Mimi Webb performed last night at the iconic O2 Academy in Leeds to showcase her debut album, Amelia.
It’s safe to say Mimi Webb’s climb to success has been impressive and she is fast becoming a big name in British music. Her catchy pop songs became popular on Tik Tok back in 2020, leading the 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Canterbury to land two singles in the Top 15 before her debut album was even released.
Mimi Webb Album cover, Amelia. Credit: Mimi Webb
Now touring to promote her second album, Amelia, she has the chance to prove herself as an all round performer. The queues at The Academy were long and full of excitement when we arrived, fans eagerly waiting to get inside for the Saturday night performance.
As we walked into the venue the energy already was electric, the loyal army of Mimi fans ready in colourful crop tops and cargo pants, waiting for the star.
Henry Moodie. Credit: @henrymoodie.
First up on the stage was Tik Tok famous Henry Moodie, known mostly for covering songs from other artists and his own single - you were there for me. His short set got the crowd singing along every word to the classics and set the tone for the rest of the evening.
Next up was the second of the support acts, Australian 21 year old, Blake Rose. His music style mirrors The 1975, combining indie rock with pop and creating catchy crowd-friendly tunes. His few songs kept the mood up in the venue and everyone was in high spirits when he left the stage.
Blake Rose. Credit: @blakerosemusic.
Webb was due to take the stage at 9pm, by 9:15pm the anticipation was heavy and the crowd became a sea of iPhones ready to capture her big entrance. The lights went down, the band joined the stage and the crowd went wild.
Appearing in a revealing all-in-one lace black bodysuit and huge platform boots, the singer strutted onto the stage with huge confidence and broke straight into the first song. Opening with Ghost Of You from the new album, a song inspired by her recent breakup with her boyfriend with lyrics relatable to any Gen Z teenager girl.
Mimi Webb at O2 Academy Leeds. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
The set then went on with about twelve songs, a mixture of fan favourites from her previous album, Seven Shades of Heartbreak, and new singles. You can’t deny that all of her songs are catchy, 24/5 and Remind You are very heartfelt and hard to sing along to.
Fans spent the evening singing to every word, dancing along and of course snapchatting all of their favourite songs. The young singer finished the set with Before I Go before returning to the stage for a three song encore, closing the night with everyone's favourite angry break-up song, House on Fire. Mimi took a few grateful bows to a screaming crowd, left pleased and satisfied from their Saturday night out before heading out on to the cold streets of Leeds.
She kept her same energy and stage presence throughout the evening, and it won’t be long until the 23 year old is selling out much bigger venues that’s for sure.
Featured Image: Izzy Clayton.
Audio
Inside the Leeds factory that makes and supplies classic jukeboxes
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.”
The Hoot -
16th April 2023 
