Leeds DIY scene newsletter: July 2016
From indiepop supergroups to riot-themed events with ex-members of The KLF, we cast our eager eyes across Leeds' DIY scene to find out what's new
New addition to Leeds' DIY scene – Living Body
Consisting of members of various successful bands from Leeds, Living Body could be described as a supergroup for those who are familiar with their respective projects. Featuring multi-instrumentalist Jeff T. Smith (formerly of Juffage), Katie Harkin (also of Sky Larkin, and a touring member of Wild Beasts and Sleater-Kinney) and members of Vessels, Mayshe-Mayshe and the Mark E. Smith-endorsed Esper Scout, they recently announced their first single Don't Give Up On Me, a compelling reworking of a song originally recorded in the late '90s by Empress – a Leeds band featuring members of Boyracer and Hood.
The results are typically distinctive, as pop music and drone forms collide. Defined by its slow-burning, melodic introspection, Don't Give Up On Me couldn't be more timely: dedicated to hope, optimism and the European Union, Living Body are a welcome addition to the Leeds music scene and a much needed antidote to the current general feeling of post-Brexit hopelessness.
Living Body have also announced their debut tour dates, and will be playing shows around the UK from 23-30 July. Check their website for more details.
Fancyclaps Promotions
While people's attentions might be focused elsewhere at the moment, Leeds' DIY scene remains active as ever, thanks to the persistence of promoters like Gem Prout (also a member of Marc Riley-endorsed Leeds newbies Crumbs). She's been putting on DIY shows under Fancyclaps Promotions for a number of years now, helping to keep the scene alive and generally being an inspirational proponent of the tight-knit community that is the Leeds music scene. Here's the next thing she has planned in the coming weeks:
Fancyclaps #71: The Cut Ups
Exeter's finest political and socially conscious melodic punk rockers finally return to Leeds!
Also on the bill are Junk (jangly lo-fi lovely songs by lovely people), Syslak (obnoxiously talented trio on a Pavement meets Dinosaur Jr vibe, with nods to The Cure or Fugazi at times), Crumbs (lo-fi post-punk noise pop from Leeds and York) and Current Affairs (formerly called Seconds, rebirthed with a certain Andrew Milk on drums).
The Packhorse, Tues 19 Jul, Woodhouse Lane, £5 OTD, 7.30pm
The ADP – Jimmy Cauty's Riot Tour
The ADP (Aftermath Dislocation Principle) was a major highlight at Banksy's Dismaland and is now being toured throughout the UK – including a week-long stop at the Chemic Tavern, which is currently underway after starting on 14 July.
Taking place in the Chemic carpark, there are plenty of events organised to keep you busy, including art auctions, photographic exhibitions, gigs, tea parties, riot choirs, dub book sales and flash mobs. There will also be arts projects such as ‘knit a riot face’, ‘protest banner making’ and riot tours. The aim in the event is to use Jimmy’s visit as a platform to celebrate the strong sense of community that Leeds has deveoped, following riots of the past.
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No Sad Faces – Chunk and Partisan collective fundraiser
Every city needs something like Chunk – a collective safe space run by a cooperative of people imperitive to Leeds' DIY scene. It can't run on love alone, though, so it's teaming up with Manchester's Partisan to raise money to fund the continuing success of both spaces and their ventures. All proceeds will go towards furthering both, making this an opportunity to lend your support to local DIY scenes in the North. The event will be held on Friday 22 July, with some of the best bands to come out of both cities and further afield feauturing on the line up. Chunk operates a safe space policy, so play nice.
No Sad Faces line-up:
Fruit Tones
DUDS
Mush
Hank Haint and The Sonic Heartbreakers
The Girl Sweat Pleasure Temple Ritual Band
Los Pecadores
Chest Pains
Hamer
Chunk, Fri 22 July, 8pm-4am. Tickets £7
Don't Falter
Leeds has been host to a number of indie clubnights over the years but few have stood the test of time in the same way Don't Falter has. Originally held at White Rabbit (formerly Baby Jupiter), it's jumped ship to the more fitting environment of Wharf Chambers, making it bigger and ultimately better (also drinks are cheaper there – always a bonus).
This month's event takes place on Saturday 23 July with two excellent new additions to Leeds on the line-up: Ladies Nite, a new project from members of Pifco who deal in playful, disco inspired synth pop, and Jet Van Set, a solo project of Finnmark's Owen Radford-Lloyd, who previously supported The Chills. All this plus the usual Don't Falter DJs, and a special hour-long set dedicated to the music of Sarah Records.
Indietracks warm up show with Tally Ho Promotions
Anoraks at the ready! Popkids all over the country are gearing up for the biggest UK indiepop event of the year. Taking place at the Midland Railway Centre in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside, Indietracks is now in its tenth year, and Leeds is playing host to a warm-up show featuring two of the best bands on the line-up.
Hailing from Baltimore, Slumberland Records' Expert Alterations play melodic, shambling indiepop in the same vein as The Pastels and The Clean, while Leeds' very own City Yelps successfully craft their own disorderly interpretation of New Zealand's 'Dunedin Sound'. The latter recently released their second LP, The City Yelps Half Hour, on Oddbox Records to rave reviews. They will also be joined by London-via-Leeds band TOYS and Nottingham's Horowitz, who won't be playing at the festival, but would be in an ideal world.