Elton John played Joesef's tunes on Rocket Hour, earlier this month- and if that isn't a high enough recommendation for an artist that's yet to release their debut album, we're not sure what else is.
Brought up on a "melting pot of good tunes", an eclectic combination of old soul and 90s bangers, Joesef started making music in his bedroom. In a world where anyone can plug their guitar into a laptop and sing over FaceTime, it can be difficult to cut through the noise, but the soothing melodies of the Glasweigan singer are a Spotify favourite for good reason.
Effortlessly fusing soul and pop comes naturally to the independent artist, but Joesef never intended to set out to become the rising singer-songwriter packing out crowds across the UK, including last weekend at Leeds' own Live At Leeds: In The City festival, where we were lucky enough to catch up with the artist.
"I was a late bloomer I didn’t think I would be a singer but aye just in my bedroom making turn and now here we are at Live at Leeds".
Inspired by the works of The Cure, Mamas and Papas and Joy Division, three years on from putting out his first single, Limbo, Joesef is now preparing to release the highly anticipated debut album Permanent Damage- which pays homage to the evolution of his musical career to date.
Ever humble, Joesef describes the album as "more of an evolved sound than people have ever heard before", having been recorded in a professional studio, rather than just plugging his guitar into a laptop, grinning at the countdown to the album release in just a few short months.
Permanent Damage will hit the shelves on Friday 13 January 2023, blowing away the new year blues with never-heard-before soulful melodies. Naturally, the alt-indie singer will be back in Leeds to bring the album to one of "the closest crowds to Glasgow"- a huge compliment given the musical talent of Joesef's home city.
"The energy is just unmatched [in Leeds] and it feels like we’re all mates, I think it’s just a northern thing […] my first Leeds gig I had people crying and that it was so funny, I can’t remember which venue it was at but we were on the floor and basically we were standing at the same level I could see everyone [...] Leeds crowd is amazing man, they always show up."
Joesef went on to explain that having played at Brudenell, Hyde Park and now headlining Live At Leeds: In The City on the Belgrave Music Hall stage, he's constantly watching the Yorkshire crowds evolve, with a solid fan base of those returning time-after-time to catch new tunes in different venues.
"I’m starting to really recognise people as well I did a wee session at Hyde Park Book Club and I’ve seen the crowd at the front at previous gigs"
We don't need telling twice that Yorkshire is full of musical talent, from Bring Me The Horizon and Alex Turner over in Sheffield to our own Kaiser Chiefs here in Leeds, but for Joesef, there was one name that outshone the rest: Mel B.
"Honestly zig-a-zig-ah! When I was a wee kid that was me and my mums first obsession and my brothers were with Oasis and we had my mum dances Spice Girls, so big up to Mel B!"
"Mel B aye she’s a Leeds icon but obviously in Yorkshire you’ve got Arctic Monkeys and that cannae knock them, cannae knock them, they’ve done alright haven’t they!"
You can catch Joesef at Stylus at Leeds University Union on Friday 17 March 2023. For more information about the upcoming tour, visit Joesef's website.
Thankyou to Live At Leeds: In The City Festival for organisingthis interview.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Audio
The Maccabees at Kirkstall Abbey – musical reunion of the decade?
When bands reunite, it's usually pretty easy to guess what the motive is. A looming tax bill, an incoming divorce, a tanking solo career, for example.
But with The Maccabees, those scenarios feel a long way removed.
This is a band that called it a day at the top of their game - and then have returned even stronger, and seemingly because they just missed being on stage together.
Addressing the near-decade apart while on stage at Kirkstall Abbey, The Maccabees frontman Orlando Weeks sums it up simply: "For a long time we were a band, and then we weren't a band for a bit, and now we're a band again."
He's as softly-spoken a frontman as they come, but then The Maccabees never have leaned entirely on their frontman for their live energy - not when he's flanked by the White brothers.
Felix White spends half the gig sporting an ear-splitting grin, and the other half screaming words of encouragement at the audience like a crazed Top of the Pops presenter. The organised-fun patter might grate if he weren't so phenomenal the moment the music starts again.
Then brother Hugo is a brooding, powerful figure, usually standing with his legs so wide apart I'm surprised he doesn't split his trousers. His stage presence is so cool, so confident, it's hard to take your eyes off him.
Orlando's otherworldly voice is really allowed to shine through with songs like Spit It Out, when the stage reduces to a single spotlight and the other band members actually squat down to minimise the distractions.
The tempo shifts of Marks to Prove It, the urgency of X-Ray and the layered beauty of Wall of Arms all underline just how tightly the band play together.
There will be new music on the way, eventually, and they give us a glimpse into that with The Ballad of So Long, a swooping epic that suggests they still have somewhere new to go.
It's hard to complain that they don't have much more to show us yet - not when the alternative is a greatest hits, belt-every-word live show.
By the end of the night, as The Maccabees wrap up their show at Kirkstall Abbey, there's a quiet confidence about them. They know this comeback works, and we'll be lapping it up for as long as they'll stick around.
Judging by the reaction inside Kirkstall Abbey, everyone else does too.
Loyle Carner at Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Everyone's favourite hip-hop and chilled rap artist is coming to Leeds for one night and one night only, make sure you don’t miss out.
That’s right, Loyle Carner is set to headline for ‘Above All Else,’ a brand-new event set up by local promoters ‘Futuresound,’ joined by the extremely talented Jordan Rakei, KOKOROKO, Kofi Stone and Bricknasty - what a treat.
As one of the UK’s most influential and inspiring young writers, producers and musicians, Loyle has recently been nominated for a bunch of awards in the past year, including the MOBO and BRIT awards, following the release of his most recent full album ‘Hopefully!’ which has become his highest-charting release to date.
He has also been in the media for being a fantastic role model for younger generations, using his platform to champion emotional vulnerability through his emotive lyrics. As well as utilising his platform to discuss mental health awareness, toxic masculinity, neurodiversity, and generational healing - what a good egg he is.
The gig is set to take place this Saturday 1 August, and will be an all-day outdoor celebration, with gates opening at 4pm and performances blending into the evening.
Gig guide | Loyle Carner at Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds – all you need to know
Are there still tickets for Loyle Carner in Leeds?
Yes, there are currently still tickets available to see Loyle Carner but hurry.
General admission and accessible tickets are priced at £67.20, with premium admission standing priced at £100.20.
ou can see the latest availability and grab your tickets HERE.
Stage times
Gates Open: 4:00 PM
Bricknasty: 4:45 PM – 5:15 PM
Kofi Stone: 5:40 PM – 6:10 PM
Kokoroko: 6:40 PM – 7:25 PM
Jordan Rakei: 7:55 PM – 8:40 PM
Loyle Carner: 9:15 PM – 10:30 PM
Loyle Carner expected setlist
We are unsure on the exact set list for the concert but many are expecting a lot from Loyle’s most recent album ‘Hopefully!’ which centres around topics of family relations, with thought provoking and emotional lyrics, in true Loyle fashion.
Fans have also been eagerly awaiting to see whether Loyle will bring out Joe James to promote his newest collaboration on the single Ignorance Was Never Bliss.
What does a Premium ticket get you?
If you're thinking of making your night a little fancier, there's a Premium area in Kirkstall Abbey that includes all of this:
Premium Entrance (please note this opens at the same time as all gates)
Premium Hang Out Area located in the Historic Abbey’s Cloister with Private bar and toilets.
Premium food vendors.
Live at Kirkstall Abbey map
Getting to Kirkstall Abbey
You can pre-book parking for only £11, which will open at 3.30pm. However, it’s important to note that no overnight parking is allowed and vehicles left overnight will be towed - don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Entry to Kirkstall Abbey Car park is located next to Abbey House Museum on Abbey Walk in Kirkstall (LS5 3EJ).
Fans are urged to use public transport or travel on foot wherever possible.
Kirkstall Abbey has two local train stations nearby; Kirkstall Forge is located approximately 1.3 miles from Kirkstall Abbey and Headingley Station is approximately 0.7 miles.
There are several bus stops near Kirkstall Abbey too, for more information visit here.
Sophie Smith -
25th October 2022 
