The end of May heralds the start of Festival Season and to kick things off, we headed to Temple Newsam for Live At Leeds in the Park.
In its third year, this is a great value one dayer that is, for many in attendance, their first festival foray of the year. There’s a good mix to the crowd – older and younger, groups of teenagers coming off the back of exam season, families. It’s the kind of festival that lends itself to this, and the line up is perfectly curated to deliver a brilliant day. There is a good mix of more established acts that will bring in the larger crowds, and also ample opportunity to find your new favourite singer or band.
Speaking of emerging artists, first up, we dropped in to the Clash Big Top to experience 30 minutes of vibrant lyricism, courtesy of the brilliant Anthony Szmierek. Laced with power and emotion, the Manchester poet drew in an ever increasing crowd until the tent bounced, matching his energy. In a nod to the Mancunian heritage and with respect to the legendary scene there, the cover of Happy Mondays Step On, was a brilliant addition to the set, which peaked right at the end with the exquisite The Words to Auld Lang Syne.
Also on the up is Beth McCarthy who was over on the Temple Stage. A set full of pink haired pop bangers, the York born artist (“almost on home turf” as McCarthy put it!) gave a typically high energy performance full of tales of up and down relationships and the trials and tribulations of growing up. Highlights included a cover of Wheatus’ Teenage Dirtbag, and her own biggest hit so far IDK How To Talk To Girls.
The middle of the day brought a few clashes across the 5 stages, so we caught a few songs of Michael Aldag, delivering songs of angst and tricky relationships with his typical energy, before making our first visit to the Main Stage, named after the legendary Cockpit venue, long since defunct but far from forgotten.
South African singer-songwriter Arabella Latham – better known as Baby Queen – was high on our list of artists to watch, since we saw her at Leeds’ Brudenell a couple of years ago. Since then, she has made huge strides forward, as the gathering crowd testifies, waiting in anticipation for their idol to take the stage. Baby Queen bounces out with her typical energy, and although she only has 20 mins, she makes a big impression with back to back bangers, including Buzzkill and We Can Be Anything. With fans shouting the lyrics back at fever pitch, I’m still expecting to see even greater things from this artist in the coming years.
Down on the DIY stage, we catch flowerovlove who brings a couple of fans up on stage to dance alongside her as part of the set. It’s nice, but it feels that she still lacks a little confidence and at times it feels a little tentative.
Up at the Dork Hype Stage, Overpass are by contrast, delivering a blistering set that is too big for the tent they are in. It is packed out, bursting at the seams, with people oozing out of the side like the first bite into a custard slice. The Birmingham outfit are flying right now and it’s testament to their current standing that they really deserved to be on one of the bigger stages today, and would have drawn a crowd to match.
Among the emerging talent, we’re treated to the presence of true pop royalty. Spice Girl Melanie C takes a mid afternoon slot on the Main Stage, and delivers with consummate skill. Stage presence, slick choreography and a level of comfort on stage that outperforms everyone else on the day. And it’s a hit filled set too, drawing from her solo back catalogue, a cover of Crystal Water’s Gypsy Woman and of course a trio of Spice Girls hits. Up to this point, this is the biggest single crowd of the day, many just keen to catch a glimpse of someone who shaped the course of the UK’s music history.
From Spice Girls to Sea Girls next, led by Henry Camamile in a striking red velvet jumpsuit. They have the perfect festival sound – upbeat pop-rock that lifts the crowd up as we head towards the evening.
Back on the DIY Stage, the wonderful Orla Gartland delivered an enigmatic set, full of charm and modesty, which is lovely for someone with such a prodigious talent. More recently, she’s been tearing it up with FIZZ, but it’s clear to see that she is an exceptional artist in her own right. Emerging to the strains of John Willams’ classic Superman movie theme, she segues into the indie-rock brilliance of Kiss Your Face Forever. It kicks off a great 10-song set, which peaks with Why Am I Like This? which featured in the TV series Heartstopper. Fans of Gartland and the TV show alike belt out the chorus to this anthem to anxiety. It’s one of the highlights of the day, lifting us all up as the rain begins to fall.
We split our time next between two contrasting, but equally compelling acts. Back in the Dork Hype Tent, a relatively small crowd has gathered for a band that deserves a much bigger turn out. Hastings trio Hotwax rocked the festival’s smallest stage to its foundations, with the nailed-on anthem of Rip It Out sending the crowd into a frenzy. We dashed down the hill, in the ever increasing downpour, to find the sunny sounds of Caity Baser on the DIY stage.
Baser is consistently a bundle of energy, unstoppable chat and catchy pop tunes. Having raced up from a big festival down south to be in Leeds, her effervescence suggested she could have done another couple of sets after wrapping up in Leeds! The songs are brilliant – including the explanation of the story behind DILF. Latest single Oh Well! is a huge hit with the fans and her brand of candour-filled pop warms up the evening, even as the rain persists.
The Kooks draw a great crowd, running from the other stages and admirably close out the day, despite the soggy conditions. That audience also played their part, braving the weather as the headliners delight the crowd with hits like Naive and She Moves In Her Own Way.
Live At Leeds in the Park is a triumph of a one-day festival, and goes from strength to strength each year. This year’s line up was strong throughout the day, making it difficult to know which way to turn at some points, such was the dilemma of which artist to see! The Yorkshire crowd are not deterred by a bit of rain (well, a lot of rain!) and I’m sure they’ll be back in greater numbers again next year. I, for one, can’t wait for the next edition.
