Yeah, twice. First time was at R&L 2013, which was my first full weekend fest with all of my mates and we were all super hyped for his set to close the weekend. Chase and Status played before him and put on what was probably the best non-headliner set I’ve ever seen at Leeds (I’ve been every year from 2010-2024, except 2023). He came on 30-40mins late, lil synced loads of the set (very obviously) and played snippets of most songs, so just as you got into it, it would switch to something else.
Apart from Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2016 (which is a story for another time), it’s the most disappointing headline set I’ve ever at any festival I’ve been to, let alone Leeds.
I have him another chance in 2017 and I don’t know if it was the bad hangover I had from last time I saw him, or the newer stuff he opened with, or how While She Sleeps were finally headlining the tent opposite, or the fact I’d been badly hurt watching KoRn 2 hours before (which I had to be carried away from and taken to A&E the next day from), I couldn’t be arsed sticking around.
I’ll say this; if you’ve never seen him and have grown up loving him, do go out of your way to see him. He’s a legend and one of the most important acts of the last 30 years; you will either come away from it feeling vindicated or come away feeling massively underwhelmed. You might as well go along and decide for yourself!
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