Est.1987 hit Leeds Festival this weekend...here is who we saw and what went down...
FRIDAY
Packing out the NME/Radio1 tent Panic! proved they are the ultimate comeback kids. Not letting the bottling incident of 2006 get in their way, they stormed the stage playing hits such as I Write Sins Not Tragedies and The Ballad of Mona Lisa.
Biggest Disappointment- Death From Above 1979
Pre The Streets taking to the NME/Radio stage, Death From Above didn’t quite capture the fervent crowd's attention on day 1 of the festival.
Unexpected Highlight- Frank Turner Secret Gig
"We're on the Lock Up Stage, it's the punk rock stage and this is where I feel at home."
Band to look out for- Little Comets
The Newcastle quartet played the perfect set, mixing old classics such as Joanna amongst album favourites- Darling Alistair and Tri-Colour.
Who else we saw…
Benjamin Francis Leftwich
Dutch Uncles
Friendly Fires
Taking Back Sunday
The Streets
Your Demise
SATURDAY
Best Band- Foster The People
Everyone’s new favourite band! The energetic 3 piece from LA drummed their way through a lively set, including hit single Pumped Up Kicks.
I know that This Is War, but what the hell was he wearing! Apart from that, a captivating performance from the American rockers.
Unexpected Highlight- Cerebral Ballzy
Gasps followed as Lead singer Honor Titus mounted the scaffold of the Festival Republic Stage. Capturing the essence of 80’s punk perfectly, Cerebral Ballzy are definitely a band to check out on the live circuit.
Band to look out for- General Fiasco
Worthy headliners of the BBC Introducing Stage, the indie-rock trio from Ireland confidently jammed to future classics such as Rebel Get By and Ever So Shy.
Who else we saw...
30 Seconds To Mars
Bring Me The Horizon
Deftones
Frankie and The Heartstrings
Mona
My Chemical Romance
New Found Glory
The Blackout
These Furrows
White Denim
SUNDAY
Best Band- Bronx
Lead singer Matt Caughthran, valiantly made his way off stage, through the crowd to the back of the Lock-Up tent, microphone in hand, still singing every single word- highlight of the weekend!
Biggest Disappointment- Jane’s Addiction
Jane's Addiction had to cancel their scheduled headline performance on the NME /Radio 1 stage as singer Perry Farrell was unable to perform due to a severe swollen throat.
Get well soon Perry!
Unexpected Highlight- Seasick Steve
Steve and his one stringed diddley bow brightened up the main stage with his eclectic mix of blues and folk.
Band to look out for- Tribes
The four Camden-based boys are already creating a storm in London and followed suit this year at Leeds Festival. Be sure to check them out at a venue near you soon, playing tunes including Girlfriend and We Were Children.
Who else we saw...
Bombay Bicycle Club
Everything Everything
GlassJaw
Jimmy Eat World
Rival Schools
The Pigeon Detectives
The Strokes
Two Door Cinema Club