has pulled the biggest crowd of the day – his own special blend of pop and indie with a folk injection sees the whole crowd dancing despite the fact there’s barely room to lift your arms.

In order to see hot Liverpool property Sound of Guns, it’s a hike back to Cockpit 3 – a surprisingly small venue for a band whose popularity is soaring rapidly (Radio one have been playing single ‘Alcatraz’ and gave them a slot at 2009’s Big Weekend). With lots of reverb and ridiculously catchy beats, the boys do Merseyside proud.

Next up is New York’s kooky Darwin Deez at Nation of Shopkeepers. The venue, just like all the others so far, is rammed with eager music fans and, now several pints in, they’re becoming more aggressive in their attempts to get to the front of the crowd. So there’s a very restricted review of the stage for those just arriving – a pity, as the ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ dance routine is rapturously received by those lucky enough to be at the front.

The day is rounded off with Hadouken! , who are playing in the University where they originally formed’s Refectory. Despite the fact the crowd have now been on their feet for eight hours, and the technical difficulties at the beginning of the set, the crowd eagerly respond to singer James’s chant of “Yawk sha! Yawk sha!”. The band manage to keep old and new fans entertained, but the highlight of the set – perhaps even the day – is their performance of their 2007 single ‘That Boy That Girl.’ The stage is even crashed by the M.A.D. video’s mouse – with the band’s cheeky banter and high-energy performance, this is a truly entertaining and uplifting note to finish on.

Despite the mission between venues – some of which are difficult to locate if you’re unfamiliar with the area – armed with a programme (it includes a map!) and maybe some walking boots, it’s an excellent occassion for both music enthusiasts, and those just looking for a day out with a difference. If Live at Leeds runs a 5th consecutive year, it’s tipped to showcase some even bigger names.