massive bands deliver massive sets at sunny Leeds

Leeds Festival 2017

Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th August 2017
Bramham Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS23 6ND, England MAP
£205, or £65 for any day

Daily capacity: 79,999

This year the young festival goers are treated to untraditionally beautiful sunshine which is gratefully received. This weekend always coincides with the aftermath of GCSE and A-Level results, with the attendees celebrating or commiserating retrospectively.

This year the line-up has moved away somewhat from its rocky roots with only Korn and At the Drive-in covering this genre and all the others acts signifying the eclectic mix that is today’s music scene.

Fri 25th

giggs
One of the biggest crowds of the day is for rapper Giggs who receives a massive reception and requests the crowds ‘forget they are at a festival’ and ‘think they are in a club’. He is certainly one to watch and even brings out Drake in the sister fest Reading. There’s a secret set from Queens of the Stone Age who deliver a set of rock laced with disco and a massive crowd for Liam Gallagher who’s own material almost holds up as well as Oasis’s vintage masterpiece’s.

Muse
Muse’s performance is one of highlights of the weekend. Their back catalogue of massive anthems met with gratitude from the crowd. The set is absolutely storming and the climax is complete with a flurry of fireworks.

muse

Sat 26th
Light pop relief is brought by Anne-Marie whose light summer vibe suits the weather perfectly. Fatboy Slim kills it on the dance stage, and Idles give a stand out performance and then are awarded the support slot at the upcoming Foo Fighters o2 gig.

Kasabian
Kasabian seem to be really pleased to be at Leeds. With lead singer Tom fresh out of hospital having to cancel a recent gig the attendees join in their massive sing song of hits. Everything from "Underdog" to recent material is covered. In fact, the band seem so touched by their greatful reception they seem not to want to leave the stage at all.

kasabian

Sun 27th
Sunday brings the likes of Major Lazer (huge crowd), and The Pretty Reckless. Korn bring the traditional rock vibe back to the festival with their heavy rock nu-metal.

Eminem
Landing Eminem is a massive coo for the festival, his only festival of the season. He accumulates the biggest crowd of the whole weekend proving that even though he has been going over 20 years he still has a massive draw. He has a full live band and completes a massive 32 songs set with everything from real Slim shady to lose yourself duly preformed. Through all of Eminem’s up and downs it’s impossible to dispute he is a true rap icon.

review by: Kristina Clark

photos by: Jason Richardson