The Garden Party turns 10

The Skinny: This summer marks the tenth anniversary of The Garden Party in Leeds – how did the party start and how has it evolved over the past decade?

Matt Long: "The party started as a free Sunday all-day bank holiday gathering at The Faversham with residents and no guests. Back then no one else was doing outdoor Sunday parties so they always proved to be popular. We added new elements as each party grew in size, moving from The Faversham terrace to encompassing the whole outdoor area at The Faversham, bringing in guests, marquees, cocktail bars, BBQs and four areas of different music to create a mini festival.

"Musically we’ve always catered for a variety of styles throughout the party. PBR Streetgang have been on resident duties for the last ten years and we’ve had the likes of Todd Terje, Dixon, Chez Damier, Charles Webster, Matthew Dear, Omar S and Craig Richards all guest for us over the years."

Some great bookings there – what was your approach when putting together this year’s lineup?

"To offer and showcase a broad spectrum of music and artists to represent what The Garden Party has become."

Who are you most looking forward to seeing?

"Personally, I’m looking forward to hearing Roisin Murphy perform her new tracks as well as her classics. I'm also looking forward to firm favourites Little Dragon and Todd Terje. On a DJ tip it has to be Craig Charles, Joy Orbison and finally having Kerri Chandler play for us."

What’s special about the Leeds scene compared to that of other UK cities?

"Leeds is quite a small city but it has a really strong musical scene across the board with some great artists emerging at the moment."

It looks like there have been some great art installations over the years courtesy of Mad Ferret Productions – what’s their story?

"Mad Ferret are a London-based art and production agency. They have been involved with our projects for the last five years, including Hideout festival, Unknown and the launch of Canal Mills. They’ll be creating the on-site decor, installs and production for The Garden Party. We’re also working with local artists from Assembly House Studios, Medium and Emporium to create some installs and live art over the weekend."

Tasty grub too…?

"We’ve teamed up with the guys behind Leeds Indie Food Festival to curate the food offering. Leeds Indie held an amazing two week celebration of all Leeds food and drink independents in May and so it seemed only right to have them involved at The Garden Party. We’ve got some amazing food including stone-baked pizza from Pizza Fella, homemade ice cream from Northern Bloc, and fish and chips from the award-winning Fish&."

Is the plan to make this festival an annual event?

"In short, yes – we’ve some big plans for it over the next few years."

FIVE TRACKS TO LOOK FORWARD TO

Todd Terje – Inspector Norse [Olsen]

"The biggest hit by far – so far – from Norway’s second biggest export after the annual Christmas tree… the magical Mr. Terje. In years to come this will undoubtedly become known as an era-defining track, sold as part of The Sound of Teenies compilation CD on some warped late-night teleshopping network that doesn’t exist yet."

Âme – Rej [Sonar Kollektiv]

"It's hard to believe this track has been knocking around for a good ten years now. Kristian Beyer and Frank Wiedemann have since gone on to dizzying heights, teaming up soon after with Dixon to form the oft-lauded Innervisions imprint."

PBR Streetgang – J2thaB [ISM Records]

"Long time residents at The Garden Party, here PBR Streetgang do a job on James Brown's funk-tastic 1980 effort, Body Heat. Bit of background on the lads: their bio states they are primarily influenced by 'rum, vodka and adventures in excess' and their name is actually a reference to the boat crew in Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 epic Apocalypse Now."

Basement Jaxx – Flylife Xtra [Multiply Records]

"Released a few years prior to their debut album Remedy, this track sums up what type of stuff the duo were making before they hit the big time. Fans of flange watch out because this will take you back to 1997 clubland in the blink of a pierced eyebrow."

Sly Mongoose – Snakes and Ladder (Rub N Tug remix) [Mule Musiq]

"This came out on Mule Musiq a while back, one of many, many decent edits from NY's infamous Rub N Tug duo, conquerors of the underground disco scene in downtown Manhattan at the tail end of last millennium."