The Magic Gang team up with their bezzies for Live at Leeds

It’s that time of year again: festival season is upon us and kicking things off with an almighty bang, Live At Leeds will set the pace when it takes place over the first weekend of this month. Spread out across the Yorkshire city, the likes of Palma Violets, Dutch Uncles and Swim Deep will all be cosying up with local favourites The Cribs, Eagulls and Hookworms and let’s just say, it’s set to be quite the weekend.

That’s not all: the fest is being taken over by DIY on Saturday 2nd May, with thrashing duo Slaves topping an all-day bill at beloved venue the Brudenell Social Club.

Fresh from touring the country with Wolf Alice, Brighton bunch The Magic Gang are down to play a set at the Brudenell - they’ll be joined by some of their best mates, so consider this a more ‘official’ version of the band’s now-famed house parties.

“I really like Slaves,” says guitarist / vocalist Kristian Smith. “I met one of the guys the other night and he was really, really lovely. Sweetheart.”

In fact, The Magic Gang don’t really have a bad word to say about any of the acts on DIY’s Live at Leeds stage. Spring King? They’re “lovely guys,” says Kristian. Bassist Gus Taylor is in agreement. “Their latest song is so good. I heard it on Soundcloud the other day and it was totally different to their other stuff. Really slowed down but still with those reverb in the vocals. And they’re so nice.” Both bands last played together at London Electrowerkz, but their first meeting goes all the way back to Leeds. “We’ll be reuniting,” says Kristian.

As for Bloody Knees - famed hell-raisers and the other support act on Wolf Alice’s recent UK tour - The Magic Gang are less familiar with those guys… “ I heard they do loads of funny stuff. I don’t actually know them, though,” jokes Gus.

The Magic Gang play DIY’s stage at The Brudenell Social Club at 8pm on Saturday 2nd May.