In what has been a rather dull and drizzly week, the indie-pop hit-makers most definitely brought the sunshine with them alongside a truly electric performance.
For the fifth instalment of Sounds of the City 2023 on Thursday 13 July, British band Bastille took to the stage and boy they did not disappoint.
Celebrating 10 years since their seminal album, now being re-released as Bad Blood X, the show took us on a trip down memory lane through a thrilling showcase of their catalogue of classics.
A montage of Bastille's journey together was projected to the back of the stage, playing intermittently between tracks.
Image: Millennium Square Leeds
It was a welcome reminder of the band's longevity and proved just how much of a stamp they've made on British pop over the past decade.
Of course they kicked things off with Pompeii, which I am still humming in my head as I write this. Charismatic frontman Dan sprung to attention, hitting every square foot of the stage possible and matching the excited energy of the bustling crowd.
And he didn't just sing, although that would have been impressive enough, he played the drums as well as the keyboard intermittently throughout - all of which added to the overall immersive and encapsulating experience.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
From 'Pompeii' we moved to other hits like 'Things We Lost In The Fire', 'Overjoyed' and 'Flaws'. Although there were some tracks which weren't as widely recognised, the band constantly held your attention by clever placement of their absolute bangers.
Talking directly to the crowd, Dan spoke about the past ten years and thanked his fans for their ongoing support.
A special moment and one which can only happen at unique events such as Sounds of the City was when Dan jumped down from the stage and into the crowd during 'Flaws', weaving through jumping fans and still holding every single note to perfection.
After a short break, it was clear that Bastille were certainly not slowing down. The crowd were warmed up and raring to go for more.
Image: Millennium Square Leeds
Jumping straight back into it with 'Good Grief', the sun was setting and the energy was magnetic.
They then of course sang 'Happier' which was the best performance of the night, the crowd were singing every single word and dancing like nobody was watching. A truly memorable moment.
Overall, we felt honoured to take a trip down memory lane with Bastille and witness such an incredible performance of their music through the ages.
Even though it was a look back on the previous decade, we've no doubt that there'll be many more to come for these British pop legends.
The Wombats aren’t just still going strong - they’re getting better. And honestly? Long may they reign.
The Wombats absolutely tore the roof off the First Direct Arena in Leeds last night, Wednesday 26 March and what a night it was.
From the second they hit the stage it wasn’t just a gig, it was a full-blown indie-pop spectacle, packed with infectious energy, nostalgia, and a whole lot of dancing.
They kicked things off with “Moving to New York,” and honestly? The crowd was in from the first note.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Matthew Murphy’s unmistakable vocals rang through the arena and suddenly, thousands of people were screaming every lyric like it was 2007 all over again. It was one of those moments where you could just feel how much this band still means to people.
Despite the massive venue, The Wombats somehow made it feel intimate. The lights? Pure chaos in the best way - vibrant, colourful, and totally in sync with the band’s wild, bouncy sound.
Murphy’s cheeky banter between songs made it feel less like a polished arena show and more like a jam session with a few thousand of your closest mates.
Setlist-wise, they nailed it. “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” and “Greek Tragedy” had the whole place losing it, while the stripped-down version of “Techno Fan” gave everyone a minute to breathe (and maybe get a little emotional).
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Those quieter moments just made the high-energy choruses hit even harder. It was a rollercoaster - in the best way possible.
Then came the encore. If you thought the crowd was loud before, “Kill the Director” took things to another level. Pure, chaotic indie bliss. The kind of moment you don’t want to end.
Here’s the thing about The Wombats: some might say their older songs hit harder than their newer stuff, but is that just nostalgia talking? Or maybe it’s a generational thing?
Either way, they proved they’re still one of the most exciting live bands out there. They’ve still got the hooks, the humour, and the ability to turn a massive arena into a sweaty, euphoric singalong.
Mumford & Sons add new Leeds show at the First Direct Arena to sell out UK tour
Clementine Hall
Two new arena dates have been added to their forthcoming UK tour, after selling out the entire run within two hours.
Ahead of dropping their fifth studio LP Rushmere at the end of the month, the cult favourite folk-rock outfit announced a brand-new European tour in support of the record, including a limited UK leg.
The now sold-out arena run starts in Europe in November before now arriving in Leeds on Sunday 30 November.
The significance of the band’s return can be found in the title of the new album, as Rushmereis the spot where it all began for the boys: a pond located on Wimbledon Common in south-west London where Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane first hung out.
However, the multi-award-winning acoustic-driven British rockers and folk revivalists are now a trio following the departure of Winston Marshall, who quit the band back in 2021 following controversies surrounding his right-wing beliefs.
Image: Supplied
With that in mind, it’s rather fitting that they have insisted that beyond just a place and a title, Rushmere is alsothebeginning of a new phase.
Following an intense period of creativity, the project was produced by fellow nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb and recorded at the famous RCA Studio A in Nashville, as well as in Savannah, Georgia and back home at Marcus’ studio in Devon.
The album itself drops on this Friday 28 March and judging by the little that we’ve heard so far, they’ve been well worth the wait.
As for the arena show, tickets will go on sale this Thursday 27 March at 10am.
Best of all, they’re donating £1 from every ticket sold straight to War Child UK – this sort of stuff should be standard for any big act as far as we’re concerned.
Clementine Hall -
14th July 2023 
