Festival Features

After a fun-filled bus journey down to Leeds Festival, I finally arrived. Armed will my brand spanking new wellies, a cup of tea and a camera, I will be reporting on all the action.

Sunday

Determined to make the most of my last day at the festival, I somehow managed to drag myself out of bed and made it down to the Introducing Stage just in time to see a blistering set by Leeds band Kinch. The crowd, who were also up surprisingly early for a Sunday, were keen and clearly enjoying watching something new.

I had quite a few bands to cram in today, so did spend a large portion of time running (well not exactly running, more gliding through mud!) from tent to tent and back to the main stage. For some reason today seemed busier than previous days, and the appalling weather did not really help things. My boots which had been so shiny and new on Friday morning, were now falling to bits and mud was starting to seep in between my toes- ew! As I went in search of a solution to the shoe problem I heard a very loud, distorted bass line coming from the Introducing Stage and realised that Middleman were tearing it up as only these Leeds lads know how. Great stuff!

The Sunday of any festival I have been to is always a slightly more surreal experience, and this one is no different. It is a constant roller coaster of emotions. On the one had you have a craving for somewhere dry and warm to sit down or sleep, toilets that flush and a proper square meal, on the other, there are always so many other bands to watch and so much more fun to be had with your friends, before you go back to work and reality. It's a bit like running a marathon, really hard work and painful at times, but worth it!

By the evening, I was tired, a bit hungry, covered in mud and my boots were now obliterated. There had been rumours flying about all day the The Kaiser Chiefs were to play their last ever show tonight, which was a little bit sad, but this was soon quashed as Ricky Wilson insisted 'We'll be back next year!”

Having seen Kings of Leon before, I decided to end the weekend with a band I have always wanted to see, Faith no More. Definitely my band of the whole weekend, and worth every second of standing around in mud with holes in my boots! 

Saturday

I spent a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon watching the Old Romantic Killer band on the Introducing Stage, who as always put on a great show. I managed to catch up with a few of my fellow 'BBC Blastees' today as well, Martha who is in Hull and Kristie who is based in Nottingham were also down supporting their local talent on the BBC stage.

BBC Introducing: The Living Daylights

After seeking out my favourite noodle bar, I found somewhere not covered in mud to sit (which was a mission in itself!) and watched as people went by in their brightly coloured wellies, their faces now covered in very smudged blue-brown face paint. All inhibitions had gone by this point of the weekend, and people had forgotten about their lives in the outside world. There were people in all manner of costumes and various states of consciousness, some came as tele-tubbies, others were just trying to stay vertical!

Now nicely full of noodles, I had a wander around all the various stalls selling voodoo masks, peace-sign necklaces and slogan t-shirts. I even found an oxygen bar. Although I didn't fancy it myself, it is apparently a great hangover cure.

The evening was all about the headliner for me. Radiohead are from my hometown, and although I have seen them a few times, have never seen them at a festival. They were, as expected, breathtaking.

Make sure to check out the BBC's festival coverage on Radio Leeds between 8pm-10pm on Sunday evening on BBC Radio Leeds (DAB and online).

Friday

The weather is very changeable, it has been raining over night, so things are rather muddy- and it looks though it may rain again- but what's a festival if you're not head to toe in mud?

Kate in action in squally conditions

First impressions are that the crowed are very young this year, or maybe I am just older! Also that people have really gone all out and made an effort on the fashion front, I have seen at least six people with blue face paint on, so things are looking up!

On the food front, everything smells fantastic, I have spotted a rather promising stall selling noodles, which I will report back on later.

I have also noticed that the price of everything is nowhere near as expensive as it has been in previous years at other festivals I have been to, this may be due to the fact (hurrah!) that this is Leeds and not Reading festival (things are somewhat cheaper up here in't north anyway) but I have a feeling that festival goers may be a bit more discerning with their cash this year so stalls have become a little more competitive.

We have a wealth of Leeds talent on the BBC Introducing stage Friday- Wonderswan, who were on first were exceptional, and went down well, they looked very at home in the festival environment. I also managed to catch the tail end of Chickenhawk. The tent was pretty full, which I'm guessing means things are on the up for Leeds' own heavy metal heroes. I thoroughly enjoyed their set!

Later today I will be watching The Eagles of Death Metal, who I have never seen, and am actually quite excited about what they will get up to - they are famous for their raucous on-stage antics. Am also looking forward to the Prodigy and Municipal Waste.

Tonight's headliners 'Arctic Monkeys' of course will be the ones to watch, and there are a myriad of people in t-shirts bearing their name.

After a surprise performance by supergroup, Crooked Vultures, Saturday had a lot to live up too. Crooked Vultures comprise Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters and ex-Nirvana drummer), Josh Holme (Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal) and Jon Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin). It was a privilege to watch them, and everyone was clearly in shock at what they were witnessing. On the main stage were the Prodigy, who had a great light show, but were not as good as they have been in previous years. Arctic Monkeys were clearly a favourite as people ran from other parts of the site to grab a good spot.

Check back over the weekend to find out all the latest festival gossip.