Packing up our stuff to head back to Bramham Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend can only mean one thing… LEEDS FEST!
This year we’re covering the entire festival and are looking forward to seeing some acts in particular, here are our top 10 acts to see each day at this years’ Leeds Festival
MAIN STAGE EAST
Willow: Now I could start by telling you who her famous Dad is but in her own right Willow has become a superstar. Beginning her pop career at an early age gave her the platform and experience of making music but now at the age of 20, she has matured her sound and found the artist she wants to be. Her musical influences of emo and rock, as well as working with the legendary Travis Barker will lead to a spellbinding performance from Willow. Track we’re most looking forward to seeing live: Wait a Minute
Pale Waves: A firm favourite of us here at Backseat Mafia, we have managed to catch Pale Waves at a few live dates recently and they do not disappoint. Their unique brand of sad pop combined with goth aesthetic is enticing and captivating. After their debut album My Mind Makes Noises stormed the charts, they followed it up brilliantly with Who Am I? and latest release Unwanted. Track we’re most looking forward to seeing live: There’s a Honey.
Charli XCX: After the disappointing news that Maneskin and Jack Harlow decided to pull out of a music festival to attend an awards show in America, the organisers managed to find two fantastic replacements in AJ Tracey and Charli XCX. She is on her fifth album so you know you can expect a setlist filled with all the hits! Track we’re most looking forward to seeing live: Boys
The 1975: Now, obviously after Rage Against The Machine pulled out of the festival, the organisers of R&L had to find a new headliner quick sharp and who else could fill the top spot than 2019 headliners The 1975. They’re one of the biggest acts that the UK has produced in the last 10 years and have the back catalogue to back it up. The band have a simple but effective live aesthetic and tend to use lighting to their advantage so it will be interesting to see what they can pull together in a matter of weeks. Track we’re most looking forward to seeing live: The Sound or the iconic Girls
MAIN STAGE WEST
Halsey: Having played Reading and Leeds a fair few years ago, it’s great to see Halsey back on the lineup and in the headline spot that she absolutely deserves. Her 2021 release If I Can’t Have Love I Want Power stormed both the UK and US charts and catapulted Halsey to even dizzier heights. She stands up for so many different minorities and uses her platform for good. She also uses her live shows to talk about important issues which is so refreshing to see. Track we’re most looking forward to seeing live: Without Me / Nightmare
BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage
Gayle: 17 year old Gayle has taken the online world by storm after the track ‘ABCDEFU’ went viral on TikTok but Gayle is an independent artist in her own right. Her quirky track has given her the platform she needs to display her jinky pop tunes and we’re excited to see her debut at Leeds Festival this year. Track we’re most looking forward to seeing live: Obviously ABCDEFU
Festival Republic Stage
Brooke Combe: Having supported Miles Kane on his Spring tour this year, Combe is no newbie to a big stage. Her unique brand of indie sound crossed with a beautiful soulful voice is stunning and we’re excited to catch her set at this years Leeds Festival. Track Are You With Me? is a huge hit and is a perfect way to ease revellers into a weekend of incredible music. She is also known for covering Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High by Arctic Monkeys, so maybe the Leeds crowd will be lucky enough to see this too? Here’s hoping! Track we’re most looking forward to seeing live: Are You With Me?
Crawlers: This band are going to be huge, it would be a mistake if you’re heading to Bramham Park and you miss their set. The angst filled, come emo tunes they produce are a promising look at the future of British bands. Having supported My Chemical Romance in Warrington, Crawlers are not shy of proving themselves to a big crowd so make sure you get down to catch them on Friday! Track we’re most looking forward to seeing live: Come Over (Again)
beabadoobee: Bea Kristi, known as beabadoobee began making music in 2017 and has over 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Her track Coffee has had a remix by Powfu and became a viral song on TikTok, the track now has over a billion streams on Spotify alone and is still used for the sounds for Reels on Instagram and on videos on TikTok. But she is an independent artist in her own right and has the perfect music for a festival, do not miss her set! Track we’re most looking forward to seeing live: death bed (coffee for your head) – the Coffee remix
BBC Radio 1Xtra Stage
Wes Nelson: The ex-Love Island star has made a name for himself since leaving the most popular villa on TV and is now an artist in his own right. Having spent time with fellow british artist Dave, who encouraged him to produce music, Wes began sculpting his own sound. After building his brand as a reality TV star, Nelson is focusing on the music, his main passion. Track we’re most looking forward to seeing live: Drive
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