An exclusive album listening party is taking place in Leeds to celebrate the release of the remix edition of Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’.
Charlotte Aitchinson, better known by her popstar pseudonym Charli XCX, has seen massive acclaim following the release of her album ‘Brat’ which soundtracked everybody’s summer.
Now, the songstress and producer is releasing another musical accompaniment in the Brat realm, a remix album titled Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat.
Charli XCX has announced exclusive album listening parties across the globe, and the only party taking place on UK soil will be right here in Leeds.
Featuring household names and music industry pals, Charli XCX has made sure everyone is catered to with this release drawing upon some famous faces to add their spin to her much-loved singles and hidden gems.
Ariana Grande is just one of many artists lending their singing prowess on this remix album with every single track having a collaborator on it.
If you’ve watched any Reels or Tiktok videos lately you will definitely recognise Charli XCX’s club-electronic pop style has been dominating airwaves and summer trends.
Whether it’s Addison Rae screaming on the remix of ‘Von Dutch’ or the sultry ‘Guess featuring Billie Eilish’, the British pop star has been at the forefront of 2024’s biggest pop culture moments. It was a Brat Summer after all.
At her North America ‘Sweat Tour’ in Orlando on 6 October, Charli XCX announced the collaborators not via social media like usual pop rollouts, but instead through a printed t-shirt she threw into the crowd.
Other notable names that are enlisted to extend ‘Brat Summer’ include Tinashe, Lorde and current ‘Sweat Tour’ co-captain Troye Sivan.
Now she’s hoping to continue the Brat brand and make 2024 the ‘Brat Year’ as she embarks on her ‘Brat Arena Tour 2024’ which sees her visiting four UK arenas including Manchester’s newest entertainment venue, Co-op Live.
The ‘Young girl from Essex’ announced her tracklist via the medium of billboards in the home city of every artist on the record. One bright lime green and plain black font billboard even appeared in our lovely neighbouring city just near Piccadillyto announce a certain Manchester band, The 1975.
The album listening party is taking place on 10 October just 24 hours before the album hits the world and is doing so right here in the UK, only in Leeds!
Local and independent record shop Crash Records have hosted many events over their years but this one is set to be unmissable with each attendee receiving a free poster too.
Lucky fans wanting to get an exclusive first listen to the remix album titled ‘Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat’ before it's officially released on 11 October can do so on a first come first served entry with more information here.
This Leeds-based family-owned business is famed for supplying pubs, clubs and even ordinary people's homes with classic jukeboxes.
Started up in 1978, Sound Leisure really is a local business like no other, creating and distributing classic jukeboxes to over 40 countries.
This music-machine-making company notes that 75% of the jukeboxes they manufacture and sell throughout the year are bought for everyday homes.
The remaining 25% of orders are for the all-expected hospitality venues like bars, clubs and hotels, with the jukeboxes sometimes bought for company headquarters and retail outlets too.
Although there are other jukebox manufacturers, especially across the pond in the US, Sound Leisure is the only factory in the world that creates jukeboxes to play out across all formats: CD, vinyl and digital.
This jukebox business even runs the world's only 'Custom Shop', which is a design service that offers any music lovers the chance to personalise their pristine player.
So whether you're after a themed jukebox, customisable nameplate or even a bespoke design, this jukebox company's website states: "If you can dream it, we can build it".
One of Sound Leisure's prized products is the music machine inspired Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-themed jukebox which any fan of The Beatles would dream of being its lucky owner.
And there really isn't anything they can't do, as alongside creating classic jukeboxes, the same team even make pinball machines, football tables, LED signs and more.
With CD and vinyl jukeboxes from £5,000 and digital jukeboxes quoted from upwards of £12,000, we're going to need a fair few rainy days to save up our money.
However, you can still marvel at these magnificent music machines without having to dip into your savings, with guided tours starting from just £15.
If you're up for learning a little bit more about music technology or simply after admiring these classic jukeboxes in all their glory, you can find out more about the factory and book your guided tour ticket HERE.
An independent one-day festival run by local businesses is returning to Leeds this summer
Clementine Hall
Bramley’s independent festival is back after a sell-out first year.
Three local businesses, no corporate sponsor, one big day.
That's the motto of Mill Fest - an indie festival returning to Swinnow Grange Mills in Bramley after a sell-out debut that brought more than 600 people through the gates.
Mill Fest began as a shared idea between three Bramley businesses who fancied putting on a proper day out for the area, and we're so glad they did.
Last August it turned Swinnow Grange Mills into a full day of live music, street food, flash tattoos, market stalls and cold pints in the sun. We can't think of a better way to spend the day to be honest.
Images: Supplied
This year Mill Fest is back and taking place on Sunday 2 August, and the plan is simple - keep what made it work and build on it.
There will be a full day of live music, the return of the flash tattoo day, more independent traders, street food and local beer. This time the team is keen to bring in more businesses and faces from around the area, and the full lineup and programme will be announced over the coming weeks.
Images: Supplied
Owen Wilson from Against the Grain Bar said: “We started this because we wanted to put something on for Bramley, run by the people who actually work here. Last year went better than any of us expected. The place was full, the sun came out, and it felt like the whole area showed up. We can’t wait to do it again.”
Danae Miller from Grays Salon said: "The aim for this year is the same day people loved, just a bit bigger. We’d love to get more local businesses and artists involved, and to see even more familiar faces down at the mill. If we get the weather, it’ll be another one to remember.”
Thomas Melia -
8th October 2024 
