Festivals A Beginner’s Guide to Live at Leeds 2018
In the name of preparation, we’ve enlisted the festival’s Sally Bryant to tell us exactly how to get the most out of your day.
It’s not long now until this year’s Live at Leeds kicks off and all manner of brilliant bands - including (but not limited to) the likes of The Vaccines, Peace, Pales Waves and loads more - descend upon the Yorkshire city.
So, in the name of being prepared and ready to take in as much as of the fest as possible, we’ve enlisted Sally Bryant, one of the festival’s organisers, to offer up a beginner’s guide to making the most of the day.
So, if you’re wondering what time to get down there, we’ve got you covered. Need to know the best spot to grab a bite to eat? Sorted. Wanna plan your footwear? We’ve even mentioned that as well..
How to make the most of your day
1. Live At Leeds creates such a great atmosphere throughout the whole city and venues do get a bit rammo, so make sure you get down early to all your ‘must see’s!’ The billing of each venue is all curated so that the artists musically fit nicely alongside each other, so it is very likely you’ll enjoy that band you’ve never heard of playing before that other band you love.
2. The Ticket Exchange gets really busy from midday so either pick up your wristband on the Friday night from Trinity Kitchen in Leeds, or get down from 9am to skip the queues.
3. It’s a brilliant day for discovering upcoming artists - stop off at the smaller venues like Nation of Shopkeepers, Chapel and Oporto to find your new favourite band.
4. The Live At Leeds App is great on the day – there’s all you need to know about acts playing the festival, you can build your own LAL schedule and get reminders before your favourite artists start. Well nifty.
5. You’ll be able to get in some venues from 11.30am on the day so don’t hang about! There are some really exciting artists kicking off at midday, like Tallsaint at Belgrave Music Hall, FEHM at Brudenell and there’s even some special guests opening Holy Trinity Church ooOOoOOooOoo. [Spoiler alert: it’s The Orielles.]
6. Give the official Live at Leeds 2018 Spotify playlist a spin in the lead up to the festival; you could uncover some right indie gems by artists who you can catch live at the festival.
Places to stop off for a bite and a bevvy
1. There are loads of options for tasty street food at Trinity Kitchen, as a keen-o music fan you’ve probably not given yourself much time to stop and eat so it’s perfect for not wasting any gig time! While you’re there, head down to the Trinity Stage – we’re putting on some great bands (like The Hubbards and Far Caspian) in an empty shop unit.
2. All the Live At Leeds venues are great for having a drink in. If you need a half hour time-out head to Hyde Park Book Club or Brudenell for top sunny beer vibes.
3. If you’re taking it easy at Live at Leeds and not ramming in a Greggs while running up to Stylus, then treat yourself to a meal at The Wardrobe and enjoy the Acoustic stage in the Bar.
A couple of do’s and don’t’s
1. DON’T worry about zig-zagging all over the city 13 times in one day. Your field trip to Leeds is not about efficient route-planning. Enjoy the city, its ace.
2. DON’T forget to eat and pace yourself - nobody wants to pass out before The Vaccines.
3. If Mum was writing this, she’d say DO wear comfy shoes, you’ll walk miles (and Mum’s are always right hey?)
4. DO After Party. See you at The Wardrobe at 11pm.
Live at Leeds takes place on 5th May and DIY is an official media partner. Tickets are on sale now. Visit diymag.com/presents for more information.
DIY will be hosting two stages at Live at Leeds this year: Pale Waves, Anteros and Whenyoung all play at the Brudenell Social Club, while Cosmo Pyke, Sorry and Suzi Wu play the Brudenell Community Room.
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