An exclusive album listening party is taking place in Leeds to celebrate the release of the remix edition of Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’.
Charlotte Aitchinson, better known by her popstar pseudonym Charli XCX, has seen massive acclaim following the release of her album ‘Brat’ which soundtracked everybody’s summer.
Now, the songstress and producer is releasing another musical accompaniment in the Brat realm, a remix album titled Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat.
Charli XCX has announced exclusive album listening parties across the globe, and the only party taking place on UK soil will be right here in Leeds.
Featuring household names and music industry pals, Charli XCX has made sure everyone is catered to with this release drawing upon some famous faces to add their spin to her much-loved singles and hidden gems.
Ariana Grande is just one of many artists lending their singing prowess on this remix album with every single track having a collaborator on it.
If you’ve watched any Reels or Tiktok videos lately you will definitely recognise Charli XCX’s club-electronic pop style has been dominating airwaves and summer trends.
Whether it’s Addison Rae screaming on the remix of ‘Von Dutch’ or the sultry ‘Guess featuring Billie Eilish’, the British pop star has been at the forefront of 2024’s biggest pop culture moments. It was a Brat Summer after all.
At her North America ‘Sweat Tour’ in Orlando on 6 October, Charli XCX announced the collaborators not via social media like usual pop rollouts, but instead through a printed t-shirt she threw into the crowd.
Other notable names that are enlisted to extend ‘Brat Summer’ include Tinashe, Lorde and current ‘Sweat Tour’ co-captain Troye Sivan.
Now she’s hoping to continue the Brat brand and make 2024 the ‘Brat Year’ as she embarks on her ‘Brat Arena Tour 2024’ which sees her visiting four UK arenas including Manchester’s newest entertainment venue, Co-op Live.
The ‘Young girl from Essex’ announced her tracklist via the medium of billboards in the home city of every artist on the record. One bright lime green and plain black font billboard even appeared in our lovely neighbouring city just near Piccadillyto announce a certain Manchester band, The 1975.
The album listening party is taking place on 10 October just 24 hours before the album hits the world and is doing so right here in the UK, only in Leeds!
Local and independent record shop Crash Records have hosted many events over their years but this one is set to be unmissable with each attendee receiving a free poster too.
Lucky fans wanting to get an exclusive first listen to the remix album titled ‘Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat’ before it's officially released on 11 October can do so on a first come first served entry with more information here.
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.
Thomas Melia -
8th October 2024 
