Leeds Festivals 2017 Review

The sun was shining at this year’s Leeds Festival. We could end our review right there considering the deluge suffered by past events, but let’s push past the obvious – unnaturally good weather aside, this was an event defined by a stellar line-up from some of the most exciting artists and acts on the planet, and it lived up to its potential and then some.

A secret set by Queens of the Stone Age kicked off Friday night, and they were expertly followed by The Blossoms – it was a big slot, but they never faltered. Charlemagne and Blown Rose went down a treat, as everyone expect they would, and sets were livened up by covers of “There is a Light and it Never Goes Out” by The Smiths and “Imagine” by John Lennon. We fully expect to see these guys headlining sometime soon.

Liam Gallagher bought predictable Britpop swagger, and the set was discretely peppered with songs from his former band alongside new hits from the man himself.

Muse headlined Friday night, and it was hard for anticipation to get any higher. This is a band infamous for phenomenal live shows, and their explosive set surpassed all expectations with a fantastic mix of new songs and past back catalogue.

Saturday saw indie band Bastille excelling in their herculean task of warming up for blockbusters Kasabian. When the Leicester lads did finally take to the stage, their fantastic setlist seemed to work perfectly whether you were a Kasabian virgin or a diehard fan. There were also a few nice surprises, including covers of Daft Punk and Nirvana alongside the band’s own superhits, such as Shoot the Runner and Treat.

Sunday also belonged to the main stage. Nu-metallers Korn blasted through their set, and their blissful unawareness that this wasn’t quite the right crowd for them somehow helped make them seem perfectly placed, especially when finishing with such a legendary metal anthem as Freak on a Leash

Major Lazer came next to perform with surprising energy considering the array of songs they packed into their set, but it was festival closer Eminem that was on everyone’s minds. Hits like “Stan”, “The Way I Am” and “Like Toy Soldiers” have lost none of their charm, and a huge set of classics ended the festival perfectly.

 

Leeds Festival 2017 Dates, Line Up, Tickets and Map

Leeds Festival organisers have just announced early bird tickets for the 2017 event. Leeds Festival 2017 will be taking place at Bramham Park from 25th – 27th August, and you can snag your weekend pass right away starting at just £213. If you’re hoping that Leeds Fest will be the first thing you mark on your 2017 calendar come Christmas time, you’re not alone. The 2016 event just wrapped up to general acclaim.

Of course, Leeds will never want for attendees. With 12 stages and a whole host of acts to grace them each year, the festival has become a rite of passage for anyone in the North who likes music. The likes of Oasis, Green Day, and the Foo Fighters have topped the line-up over the years, and the headliners continue to be drawn from rock’s A-List.

Never say that Leeds doesn’t roll with the changes though. One of this year’s most popular acts was Disclosure, representing the ascension of hip-hop and dance with the younger generation. Other stand-out acts included Little Simz, Anderson, and Bugzy Malone, and there were plenty of big name bands to steal the show.

Blossoms were chief among them. They’ve just launched an incredibly successful debut album, so these guys have really been turning things up across the festival circuit this summer. Coming to Leeds on Sunday afternoon, they entertained a capacity crowd with tracks such as Honey Sweet, Charlemagne, and At Most A Kiss.

Anyone who checked out Blossoms were surely in attendance for The 1975, who topped the bill on Friday night and cranked out single after single from I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It.

Attendees were able to transition from young up-and-comers to legends of music thanks to the festival’s diverse line-up. The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nas both put on phenomenal shows in front of immense crowds. Nas blended a selection of classics with fresh new tracks, while the LA funk rock icons offered generations of hits to a field of fans who all seemed to know every word by heart.

Leeds 2017 is expected to draw the same fusion of old and new, and you can get there via coach, TransPennine Express, car, or by train and shuttle. Make sure you grab your pass early for the best deal.