Welcome to 2024 and as usual at this time of year it is customary to endeavour to point you in the direction of the best events and music in the next twelve months! Starting with the summer festivals.
Live At Leeds: In The Park is back with its much-awaited return and the first announcement for 2024. Set to transform Temple Newsam Park again on Saturday 25th May into the ultimate summer all-day festival experience, the festival maintains its sterling reputation as a tastemaker in new music discovery. Having fostered remarkable festival experiences where fans unearth their next favourite bands, Live At Leeds: has now unveiled the first selection of names set to appear for a festival that’s becoming a true foundation of the summer to come. The Kooks, Declan McKenna, The Cribs, Melanie C, Future Islands, White Lies,, The Academic, Matalida Mann and Somebody’s Child are just a few of the jam-packed line-up.
Slam Dunk Festival has revealed a mega second drop of artists lined up for 2024. The UK’s biggest independent rock festival returns next summer, coming to its home in Leeds, Temple Newsam on Sunday 26th May 2024, and it’s shaping up to be one for the ages. Joining the stacked line-up are The Ghost Inside, State Champs, The Blackout, Against The Current, Taylor Acorn and Honey Revenge. They’re added to the bill alongside already-announced You Me At Six, The All American Rejects, Funeral For A Friend, Asking Alexandria, Waterparks, Pale Waves. Tickets are available now.
This time last year we told you of two bands who would be massive and gain all sorts of accolades. The first, now Brit Award winners The Last Dinner Party have announced their debut album Prelude To Ecstasy will be released on 2nd February. It will feature the breakthrough singles, ‘Nothing Matters’, ‘Sinner’, and ‘My Lady Of Mercy’. A preview of the record confirms that the band’s songwriting is testament to all the buzz and excitement already accumulated. As it should be. Rather than wilt under the spotlight, they’ve become a tighter, stronger unit because of it. Prelude To Ecstasy is both the closing of that introductory chapter and the opening of the next. The Last Dinner Party? Believe the hype. They play an album launch show at The Brudenell on 11th February
Another Sky was also one of the bands we championed in 2023, They have spent the last few months teasing with a series of hard-hitting and exciting comeback singles, and we are excited to announce that their new album is on the way. With the band’s sophomore album Beach Day, they open a doorway to the most confident, fully formed and forthright version of Another Sky so far. Frontwoman Catrin Vincent points out the relationship between anger and freedom on this record. The anger and the fight is real, and it’s everything – but that doesn’t mean it always will be. Hold onto that feeling while it lasts: Another Sky are steadfast and galvanised to make you understand everything that got them here. How they survived. All you have to do is listen. A spring tour is in the offing but also expect to see them at some of the big festivals in the summer.
VENUS GRRRLS are a wonderful alternative rock band from Leeds and our recommendation for 2024. From twinkling synth motifs to raspy guitar lines, the girls present the dark yet empowering discourse surrounding their own synergistic experiences. It’s the type of music that you simply want to manically jump around to! With singer/rhythm guitarist Grace Kelly (GK) fronting the band, she is joined by Eliza Lee (Lead Guitar), Hannah Barraclough (Bass), Grace Stubbings (Synth) and Gabby Cooke (Drums). VENUS GRRRLS seek to bring their gothic and ethereal aesthetics to an international audience. Hex, their latest single is stunning and find out how stunning at The Brudenell on February 10th
Finally, riding high on the success of their critically acclaimed, UK Top 10 debut album ‘Reeling’ released March 2022, the alt rock wunderkinds The Mysterines are another to watch and have been achieving remarkable success since the release, ‘Reeling’ saw stellar support across the board on release, from a TV appearance on Jools Holland.
Catch them at the O2 in Leeds on February 13th.
