(Photo of bdrmm by ,Katherine Mackenzie) There are few things that fans of alternative music will look forward to more than a first visit to an exciting new local venue Project House combined with a line-up filled with the latest shoegaze-y rising stars. This is precisely what was delivered on Thursday 17th November, when Shaene, DAMEFRISOR and bdrmm were served to the people of Leeds on the silver platter that is Project House. Going into Shaene’s set completely blind was an eye-opening experience, immediately making you question which rock you had been living under to not have heard of them ..read more

It is rare to get a new Christmas song on the festive circuit, and it is even rarer for any that do surface to be good. In a market which is dominated by unmistakable icons such as Slade, Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé – you have to be bold and innovative to produce something which fits neatly in the once-a-year yule-tide record box. (Photo of Volk Soup by Summer Crane and George Chadwick) However, in a marked change of pace, Leeds punks Volk Soup have rolled back the years and transported us to the 60’s and the glory days of Elvis’ If I Can Dream with their latest offering under th ..read more

Just like the plot of a teen movie, skating through the streets of Burley, Leeds’ well-loved slacker heroes are back with a bang with their new single Coming of Age. Complete with a brand-new celebratory video full of green open spaces and smiling faces, it is easy to forget that it’s currently 4 degrees in Leeds as I write this. When that chorus hits, this song just makes you want to kick a ball around the park and drink an ice-cold 7up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeS3698e1xE The track’s defiant musings on coming of age and the need to let go of what holds us back relate heavily to Van H ..read more

Our Luca went down to check out the underground action at everyone's favourite mid October stomp-fest. On October 14, Leeds' most cherished grassroots music festival, Live at Leeds in the City, returned for its 15th year. At its heart, LAL’s focus is showcasing new music across all genres, and there is genuinely no better place for this than the vibrant city that is Leeds and its eclectic selection of unique venues. 2023’s roster comprised household names in live music like the Brudenell Social Club, The Wardrobe and Leeds University’s Stylus, alongside the intimate throws of Sela Bar, Hyde Pa ..read more

Revered by the likes of NME and BBC Radio One, Leeds band English teacher’s first ever headline show was highly anticipated. One of three dates to celebrate the release of new EP Polyawkward, the Leeds date had an extra edge of importance to it. For a band, who all met in Leeds to headline the Brudenell is somewhat the holy grail. Undoubtedly a momentous occasion, handled with the endearing humility that makes the band so amiable. Drummer Douglas Frost’s magnificent elbow drumming ensued when the magic of the former old working men’s club was alluded to on the performance of the eccentric Yor ..read more

Upcoming art rock band Youth Sector played a repeatedly up tempo set at Oporto in March. A visually striking band, it could only be wished that their performance had the same memorability as their aesthetics. Although this isn’t to say the band weren’t a fun and enjoyable outfit, their support acts left a much stronger impression after the show. Oporto itself is a great intimate venue, reminiscent of americana themed bar you’d see in a Hollywood movie. Its charming atmosphere is the perfect environment for the more off-centre Leeds acts. I was happy to say I had no idea what I was getting myse ..read more

Smuj, partly residence in Leeds and the infamous Toon smashed their set at Burley’s quaint Fox and Newt. They demonstrated some awesome, quirky, fast-paced post punk that left the kick drum rolling all over the floor, quite literally. Sporting a pair of fine red goggles, the keys/synth/trumpet extraordinaire brought an epic look and raucous sound to the set. (Photo of Smuj by Hattie Blogg) Having played a wealth of Newcastle dates, their fair share of Leeds venues (The Fenton, Mabgate Bleach) and recently supporting distinguished Leeds locals, Thank, the professionalism with which they play i ..read more

We went down to Wakefield for the day and caught Fuzz Lightyear, Pit Pony, Mollie Coddled W.H. Lung and more… Showcasing some of the best parts of West Yorkshire’s musical ecosystem, as well as hotly-tipped and widely recognised touring acts, Long Division festival put a spotlight on Wakefield. There was an overwhelming sense of optimism and lovely weather too. Who said you had to go Primavera to come back with a tan? Here’s a rundown of everything the team at Basement Leeds managed to catch. Fuzz Lightyear Opening proceedings with a healthy dose of tinnitus was Leeds’ own Fuzz Lightyear. I’ve ..read more

A dazzling spectacle, more akin to the West End than the middle floor of Headrow House. Local legend, Tiss, formerly of the project Genie Genie introduced Tiss Vampiric to the people of their musical hometown, Leeds, as a part of their Take it, Eat it My body tour. The band has a seven-member line up including two stylish backing singers and a prowling saxophonist who brought the heavier moments of the songs to life. Their show was a dazzling spectacle, more akin to the West End than the middle floor of Headrow House. Employing controlled, cabaret-style movements and interacting with the crowd ..read more

It’s rare to see a band on their first proper show, and a band as good as this. Going from playing open mic nights to headlining a Sunday at Wharf Chambers, smiles were all around as popular, cheeky chappy frontman Jack O’Connor joked it wasn’t the best idea for the band to have fish and chips right before the show. However, there was surely nothing bloated about this performance. (Photo: BasementLeeds) A 6-song set ensued encompassing mainly unreleased demos, quirkily available to buy on the merch stand in old fifa game cases. The interplay and shared vocals between Jack and keys player Mia ..read more