“This could turn out to be the best weekend you’ve ever had,” declares Manchester’s “pop poet” Antony Szmierek to an enthusiastic crowd, encapsulating the excitement that draws many thousands, from teens to adults, to the Leeds festival and its companion in Reading. Originally a rock-centric event, it has evolved into a celebratory milestone following GCSEs, where attendees sport whimsical hats, minimal clothing, and either celebrate or commiserate their academic outcomes. Two years earlier, Szmierek, who could be pictured as Mike Skinner from the Streets but with a mustache and tracksuit, transitioned from a special needs teacher to a captivating poet. He leverages his own life experiences to inspire his audience, including telling a front-row teenager who flunked his exams, “It doesn’t matter. You will be someone,” earning another round of applause.
Notable performances included Skye Newman with her unrefined soul, dance music producer Sammy Virji, and the New Yorker Harrison Smith, known as the Dare, a one-man electronic act dressed in suits and sunglasses. His lively performance could be likened to Jarvis Cocker leading LCD Soundsystem. Those gathered for a hip-hop act on the main stage were taken aback by the brash and energetic Australian punk band Amyl and the Sniffers, fronted by Amy Taylor. The emotional yet disturbing sounds of Trippie Redd offered a poignant backdrop as a father played soccer with his young children nearby, while the rapper discussed dark themes in his lyrics. The first day, however, felt a bit lackluster with fewer stages and less renowned artists than in past years. The climax was a performance by U.S. rap icon Travis Scott, which intensified with pyrotechnics and fireworks, yet unexpectedly cut short by 35 minutes, ending in a smattering of boos.
Saturday saw a larger turnout, with Chappell Roan not headlining but drawing the largest audience of the festival, noticeable with a sea of pink cowboy hats. Since her 2023 hit The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, the American singer-songwriter has been on a meteoric rise. Her performance featured a fantasy castle backdrop and a wardrobe reminiscent of an Andy Warhol’s version of Elizabethan England, with her band echoing the style of Prince’s ensemble. Her set addressed everything from LGBTQ+ rights and feminism to personal crises, transforming them into powerful, defining anthems. Following her was Irish artist Hozier, who managed to maintain the crowd’s attention with his intimate yet powerful performance, advocating for groups like Kneecap and Palestine, and wrapping up with his hit “Take Me to Church.”
Sunday was dedicated to rock, headlined by Sheffield’s Bring Me the Horizon, who presented a cutting-edge, sensory-overloading show where they starred in their own massive video game. Frontman Oli Sykes took on the role of a hellish leader, with the crowd’s participation enhancing the immersive experience. However, the day was also significant for the successes of newer acts, especially Wunderhorse. Since their last year’s performance on the BBC Introducing stage, they’ve seen rapid success and attracted a large crowd to the Chevron stage, typically known for dance acts. Their music, reminiscent of Nirvana and REM but with a distinct edge provided by frontman Jacob Slater, captivated a diverse audience.
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Fatima Clarke is a seasoned health reporter who bridges medical science with human stories. She writes with compassion, precision, and a drive to inform.
