Leeds is a Northern powerhouse.
A huge student city, the area boasts a thriving networks of clubs, promoters, DJs and producers, resulting in one of the country's most perfectly formed dance scenes.
Hessle Audio was born here – and half-inched its name from a series of streets – while Leeds has also helped spawn everyone from Paul Woolford to Ralph Lawson and beyond.
The Garden Party is set to return later this year, bigger and brighter than ever. Running between August 29th – 30th, the festival boasts appearances from Roisin Murphy, Little Dragon, Todd Terje and many, many more.
In anticipation of the event, Bambooman has agreed to pen a short guide to Leeds for Clash readers.
– – –
Leeds is a great city for music both electronic and live based, and currently the scene seems to be flourishing. There's lots of excitement in the air about things to come in the next academic year (that are all still a bit hush hush still, but have me excited!).
I think the trouble in the past with Leeds is that it is very student-orientated, and often nights and movements get broken apart from people leaving the city after finishing their degrees. Often musicians and creatives are tempted to go down to London as there is so much more work there in the creative fields, but obviously this comes at the cost of living in a pricey and often stressful city. In the last few years I've noticed that more heads are sticking around, after their degrees, and things like the recently formed KMAH Radio have been really great for the city's scene, helping build a community between people of all walks of music from Leeds and the North Of England, Its really helped my awareness of all the awesome and diverse movements the city has to offer .
The Garden Party has been running strong for I believe 10 years now, and to celebrate this year have really pushed the boat out moving from there usually venue the Faversham to the massive Tetley to put on a fully fledged festival packed with some killer acts. Im particularly excited to see heavyweights Talib Kweli, Paul Woolford, Little Dragon, Fatima and Galaxiens there this year, looking at the line up there's something for everyone, can't wait to play too!
Favourite local promoter
Kellie Adams – has been responsible for bringing down so much amazing and unique talent to Leeds over the last 5 years, both for her club night Catacomb (run with Tom Alcott) and also by herself as a promoter for the HIFI Club. She's put on some of my favourite shows I've seen in Leeds which include performances from Samiyam, Onra, Dean Blunt, Richard Dawson, Frank Fairfield, Golden Teacher, Strange U and Seven Davis Jr to name a few. She's always pushing boundaries and ahead of the curve with her diverse bookings. I've found she is highly regarded by the artist she books, not just for the awesome uncompromising lineups, but for also being very friendly, professional and really looking after the artist who play for her.
Favourite venue
It's hard to choose just one, for dance music and DJ sets Wire Club has got it on lock down with prestigious nights such as Pearson Sounds Acetate, Back to Basics (Europe's Longest running weekly club night) and Si Scotts Exodus/Subdub all running in the intimate function one powered venue, for live based material Brudenell Social clubs the place to go, its got a great sound, a great selection of cheap ales and lagers and their really on the ball with bringing Leeds some of finest acts both touring and local to there stage,
Favourite party / party series
Butter Side Up – Are the local connoisseurs of great house music who bring a monthly party of good vibes down to the Wire Club, debuting artist such as Rick Wade, Patrice Scott and Hunee to the city, as well bringing down influential DJs such as Theo Parrish, Mike Huckaby, Floating Points and Gerd Jansen down to play shows in an intimate setting. Catacomb -(Mentioned above) is an awesome night that showcases the weirder side of hip-hop, beats, boogie and all things between. They've hosted some really heavy shows in the four years they have been running.
Cosmic Slop – has got to be one of my favourite places to go party. The music there is spot on and the vibes are on point too. Its an all vinyl business affair and all the funds raised go to a really great cause. It was also recently dubbed to have the best sound system in Europe by Floating Points in a recent interview for the Guardian!
Favourite established artist
Paul Woolford
Favourite emerging artist
JAKOBY
Hidden secret
The basement of Crash Records has recently opened its doors to Wall of Sound, an awesome 2nd hand record and collectables store, that has been around for over 20 in various locations in Yorkshire, but now resides in Leeds where this kind of shop is really needed. One for the crate diggers!
– – –
The Garden Party runs between August 29th – 30th – ticket link.