Leeds Festival 2022 // Friday Preview

Leeds Festival 2022 //Friday 28th

Moshmag Preview by Stanley D Kippax

After the annual accumulation of rumours, line up changes and Rage Against the Machine late replacements, Moshmag have made their way to Bramham Park “Leeds” . I say Leeds, its not really Leeds, its fucking miles from Leeds, more like Wetherby, but Reading and Wetherby doesn’t quite have the same ring to it! Either way, we’re here to keep you updated on the goings on for those of you who are indecisive, unlucky enough to be here, or are just tagging along for the piss up but want to sound like you know what you’re talking about… or Moshmag top tip – just google it – that’s what we do or failing that we just make something up, nobody ever fact checks, or at least that’s what George Harrison told me that backstage in ‘08.

Now, depending on your point of view this is either the first day of the festival or the night after getting your fill of Beefy Melons at the Piccadilly Party. Not me though, no siree Bob, in the interests of professionalism your intrepid Moshmag reporter definitely, positively did not attend, instead preferring to have an early night. I find late nights boozing and dancing can have a terrible affect on my smelling and grammer.

First up on the Main Stage East is Mallrat (12.00), who is arguably the perfect way to soothe your soul after a heavy session for the weak willed amongst us with. Not us though  we’ll be over t’road fresh as a daisy watching Earlstown favourite sons, the Ks, on Main Stage West (12.35). For those of you who don’t know, Earlstown is to Manchester and Liverpool what Linton Travel Tavern is to Norwich and London. It’s not a big place but it’s certainly competitive. Ordinarily this would leave them open to lazy comparisons to be made with other bands from not just one great English city but also Liverpool as well (why does that only happen to bands from cities other than London?) trust me I tried. But the K’s are very much their own band and the sound is a departure from the stereotype of the North West.

Slap bang in the middle of the bill are Australia’s finest the DMA’s on Main Stage West at 16.30. There’s something about the DMA’s laid back sound that lends itself so nicely to sunny festival days. They’re followed on Main Stage West by Bastille (18.05) but squeezed into the middle will be Run the Jewels on Main Stage East. They’re scheduled to start at 17.20 and judging by clips of their recent tour with RATM they’ll be well worth a watch

Now it’s undoubtedly a shame RATM have pulled out, but it should be said its not the fault of the 1975 that they’re been booked as replacements. Some of the online stick aimed at the band seemed a tad harsh. That said, if there’s one thing that builds anticipation it’s controversy. Back in the day RandL used to always seem to “accidentally” book a pop act on before a metal or punk act. Who could forget Daphne and Celeste on the bill between RATM and Slipknot in 2000 (YouTube it kids)? The Rasmus copped for it my first year attending but they didn’t let it stop them representing Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Speaking of Eurovision, Maneskin (they don’t teach you links like that in music journalism school) pulled out a couple of weeks ago. The official line from Maneskin is that they have “scheduling conflicts” however they are widely expected to be attending the Video Music Awards in New Jersey. Obviously the lure of cracking America is hard to resist and to be fair, if there’s one band that look like they know how to enjoy themselves on a table at an awards ceremony its Maneskin!

Halsey headlines Main Stage West which given the history between the two acts is probably a good thing and after some clever scheduling fans of both acts won’t have to miss a minute of either. We’ll not be there though, we’re off to see Hybrid Minds in the dance tent. Like we said earlier in the week, its not all guitars and drums us this weekend.

Keep an eye on our socials for regular content and let us know in the comments section who you are most looking forward to seeing.