It’s that time of the year again… when a bunch of you and your friends travel to the middle of nowhere to see some of the leading musical names taking to the stage over 3 very exciting days across the August bank holiday weekend! Everybody is off on the Monday so why the hell not get over to the largest twin site in Europe and make it a really special one at Leeds Festival 2012.
If you really are keen and arriving early on the Thursday night with your Early Bird ticket, the Relentless tent takes to the starting line, getting the crowd warmed up from 10pm-3am, with Rudimental. With the Relentless drink of tap I’m sure people will buzz their way through making it well past 3am to the finish line. With 7 stages: The Alternative Stage, BBC Introducing Stage, Festival Republic Stage, The Lock Up Stage, The Dance Stage, NME/Radio 1 Stage and The Main Stage, you are absolutely spoilt for choice.
Friday kicks off with a boom on the Main Stage with the Foo Fighters headlining the event. Thousands of us have shared youth defining moments of glory with the band, now we are about to share some more making it a momentous sundown. The group headlined the festival 7 years ago and had the crowd clapping along the whole way through their track ‘Everlong.’
This year will be immense with The Black Keys back in the limelight second to last! I expect a fierce performance on stage that will have the hairs on your arms standing on end. You will definitely find me plonked at the front of the stage How-how-howling for you! Listen to their new single ‘Dead and Gone’ in a live performance with Zane Lowe to get you eager for what to expect.
Are you one of those people that just turns into a right cranklebottom if they don’t get a comfy night’s sleep? Well, there is Leeds Fests answer to VIP camping, otherwise known as ‘Glamping.’ Get to feel like you are in an oasis of security in this luxury cosy retreat. If (like us) you’re not posh, and can get over the fact that you do have to shower with other people and share the camp site with other crazy bastards like yourself, you don’t have to pay for your ticket all at once Leeds Fest have kindly offered a payment plan option. You can either pay in 4 small 25% payments or do it fifty-fifty.
On the NME/Radio 1 stage on Friday let’s say “Bon-fuckin-jour” to the dance music’s sexiest duo Justice with their electro beats they are sure to get everyone moving. Their romping new song is so jaw droopingly good that by now it is literally everywhere. So, make your way to the funky disco they will be having on stage. Two Door Cinema Club on just before them were described by our very own NME to have “quietly become one of the UKs best bands” and that doesn’t happen overnight!
We just can’t get enough of the Friday line up from the NME/Radio 1 stage. With SBTRKT thrown into the mix, get ready to be captivated with the feeling of Africa as SBTRKT (accompanied by the ever-faithful Sampha) dons his mask and hits the decks. With Sampha on smooth vocal duties it’s enough to make you feel woozy.
Make sure you get your lanyards at the ready and get working out where you want to be and at what times, once you end up with stragglers in your group it will take a good half an hour to walk from your campsite to the main stage.
Headlining the Lock Up Stage on Friday it’s the ska punkers Less Than Jake who are currently on their biggest UK tour. With the release of their new album “Cheeky For A Reason” just a week ago, the band The View’s creative fire will be re-kindled on the Festival Republic stage on the Friday.
The Saturday just gets even spicier with The Cure headlining on the Main Stage, there is no uncertainty they will take us all to an unexpected place. Robert Smith will woo the crowd with his lipstick and leather. After the bands equipment failed recently at Spain’s: Bilbano BBK Festival, Smith did what he had to do and played the set alone still completely smashing the performance. The main stage is clearly bursting with diversity, as Bombay Bicycle Club take over proceedings not too long afterwards.
Let’s move away from the music and the mud and if you’re into a bit of culture then get to the Alternative Stage to check out Secret Cinema, an explosion of social documentary and dynamic storytelling at its finest. Its labelled French cinemas answer to ‘Boyz N the Hood!’ Also near the campsite, there is a fun fair if you fancy a quick blast on the waltzerz.
The NME/Radio 1 stage takes it off once again on the Saturday with headlining act The Maccabees, with Foster The People scheduled just before to bring last years “pumped up kicks” to our summer and getting us all indeed pumped up for a high. Also on the Saturday, Passion Pit who have been out of the public eye since their 2009 album ‘Manners,’ I have a real eagerness for them to zest up the crowd with the geeky five-some on the keyboards. Their new album is set to release the 23rd July so get listening so you can sing along to “I’ll be alright.”
If it all does get too much and a chill out is in order, make your way to the comfy sofas at the Pepsi Max Meeting Point. It can’t be missed; with a giant Pepsi Max air balloon floating in the sky.
Make way for Kasabian headlining the main stage on the Sunday. They really did hit the ground running with their European tour this year. It will be a performance we will all go home talking about I am sure.
The Lock Up Stage changes its name on the Sunday to the Dance Stage where you will catch Metronomy who will whip out their accordion to make you feel like you are at the jolly seaside with a beat to move your head from side to side to.
It’s going to be a fine weekend ladies and gentlemen, BRING IT ON!
- WEEKEND TICKETS FROM £197.50
- DAY TICKETS FROM £85
Leeds Festival 2012 is happening August 24th, 25th and 26th at Bramham Park – Leeds. Ticket prices aren’t too bad and if you can afford to pay it all at once then it’s a must! TICKETS & ALL OTHER INFO HERE.
