“Give me everything, Leeds!” yells singer Becky Hill, whose cheery set mixes house, drum’n’bass double drops and disco covers into an easily digestible old-school rave. Such a show would have been unthinkable when Leeds (and its older counterpart, Reading) were steadfastly rock festivals, but the event has transformed to suit an ever-younger audience in bucket hats and zany outfits, here for a post-GCSE blowout and traditional rite of passage.
With genres from pop to rap to dance well represented, this year’s hits range from Wet Leg’s Krautrock-informed indie anthems to Belfast electronic duo Bicep’s beautifully visually enhanced techno. Californian Prince-ish neo-soul festival newcomer Steve Lacy enjoys a warm reception in what he calls a “magical sunset with you”. Earnest Nevada rockers Imagine Dragons even provide a real-life Spinal Tap moment when bare-chested frontman Dan Reynolds yells: “It’s great to be back at Reading!”
