Last weekend, Live At Leeds: In The City ended the festival season for 2022 with twelve hours of non-stop indie tunes.
This isn't a festival Leeds is likely to forget anytime soon.
The bi-annual event takes place every summer and autumn, and brings a handpicked selection of up-and-coming artists to the city for a single day of music. Whilst the summer season brings crowds to Temple Newsam, the 'In The City' version is spread across the city centre and sees venues as far as Hyde Park and Woodhouse getting involved.
Saturday 15 October 2022 saw over 150 artists take over every music venue imaginable across Leeds, from tiny bars to the headlining the O2 Academy.
Kicking off at lunchtime, the crowds slowly trickled into the city as the afternoon went on, but for anyone looking for the chance to catch a glimpse at the next big hit, arriving early was a must.
The festival has previously hosted huge international names before going on to become the successes they are today.
Take the 2018 line-up for example, Live At Leeds: In The City hosted Easy Life inside the 450-capacity venue The Wardrobe, Sam Fender at Stylus and Yungblud at Call Lane's own Oporto.
Clearly it doesn't take much to see the talent that this festival can predict global names, and Saturday was a prime example of the magic that can happen when you put so many creative talents into the city on a single day.
The Clause brought the crowd to their feet at The Wardrobe, with guitar riffs hitting every beat to to crowd favourites like Cruella and Electric, whilst Big Image took to the stage at Nation of Shopkeepers and pulled the early day crowds.
Those making a pit stop for food, the dedicated brunch and dinner menu at The Wardrobe was an exclusive offering to those with a Live At Leeds wristband. A selection of pizzas, burgers and fruity cocktail options were served up to the sound of the Live At Leeds soundtrack, whilst we spoke to passersby about their favourite Yorkshire bands.
Following a fly-by visit to just about every city centre music venue, including the intimate Sela Bar and Belgrave's DJ sets, we were lucky enough to speak to numerous artists at Live At Leeds: In The City, starting with a sit down with Glasweigan artist Joesef about Mel B, Leeds gig venues and his upcoming debut album, Permanent Damage.
Presenter Fran with Joesef. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Turns out that Joesef is a big Leeds fan. Having previously played at Hyde Park Book Club, Brudenell and now Belgrave as part of his Live At Leeds session, the indie-alt artist has a special place for the city and our crowds.
"I feel like it's probably one of the closest crowds to Glasgow which are like just the energy is unmatched and it feels like we're all mates, maybe it's a northern thing".
Read the full interview with Joesef on The Hoot Leeds soon.
Swim Deep meanwhile were intrigued by the infamous Otley Run after spotting too many traffic cones and grannies walking down the street as we caught up with the band at Hyde Park Book Club.
The She Changes The Weather artists are no stranger to the city, and have the Brudenell Social Club, Belgrave and headlining Hyde Park Book Club for the day festival. The underground venue prides itself on keeping its concerts intimate, with space for a little over 100 people to get up and close with their favourite artists- and Swim Deep were no exception to this.
Swim Deep at Live At Leeds: In The City 2022. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Meanwhile The Skinner Brothers brought bags of character to The Wardrobe, warming up the crowd for headline act Spector.
The crowds for the rock and roll four-piece is known for a rowdy crowd, and with frontman Zan Skinner singing not on the stage, but in the crowd with fans jumping around and hanging on to every lyric- between the crowd surfing that is.
The evening acts kept Leeds buzzing with events all night long all over the city- with the likes of Pale Waves, White Lies, Sundara Karma and TikTok famous Casey Lowry playing across the city, many at the same time.
With 150 artists over 16 stages to choose from throughout the day, planning your chosen music route for the day involved plenty of planning, and making hard decisions about who to forego and who to check out across the 12 hours of live events.
That's the beauty of an event like this though.
The festival leaves you with a host of new names to download on Spotify and check out up-and-coming names at these intimate venues in the future.
It introduces a new level of talent to the city- and remains one of the most exciting events of the year for the Leeds music scene.
As a bi-annual event, the next opportunity to visit Live At Leeds will be in May 2023, where the festival will return to Temple Newsam for a summertime day festival. Whilst the line-up is yet to be announced, if the 2023 version is anything like the handpicked artists selected for In The City, we're in for a real treat.
Early Bird tickets cost £40 each, plus a booking fee via See Tickets.
For more information, including how to sign up to the mailing list to be the first to hear about the 2023 line-up can be found on the Live At Leeds website.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
News
Leeds city centre crowned one of the best places to live in the north by The Sunday Times
Today, Leeds city centre earned itself a coveted spot in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
What brilliant news to end the week on, hey?
Leeds city centre was amongst eight other locations across the north and the north east to be featured on the list.
The market town of Skipton took home the dazzling first prize, but it's still nice to be included isn't it.
Here's what the judges had to say about Leeds city centre: “Leeds has five universities, the fourth largest urban economy in the UK (with job opportunities in finance, insurance and big business), a youthful vibe and a relatively affordable average house price (£285,100).
Image: Unsplash
“Stay close to the centre, where you won’t have to worry about the patchy public transport, and it all adds up to a fun-filled, fulfilled life within walking distance of stylish shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. There’s a good choice of riverside homes, where you may spot kingfishers and otters, and even the schools are good.”
In total, 72 places across the UK were selected by The Sunday Times to showcase the very best of Britain, with Norwich named the overall national winner.
The full list of locations in the north and northeast include:
Skipton
Howardian Hills, North Yorkshire
Leeds city centre
Morpeth, Northumberland
Newcastle: Gosforth
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire
Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
York
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain.
“It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.
“Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live."
The best rooftop bars in and around Leeds to enjoy a tipple in the sunshine
Clementine Hall
The sun has got his hat on and there's no better place to soak it up than on a rooftop.
We've already been blessed with some beautiful weather this summer (touch wood), and here in Leeds there's plenty of sun-soaked spots to enjoy it.
To help you make the most out of the sun, we've taken it upon ourselves to do some in-depth research on the very best rooftop bars in Leeds to enjoy a drink or two.
You know, because someone's got to do it.
Whether you want to dress up and treat yourself to a swanky cocktail, jam out to a DJ whilst enjoying a craft beer or catch up with friends over some good food washed down by a refreshing beverage, there is a rooftop for you.
Let's get into it then shall we?
Green Room
36 Wellington St, Leeds LS1 2DE
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one definitely won't come as a surprise, having made a name for itself as one of the city's best nights out Green Room leads the way as the best rooftop in town.
Expect banging drinks, a buzzing atmosphere and New York style pizza - need we say more?
Headrow House
Bramleys Yard, 19 The Headrow
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Possibly the biggest rooftop in Leeds and set over two floors, this terrace promises a fantastic night out where you’ll be boogying on until the sun goes down. The first floor offers long picnic style tables, colourful parasols and overhead heaters to counteract the evening chill. The second floor has more benches amidst charming little covered huts, ideal for larger groups as they can be reserved in advance.
A huge neon sign is propped up amongst the skyline which comes alive when the sun goes down, setting the scene with a reddish tint as the DJ provides groovy tunes to take you into the early hours.
Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen
1-1a Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you like craft beer and good music, this is the rooftop for you. Belgrave’s iconic rooftop is always jam packed in the Summer and it is no surprise why; the vibes are always immaculate and the drinks are ace. Kirkstall Brewery and Five Points Ale are just a taster of what’s on the pumps and there’s also a great cocktail menu which are well priced and mega tasty.
If you get peckish you can order some ‘session loaded fries’ from Patty Smith’s burgers or a huge sharing pizza from Dough Boys. Both vendors are just downstairs and are a good enough reason to make a trip to Belgrave alone. Live DJs play all day and there’s an authentic friendly atmosphere meaning you’ll all be bopping heads and soak in the views together.
Azotea
2 Sovereign St, LS1 4DA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you want to feel like you're on the set of Love Island then get yourself to Azotea and gather round the fire pit.
This Mexican-inspired rooftop is the perfect spot if you're feeling a little bit fancy and want to dress up with the girls and treat yourself to a couple of cocktails.
IF Rooftop
10 - 12 Park Cross Street, LS1 2BH
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one's a little bit hidden, but if you can find the secret door and enter the code to the secret paradise then it's most definitely worth it.
Think incredible panoramic views of the city, banging cocktails and groovy DJs to get you grooving as the sun goes down.
Roland's
39 Call Lane, LS1 7BT
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Just when you thought Roland's on Call Lane couldn't get any better, head upstairs to their glorious sun terrace and be prepared to be proven wrong.
This small but mighty sun trap is a great spot to enjoy the best cocktails in town, and you can even watch the trains go by as you sip.
The Woods
5, Stainbeck Corner, Chapel Allerton, LS7 3PG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Located in the heart of Chapel Allerton, this roof top is a firm favourite and it's easy to see why.
Great drinks, plenty of space and banging food by The Kerbside Kids. We can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night to be honest.
Headingley Heights
8 Otley Rd, Headingley, LS6 2AD
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're over in Headingley, then this is the spot for you. Upstairs at BOX you'll find this huge sprawling rooftop equipped with its own bar with exclusive cocktails, two huge HD screens showing all the sports and all the usual food and drink locals have come to know and love from BOX.
Sophie Smith -
20th October 2022 
