Yesterday saw the second annual Live At Leeds: In The Park take over Temple Newsam - and it was the perfect way to kick off the 2023 festival season.
Live At Leeds has long been known as a predictor of huge new artists. Having had its lineups graced by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Stormzy and The 1975 over the years at the event's 'In The City' portion, and more recently saw Easy Life inside the 450-capacity venue The Wardrobe, Sam Fender at Stylus and Yungblud at Call Lane’s own Oporto all just five years ago.
This year's festival certainly poses to be just as strong, and for likeminded indie music fans, it really is the ideal small day festival.
The whole grounds were certainly abuzz with faces of all ages that were clearly here to appreciate music from upcoming bands in the sunshine - a far cry from the chaotic, toilet-clogged stereotype festivals have been given a bad rep for over the years.
With a solid lineup right from opening doors, Live At Leeds: In The Park drew an early crowd for Leigh-based band, The Lottery Winners.
The four-piece band has certainly been going from strength-to-strength since announcing their appearance at Live At Leeds: In The Park - 2023 has really been a wild ride for the band so far. The Lottery Winners have not only landed themselves a number one album for Anxiety Replacement Therapy, which saw collaborations with the likes of Boy George and Shaun Ryder.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Irish indie rock band modernlove. were also quick to pull an early set in. What started as a group of mates jamming away has turned into a five-year-strong band producing feel good summer anthems. Sharing twenty songs across three albums, think coming-of-age meets romantic indie-pop that wouldn’t be out of place on a movie soundtrack.
Songs like 2 Missed Calls and Follow You just make you feel like you’re sat soaking up the summer sun – they demand a loud speaker with a pint in your hand - and means that even if you missed out on catching them at Live At Leeds, it's just another excuse to embrace the sunshine and blare their songs in the garden.
The Cockpit Main Stage, was packed all day long - and for good reason. Named after the city's much-loved and lost nightclub space where The 1975 had their first live performance and played host to Amy Winehouse and local favourites Kaiser Chiefs - the namesake stage set the bar high.
Kate Nash had everyone reaching for the sky with their fingertips (naturally) as they waited for Foundations, the perfect party starter for what was sure to be a nonstop evening of indie-pop crowdpleasers.
Undoubtably the DMA's had the biggest fan base, with band merch and special football shirts spotted seemingly at every food truck and stage.
The Aussies have been spotted over the years supporting Liam Gallagher, Richard Ashcroft, Kasabian, and The Kooks, but have truly become a festival favourite in their own right, drawing in large crowds waiting for the sun to go down with feel good anthems.
DMA's. / Images: The Hoot Leeds
Two Door Cinema Club.
Finishing the night, Two Door Cinema Club brought its all to the Temple Newsam fields. Commanding the stage with well-known hits from the very beginning (well they do have plenty spanning over a decade to choose from) had festival goers walking over from all corners of the festival site to join a crowd ignited by feel-good dance anthems.
From start to finish, there was a true community feel about this one - and not just in a local sense. It felt as though the line-up had been carefully considered to create a playlist of summer tunes, where each act is just as important as the next, regardless of their fanbase, time on stage or point in their career - there's space for everyone to perform here.
This was even mirrored in the food stalls, which made space for a selection of Leeds' own indie food vendors like MorMor, Little Red Eats andGood Boy Burger to cook up some grub, without taking the shine from the usual chips, churros and noodle vans that do the rounds over the festival season.
Whilst Live At Leeds: In The Park may have come to an end for another year, there won't be long to wait until the 'In The City' portion returns to Leeds in the autumn.
The lineup is yet to be announced, but early bird tickets are already on sale for £46.20.
The North is full of amazing artists, and we’re spotlighting one every single month – it's time to go 'Rollin' with Cole LC
Leeds' own Cole LC has got very far doing his "little music thing" and has seen him reach all new heights as his upcoming project suggests with its title West Yorkshire to Westend Show
This musician has built a pretty distinctive artistic style that fuses rap, all while making sure his West Yorkshire identity was kept in the forefront.
That's because, all of Cole's visuals have been filmed across the city at some pretty recognisable spots like Kirkgate Market, City Varieties and Belgrave Music Hall.
So far, this local lad has captured the attention of music lovers with songs like 'Westbrook' and 'Your Tings My Ting' both having over one million streams.
Now, Cole LC sits down to talk all about being Audio North's ‘Artist of the Month’ and shares more teasers about his highly-anticipated EP.
An interview with Cole LC - Audio North's Artist of the Month
Audio North's Artist of the Month: Cole LC | March 2026 / Credit: Supplied via Press shots
What can we expect from your upcoming EP?
This is my first big release in quite a while after the release of Favourite Version in 2023 and I've done a lot of growing. I started writing last Summer when I was going through a tough period but it's gone onto create some of my best songwriting stories. It's a one big note to self that I hope helps other people out.
What is it like being a Northern independent artist?
I grew up in Roundhay with my family and Leeds as a city has had a monumental impact on what I do as an artist. By being close to the city centre, it has allowed me to be exposed to different types of music, soaking up all these genres has helped influence what I do now.
How do you think Leeds is shaping the UK music scene?
This city is a big credit to music and it's a testament to the musicians of Leeds having that talent but also being hardworking. It's also about authenticity and that's what we've got. The climate of music in general is very intense and there's lots of competition but the sheer talent here in Leeds makes it impossible for us to go unnoticed.
Cole LC has played a key part in Leeds' music scene / Credit: Supplied via Press shots
Who are some up and coming artists you're checking out?
Ellur and you spell it "Ell-uh" because she's from Bradford. She's an Alt-pop artist who I've been listening to a lot. I've also loved Charlotte Plank, especially her latest single 'crybby blue'. There's even Aaron Rowe who supported Lewis Capaldi.
What does a performance day look like for you?
I don't have a specific routine before a show. Practicing my lyrics is a big one and having a mint tea too.
What is your ultimate dream musically?
I'd love to perform whenever I like and just know people would be there and support me. I'd love the financial freedom to be able not worry and creative new tracks whenever whereever I want. Music is so powerful and speaks to everyone, I want to keep improving my quality and progress.
If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?
Probably Justin Bieber because of how much I love him, he's the greatest of all time, he just is. When I was 14 I was so fuming watching him and seeing how good he is, I thought he'd put be out of a job forever. He has some unreal albums.
What's next for Cole LC?
I can guarantee you new music every single month for 2026. I know a lot of people have been getting in touch regarding a headline show so I'm hoping to organise a gig. I'm also going to make sure I keep the connection with people who enjoy my music whether that's in person or online.
Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long
Clementine Hall
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Sophie Smith -
28th May 2023 
