Gigraphy Review - Leeds Festival 2024, Day One

Leeds Festival 2024 promised an exhilarating line-up, poised to create unforgettable moments on its legendary stages.

Unfortunately, nature had a different idea.

Storm Lilian trail-blazed through Bramham Park, challenging festival punters, workers, press and organisers. Many of us were worried Friday wasn't going to happen - particularly with BBC Radio One, Chevron and Aux stages having shut due to the damage.

While it's a day that will go down in Leeds Festival history - Storm Lilian didn't stop us. As the sun climbed higher and the winds subsided, the festival grounds erupted with highly anticipated fans who wanted to get the weekend started. Josh and Christina were down to witness the bands playing all weekend, so we'll kick off with Friday's roundup below.

Bru-C

Eventually starting the day with the unenviable task of being first up after a chaotic morning to say the least was rapper Bru C. Not only did they have to get the crowd going on this difficult day, but had to do so for an audience of people who were extremely disappointed by the last minute cancellation of Reneé Rapp. Despite this, alongside some technical issues that further delayed the set, Bru-C put all of his effort into a performance that was an absolute treat for those who were worried they wouldn’t get to catch him after his original set was canceled due to the closure of the Radio 1 stage. He even joked that this replacement set was also now being canceled before resuming playing in an effort to get the crowd going again, showing his talents in crowdwork and making the absolute most of a bad situation.

Pendulum

An act that’s always a joy to see, Pendulum delivered an amazing show that certainly helped to lift people’s spirits and set the tone for the rest of the festival. They sounded fantastic as they riled up the crowd into getting some mosh pits going, with their performance accompanied by some gorgeous visuals as they played hit after hit from their extensive catalogue. The biggest surprise came in the form of their announcement that this weekend would be the last time they ever played “Tarantula”, one of their biggest hits, as they move forward into a new era for the band. While there were those in the audience who reveled in the experience and made the most of this final performance, I couldn’t help but think that this announcement would’ve been more impactful had it been made at a different festival, or even at their own shows earlier this year. I was down in the pits for this set and only a few people around me acknowledged it, and the crowd was tame to say the least when it should’ve been a mess of flying bodies and raised hands. That still didn’t detract from the overall performance however, and Pendulum remain an act that should always be seen if you get the chance.

Only The Poets

The first act we caught on the BBC Introducing stage, indie rock group Only The Poets delivered a great set that showcased the real potential the group has. You’d never know that they had just come all the way from Glasgow having played a show there the previous night, and they had some great energy that their fans who were present were lapping up. This was the first time the group played their new single, “Mindreader” live, and there were certainly some who were very excited by that fact. While the majority of the crowd might not have been so energetic (a running theme for this year’s festival), their fans at the barrier couldn’t be happier to see the group up close which kept the atmosphere lively. It’s only a matter of time before we see these guys higher up the billing.

VENUS GRRRLS

Another BBC Introducing act, all female rockers VENUS GRRRLS were one of the first acts I caught that had a large amount of their audience rocking with them. Lead vocalist Grace Kelly delivered a stunning vocal performance, and the whole band interacted with one another in a way that made you feel the friendship the group has between them. They all had great energy and physicality that proved how much fun they were having on stage, which translated incredibly well into the crowd who were singing and dancing along the whole time. It wasn’t just some great music but a great performance to watch as well, transfixing you into the whole experience and getting you involved before you knew it. Come festival season next year, there’s no doubt our minds that VENUS GRRRLS will be pulling some good crowds.

Michael Aldag

The audience erupted for the anticipated TikTok star Michael Aldag, who put on an energetic and lively show featuring songs from his recent collection, ‘sorry for everything.’ It was his first time gracing Leeds Festival with a fantastic performance where he also revisited some of his earlier hits, including ‘BLEAK,’ which moved many in the crowd, and Aldag himself, to tears. Aldag's powerful and true-to-the-heart lyrics have been known for tackling mental health issues and other challenging subjects, allowing him to share his emotions openly which the fans received with open arms and hearts. He wrapped up the performance with 'Cheating,' a track that fans of his debut EP 'Socializing' eagerly cheered for.

Delilah Bon

Our final Introducing act for the day was Delilah Bon, an artist who we’d been looking forward to seeing since she was announced for the festival. Those who had seen her before couldn’t say enough how she wasn’t one to miss, and they were absolutely correct. Sheer, unbridled feminine rage is the name of the game when it comes to Delilah Bon, and it’s a game she can’t lose. The smaller stage could barely contain her as her loud, impactful vocals and unapologetic lyrics combined with her amazing physicality to put on an enrapturing performance.

She drew a great crowd that were completely invested in what she was doing, with screaming fans that sang along to every song and hung on her every word and instruction for jumps, fist pumps, and gang vocals. When the pride flags came out the audience let out a huge cheer, showing how much of a champion Delilah is for those who may not feel as represented, seen, or heard as those in other groups, and her closing with the track “Dead Men Don’t Rape” let everyone know what she is all about. Catch Delilah Bon while you can, because before you know it she’s going to be one of the most talked about acts in the scene.

The Japanese House

Closing the Festival Republic stage was The Japanese House, which had the tent filled to the brim and beyond. Fronted by Amber Mary Bain, they opened with Touching Yourself - a song known for its themes of distance and longing which was a huge hit with the crowd, They played a multitude of tracks from their 2019-2023 releases, and closed with 'Sunshine Baby' from their album 'In the End It Always Does', which brought fans to happy, nostalgic tears and slow waves all around.