"It wasn't until the gig was underway and people were ringing and telling us what they were about."
Management at The Drysalters Pub on Elland Road, Beeston issued an apology after allowing a controversial band to perform on their premises.
The band that sparked outrage across Leeds and beyond was named as Combat BC, a band whose promotional material was thought to feature Nazi-inspired imagery.
The band's song titles include the likes of 'Anti-Antifa’, ‘Fightback’, 'Do or Die' and ‘New World Order’ and band member have been reported to speak out criticising left-wing, anti-Nazi group Antifa, “woke culture”, and other anti-right wing movements.
Before performing, outrage sparked online about the controversial band, which led to police involvement.
The pub is known to host a variety of music acts over the years. / Image: The Drysalters New
Following their performance, The Drysalters issued the following apology:
"I will start with a sincere apology to all. We didn't start this with the intention of upsetting anyone. We had a call early in the year asking to book the pub, we were told they were skinheads. When they arrived yesterday we were still none the wiser. It wasn't until the gig was underway and people were ringing and telling us what they were about."
"We were naive about the bands I had never heard of them.. but I had never heard of the other bands we have had either. We as people are not racist in anyway. So I can say we are very sorry for the upset that it has caused . It will never happen again. There is not much else I can say apart from how really sorry we are."
The apology has since received over 450 comments at the time of writing, many of which appear to be calling out the pub for being "none the wiser" despite what they believe were clear signs of that the band was a problematic choice.
E J Golden said: "Your staff could clearly do with training on hate crimes and racism in pub venues if they literally cannot see a problem with neo nazis dressed in the gear singing racist lyrics. How many racist incidents are they likely to handle well if they defend nazis on social media? I say that as someone [who] worked with pub security in Bradford during match season."
Whilst another comment read: "I have seen photos from inside your pub yesterday - open nazi filth on display - but you were "non the wiser", "didn't know" etc etc!"
According to reports, a previous post from the pub suggested that those who were voicing their concerns about the pub were criticised for not supporting the pub, which has faced closure twice in as many years.
The pub advertises itself as a "football friendly family run pub". / Image: The Drysalters
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that the original post stated: "For everyone who is complaining about what music is taking place tonight, the police have been and nothing untoward has been mentioned. So as for Save the Salters, those who are moaning, where have you been?”
However, it is believed this has been updated or removed as it is no longer shown on the pub's Facebook page, where the apology was issued.
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The Maccabees announce full line-up for huge Leeds show at Kirkstall Abbey
Indie heroes The Maccabees are set to headline Live at Kirkstall Abbey, and they'll be joined by a few others.
The renowned indie rock quintet The Maccabees have shared a stacked lineup for their only northern headline show this year as part of the Live at Kirkstall Abbey concert series.
Joining them are Newcastle Alt-Rock legends Maxïmo Park, eclectic art rock fourpiece Everything Everything, psychedelic indie rock stalwarts The Mystery Jets led by the inimitable Blaine Harrison and fast rising singer/songwriter/storyteller Fiona-Lee.
The Maccabees’ eagerly anticipated return in 2024 got indie music lovers across the country very excited indeed, headlining All Points East and Glastonbury’s Park Stage, the band’s return was met with enthusiastic crowds.
Building upon that reception, The Maccabees are now set to inspire similar scenes across the country as they head out on a major outdoor summer tour in July including their only northern date at Leeds’ Kirkstall Abbey.
Maccabees guitarist Felix White says, “The year we’ve just had was so special to all of us, and so unexpected, that it has put some momentum in everyone collectively …. and who wouldn’t want to do all that again”
Also announced for this year's Live at Kirkstall Abbey is The Streets, performing their critically acclaimed album A Grand Don’t Come for Free alongside reunited Leeds indie heroes The Sunshine Underground.
The debut ‘Above All Else’ event headlined by Loyle Carner will be taking place and the return of Kirkstall Abbey Comedy Festival featuring Dara Ó’Brien, Jason Manford, Lucy Beamount and more.
The Maccabees will be performing at Kirkstall Abbey on Friday 31 July 2026 and you can get your tickets here.
Miles Kane at Project House Leeds – an utterly electric night fuelled by leopard print
Fran Mallinson
MIles Kane is back in Leeds and he is better than ever before.
“Good evening Leeds, how the f*** are we?"
Everyone's favourite scouser came onto the stage wearing a perfectly fitted leather jacket, and it's safe to say the crowd roared.
It's been a few years since I’ve been in a Miles Kane crowd, the last time I saw him he was supporting Blossoms at Millenium Square back in 2023 and my gosh it's good to be back.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
His whole energy is just utterly infectious and makes him a complete joy to watch. I’ve always been a Miles Kane fan and I just love where he's taken his 2025 album ‘Sunlight in The Shadows’.
We were blessed with a whole stream of songs from over the years, my personal favourite, ‘Rearrange’ was played second and was such a treat. Kane got the crowd to sing back to him “let it out, let it out, let it all out” which soon made me realise you were standing side by side with true fans.
Throughout the setlist we heard bangers from over the years and mid-set Miles screams out “Leeds on a Thursday, come on” and to say it was grey and very wet outside, we all definitely brought the energy.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Supporting Miles on his 2026 tour is Villanelle, you know Gene Gallagher’s band? Some could say nepo-baby but we say, when they were doing their own Leeds dates, they were class. Such a grungy, punk twist they’ve got and it's safe to say Gene has the Gallagher stance behind the mic.
As the set drew to a close Kane said “thank you so much and don’t forget who you are" which brought us to his last three songs, ‘Don’t Forget Who You Are’, ‘Sunlight In The Shadows’ and the ultimate bopper and most played song on Spotify ‘Come Closer’ which just never, ever gets old.
In the words of Carrie Bradshaw 'and just like that' my first gig at Project House (can’t believe its taken me so long) was over.
As an overall venue, Project House really had it all, Kirkstall brews, a spacious cool environment and really fantastic acoustics.
And it was time to walk back to the train station along the canal on a lovely Miles Kane high and debrief the evening. Hopefully see you soon Miles, rather than leaving it three years again.
The Hoot -
25th July 2022 
