With Live At Leeds now less than a week away, anticipation is hotting up for the weekend that officially kicks off festival season. Winner of Best Metropolitan Festival 2014, this year’s event looks set to take things to the next level, with a stellar lineup including The Cribs, Dutch Uncles, Eagulls, and over 200 others incredible acts across the city. So without further ado, here are 10 reasons not to miss Live At Leeds 2015…
1. AWARD WINNING FOOD
Leeds is fast becoming the casual dining capital in the country thanks to a wealth of emerging restaurants and street food vendors. Whether you’re noshing down on Indian street food and craft beer at Bundobust or getting your meat fix at the legendary RedsTrue BBQ, Leeds has some of the best street food in Britain to fit in between the bands (plus, it’s so much better than a greasy burger in a field right?)
2. HOMETOWN HEROES
As always, this year will see multiple Leeds Bands making their LAL debut, with the likes of Clay, Polo, Colour of Spring, Skinny Living, Bruising, Sam Griffith, Brawlers, Hookworms and more set to storm their hometown throughout the day. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s also the return of some Leeds legends, including Eagulls, Pulled Apart By Horses, Menace Beach, and of course, Wakefield icons The Cribs.
3. BEER BEER BEER
Back to the food and drink, it was recently announced that Leeds has one of the best Craft Beer Crawls outside of London, so if back to back music gets a bit much, relax in the fact you’re not far from a phenomenal pale ale from one of the city’s many acclaimed breweries.
4. LEEDS IS SO MUCH CHEAPER THAN OTHER CITIES
Talking of price, Leeds is significantly cheaper than other cities, meaning you get a lot more for your money, with the average price of a pint in Leeds at £2.87 (London’s is a rather depressing £3.79 FYI).
5. IT'S AN AWARD WINNING FESTIVAL
Last year saw Live At Leeds win Best Metropolitan Festival, do you really need anymore convincing to go?
6. THE TICKET IS CHEAPER AS WELL
The festival ticket itself actually works out cheaper than most over weekends as well. Priced at just £27.50 and with over 200 bands on the lineup across 20 stages, maths fans will be pleased to hear that as a ticketbuyer to Live At Leeds 2015, you’re paying less than 14p per band (you can’t even buy a Freddo frog for that much anymore).
**7.SHOPPING (if you’re into that kind of thing) **
If someone in your group isn’t so keen on seeing the hottest new bands, it’s worth noting Leeds is also proper shopping destination. Last year the Trinity centre turned two and welcomed 43 million visitors through its doors. Needless to say, there’s enough retail therapy to keep anyone busy.
8. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE
You may be more interested in staying inside the venues throughout the day, but it’s worth noting that Leeds is one of the country’s most scenic cities, with two thirds of land in the Leeds Metropolitan District registered as greenbelt, meaning it’s a pretty damn beautiful place.
9. DAYS OFF TO RECOVER
You probably already knew this, but Live At Leeds actually falls on the Bank Holiday weekend, meaning you don’t have to worry about returning to work right after the festival with a horrific hangover, yay for three day weekends!
10. IT OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF FESTIVAL SEASON 2015
...and finally, Live At Leeds kicks off festival season 2015, meaning that this weekend will be the first chance to see the hottest acts before they storm up the bill at later festivals.
Live At Leeds take place from May 1 - 4 2015 , tickets are priced at £27.50 on sale here.