LEEDS FESTIVAL 2016 PREVIEW

It’s set to be an amazing year this year at Leeds Festival, and the line-up on the BBC Introducing stage is one of the most exciting in years. With fresh new talent coming from all over the country, it can be dizzying choosing the right acts to catch. We thought we’d give you the low-down. Here are some of the artists we’re most looking forward to seeing:

Avalanche Party

Coming creepily from the wilderness of the North Yorkshire Moors, and brandishing an arsenal of no-holds-barred garage-punk tracks, Avalanche Party are set to deliver a visceral, ferocious, and all-round intimidating set at Leeds. Frontman Jordan Bell spits every word snarlingly through gritted teeth, and bears an unwavering glare you’ll do your very best not to meet. These guys were a stand-out act at Evolution Emerging this year, and their set promises to be primal, loud and unrelenting. For all those planning to go and see this band mid-afternoon on Sunday: brace yourselves – it’s going to be a heavy one.

EAT FAST

Another stand out act at this year’s Evolution Emerging festival, EAT FAST are one of the most promising acts to come out of a Newcastle scene currently bustling with fresh talent. Described by DIY as being ‘without a doubt’ one of the most exciting new bands around, they stole the show at this year’s Alternative Escape down in Brighton, catching the eyes of countless industry musos in the process. Undoubtedly a dark horse on this year’s lineup, catch their set early Saturday afternoon for your fix of scuzzy-sonic-garage-death-pop. Don’t sleep on these guys.

Coquin Migale

Headlining the BBC Introducing stage on the Saturday are North East favourites Coquin Migale, whose distinctive flavour of indie-alt-rock has earned them praise and recognition from the likes of Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Nick Roberts. First featured on The Tipping Point back in 2015, the Geordie indie rockers have since signed to London-based super-label Fierce Panda, firing their name up amongst the ranks of global superstars such as Mogwai, Coldplay and Placebo. They describe their sound as ‘Fresh, vibey, enticing, energetic, GOD-like, reem, not bad, legit, exciting, desirable, considered, well deece, pleasant, sloppy, fun’ and so on, and we’re inclined to agree with them. Finding the perfect balance between heavy sludginess and subtle delicacy, this is an act you should definitely check out.

Superglu

Friday night headliners Superglu look to be a great mood-setter for Leeds. With a set jam-packed with sing-along hook-lines and infectious indie-punk energy (with a bit of that 60s pop twang), their joyful harmonies are bound to launch everyone right into the festival mood. Kick off your weekend with some irresistible melodies and some feel-good pop.

High Tyde

Possessing gritty, perceptive lyrics and maturity defiant of their age, the future for this bunch of lads from Brighton is looking very promising indeed. First picked up by us in March last year, High Tyde have since garnered attention from the likes of Annie Mac (who recently gave their new record ’Speak’ its first spin), earned international festival slots, and support slots with infamous Worcester indie band, Peace. Combining an edgy, disco-type feel with intelligent rhythmic syncopation and anthemic choruses, their set at Leeds is a must-see. Catch them late on Sunday afternoon.

Cameron A G

If you fancy a bit of harmonious chill out time (and that chill out time happens to be late Sunday afternoon) then you should definitely catch Cameron A G. Coming well equipped with wonderful nostalgic ballads, peppered with languid vocals shimmering with fragile semanticity, this set is guaranteed to be elegant and atmospheric. A sure hit with with fans of Daywave, Isaac Gracie and Sea Span, check out his set and enjoy some wonderful music.

Words by George Rowan