[Day Out] Live at Leeds 2013

My first ever experience of live music was at a festival so they hold a special place in my heart. Having frequented them for the past 10 years they never cease to get me excited. Big or small, they're just the best way to spend a day or weekend. I've especially always enjoyed Festivals that take place within a city. The UK has an ever growing one day festival scene and this year, the first one I got to go enjoy was Live at Leeds. Surprisingly, I rarely jump on the one hour train to Leeds from Manchester for gigs. So an early morning trip was quite a nice thing. I was also very excited to check out all of the venues I'd heard so much about ever since I was a kid and began to fall in love with music and gig going. Leeds Cockpit, Brudenell Social Club, The Faversham, even Leeds' own O2 Academy was new to me. Click below to see what we got up to on the day. It was a very fun one.

Upon arriving into Yorkshire on the fine sunny afternoon I was greeted by a rabble of teenagers in too much make-up and cut off jean hot pants. I personally didn't realise these were still a thing for young girls as it looks like their clothing is being eaten by their ass but what do I know. First things first was a trip to pick up tickets and then grab some free beers in the Press Area courtesy of the I Like Press crowd. Top bunch of people. I the decided to head to The Faversham to check out YADi who we've talked about a fair bit on SKoA in recent months. Effortlessly blending styles with a beautiful unique  live voice I was very excited to catch her live for the first time. After getting a little lost due to my iPhone playing up, I arrived to a wonderfully organised venue with burger bars outside and plenty of seating; perfect as the sun shined on the happy gig goers. The venue inside was a marvel to the eye. Small in size, but laid out perfectly for the performers lined up that day. 15 minutes passed and I began to wonder what was happening. A quick tweet to YADi from my personal account resulted in me finding out she'd pulled out last minute due to illness. BUMMER. Not to worry, Manchester's Swiss Lips were next on the bill. 

After a swift beer in the sun I went back in to a packed room which surprised me as didn't see that many people pass me while outside. Time flies when you're having fun and all that! The 5 piece electro band were full of energy from start to finish and the room was rife with dancing and fun. That's what i love about festivals like this. Discovery. All festivals have an element of this, obviously, but as the venues were spread out you don't want to miss too much so you tend to stay at one venue for a few acts as oppose to just who you went for. I'd heard nothing but positive reviews fro Swiss Lips prior to this show and I'll definitely be checking them out on their home turf in Manchester soon. Minus some technical issues with a guitar and a pedal board the set was electrifying.

Now I had my bearings for the city I knew exactly where to head for the next band on my to "to see" list; Little Comets. Playing to a packed O2 Academy, the Dirty Hit band played an array of hits and it was the first time in the day I'd seen people on one anthers shoulders getting rather carried away. It was great to see. "Violence Out Tonight" got me singing along with its heart wrenching lyrics and the rest of the venue joined in too. Other tracks from In Search of Elusive Little Comets , and last year's Life is Elsewhere were faultless. If you're yet to cheek out this band I advise you do it. Neatly arranged indie classics that will ring around your mind for days after hearing them. I hope to see them going on to great things and playing bigger and bigger venues later in the year.

Little Comets were the perfect opener for a band I was rather excited to see perform some new material having had their new album on repeat since February. I'd seen Tribes live before at both tiny Manchester shows and Festival shows but I wanted to hear the new tracks in a nice indoor environment. They didn't disappoint. Bashing out the hits from last year's Baby, "Corner of an English Field" and new tracks "Dancehall" and "Wrapped Up In Carpet" the band made the balance of new and old glide seamlessly into one another with little time left in between for chit chat, I can't fault this band in a live environment or on record. I've said it before but this band really remind me of early Foo Fighters with their on stage energy. Not in a musical sense per se, but they just gel so well. They are one entity on stage and their friendship is evident. Keep your eyes peeled for Wish To Scream when it's released next week and our interview with the band later in the month too. 

I was kind of in a pickle now as to who to see with not a lot of time left to get back across the city I saw that SKoA favourites The 1975 were playing at The Cockpit and having never ventured into this legendary sweat pit of music in my 12 years of gig going I couldn't resist the temptation. The 1975 are a funny one for me. Late last year I saw them play to a room of 40 people in Manchester, and now they've sold out 3000+ venues just 4 months later. It's kind of crazy, but good on 'em. They're popularity is growing at a rapid rate and when they perform live you can see why. Obviously I wasn't the only one eager to catch them as the queue outside of the venue stretched for as far as the eye could see. Seriously, it was ridiculous. 

After slipping through the back door and through a blacked out curtain I was greeted by the busiest venue I'd seen in quite some time. Matt Healy walked out on stage, hood up, looking moody as ever and the crowd erupted. Having yet to release a full length the band have a hefty back catalogue of EP's with their fourth, IV, out late this month. Having such a polished recorded sound, in a live setting it comes to life. The band have marketed themselves remarkably well releasing their catchiest tunes "Chocolate" and more recently a new version of "The City". I was surprised to then see them open with the latter and play their biggest track "Chocolate" three songs in but none seemed to care. The whole place was bouncing and singing the lyrics back at the band with all their might. Flawless as per usual. They're going to be hard to escape this year so embrace the indie pop with open arms. Their debut should be a cracker.

Next I took a trip to Leeds Uni Mine to catch a personal favourite of mine, Hawk Eyes. As they prepare to release some new material I was just excited to round off a fantastic day with my favourite band. After a bit of confusion as to which room I should be in. (I should of guessed the huge one I was in was incorrect but hey!) I was treated to a pre-Hawk Eyes treat. A new (to me) Leeds based band who I've fallen in love with in recent months. They're called These Monsters and if you're a fan of full frontal, ball in your face guitar lines and vocals. You're in for a treat. I'd heard a few friends raving about them recent and upon seeing them. Yup. I will definitely be giving them more attention.  Their set was chaotic and gripping to watch. Their new album Heroic Dose is released today (May 13th) and I'd advise you pick up a copy. Think Pulled Apart by Horses meets Deftones and you'll be close. Tongue in cheek awesome.

Now to the main event, in my eyes anyway. I've seen them live a few times, and one time last year at Y Not festival I ended up screaming into the microphone when Paul jumped into the crowd but it's always  treat to see them in whatever the venue. Playing Leeds Uni's 'Mine' venue. Some familiar faces could be seen in the crowd including members of the aforementioned Pulled Apart by Horses and Blacklisters the latter of who would take to the stage for the end of sweat filled set. Delivering an on point and breathless performance they performed tracks from their attest album Ideas. Given the fact that the band took to the stage at 10:30pm you could forgive the fans if they were lacklustre in their participation but they weren't. The packed out Mine was swaying to-and-fro and jumpng along as if it was still mid-day and they were yet to have too much beer. The highlight of the set had to be when Billy from Blacklisters burst from side stage to perform with the band in his usual frantic manner.

Absolutely fantastic end to a bloody glorious day of music in Leeds. After 12 hours of walking, travelling and sipping beer intermittently I was shattered. That kind of tired that only a day of musical fun can induce. I'll be back Leeds. Thanks for the memories.

If you're in two minds about festivals in City centres across multiple venues I'd advise you to get involved. I had the most fun filled 12 hours in recent memory and Live at Leeds is a truly well oiled machine going from strength to strength year after year. With that in mind the festival has announced a limited number of early bird tickets for 2014's event. Priced at just £15, £10 cheaper than the normal going rate of a ticket. Plan ahead. Book now and mark you iPhone calendar with Saturday the 3rd of May 2014. I know we'll be there, but you should be too!

[Watch] Little Comets - "Violence Out Tonight" (Official Video)

Well. I don't think I was quite ready to watch this video in all honesty, even though my boy Ed did say it wasn't an easy watch. It is however a touching and moving accompaniment to Little Comet's track "Violence Out Tonight" and I just warn you to take a deep breath before hitting play. The track is taken from their album Life Is Elsewhere and the single is set to be released on April 1st 2013 through Dirty Hit Records. Check out some tour dates from the band after the break.

Little Comets UK Tour Dates:

TUE 09 - NOTTINGHAM - Rescue Rooms

WED 10 - LONDON  O2 - Shepherd's Bush Empire

THU 11 - CAMBRIDGE  - Junction

SAT 13 - WOLVERHAMPTON - Slade Rooms

SUN 14 - OXFORD - O2 Academy

MON 15 - BOURNEMOUTH - Old Fire Station

TUE 16 - EXETER – Phoenix

THU 18 - BRISTOL - O2 Academy

FRI 19 - CARDIFF - The Gate Arts Centre

SAT 20 - DUBLIN - Academy 2

SUN 21 - BELFAST - Auntie Annie’s

MON 22 - LIVERPOOL – Masque

WED 24 - GLASGOW - King Tut’s

THU 25 - YORK – Fibbers

FRI 26 - PRESTON - 53 Degree

[Listen] Little Comets - 'Life Is Elsewhere' (Full Album Stream)

A mid week treat today we can preview the brand new album from those good ol' lads from up north, Little Comets. The album is titled Life Is Elsewhere and is the second from the band, it's set for release next week on October 15th but before that, enjoy it in full right here on SKOA. It's full of everything we've come to expect from the band with their previews and performances in the past year. Delicate harmonies wrapped up in a beautiful package of reverb twinkling guitars. Reminds me of a cross between Local Natives and Maps & Atlases which is defintely a good thing. It definitely shows a growth from their debut In Search of Elusive Little Comets and it is most definitely worth a chunk of your day, seriously. 

Pick up a copy of the album from Monday via Dirty Hit.

[Watch] Little Comets - "Jennifer" (Acoustic)

Little Comets have time and time again delivered stellar acoustic performances of their tracks and today they've delivered again. Hurrah. Laying down an acoustic version of their track single "Jennifer" in a picturesque setting back dropped by a lake. Beautiful scenery for beautiful music.

The track features on their EP, Jennifer And Other Short, Stories which you can pick up on iTunes here. Treat yourself, it is Friday after all.

[Watch] Little Comets - "Language Is Over" (Acoustic)

Newcastle-upon-Tyne based band Little Comets always manage to brighten a dull day, not that the weather is all that bad today in the UK but hey, it could change at any moment. So why not make sure it's bright with this Jennifer And Other Short Stories EP featuring track, "Language Is Over". You can enjoy the acoustic rendition at the top of the page and as if that wasn't enough the band have offered up a free download of the track too which you can grab below via their Soundcloud. Happy music Monday!

Check out some live dates the band have scheduled for later in the year.

October

Tues 16th Manchester, The Manchester Ritz

Wed 17th Hull, The Welly

Thurs 18th Edinburgh, The Electric Circus

Fri 19th Glasgow, King Tuts

Sat 20th Newcastle, O2 Academy

Mon 22nd Leeds, The Cockpit

Tues 23rd Birmingham, O2 Academy 2

Wed 24th Norwich, Open

Thurs 25th Sheffield, O2 Academy 2

Fri 26th Bristol, Fleece

Sun 28th Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms

Mon 29th Brighton, Concorde

Tues 30th Oxford, O2 Academy 2

Wed 31st Nottingham, Rescue Rooms

November 2012

Thurs 01st London, Koko

[Watch] Little Comets - "Jennifer"

We know some folks on this side of the pond in the UK may be getting a little excited. The sun's come out for a few days and that means the streets are littered with topless goons and short skirts galore. That's all well and good but what about us folk stuck in the office? Try this new track from Little Comets on for size maybe? Titled "Jennifer" the bright guitars and funky drum beats are sure to bring a little bit of sunshine to your cubicle or wherever it is you're sat.

The single will be released on June the 11th via Dirty Hit.

[Listen] Little Comets - "Waiting In The Shadows In The Dead of Night" (Acoustic)

Remember last year when we introduced you to the  Newcastle-upon-Tyne based band Little Comets? No!? Well, today we get to remind you of why we did indeed introduce you guys to them. The band have uploaded a beautiful sounding acoustic version of a track called "Waiting In The Shadow In The Dead of Night". It's a little tease of what's to come from the band in the very near future as the prepare to release a new single titled "Jennifer", released on May 28th via Dirty Hit Records. If you like what you hear, and who could blame you, you can catch the boys on the road this month in the UK. Dates are after the jump.

Little Comets 2012 Dates:

21 Glasgow Oran More

22 Manchester Academy 2

23 Leeds The Cockpit

24 Birmingham O2 Academy 2

26 London Scala

27 Norwich Arts Centre

28 Brighton The Haunt

[Watch] Little Comets - "Worry" (Live Acoustic Video)

We've had a few little gems from Little Comets in the past few months in relation to their forthcoming EP Worry, and today we can add another to the ever growing pile of goodness. Check out this stripped back rendition of their recent single "Worry" which was recorded in a sunny back garden somewhere. A very nice feel good Friday watch that will warm up those extremities in the ever cooling climate. In case you missed it a few weeks back, go listen to the spine tingling "His Thunder" here.

 Worry is set to drop next week on December 12th.