Concert in Leeds: A High-Energy Rock ‘n’ Roll Performance
uple of highlights in ‘Here’s the Thing’ and ‘Fishing’ particularly effective. The last time I saw the London band back in 2021, frontman Alex Rice was more energetic. Despite this, the band sounds tight and receives a warm reception. Moving to the DIY Big Top tent for Fat Dog, their live shows have garnered significant buzz over the last year. Frontman Joe Love leads the crowd with enthusiasm, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. The pulsating rhythm of ‘Running’ incites a frenzy among those in the front row, while I, preferring a more reserved approach, show my support with polite applause from a slight distance. It’s a powerful and captivating performance that foreshadows the band’s bright future.
Natasha Bedingfield’s set on the Main Stage North captures the attention of the audience, despite not being my personal taste. Her tracks ‘These Words’ and ‘Unwritten’ resonate beautifully in the sunny Yorkshire weather. Pigeon Detectives, amidst their recent resurgence with the release of the new album ‘TV Show’, command the stage with their classic hits. ‘Falling to Pieces’ from the new record creates a nostalgic sing-along atmosphere, while songs like ‘I Found Out’, ‘Romantic Type’, and ‘Take Her Back’ receive a lively response from the enthusiastic crowd.
Yard Act, a band often better suited for smaller venues, confidently take the Main Stage with songs like ‘Fixer Upper’ and ‘We Make Hits’, exhibiting their monumental presence. A new song, ‘Gonna Need a Little Music’, hints at the band’s continuous evolution, and the performance of ‘100% Endurance’ stands out as one of the festival highlights. Manic Street Preachers, the second headliner, deliver a memorable set as the sun begins to set. Opening with the powerful ‘Decline & Fall’, they proceed with a lineup of seminal 90s singles. Songs like ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’, ‘La Tristesse Durera’, ‘Australia’, and ‘You Stole the Sun From My Heart’ showcase the band’s extensive repertoire. Even their lesser-known tracks like ‘Enola/Alone’ and ‘People Ruin Paintings’ exude vitality, leading up to the anthemic ‘A Design for Life’ that captivates the audience. Frontman James Dean Bradfield performs a touching acoustic rendition of ‘The Everlasting’, shedding light on the song’s pro-refugee message, before concluding with ‘You Love Us’ and ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next’, both evoking an emotional response with their intense instruments and poignant lyrics.
Bloc Party captivates the audience with a celebration of the 20th anniversary of their iconic debut album ‘Silent Alarm’. Although starting off a bit slow, they gain momentum with tracks like ‘Banquet’ and ‘Like Eating Glass’. The encore shines with the joyful performance of ‘Compliments’ and the euphoric ‘Two More Years’, leading up to the mesmerizing ‘Helicopter’ and ‘Flux’. Closing with ‘Ratchet’, the band solidifies their headline slot with a dynamic performance. Live at Leeds 2025 once again proves its status as one of the UK’s premier medium-sized festivals, offering a raw, electric explosion of rock ‘n’ roll to music enthusiasts.