Feature: Live At Leeds 2011 Preview

Live At Leeds is the second in a series of our series of Festival previews here on Alter The Press!

Taking place over three days across this Bank Holiday weekend, Live At Leeds promises to be so much more than your typical music event. On first hearing of the festival's name, one might recall The Who’s first live album aptly titled under the same name, recorded at The University Of Leeds in the early ‘70s. The idea behind the music event of today is inspired by the musical flare within the region, past and present, and to showcase this emerging talent, alongside a host of budding international acts. Now onto its fifth year running and selling out three years in a row, this multi-venue music and arts festival continues to thrive, celebrate and acknowledge all things creative in the City of Leeds.

Day One kicks off with a conference known as ‘The Unconference’ on Friday 29th from 10am- 6pm, which is free of charge. Organised in partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University and Leeds University Union, here you will find a host of panels and seminars designed to entertain and inform the music fan, musician and budding industry enthusiasts alike. Producers and industry experts will be at hand to give talks and answer any questions on the day. There will also be a number of live performances taking place in between the serious side with the likes of Loose Talk Cost Lives, Keys.To.Machinery. and Milk White White Teeth. At 7pm Dublin band, Villagers will be playing The Brudenell Social Club – tickets £11.

Day Two is the main extravaganza for Live At Leeds 2011, with over 100 bands performing across twelve different stages all over Leeds City centre. The line-up includes the likes of indie supremes The Futerheads, along with James Blake, Frightened Rabbit, Pulled Apart By Horses, Young Knives, The Chapman Family, Fight Like Apes and dozens more.

Doors for Saturday’s event open at midday and tickets are priced £17.50, which entitles you to one wristband and unlimited entry to the whole event across the City. And in case that wasn’t enough, Live At Leeds will be hosting an after party featuring Pulled Apart By Horses, The Session and Dance To The Radio – Priced £3 with a wristband.

Day Three If you decide to attend Saturday’s event, hang onto your wristband for the Sunday as there is free entry/(£6 without) to The Brudenell Social Club at 5pm with bands such as Times New Viking, Wild Palms, Wonderswan and Cissy.

Scottish Indie rockers Glasvegas will be closing the weekend this Sunday at Leeds Met University. The Mercury Music Prize Nominees will take to the stage at 7pm and tickets are priced £16.

Further information can be found at liveatleeds.com
Laura-May Fox.