Leeds Festival 2024 was a rollercoaster of a weekend, marked by the unexpected arrival of Storm Lilian, which caused disruption to the festival. Despite the initial chaos, the lineup of talented and diverse artists brought the weekend to life (along with the sunshine). The festival overcame challenges and the artists put on electrifying performances throughout delivering memorable experiences, and we at Discovery Music Scotland were there to document it all!
FRIDAY
Storm Lilian unfortunately made its presence felt right from the start, delaying the arena’s opening due to severe winds at Bramham Park. This disruption led to a delayed schedule, with the Chevron, Aux and BBC Radio One stages closed for safety reasons. Festival-goers were left in the dark for much of the day, waiting for updates on when, or if, the stages would reopen. The lack of clear communication from the festival regarding the weather, safety, and arena opening times drew widespread criticism. When the go-ahead was finally given, fans of Renee Rapp were disappointed as her set was replaced by BRU-C, with the main stage schedule adjusted accordingly.
Once the festival got underway, the Festival Republic stage saw Limerick’s Kingfishr draw crowds with their energetic, feel-good tunes, setting a lively tone for the weekend. They were followed by local Yorkshire talent Mackenzie Mackay, whose indie pop fusion and sharp lyrics delighted the eager crowd. TikTok and YouTube star Arthur Hill then packed the tent, delivering hits like “Iced Coffee” and “Dead in the Disco.” His comedic charm and musical talent created a strong debut performance at the festival. The highlight of the tent was definitely Reading’s Only the Poets, whose frontman Tommy energized the crowd with his smooth vocals and undeniable stage presence, especially during their set closer “JUMP!”.
As the evening approached, excitement grew for the long-awaited return of Catfish and the Bottlemen on the main stage. Van McCann and the band did not disappoint, launching into “Longshot” without much ado, fans were able to sing right back without Van’s input. Despite some initial sound issues, classics like “7,” “Kathleen,” and “Rango” had the crowd belting out lyrics, clearly satisfying McCanns ego. Van McCann’s usual theatrics, such as dragging his guitar across drum kits and singing into it were on full display. The set ended with chants of “Cocoon” echoing across Bramham park. As Van said in new single “Showtime”, “when I’ve headlined Leeds, I’ll be back, my friend”, this performance deemed that the incredible band that they are, were indeed back. The night was capped off in iconic style by Liam Gallagher, who took the main stage with a countdown to 1994, the year Oasis’s debut album “Definitely Maybe” was released. Liam played most of the crowd-pleasers, though he teased us by not playing “Wonderwall,” perhaps saving it for the Oasis reunion next year!
SATURDAY
Saturday began with the unfortunate news that the BBC Radio One stage would remain closed due to safety concerns (despite rumors, it didn’t blow away, but a massive tear made it impossible to mend in time). The Aux stage was also canceled for the weekend. This meant the cancellation of several anticipated acts, including James Marriott, Beabadoobee, and Scottish sweethearts Swim School. Despite the setbacks, the festival’s spirit remained high, and we were looking forward to the remaining two days of music! The day kicked off with Oldham singer Seb Lowe, who’s politically charged songs and acoustic set resonated with a supportive crowd, setting the tone for another great day. Next, we headed to the BBC Introducing stage, where Salisbury’s CARSICK delivered a high-energy set to the early risers. Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap then took over the main stage, their politically infused lyrics and energetic performance ignited the northern crowd. Merging Irish and English, they created a raucous atmosphere filled with mosh pits.
Followed by Kneecap on the main stage were the incredible The K’s. The band brought in a rifling crowd and left no time to warm up by kicking off their set with absolute hit “Chancer”, filled with people on shoulders and flares being set off, the crowd seemed to be already awake and continued to feed off the bands energy throughout the set. A change in stage scenery led us back to the Festival Republic tent where Brighton punk duo Lambrini Girls were raising the roof, lead singer Phoebe Lunny spent a large portion of the set within the crowd, singing amongst fans and creating engaging fan interactions. The political band proved their legacy for unbelievable stage presence as the audience were left stunned.
Indie rock favorites Two Door Cinema Club then rocked the main stage, drawing a massive crowd. Their stunning screen visuals added a unique touch to their performance, with classics like “Sun”, “Undercover Martyn,” and “What You Know” perfectly setting up the Saturday headliners. Next was our own Scottish icon Gerry Cinnamon, whose retro-styled set ignited the crowd. Scottish fans in the crowd made sure their voices were heard with an abundance of Scottish flags and even people being seen in kilts. A memorable moment came during “Fortune Favors the Bold,” as fans held up their shoes during the “Shoo la-la-la” lyric – something I’d never seen before. His hits “Belter” and “Canter” had fans in a frenzy, setting off flares and moshing as the sun went down and confetti canons fired. The final headliner of the night, Blink-182, didn’t draw in as massive crowds as other headliners did, likely due to The Prodigy playing simultaneously on the Chevron stage. However, the band still delivered a spectacular show, complete with confetti, pyro, and powerful vocals, closing out Saturday night in style with one more night of the festival to go.
SUNDAY
Sunday morning began with a mix of exhaustion and excitement as we packed away our tent, knowing it was the final day of Leeds Festival. Despite the challenges of the weekend, spirits remained high. Schedule changes continued into Sunday, with organizers working to fit in artists who had been affected by the stage closures. Fans were thrilled to learn that acts such as Ashnikko and The Wombats were rescheduled to perform on different stages, restoring some of the weekend’s lost opportunities. The day kicked off with Courting, a Liverpool-based band that brought their infectious energy to open the main stage, after original opener Zino Vinci seemed to be stripped from the lineup with no notice. Glasgow band Dead Pony then took over the Festival Republic stage with a packed-out crowd roaring in support for the Scottish rock group. Their heavy sounds got fans pumped and ready for the festival’s final day.
On the main stage The Last Dinner Party then stunned fans with their remarkable performance of unique stage presence with lead singer Abigail’s powerful vocals, the packed crowd seemed fully engaged throughout their set and in unison joined in on singing happy birthday to band member Aurora Nishevci. Bleachers followed, bringing a different vibe with their anthemic, feel good pop rock. Frontman Jack Antonoff’s charisma and the band’s feel-good performance had the crowd singing along and happily dancing. As the day progressed, we caught Glasgow based band Bottle Rockets at the BBC Introducing stage. Their gritty, punk-inspired sound kept the energy levels high, and showed the crowd a prime example of the inspiring future of Scottish bands.
Later in the afternoon, another Scottish local Barry Can’t Swim delivered a refreshing change of pace with his electronic beats and smooth production on the Chevron stage. His set was a perfect moment of calm and groovy vibes before the evening’s heavier acts. Wunderhorse followed with a last-minute set on the BBC Introducing stage, when they were previously to be playing the Radio 1 stage. Their larger fan base was proven as the crowd was packed front to back, there is no doubt this band are main stage worthy, especially with their new album release “Midas”. Their set was incredibly raw and their elemental blend of grunge and indie rock was so powerful, making it one of the standout performances of the weekend. As the sun began to set, Lana Del Rey took to the main stage, arguably one of the most anticipated acts of the whole weekend. Although slightly late on arriving, her ethereal voice and cinematic stage set created a mesmerizing experience. Lana’s set was a journey through her discography, with the crowd singing along to hits like “Summertime Sadness” and “Video Games”, creating an enchanting performance as it was finalized with fireworks. As the final act of the night, we headed over to the Chevron stage to see The Wombats, and unfortunately had to miss festival closer Fred Again. However, with the Chevrons stage incredible overhead visuals and the bands infectious sing-along anthems, it was a perfect end to the weekend. Even as the rain started, the crowds’ voices were heard in full, dancing and singing to every hit, it brought the festival to a triumphant close.
Although starting with weather-related setbacks, Leeds festival definitely ended on a high note, showcasing the unbreakable spirit of live music. As a first timer at the festival, the atmosphere, energy and passion were truly addictive. The festival succeeded in delivering a weekend full of unforgettable performances and moments of pure magic. Whether it was the iconic headliners, the energetic up-and-comers, or the rescheduled acts, Leeds Festival once again proved why it’s a staple of the UK music scene. Festival goers will be left with memories that will last a lifetime, eagerly anticipating what next year’s lineup has in store.