ISSUE 3 /// SEPTEMBER 2015 /// FREE TO A GOOD HOME

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BETTER CITY LIVING STARTS HERE

IN THIS ISSUE

Menace Beach Interview

Spotlight on First 10

leedsliving.co.uk

Leeds Annual Varsity Day

The Garden Party

Beacons MetroLeeds Schedule — Autumn 2015Acts Confirmed so far:

Everything EverythingClark / Daniel Avery / East India Youth / Factory FloorPortico / Titus Andronicus / The WytchesAcid Mothers Temple / Beaty Heart / Bo Ningen / Boxed In / BraidsCalvin Johnson (Beat Happening/K Recs) / Christian Löffler / Darkstar Dornik / Ex Hex / Ghost Culture / Gnod / Golden Teacher / Jaakko Eino Kalevi / King Midas Sound + Fennesz / Kagoule / LA Priest Lonelady / Micachu and The Shapes / Mick Jenkins / Mura Masa Nao / Palace / Ralph Lawson / Real Lies / Rejjie Snow / Slug / Spring King Sun Araw / Telegram / TRAAMS / Tuff Love / Ultimate PaintingU.S Girls / Willis Earl Beal / Wolf PeopleAbattoir Blues / Actor / Alfie Connor / Baby Strange / Beach Baby / Best Friends / BeverleyBloody Knees / Calls Landing / Cattle / Chaika / Corey Bowen / Crushed BeaksDixon Avenue Basement Jams / Empty Blue / Fake Laugh / Favela / Feature / Fehm / FinnmarkFist City / Forever Cult / Francis Lung / Galaxians / Game_Program / The Garden / Get Inuit Girls Names / Goodbye Chanel / Grumbling Fur / Hannah Lou Clark / Jon K / Kins / Krystal Klear Lazy Day / Mothers / Nai Harvest / Nimmo / The Orielles / The Parrors / Pixx / Polo / Pretty Lighting / Royce Wood Jr / Sauna Youth / Tristan Da Cunha / Trudy / Virginia Wing / Volte Face Weirds / Woven Skull / XAM

Beacons Metro Season Pass ON SALE NOWTicket Upgrades also available. For ticket info & dates please visit:www.beaconsmetro.comLeeds venues: Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall & more+

Beacons Metro Manchester Featuring: Mac Demarco & More at the Albert Hall

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IN THIS ISSUE

News ‘N That 4A little bit of news and happenings this month

What’s on in September 5A look at this month’s event highlights to add to your calendar

Get inked 6We meet the talents behind the tattoos of Leeds

Get Some Wares at The Vintage Fairs 8We scour the rails of this autumn’s top vintage fairs

Make Leeds Your Vinyl Destination 9We visit at the holy trinity of record shops

What’s on at The Brudenell Social Club 10A guide to one of Leeds’ most coveted institutions

What’s on at Canal Mills 11A run down of the best events in music, food and drink

Entering Ratworld 12We chat to Leeds’ own Menace Beach about music, coff ee and Ghostbusters II

Beacons goes Metropolitan 14Chris Taylor previews the urban revamp of Beacons Festival

Back to Basics 16Sophie Miskiw reminisces about the long-standing legend of the Leeds club night

The Garden Party Review 17We spent the weekend at the fi rst ever Garden Party festival

Hyde Park Picture House 21We celebrate the hundred-year-old cinema and its off erings

The Best Laughs in Leeds 22There’s no excuse for the post-summer blues with these top comedy nights

Treading the Boards in Leeds 23We give you a guide to this month’s theatrical events

Simon On The Streets 24We preview the event that is raising awareness of the homeless plight

The Real Junk Food Project 25Pay as you feel cafes are emerging over the city

Annual Varsity Day 2015 26We anticipate the annual pitting of Leeds Uni against Leeds Beckett

The Student Lock-in at Leeds Trinity 27Get your student paws on some great deals at this year’s lock-in

A Toast to the New Term 28Andy Illingworth refi nes our palates on a student friendly wine budget

More Grub for your Money 29Eating out needn’t be pricey with this savvy selection of food deals

Spotlight on First 10 30We talk business with the digital media agency

Leeds Living

Editor-in-ChiefPaul Simon

Deputy EditorEmma Chaplin

Copy EditorMags Richards

Design:Brendan McGawley

Cover illustrationMick Backhouse

ContributorsLauren BarracloughRyan CrosslandChris HaywoodMark WheelwrightSam LumsdenChris TaylorJoseph BirchAndy IllingworthSophie MiskiwJon Howe

Special thanks to Simon Fogal at ILikePress

Editorialcontent@leedsliving.co.uk

Advertisingads@leedsliving.co.uk

Social Mediasocial@leedsliving.co.uk

Website: leedsliving.co.uk

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© 2015 Leeds Living is a We Are Living publication by the Leeds Living team. All rights reserved. All material in this publication may not be reproduced or distributed in any form without the written permission of We Are Living. Views expressed in Leeds Living are those of the respective contributors and do not necessarily refl ect the opinions of the publication or team.

Address: 7 Saw Mill Yard, Holbeck Urban Village, Leeds, LS11 5WH

Telephone: 0113 244 2049

We are LEEDSLIVING Our PEOPLE

The MUSIC ISSUE

Emma ChaplinHello, I’m Emma. I’m a Content Creator for Leeds Living and Deputy Editor for this issue. I’m in charge of all things cultural and love good design, food and music. You can easily spot me around the city due to my penchant for stripes.

Kamalika JayathilakaHi I’m Kamalika, but everyone here calls me Kam. I’m a Content Creator at Leeds Living and I take absolute pleasure in writing all things ‘Strictly Business’ related.

Becky PeartreeHey, I’m Becky, Content Creator and resident foodie at Leeds Living. I love everything about food- eating it, making it and talking about it- and can be usually spotted at street food events or searching out new spots in the city.

Hannah RoseI’m an English Language graduate and lifestyle blogger from Leeds. I mainly write for the Retail Therapy section due to my love of fashion and my shopping addiction! Other interests include beauty, travel, fi tness and I love going out with friends.

Welcome to our September edition, the Music issue. Since we launched back in May, music has been a hole in our coverage of what’s happening in the City. It’s not for a lack of interest, far from it; we just wanted to do it justice and last month we had the golden opportunity. For those who don’t know, Leeds hosted a fantastic festival in August, The Garden Party. There was also another little do out of town in Bramham which we’ve been told was quite popular!

Musically, we cover the festival, meet up with Menace Beach and take a look at what’s happening on the gig front in the City’s more popular venues. We also enlighten you younger ones with a little history lesson on Back to Basics and point those who still prefer to buy their music in a physical form in the right direction!

September sees the students return to Leeds, along with the freshers, sometimes on their fi rst visit to the City. To help them on their way we’ve covered a few of the what to do, where to go and what’s on off er essentials.

August was also a month for us to start experimenting with video. This has been something else missing from our online off ering, and the Garden Party was the perfect event to try things out. There’re already a few shorts online, and we’ll be adding to those over the coming weeks and months. In the long term, we are looking to make this a regular feature of our City coverage so look out for more of that in future.

As you are reading this, we are already at work on the October issue that will see us focusing on the diverse, often overlooked, independent businesses of Leeds. It’s also no coincidence that it’s Leeds Business Week in mid-October so that will be getting extensive coverage too. Yes, we know it’s not as exciting as music but it’s an important part of what makes this City what it is.

Thanks again for reading and please keep the feedback coming; you are helping to shape what we do.

Until next month...

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September NEWS ‘N THATNews

Words by Lauren Barraclough

As the summer subsides and the students flock back to the City, we look at the events,

overhauls and refurbs that will be coming to Leeds this September.

World Cup FanzoneAs Elland Road becomes a host for the Rugby World Cup, from the 18th of September Millennium Square will be transformed into a Fanzone for lovers of rugby from the City and beyond. The space will display the matches on the big screens, as well as hold stalls spilling with street food and drink, so those who missed out on tickets can have an experience with just as much atmosphere as those in the stalls. The 25th of September will bring Collective Endeavour to the zone, a production filled with the passion and devotion that comes with playing the game, with 300 casted volunteers performing together to celebrate this rare and patriotic event. Sign up to volunteer, or obtain tickets to this free event from eventbrite.co.uk.

Leeds University Union RefurbThe students asked and they shall get! Leeds University Union is already pursuing its 2014 – 2018 strategic plan to provide better facilities for its students, with the proposed £20 million expansion and refurbishment under way. Logistically, the refurb will include a new South entrance which will more conveniently link the South and North campuses, as well as a lift system giving enhanced accessibility for disabled visitors. The expansion will see a brand new Arts Quarter incorporated into the Union, with the creation of a bar and foyer rejuvenating the Raven Theatre alongside a revamp of the Riley Smith Theatre. The well loved Terrace will also receive a glass roof over half of the area, to allow its use in the colder part of the year.

The MOBO Awards come to LeedsLeeds has been given the opportunity to host the MOBO awards for the first time this November. With Jessie J and Rihanna being just a couple of the long list of previous attendees, the high profile awards ceremony is set to be a ‘spectacular’ event. Don’t miss your chance to be involved in this celebration of British urban music and help to celebrate the MOBO’s 20th annual ceremony, which will take place on the 2nd November at First Direct Arena.

Revamp for The CoreWith the likes of Trinity and the Victoria Quarter being the hubs of shopping in the City, The Core is one shopping centre that is easily omitted from the minds of those in need of some retail therapy. With new eateries such as tea room Creams and yoghurt bar Yoghies being introduced to the centre earlier this year, its revamp is well under way. It has now bagged some new tenants who will fill several of the empty units and take the form of the well rounded shopping centre that we used to know and love. The well-known Footasylum will bring designer footwear to the space, as well as Mooboo Bubble Tea, The Change Group and Bikram Yoga for the health conscious among us.

Wolf Street FoodLeeds is famous for its buzzing street food scene, so it’s never bad news when we earn an addition to the family. This time it’s in the form of Wolf Street Food, which will be gracing St Paul’s Street following a property deal with Regional Properties Ltd. After being a hit in Reading and London, it was about time that the street food company showed its face in Leeds, and foodies will rejoice as pizzas, flatbreads and pasta bowls come to the heart of the Financial Quarter.

Image provided by MOBO Awards 2015

One Million, at Greenwich and London Docklands. Courtesy of Tangled Feet.

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What’s on

Leeds Big Fair

Holy Trinity Church

26th September

This monthly record fair boasts to be the busiest in the North, so head down to rifle through tens of thousands of records and CDs from traders across the country. Whether hunting for your favourites or looking to stumble across something new (or old), admission of £2 for adults and £1 for students is a small price to pay for the numerous bargains you might find.

recordfairs-up-north.co.uk

If you’re too busy for this event or something else comes up, fear not as Brudenell Record Fair hits the Social Club on Sunday 11th October from 10am ‘till 4pm and admission is completely free! Like the bands who grace the stage at Brudenell, you’re sure to find some rare and unusual gems as sellers who are not regular on the standard record fair scene emerge for the event.

brudenellsocialclub.co.uk

Me & My Piano

Various Spots around the City

22nd August – 10th September

Get your musical juices flowing as Leeds International Piano Competition places pianos around the City to create an interactive trail for residents and visitors and inspires young and budding pianists to expand their learning and give them the chance to be heard. Download your map from the website and get planning your route to see all 12 of the pianos decorated and designed by local artists, and even have a tinkle on the ivories.

meandmypiano.co.uk

Big Leeds Bike Ride

Roundhay Park

20th September

The perfect opportunity to raise money for a great cause whilst challenging yourself physically, the Big Leeds Bike Ride kicks o© at Roundhay Park on the penultimate Sunday of September. Whether you choose the 50 or 100 mile route, the longer of the two heading over to neighbouring city York then circling back, be prepared to be congratulated at the finish line with hard-earned applause, music and of course refreshments.

bike-events.co.uk

Veg Out 2015

Northern Monk Refectory

26th - 27th September

The vegan and vegetarian festival returns this year and it’s bigger than ever. Spread over three floors, there will be live music from the likes of Post War Glamour Girls, Bearfoot Beware and Teen Brains as well as veggie street food provided by Northern Monk residents Grub & Grog, That Old Chestnut and many more. Throw in some art stalls and child friendly activities and you’ve got yourself a two day festival that’s guaranteed to be a hit!

facebook.com/vegoutleeds

Mint Festival - Wetherby Racecourse 19th – 20th SeptemberDon’t let the end of summer get you down, because the music continues with Mint Festival this September. After last year’s annual festival was relocated to the city of Lincoln, Mint brings the event back to Leeds with an upgrade. Extended now to a spectacular two days, the festival will feature 9 arenas with a line-up of diverse acts including Maya Jane Coles, Duke Dumont and Sigma. With the option of a day ticket or for a weekend of camping, food from local vendors and a VIP area, this weekend is going to be a must for all the dance music fans out there.

mintfestival.co.uk

Sticky Feet - Pre-Freshers Relaunch The Warehouse - 18th SeptemberA fundamental element in the Leeds’ club scene for 4 years, The Warehouse intends to welcome Freshers to Leeds in proper Sticky Feet style. Blaring out all genres of bass music until the early hours are several resident DJs including Dan Hills and DJ Stoxx, as well as second and third rooms playing Hip-hop, R&B and chilled tunes. Prepare yourself for all night partying and hands in the air. Guest list tickets available.

takingliberties.com

WHAT’S ONin September

IN THE spotlight

With the abundance of events hitting Leeds this September, you’ve no excuse for post-summer blues. Take a look at some of the festivals, nights out and opportunities we’ve got for you in the coming month!

Words by Lauren Barraclough

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Health/Beauty

Words by Emma Chaplin

Get INKED

Leeds is not short of tattoo artists and shops; with the increasing willingness of people offering up their skin for inking, it’s a case of supply and demand. The plethora of options available from various establishments also encourages a diversity of styles and aesthetics ranging from the very traditional, to more innovative methods, and then the amalgamation of the two, combining old school styles with more modern subject matter. We visited a selection of these artists, looking at their own takes on the industry and their various unique styles.

Sacred ElectricThese lads and lasses are walking showcases of their work, making them too interesting-looking not to photograph. Located on Mill Hill for four years, the team are made up of ex-Geordies and Mancunians alike, coming to Leeds to work with friends in the business. Their chilled out and welcoming vibe reflects this element of the job too, with the shop feeling more like a hang out spot. Their printed work lines the walls, showing o© their predominantly ‘traditional’ style, interlaced with, as Jemma Jones puts it ‘a bit of fun’; traditional pieces like pin up women, dice and animals are given a tongue in cheek twist.

Their social media following is also eye wateringly impressive, with a collective number almost in the hundreds of thousands. It’s no wonder though, given the cult following of their style which ensures a healthy return of clients coming back to fill the gaps on their body but Jemma also tells me that a lot of first-timers also come to get their first tat.

The team is also made up of Rich Hadley, Jimmy Wizard, Shawn Bailey, Joe Ellis and Sway (‘just Sway’); their styles vary slightly with their own personalities and preferences but they are all rooted in the traditional style. They also sell merch between them on their big cartel page and coming up is their one o© charity event, on the 21st of November.

Run in conjunction with the Bad Cat Club - who sells patches, tees and other merch - the event will see attendees inked out in exclusively small cat and dog tattoos, with all proceeds going towards The Brain Tumour Charity. Find Bad Cat Club on Etsy and check out Sacred Electric’s big cartel page: sacredelectrictattoo.bigcartel.com.

These lads and lasses are walking showcases of their work, making them too interesting-looking not to photograph.

Some of Chris Lambert’s work

The guys at Sacred Electric

James Butler at workPast work at Sacred Electric

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Health/Beauty

Chris Lambert at Snake and Tiger TattooIn Thorton’s Arcade sits soon to be brand spanking new tattoo shop Snake and Tiger Tattoo, set up by Black Crown Tattoo’s Christ Lambert and Gareth Miller. The name is certainly testament to their approach to tattooing which is in the main, ‘traditional’ style work: Japanese figures, animals, thick lines and strong colours. He stands by the sentiment that fashion and tattoos should perhaps not correlate too much because of the way that fashion dates, and the permanence of inked skin.

Chris went to work in Pennsylvania with a friend out there, gaining great experience of di©erent tattooing styles and culture, as well as picking up ‘little trade secrets’ here and there. Chris compares the clientele of Leeds to be far more patient and understanding of the time and value behind tattooing as opposed to the more hasty impatience of some US clients who would sometimes as Chris recounts, ask for the cheapest option. He did also for a time consider setting up shop in London where he was known to do a

monthly guest spot. But the high rent prices meant there was little opportunity to set up in the city centre, the vibe of which Chris enjoys in his work, hence the move to the arcade, a place with much foot tra®c.

The shop is currently in slight disarray when I visit, with workmen buzzing around us with tools and various cuts of wood. They seem to be creating a pretty cool space though, with the resurrection of the slate floor underneath - a relic of The Hip Store’s time in the arcade - before the following tenants sacrilegiously covered it in AstroTurf. The style, Chris tells me, will be fairly sympathetic to the Victorian arcade that houses it, but with a slightly more modern take, down to the ‘arsenic green’ walls.

Chris has also worked with UK Custom Plugs to produce an ace little Old School Tattoo colouring book, something which seems to have taken o© of late, overtaking the meagre crossword on the train. Snake and Tiger Tattoo is due to open later this September.

Mustapic and JamiesonBehind a glossy little red door on Aire Street awaits the split-level tattoo shop where partners Scott Mustapic and Ruth Jamieson work alongside a small team of artists. Having moved from Oddfellows Tattoo Collective, the pair pitched up their own shop in 2014. I made my own enquiries into a simple tattoo piece (read - nothing my poor mum would disapprove of) and was recommended James Butler, who works more in fine detailing. Ruth and James pitch up in the top loft room of their building, which is decked out in a few minimal and tasteful trinkets and prints, and some ace ‘Bob’s Burgers’ cross-stitching to boot. The pair are friendly and the space has a chilled atmosphere which puts me at ease as I contemplate my imminent experience.

When I first arrive, James and Ruth are both busy stencilling out designs, which Ruth says she always begins with; “There has to be a lot of trust when you freehand a piece, which is a rare practice”. Ruth is working on a large realistic image of a lily intersected with a hummingbird. When I check in on her progress, the piece is genuinely stunning; instead of the thick black lines which are distinctive to the ‘traditional’ styles, the lily looks as if it is painted on in watercolour; blocks of exotic but subtle colours. Ruth explains the more realistic styles and portraiture are her favourites. We agree that from an artist’s point of view, these kind of complex and coloured pieces are far more

satisfying but not necessarily what everyone wants tattooed on them. Poor James is set with the task of doing a much less exciting tattoo on my own arm, he assures me that smaller, finer pieces are no less fun or important to do however. We chat about their own personal set of tattoos too, of which between them there are many, but less on Ruth. I muse on whether it would be strange if a tattoo artist didn’t possess any tattoos themselves to which James sagely answers ‘you wouldn’t trust a skinny chef’. He may just have a point there…

10 minutes later and with minimal pain, I have a teeny new addition to my arm but looking at James’ Instagram - j.d.butlertattoos- his work ranges from simpler floral pieces to elaborate designs, featuring both realist and surrealist imagery. Check out Ruth’s work too at ruthjamieson85.

The space has a chilled atmosphere which puts

me at ease as I contemplate my imminent

experience.

James working on Emma’s arm

Chris Lambert; artist at work Ruth Jamieson’s colour palette

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Retail Therapy

Get some wares at the VINTAGE FAIRS

As well as the vast array of vintage stores inhabiting the city, the coming months say

hello to some of the best vintage fairs across the country, o�ering everything from home-wares to clothing and accessories and the best part is, it’s just in time for Freshers’ Week.

Judy’s A�ordable Vintage FairCelebrating their 10th anniversary this year, Judy’s A©ordable Vintage Fair is about to answer all your quirky and eccentric needs. Fashionably hitting Leeds University on 25th September, expect to be immersed in a variety of stalls stocking vintage, reworked and handmade items with up to 75% discounts compared with the vintage trends of the high street. With items for as little as £1 and a ‘3 items for £25’ deal being one of their many enticing draws, Judy’s Vintage Fair with an ethos of a©ordability is the ideal way to look good without breaking the bank.

Born in 2005 in the capital, Leeds was actually home to founder Judy Berger’s very first vintage fair and 10 years on they’re now pleasing the quirky individuals of over 30 cities, worked with businesses including Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer and Benefit and have also featured on the pages of Elle, Stylist, Marie Claire and Grazia. And they’re not stopping there. With hundreds of events planned across the year and their frequent Kilo Sales being must-visit destinations for some real bargains, just like their clothes, their future doesn’t look too shabby either. Hand-picking only the coolest of garments from UK based vintage traders, whether you’re a student or not, for stunning yet a©ordable garments don’t forget to head to Leeds University Union this September.

Leeds Does Vintage Not just for those fashion enthusiasts amongst us, at the end of October (October 31st to be precise) The Corn Exchange is the place to be for all things vintage. O©ering brand new home-wares, vintage inspired goods and accessories, as well as a shopping destination, Leeds Does Vintage is also set to provide a fun and enjoyable day out. With delicious food outlets surrounding the fair for a tasty slice of indulgence and live music sure to get your heart racing, gather your housemates together and discover a new way to enjoy the delights of Call Lane, and this time, it comes without the hangover.

Always wanted to find out how much that necklace is really worth? With their very own drop-in station, you can now get your cherished vintage goods valued for free. Continuously cropping up throughout the country, they hold their fairs in only the most beautiful and historic locations and so if you’re yet to check out the charms of the Corn Exchange, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair Winners of ‘The Best Vintage Fair’ for the third consecutive year running, Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair is back in Leeds on the 27th September to provide us with all our unique autumn essentials. Located at the Town Hall in the heart of the city, visitors can expect up to 100 stalls containing beautiful clothing, accessories, home-wares, jewellery and more. Selling items dating from the 40s to the 90s, it’s no wonder Lou Lou’s is famous across the country for its authentic vintage style. With live music, a Vintage Beauty Parlour and Vintage Tea Party, the fun doesn’t stop at the shopping.

Whether you’ve longed for the voluminous curls of Marilyn Monroe or eyelashes to rival Twiggy’s, without stepping back in time, your contemporary vibe can be transformed into that of your all-time favourite style icon in Lou Lou’s vintage salon. Impressive, huh? Follow this treatment with a vintage china cup of tea and a delicious cake at the Vintage Tea Party. After all, shopping can be a very tiring sport.

Vintage Union at Leeds BeckettClaiming to be the UK’s largest vintage fair, this huge sale on the 22nd September will bring its fun loving attitude to Leeds Beckett’s ‘The Stage’ with a plethora of di©erent stalls selling all the vintage threads and accessories a student (or non-student) could want. At just £1 on the door, you could spend a whole day trawling through a treasure trove of vintage garments and collectables and sort out your first term wardrobe.

Add these dates to your diary to experience a world of stunning and authentic vintage. Plus, you never know, you may even get your hands on a bargain or two...

Feeling thrifty? You’re in luck, as Leeds is set to welcome a selection of vintage treasures this autumn to get you suited and booted for the coming seasons. It’s time to step away from the high street and immerse yourself in the trends of previous eras. Why not add some 60’s style allure to your wardrobe with some chic shift dresses, spice up your room with vintage inspired ornaments or complete that edgy vibe with Bohemian style accessories? Let’s just say, Leeds’ vintage scene has never looked so good.

Words by Hannah Rose

Leeds’ vintage scene has never looked so good.

Image provided by Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair

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Retail Therapy

Words by Emma Chaplin

Make Leeds YOUR VINYL DESTINATION

With an increasing re-investment in vinyl, whether that is re-issuing releases from past decades or contemporary artists releasing both normal and special editions, people are discovering - not necessarily for the first time - the value of the record. There is something intrinsically collectable about something so glossy, fragile and tactile; the sleeve also offers between seven and thirteen square inches of canvas from which some of the most iconic art can be found. We take a look at the sacred triangle of vinyl retailers who have been supplying Leeds with vinyl old and new for decades, and how they have weathered and survived the trends.

Jumbo RecordsContrasting the ever fluctuating rise and fall of the popularity/specialist item status of the vinyl record which has now resulted in somewhat of a renaissance, Jumbo never really went away; the store has been a stalwart of the Leeds scene since 1971, moving around arcades and shopping centres to its long standing position within St John’s shopping centre. Matt Bradshaw, an o®cial muso and veteran of the store, explains that while the industry has obviously changed massively over the years, Jumbo has weathered the change in musical genres, the DIY scene, and of course the internet revolution, and its slightly poisonous e©ect on illegal downloading. And now Jumbo still stands as an essential element amongst the resurgence of the vinyl record.

Their relevance is therefore partly owed to them ‘rolling with the times’;

‘The shop originally started out in the seventies selling Northern soul and reggae, then engaging more with the punk and rock scene, and then of course dance and indie came through. We’ve been there with all the major music scenes, and while they’ve been and gone, the shop still caters for that stock. Even the country scene in the late seventies…’

Now one of the shop’s other strengths is that they stock the ‘really modern stu©’ that people haven’t even begun to genre-fy yet. ‘We’ve always been a couple of years ahead of things, which is great because when that scene does take o© we’ve already got it. But nowadays it’s tricky because the scene you’ve been supporting for years goes through change, you don’t get good deals, and it’s hard to keep everyone happy, including your regulars.’ But Jumbo does seem to keep their regular punters happy, with an expert yet completely welcoming approach that ensures customers

who love their music come back to buy independent time and time again, enjoying the more bespoke and personal service that Jumbo sta© o©er.

The democratic soundtrack choice in the shop also reflects their progressive approach to genre and newer music. The meticulous but open-minded curation process behind the well-stocked units, sampled regularly on the player, Matt explains, makes business sense and encourages customers to be introduced to new stu©, spurring recommendation and conversation.

We briefly discuss Record Store Day which Jumbo has been involved with from the beginning. Matt muses on the slight cattiness that has interjected the day and its reflection of the industry in general: ‘Like anything that becomes successful, it’s accompanied by a lot of sniping, but that tends to come from people who never step foot in a record shop or people with silly expectations of what it’s all about. It’s not just about slinging records but putting on a load of bands, introducing new music; it’s kind of a showcase of what a record shop is all about’.

Check out Jumbo’s twitter page for all the info on future in-store gigs, events and releases. They stock various free and priced music publications, infamous Jumbo t-shirts and sell gig tickets for all across Leeds. Check them out in store!

Relics RecordsAs specialists of vintage vinyl, Relics don’t deal in any new stock other than around 5% of supplementary items. Their speciality is anything vintage, hard to find collectable, rare and… very rare- as Jon of Relics explains- exemplified by an £8000 Beatles Record that is kept under lock and key, ‘shrouded in steel’ in the back. By contrast, Jon also proudly tells me they have a designated £1 box downstairs, o©ering a treasure trove of weird and wonderful bargains, indicating the wide range of their stock.

Being of a vintage nature, the stock spans many decades and genres of music including jazz, reggae, punk and rock. It would be fair to describe the store as ‘old school’, regarding both its range of stock and its attitude to merchandise. Relics don’t digress from anything other than pre-recorded music; no slogging gig tickets or memorabilia, they are as Jon describes ‘purveyors of recorded music.’

This fairly strict and concise approach to music maintains their own ethic, and appeals to customers who value their more classic records; ‘Jumbo and Crash stock the more recent; that’s not our bag’ but they do recommend each other, and so Relics is often signposted as the go-to guys for the older, rarer stu©.

Although, like many record shops, Jon agrees that the truer lovers of music and vinyl will sni© out any stockists of note, the recent addition of Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen and other new bars in the area, has encouraged more foot tra®c to the northern end of town; people coming from further outside of the City come and make the pilgrimage to the North side of Leeds, clocking the shop and making a return trip.

Employees in the store have their own specialisms, meaning they can be referred to for help on a particular era, recommendations adding to the bespoke, personal feel of the vinyl record. This is especially pertinent to age of the Internet/digital revolution that we find ourselves in, which to some, has made the vinyl record rather superfluous and therefore more of something to collect, treasure and indulge in. To those to whom the internet has always been commonplace, the idea of going back to analogue has, itself, a kind of novelty. Jon delights in the way that people discovering their parents’ archived record collection also re-ignites the interest of the older, original generation, creating a common interest between them; the love of vinyl.

We end the conversation agreeing on the sentiment that the people of Leeds do indeed demand good beer, good co©ee and good vinyl.

Crash RecordsThe third in the triad, Crash Records has been established in Leeds since 1985 where it was first located on Woodhouse Lane. They stock a wide and up-to-date selection of indie, alternative, rock, punk and metal 7 and 12” vinyl and CDs on the top floor.

The genres on o©er reflect not only the receptive scene in Leeds and the way that trends and interests have shaped demand, but also the way that employees of Crash try and push that which is slightly under the radar. Speaking to Paul, a longstanding purveyor of Crash Records, he describes the process behind the stock they sell and the demand as a kind of pendulum, aligning new trends in genre with stu© that Crash genuinely loves to listen to.

Underneath, the basement has been under various guises: once a skate and fashion shop that sold boards, shoes and street wear, the redundant space is now perhaps more appropriately utilised as a second hand record store, run separately from Crash but no less harmonious. While the top floor stocks brand new, current and classic records, below is a treasure trove of pre-owned wild cards, spanning even more genres. Paul admits the agreeable dynamic between their own, newer stock and the stock downstairs that perhaps fills in the gaps of those records not yet chosen for re-issue.

Crash also hosts their fair share of in-stores and listening parties, meaning it is worth keeping your eyes peeled on their events calendar, which also details many of the gigs lined up for the coming months in Leeds. Should one take your fancy, Crash also produces their own ticket sheets so you can keep it independent and buy there!

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What’s on at theBRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB Words by Emma Chaplin

Sunday 20th September 2015 Joanna Gruesome + Special Guests TBCDoors 18:00 / £10 Advance (+stbf)Noise punk pop outfit Joanna Gruesome are touring with a slightly new line up; swapping Amazonian banshee angel Alanna McCardle for vocalists Kate Stonestreet and Roxy Brennan, Joanna Gruesome are back with even more grrrl power.

Sunday 27th September 2015Menace Beach plus KXP + Trust Fund + Man Made + Seize The Chair + Racetrack GospelDoors 19:30 / £4 AdvanceFollowing the upcoming release of new EP Super Transporterreumon the 25th Menace Beach will play their unique brand of ethereal, fun and fuzzy noise with tracks new and old(er), alongside a like-minded bill of acts.

Tuesday 29th September 2015Unknown Mortal Orchestra + Jaako Eino KaleviDoors 19:30 / £14 Advance (+stbf)

Giving psychadelia a little more soul, Unknown Mortal Orchestra follow up their cathartic record Multi Love with a nationwide tour led by kooky multi-instrumentalist frontman Ruban Nielson. Expect funky, saturated synths led by thoughtful yet hedonistic vocals.

Friday 2nd October 2015 Surfer Blood + Eternal Summers + Nervous TwitchDoors 19:30 / £8.50 Advance (+stbf)

Surfer Blood have had a rough time of it of late, what with frontman John Paul Pitt’s slightly clouded arrest, their guitarist Thomas Fekete receiving treatment for cancer and their van being broken into. Yet, Surfer Blood are re-emerging at The Brudenell along with Eternal Summers and Nervous Twitch on the back of their newest record 1000 Palms released earlier this year.

Music/Dance

The Brudenell Social Club is somewhat of an institution; from those locals who seek out its no nonsense working man’s beer prices, (and the students who pursue much of the same) to music fans of every ilk, The Brudenell is a stronghold known to many from Leeds and beyond. Its mixture of unapologetically 80’s décor (complete with pub red velvet and fruit machine), pleasantly affordable drink prices and stages that draw a consistently impressive bill of artists ensure its continued success.

The games room and Sela Bar Pizza Bus parked up outside to feed the hungry punters are also

pleasant additions, drawing a curious line between what is deemed ‘trendy’ and traditional. The proprietor of the club is Nathan Clark, whose personal twitter comprises the sole social contact with the establishment, reveals its intrinsically local feel furthered by its status as a non-profit organisation. It is the type of venue that allows local start-up bands to share the stage with larger acts like the Cribs, who often cultivate vast cult followings. The Brudenell is cool while being inclusive, making a name for itself as a hub for music lovers, and those just wanting a pint- which of course are mainly locally sourced.

Here are my picks of the best gigs coming up on that famous black-bricked stage;

Image provided by Daniel Heaton

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What’s on at CANAL MILLSWords by Becky Peartree

Battle of the Burgers18th - 19th September

New not only to Canal Mills but also a first for Leeds, The Battle of the Burger is a free event that sees eight burger vendors fight it out to be named king of the fast food treat - as well as DJs and music curated by One20. After the great success of the Newcastle battle, the Battle of the Burger is making Leeds its next stop and will see each vendor attempt to make the most superior slider. In the name of fairness, each burger will come in a smaller slider size and be priced at £3 to allow punters/judges to try each of the o©erings available and decide which is the tastiest and most lip smacking treat. So far the line-up includes munchie legends Get Baked, gluttony burger gods Almost Famous and beef masters Patty Smith’s - with more to be announced.

Metropolis Presents: Friend Within, Monki, GotSome + more26th September

Canal Mills will be returning this September with a musical bang as a host of international DJs perform at the staple student night run by event organiser Metropolis. Friend Within and Monki are heading up the line-up alongside a long list of accomplished acts. Liverpool based Friend Within will be pulling out some top class House tunes with Monki kicking out a mix of grime, bass, house and garage for what is sure to be an unmissable event for dance-floor addicts. You can expect more acts to be announced and special guest performances throughout the night.

Brandon Street Night MarketLast Friday of every month

Street food in Leeds is known for being some of the best and most inventive in the country and there are regular events across the City to showcase this. Brandon Street Night Market is one example, taking place on the last Friday of every month with di©erent food vendors appearing each time. Aside from the enticing and exciting food o©ering, there are also live art performances, vintage markets and music for a chilled out start to your weekend.

Regression Sessions3rd October

If you get a bit sick of the side stepping techno nights with people taking themselves far too seriously in the name of ‘Edgy’, then Regression Session might be right up your street. In Leeds for one night only the organisers aim to take you back to the simpler days of your childhood when no one cared what trainers you were wearing or how many DJs you’d meet. So as well as some funky garage, hip hop and disco beats there will be a ball pit and bouncy castle to enjoy. If that wasn’t enough to take your worries away then celebrity pinatas and video gaming will surely transport you to a carefree and unpretentious haven of fun.

Eton Messy Presents: Blonde LIVE. 24th October

Back with a UK Winter Tour, Eton Messy will attempt to raise the bar on their already legendary nights with even hotter acts and bigger venues. The Leeds leg of the tour will see an Eton Messy takeover at Canal Mills with a live performance from chart topper Blonde among others.

Brewer’s Market6th - 7th November

If an abundance of posh pints and home brewed beers sound right up your street then the Brewer’s Market weekend event is not to be missed. Returning in their second year the market intends to celebrate and showcase the wealth of beers brewed around the country, as well as wine, whisky and gin pop-ups covering everyone’s personal tipple. Tickets start from just £5, including a free special edition Brewer’s Market pint glass and programme.

Canal Mills Presents: Dusky and others24th November

Two man techno and house music duo, Dusky, will be returning to Leeds once more as part of their European tour. Having performed at Canal Mills before, the duo’s techno soundtrack is enhanced by the lofty warehouse surroundings and is sure to be a sell out with more acts to be announced.

Music/Dance

Canal Mills, an old converted 18th century textile mill, is one of Leeds’ most pioneering venues which incorporates culture, music, fashion and food in its event offerings. Famous names can be found amongst the many previous electronic music performers and the organisers strive to produce some of the most unique and diverse events in the City. The bare brick interior and high ceilings create a unique and individual venue with an out of town location that affords spacious partying and the chance to escape the rush of the City. Check out their current event line up here:

Image provided by Canal Mills

Image provided by Nik Green

Image provided by Nik Green

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ENTERING RATWORLDMusic/Dance

Interview by Emma Chaplin. Photography by Mick Backhouse.

So how did the move to Leeds affect your being musicians?L: It started out not very serious until the move to Leeds.

R: Yeah, there was nothing going on in Derby.

L: Leeds makes it a lot easier to be a musicians because everyone is there; you can put on a show and have people come.

R: Leeds is also not insanely big like Manchester; you just go and hang out at the Brudenell and make friends.

What do you make of people labelling you a ‘Superband’?R: Yeah, we don’t really like the term - the bands that the respective members are in aren’t super in size in any way; obviously super in sound though.

I guess there’s always an element of ‘what is the story?’ behind the band. It side-steps our fairly boring ‘yeah we met at uni’ origin story because it’s a point of interest. It’s nice then because we get overlooked a little bit. It needed a lot of that.

So what were you wanting to achieve with the EP in September?L: It’s still kind of ‘us’ as a record. We haven’t really thought about it too much; we just like to see what comes out. It’s best not to worry too much I think.

R: We’ve made a bit more e©ort in the studio making the sound, not more polished necessarily but a bit more hi-fi. That’s not to say it’s going to sound pop-y in any way, cause I hate that…

L interjects: You don’t hate it…

R: No, well I don’t hate it but I don’t wanna do that. Some radio plays, when you hear your song played on the radio, you want it to match up to the sort of quality you’re hearing in other songs. It only started crossing my mind recently…it could be really quiet or really loud but we’re still with MJ (Hookworms, also chief at Suburban Home studios, where he records and produces Menace Beach records amongst an impressive bill), and he’s just got a load of new equipment; just slightly more hi-fi.

L: I think when we started a lot of the vocals and stu© were muµed and drenched in reverb and fuzz.

R: There’s a lot less guitar songs on there just to keep everything a bit more open, room to breath.

We write and record everything as demos when we make them up so you’re sat hunched over a guitar at night and then you go to record something properly and you’re standing up and it sounds like a completely di©erent song, and you’ve written a stupid guitar thing where the rhythm’s totally di©erent to the drum beat and it’s all o© so it’s impossible to sing and play at the same time…I get that quite a lot.

Liza’s first solo track Blue Eye also features on the record, a point of interest in a Rookie Mag interview (and a favourite of Liza’s). On there was a reader’s comment about the song’s likeness to a Sofia Coppola soundtrack (specifically Marie Antoinette).

If you could choose what film your music soundtracked, what would it be?R: I love anything like the songs that you get at the end of a film.

L: Like something apocalyptic?

R: I was thinking something like Ghostbusters II, the bit where the statue of liberty is walking too... Something like a Rocky training montage. My tastes are really bland and basic [laughs] Liza would choose something a bit crazier; you love Harold and Maude…

L: I do love Harold and Maude…(weird cult classic from the 70’s about a taboo love a©air between a 20 year old and an 80 year old woman). What song would you choose? (Ryan shrugs, implying any of them).

So tell me about the tour…L: We’ve got some tour dates for European shows; Paris, Belgium, Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam and then back to Liverpool Psych Fest.

R: We’ve got quite a few yeah, oh and End of The Road too, that’s the next festival.

Then a little run of headliners in the UK, like Leeds and Manchester

How do the Europe shows differ from those closer to home?L: I would say we’re not really that well known yet in Europe but they’re generally really good crowds.

R: We’ve played a lot in Holland now and it does seem to get bigger every time.

But, and it’s a sweeping generalisation, a lot of European countries, they’re less scene-y than in the UK and less kind of faddy.

Matt, our bass player, is the management assistant for The Editors and they’re f***ing massive in Belgium of all places. Their recording went to number one;, they play arenas there; there’s no hard and fast rule to what people like.

We agree that people in the UK often get hung up on definitions and scenes, relating what someone listens to with their own personal aesthetic which can often go to hand in hand but also seem unnecessarily coupled.L: Yeah it means you’ve already got an idea of whether they’re gonna like it or not before you’ve even played.

R: I remember when the Arctic Monkeys first came out there was this whole thing where, if you were older than 18 then people weren’t interested; it was a weird thing for a while where you had to be really young.

Where are your favourite spots in Leeds?R: The steps outside the Corn Exchange with all the goths.

I interject that the goths have sadly long since upped and leftR: You don’t see that many groups of skater kids anywhere anymore either…

But we go to Belgrave quite a lot…

L: Yeah and Outlaw’s (Yacht Club), a hairdressers stroke bar…they do really good co©ee there.

R: They have a lot of talks on there like the guy that did all the Super Furry Animals artwork, Pete Fowler, spoken words things….we go to a lot of co©ee places as well. I really wish there were late night co©ee places.

With their album Ratworld only released in January and a new EP out this month, Menace Beach are the kind of band that feel too big not be at least vaguely aware of but you will still catch fairly unobtrusively hanging out in Belgrave on a Friday. We chat with Liza and Ryan about their move to Leeds and how they found their place in the City, plus what they’ve got planned for this month!

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Music/Dance

It seems to be more of a European/international thing.L: Yeah if you order a co©ee here after, like, 8 they just scowl at you…

R: ‘We’ve switched the machine o©!”. It does sometimes bum me out, I mean I love getting drunk but the whole British drinking culture thing is just… I like it when you go to London and you see all the city boys drinking in the pubs after work. That’s cool. I like old fashioned boozers but you walk through Leeds on a Saturday night and it’s just insane. They have to put a mobile f***ing hospital up down Call lane; it’s a bad sign.. So sometimes I just think it’d be nice to have a co©ee instead…

Who are you listening to at the moment?R: I’ve been listening to the new Cribs record (For all My Sisters). I like that a lot. A band called Royal Headache, they’re good, and Thee Oh Sees records. Since we met MJ and the guy that plays the drums for us - Nick - they’re into that whole West Coast psych rock, Ty Segall and all that - I’ve spent the last few years catching up to all that. What about you? (turns to Liza) Taylor Swift?

L: Yeah...no I’m kind of into it. (When I question if it was said with any irony or not). She seems so powerful! [laughs]

R: You tend to just stick 6 Music on though really.

Let’s move on to the artwork for the records etc. I’ve read it’s all yours!R: We do it ourselves don’t we...

L: I tend to do all the drawing and Ryan does all the bits outside of it.

R: Yeah I chuck it into the computer and see what I can do with it.

L: It’s probably one of my favourite parts of the process. I really hate the idea of getting anyone else to do it actually…

R: We’ve got Jonny from Hookworms to do that t-shirt for us (Jonny Wilkinson, guitarist of Hookworms and illustrator under the pseudonym Idiot’s Pasture). He’s really great, but we did everything else.

L: Yeah you sometimes mention, ‘oh one day we could get someone else in to do stu©’ and I’m always like… [sighs]

R: It’s weird; we got sent the EP through when it was finished and we had them all lined up

on the table, just looking at them and they do all look really cool together. Our label is always going ‘we need the artwork, we need the artwork’ and then the night before we take like 14 hours to finish it…it’s weird that they turn out so coherent, but I guess that’s your drawing style though Liza.

I hate doing all the boring shit though, putting them into templates for packaging and stu©, which I know is completely necessary.

We briefly talk about the fact that they both still maintain day jobs in Leeds, meaning that their work with the band is almost like a hobby that they’re itching to take full time. R: Yeah, I mean the times that we have o©, we spend doing band stu© so you never really get a day o© but that does mean that I always look forward to the days that I do get to spend making music. I don’t know that if you only had your band work to do you’d get really complacent, because I see it as a real treat when I do get to do it on my days o©.

L: Yeah, sometimes we look at the diary and its just like ‘blergh’.

R: I don’t mind it though. We drive back from a gig at like 5am and then go to work the next morning at 9am. Sometimes people like my dad are like ‘oh you just spend your time doing gigs and getting drunk but physically there’s a lot more to it, back and forth, and a lot of sitting around.

And herein lie the aches and pains of the artists who haven’t quite conquered the world enough yet to employ their own roadies, spending their days and nights off humping gear up and down the three stories of their flat, playing a gig which still demands the passion of a full time band, plus the late nights, and then rock up to work the next day bright eyed and bushy tailed. L: I think its quite knackering always being a new place as well. You never know where you’re going; there’s no familiarity. Unless you’re playing the same venue again, of course.

And where is your favourite venue?L: Probably The Brudenell; it’s so, so great.

R: And I also like King Tut’s in Scotland. They have an awesome menu and they look after bands like European promoters do, give you a hot meal and stu© and it makes a really big di©erence.

Thanks Menace Beach!

Listen out for the EP Super Transporterraum, released on 25th September

And catch them at The Brudenell on the 27th September!

Twitter: @MENACE_BEACH

Image provided by Menace Beach

“ There’s a lot less guitar

songs...just to keep everything a bit more

open, room to breathe.”

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And it’s given organiser Sam Hopkins plenty as well, “There’ve been so many over

the years, but the biggest stand out, performance wise, was Jon Hopkins last year, just for the sheer spectacle of the light balls going over the crowd throughout the set. His whole production was incredible. We knew that it was going to happen, but were blown away when we actually saw it”

Beacons was a humble little boutique festival that wasn’t afraid of pushing the boundaries in terms of its line-ups. You’d easily find Danny Brown alongside Wire, The Fall alongside Speedy Ortiz; so confident in the curation of its bill that no artist ever felt out of place. Couple that with a ridiculous selection of street food that heralded the boom of the street food scene in Yorkshire and a selection of ales that gave you enough choice that you’d always want to try something new, and you had a festival that was quickly gathering steam to become a serious summer festival contender.

Which is why I couldn’t help but feel saddened when they announced back in February that Beacons was leaving the beautiful surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales. But, like Lazarus, Beacons was to be reborn.

Facing weather that one might generously describe as Biblical, Sam and the rest of the team thought it best to try something di©erent. “With the opening of our new venue, Headrow House, in the Autumn we saw it as an opportunity to bring the kind of artists and events Beacons made a name for itself with into a city setting. It gives people the opportunity to experience our adventurous programming without worrying about their tents sailing away through Skipton.”

The ability to party all night long was another defining factor, “Out in the fields the noise curfew is incredibly strict because sound travels further. We were having to shut o© most of the music from midnight. In the City we have a much later licence and can go pretty much all night if the show benefits from it. With Daniel Avery and Christian Löµer we’re able to go ‘til 4 or 5 am, which is perfect.”

And thus we welcome Beacons Metro, transformed from a one-weekend blowout into a carefully curated 12-week programme of events across Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool this autumn/winter season. The next chapter feels like a whole other beast, but one that seems to want to retain that magical community spirit with a focus on spreading that to an even wider audience.

“It allows for a much bigger scope of acts,” said Sam about why they chose to make it a programme of events rather than your standard festival. “We’re not restricted to who’s touring on a specific weekend and it gives us a bit more freedom in curating line ups; we can take a few more risks on some acts.”

Beacons goes METROPOLITANWords by Chris Taylor. Images provided by Beacons Metro.

Music/Dance

Scrambling out of my tent in a more than fragile state to be greeted by the majestic rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales and the campsite unfolding below me; escaping from a torrential downpour in a little tent away from the rest of the festival site to see Julia Holter in the most intimate venue possible; being brought on stage by Summer Camp followed by them forcing the audience to sing happy birthday to me: Beacons Festival has given me plenty of memories over the years.

“In the City we have a much later licence and can go pretty much all night if the show benefits from it.”

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Most excitingly, as mentioned, Beacons Metro will herald the grand opening of Headrow House, a 3-storey, 11,000 square foot former textiles mill that has lain dormant for 15 years. It’s always a great sight to see unused spaces being given the arts and, with the stellar line up that is set to grace the venue over the course of the 12 weeks, Headrow House is certainly going to be another great addition to Leeds’ arts arsenal.

It’s not just Headrow House pulling the weight. Established Leeds hot spot Belgrave Music Hall is playing host to a few events, as is Manchester’s grand Albert Hall, in which the ever enigmatic goofball Mac De Marco will be the first major event, bringing a whole day of exciting new artists with him, including The Big Moon.

With a line up that includes the likes of Everything Everything, Titus Andronicus, Slug, Noisemongers Factory Floor and former Late of the Pier frontman Sam Eastgate’s new project LA Priest, the variety of amazing acts is staggering.

Sam already has his top picks set, “East India Youth, Lonelady and Christian Löµer since it’s the opening weekend in a brand new space. That’s really exciting at the minute. Seeing it all come together from the start and finally seeing Headrow House filled with people having a good time.”

The defining ethos behind the festival is a simple one, “We just want to curate a really great showcase of exciting music, from across the country and the world,” says Sam. “The bottom line though is that we want people to have a good time, especially since we’re outside of Summer and festival season. Autumn can get bleak, we want to try make it a bit more fun.”

It’s a far reaching line-up of events that is sure to keep anyone and everyone happy. And with tickets ranging from absolutely nothing to barely more than £20, Beacons Metro really is as accessible as can be, opening up a whole new world of discovery under that iconic Beacons name.

Music/Dance

“We just want to curate a

really great showcase

of exciting music, from

across the country and

the world.”

Image provided by Giles Smith

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Music/Dance

BASICS: THE UK’S longest running party Words by Sophie Miskiw

We look into what the fascination is with the notorious night, a�ectionately nicknamed “Basics” by regulars, and how it has carved out such an unparalleled reputation.

For local Leeds DJ Michael Upson, co-founder of the underground DJ collective (A Rave Called Sharon), Basics isn’t just a club night, it’s a community: “As a rebellious gay teenager disillusioned with school and university, Basics helped me find a group of like-minded friends united by a love of hedonism and house music. Nightlife scenes don’t just spontaneously happen; they are driven and curated by individuals. Dave Beer is that individual, and we all owe him a lot.”

Punk BeginningsBeer, an ex-roadie for bands including The Ramones and That Petrol Emotion, founded Basics out of the simple desire to throw a party his friends would want to go to. While the 90s warehouse rave scene remained in full swing, Basics o©ered up an alternative for pleasure-seekers hunting out no-nonsense house music with Dave’s idiosyncratic punk twist. The combination was explosive, and Basics’ renegade punk ethos remains its lifeblood today. Run with alternating resident DJs, who over the years have included Ralph Lawson, Tristan Da Cunha, and James Holroyd, Back to Basics is Beer’s magnum opus, a tour de force of the British house music scene.

Curating the crowdWhen Sankeys famously turned Justin Bieber away from the door in 2013 (swiftly tweeting “He shuµes on stage and we can’t be having that in Sankeys now can we!”) they savvily cemented their underground status. Turning away one of the world’s biggest stars confirmed the club’s exclusivity and sent a powerful message that you’re either Sankeys or you’re not. Unbeknownst to modern day clubbers, this brave and subversive move followed a model cast by Dave back in the early days of Basics. In its genesis at The Music Factory, formerly gay club The Chocolate Factory, the night’s unpredictable door policy caused as much controversy as its underground vibe and half-a-mile long queues. Basics-goers who made it inside felt part of something, lending the crowd its electricity and energy that’s still palpable on the dance floor today.

Ahead of the gameBasics has played a game of musical venues over the years, hopscotching not just across Leeds but also around the world. While the night itself has become internationally known, it’s also credited with nurturing the careers of world-famous DJs including Daft Punk and Basement Jaxx. In recent months, you’ll hear Basics’ heady house beats winding out of Call Lane’s Wire Club. Regardless of where the night calls home, the winning formula that propelled Basics to worldwide notoriety remains perennially intact, despite the passing of 24 years since its doors first opened. The crowd may have matured but you’ll still find them on the dance floor, peppered among the ceaseless stream of fresh faces discovering the stripped back appeal of the night for the first time. That’s Basics’ allure at its core: it’s as fresh and intoxicating to scene newbies as it was back in 1991. And what more can you expect from a night that’s apt motto confidently declares it “Two steps further than any other f*cker?”

Back to Basics with Adam SheltonSeptember 5th at The Wire. Tickets available from Skiddle.

Born in the early 90s in the aftermath of acid house, Back to Basics has stood resolute to become the country’s longest running club night. Now approaching its 24th birthday, it’s still hailed as a zenith of the UK club scene, the North’s stalwart symbol of unadulterated house music.

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Music/Dance

THE GARDEN PARTY Review

Words by Emma Chaplin. Photography by Mark Wheelwright & Sam Lumsden.

The Garden Party was the hedonistic culmination of ten years of dance, dub, house and now live music at The Faversham, stuffed into one incredible bank holiday weekend. People flocked south of the river to the site of the majestic Tetley building in all manner of festival get up, sipped on drinks concocted by The Hedonist Project, quaffed down some corkers from the Leeds Indie Food folk and danced until the wee hours of eleven o’clock. We take a look at what the first year of The Garden Party had to offer.

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Music/Dance

Mr Scru�Following a missed plane, Mr Scru© took to the stage earlier than planned, taking up Fatima’s spot at 3 o’clock. With the crowd size now looking a bit healthier and suitably fed and watered, Mr Scru© kicked o© with some serious festival vibes along with MC Kwasi. Keeping it old school with what looked to be a whole record library at his disposal, he mixed like a pro, only stopping occasionally to sip his tea.

&/Or Emporium - Live Screen PrintingShowcasing local and independent artistic talents, the &/Or Emporium tent was a treasure trove of weird and wonderful handmade bits and bobs. Wares on sale included totes, t-shirts, screen prints (which were made live and fresh before your eyes by Modes of Expression) notebooks, badges and other quirky and creative miscellany. You can catch the collective at other events in Leeds such as The Belgrave Feast.

Joy OrbisonKeeping the Dance and dub step nuts happy, Joy Orbison laid down some perfect Saturday afternoon beats, in the - now incredibly sweaty - FACT tent. The revelry was well under way, establishing the weekend’s theme of shuddering bass drops and caution-to-the-wall dancing.

Stealing SheepAll female Stealing Sheep took to The Skinny stage with their brand of slightly ethereal psych-folk. Likened to all girl acts, The Staves or Warpaint, their otherworldly harmonies created one of the more mellow moments of the weekend.

Dutch UnclesBilled as the headliner of The Skinny Stage on Saturday night, Dutch Uncles - with their distinctive approach to stage moves - jerked and writhed through their math-pop set. My impression led me to place them somewhere in-between vocals very reminiscent of Hot Chip’s frontman and the temperament of Talking Heads, complete with their own set of unique dance moves.

Róisín MurphyThe former singer of Moloko now brings her husky Irish brogue to her solo career, with a performance led by her distinctive summoning of various genres; funk, disco, house and ultimately pop music. Spangled synths and numerous outfit/prop changes ensured a kooky headliner performance.

SA

TU

RD

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Róisín Murphy

Róisín MurphyMr Scruff

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Music/Dance

Soul II SoulArguably the band with the most heritage, Soul II Soul gathered an impressive audience, with most people aware of the legend that graced the stage. With full band in tow, including bedazzled and sass drenched backing vocalists, Soul II Soul played a catalogue of their eclectic take on Dance/r&b/soul/disco/hip-hop, bringing the house down. Their success at Garden Party perhaps also lends itself to the prevalence of favourite ‘Back to Life’ in house/disco nights in the City.

We caught up with Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B, after their brilliant set…

What do you make of The Garden Party today?Jazzie B: Lovely Garden Party; didn’t have any Yorkshire Gold though. What’s up with that? But other than that, fantastic audience, I’ve gotta tell you. It’s better up North innit?

What has been your best Northern/Leeds gig?Jazzie B: In Chapeltown innit at the West Indian Centre, getting down with everybody. I’ve got to say a big shoutout to Mala and the crew, Eddie! Where are ya?

Eddie, Jazzie B’s cousin runs the festival, which also happened on Monday, the same bank holiday.

You guys are veterans of the scene. What drives you to keep performing?Jazzie B: I guess what we really enjoy is the fact that we can play you know? For many years it was trying to get the organisation, the collective together so we sounded a little bit more unique than just a band. But what I’m really honestly proud of is the fact that we’re all from the UK, so that makes a huge di©erence.

So have you got any new releases in the pipeline?Jazzie B: Actually we do; we’ve got a project coming out in March, which will feature us live and within that project is a visual project and there’ll be a couple of new ideas flung in there as well so we’re looking forward to that.

What excites you most about playing the festival scene?Jazzie B: I think really one of the most exciting things about festivals has to be a happy face, a thumpin’ bass, and everyone else o© their nut.

Would you say we had that today?Jazzie B: [laughs] Certainly did!

Do you find you modify your sound when you play live?Jazzie B: It’s a completely di©erent thing you know, working in the studio and working with this fantastic band. It’s really nice.

And so the release you told us about, is that about doing that part of your performance justice?Jazzie B: It gives us a chance to have a stamp in time, as it were. We’ve gone twenty odd years doing what we’ve been doing and when I first started back in the eighties they said ‘you could never do that live’, and it’s just the fact that here we are twenty something years doing it live. It’s testament not only to the sound but to everybody that’s involved in the collective.

Were you hoping to catch anyone else today at The Garden Party?Well I was looking for Mr Scru© earlier on but he seems to’ve left before I arrived!

It was a good set!

Jazzie B: It always is, he throws down a dec’ set that one.

Have you got anything else you want to tell us?

Jazzie B: Just big up Leeds, fantastic festival. Keep moving, see you Back to Life; Peace Out!

The people behind the festivalWe also chatted to festival organiser Matt Long and Ollie Flower, marketing manager for The Garden Party, about the process behind the festival…

Is this what you pictured ten years ago, at the start of The Faversham Garden Party?Matt: I guess none of us did really. The Garden Party was always just a free Sunday party that has just built up gradually, and before we knew it, it’s turned into a festival.

What are the various contributors you’ve enlisted for the festival and what do you think they have brought to the table?Matt: Well, we’ve brought in the guys from Warehouse Project, Chibuku, Eat Your Own Ears and Now Wave – they’re involved in a lot of things we do in Croatia like Hideout Festival and Unknown Festival. These are also alongside the more local club promoters like Afro Coalition and Butter Side Up.

Ollie: These are some of the biggest promoters, especially in the north of the UK; everyone’s brought a really strong heritage of promoting nights with them. It’s good to have everyone together on this new site.

What was the selection process behind picking the music?Ollie: This is ten years of The Garden Party so obviously we wanted to reflect the kind of music we’ve played there before, which is electronic music, dance, house. But we also wanted to bring a di©erent thing to the table as well, with the live acts; we’ve got Fatima, Róisín Murphy, Little Dragon, so we wanted to keep it varied as well.

Would you say the vibe is slightly different to the usual festival?Matt: The venue of The Tetley is brilliant: it’s walking distance from the train station; it’s such an iconic site in the Centre already; there’s so much history behind it. Being able to use it for something like The Garden Party is great, being able to use the grassy area as well.

Ollie: Yeah, I think we wanted to take what we’ve done for the past ten years and build upon it. Hopefully, I think we’ve attracted a slightly more varied audience.

And what about the food here today?Ollie: So we’ve got Leeds Indie Food on board, with eight di©erent trailers. With Canal Mills, we do The Brandon Street Night Market so a lot of the vendors are also involved with that too.

We’ve also got local artists as well; the Assembly House people are here…Again it stems from The Brandon Street Market where we’ve had artists come in every month. We’ve also got the guys from &/Or Emporium doing street screen-printing (led by Emma Hardaker with Modes of Expression). We want to celebrate creativity in the north, so obviously music, food and then art.

What do you envisage for next year?Matt: We want to keep growing, definitely; get more people involved, and do more with the site.

Ollie: I’m really happy how well it’s gone this weekend, so hopefully we can just build upon it for next year…

Soul II Soul

Jazzie B of Soul II Soul

“I think really one of the most exciting things about festivals

has to be a happy face, a thumpin’

bass, and everyone else off their nut.”

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Music/Dance

Whilk and MiskyNo I’m not drunk: that is their name. Performing as a duet sometimes has innovative results, with Ben Howard-esque singer/guitarist Charlie (or Misky) doing the mouth-trumpet on their best known track ‘Clap Your Hands’, summoning Latin inspired clapping and some sexy classical guitar. The pair are charming and provide slight relief from the bass heavy alternatives on the bigger stages.

Craig CharlesWhether you know him from Corrie, Red Dwarf, his Radio 6 show, Robot Wars or even perhaps, his actual DJ-ing, Craig Charles is the mischievous darling of events such as The Garden Party. Bringing a large slice of funk and soul to the Sunday mix, the crowd shook o© Saturday induced fatigue and re-commenced the party.

SU

ND

AY

Little Dragon

Craig Charles

“Leeds has a really strong sense of community and i think that’s a really big thing, especially in dance music.”

leedsliving.co.uk 21

GalaxiansPleasingly local electronic duo Galaxians (named aptly after the vintage arcade game) played energetic proto-house, post-disco boogiefunk and other electronic-led genre blends, encouraging a small but enthusiastic dance party front and centre to The Skinny stage.

We speak to Jed and Matt, the duo behind Galaxians…

What are your impressions of The Garden Party so far?J: We just got here at about 4 o’clock; it’s heated up a bit now.

M: It seems like a nice vibe!

How does playing a festival differ from playing your own show?J: It’s just a lot more people, a lot more atmosphere!

M: I have to confess, I don’t normally like playing festivals; you know you have to get on and get o© quite quickly and it can be quite stressful but it’s been really nice here; as long as there’s a nice vibe and people are with us when we play, it’s cool.

How do you have to alter your recorded sound for the live performances?M: We basically don’t really. When we record, we experiment a lot more. We use the studio as another canvas for creating music, whereas obviously when we play live, it’s more about the interaction between us.

J: Yeah, we’re gonna introduce more elements into it where we have electronic drum packs and visuals, trying to get a bit more improvisation in there as well.

What’s been your best live experience in Leeds so far?M: Well I don’t think there’s one thing that we can say is the best because every time we play it’s di©erent but the two Beacons festivals that we did were a real highlight. Gigs: we’ve played Wharf Chambers, we like that; they’re intimate and small.

J: I think the best one for me was probably Tom Tom Club at The Brudenell, about two years ago. That was amazing. Just meeting those guys was amazing.

What influence has the Leeds music scene had on your being a duo?J: For me, it’s being able to meet people who were musicians first, in bands second, it’s that sense of collaboration, especially around the Hyde Park area; there’s a lot of creativity.

M: I think musically, we’re not necessarily as influenced by Leeds other than its strong club culture, like the DJs. But what I am influenced by is that Leeds has a really strong sense of community and I think that’s a really big thing, especially in dance music. It’s about unifying people and having a shared experience. It’s not about stardom or hierarchy.

What up-coming shows have you got in Leeds?J: We’re playing Headrow House on 23rd October, which we’re excited about because Golden Teacher (who they’re playing with) are fantastic and Headrow House is a new venue.

What do you have in the pipeline?J: We have a new album coming with quite a lot of tracks; we have vocalists now like Emma Mason who we’re collaborating with, possibly even live in the future, and we’ve got guitar on the new album from John Nash who’s in Cowtown and Hookworms. A bit more of a disco/house analogue kind of direction too. And a European mini tour!

M: We’ve gone out of our comfort zone a little bit more this time: vocalists, lyrics…

Todd TerjeOne of the most anticipated acts of the weekend (and most debated in terms of name pronunciation), Todd Terje brings the fun to the disco/house/techno/funk party, with cheeky samples, heavenly synths and an extra load of thumping bass lines, especially for the bass-loving Garden Party crowd who found an abundance of dancing-energy during Terje’s packed out set.

Talib KweliInjecting a bit of hip-hop into the weekend, Talib Kweli got everyone’s lighters up in approval. Hailing from Brooklyn and known for his work with Mos Def, Kweli has worked with a plethora of big acts from Kanye West to will.i.am; he owned the stage; however, like a solo artist.

Little DragonMy own personal highlight of the line-up, Swedish electronica/new wave band Little Dragon rounded o© the weekend with a typical exuberance. Their high yet cool-as-a-cucumber energy was matched with a minimalist light show and a tendency to share instruments. Front woman Yukimi whipped about the stage like a pixie, tambourine clad, with her distinctive vocals so on point. Anyone flagging by this point seemed to muster up the strength to have a little dance, cementing the weekend’s positive vibes

Our top street food picks of the weekend:

Bánh mì BoothServed from the sweetest pastille blue 1979 Renault Estafette named Gloria, were the most exquisite Vietnamese style o©erings. The main event were the Bánh mì buns (meaning ‘bread’), which are beautifully crusty and chewy and filled with lemongrass chicken (which is subtle and not too overpowering), tofu (which I cannot attest to but looked as appetising as tofu possibly can), or my personal favourite, pork patties, which were juicy and crumbly and accentuated by the coriander, shredded carrot and cucumber, crispy onions and a lovely umami mayo. You can also swap the bread for a noodle dish if you’re that way inclined. Try the perfectly bite-sized pork dumplings on the side if you can’t justify a whole baguette…

Chicken Chicken Bang BangFish& went against the grain and trialled their own foray, not into fish, but chicken, keeping it simple with three types of sauce to accompany the succulent, pull-apartable fried chicken which comes in a classic sesame bun (out with brioche I say!). I chose BBQ sauce, which was both sweet and spicy, with Hot Chilli and Piri Piri also on o©er. Although not majorly adventurous, Fish& kept the selection classic and the results delicious and the queues certainly reflected that!

The Garden Party certainly seemed well received by revellers and artists alike. Let’s hope that next year’s bank holiday will see even bigger and better festivities!

Music/Dance

Galaxians

Bánh mì Booth

leedsliving.co.uk22

Culture Vulture

The Best LAUGHS IN LEEDSWords by Becky Peartree

Northerners are known for their sharp sense of humour and unaldulterated belly laughs so it’s unsurprising that comedy nights are rife within the City. With big names to intimate performances there is the opportunity to chuckle, howl and snort your way through nearly every night of the week.

HiFi The HiFi Comedy Club takes over Hifi every Saturday night with the intimate, underground setting providing the ideal opportunity for some up close and personal comedy. For holders of the free HiFi membership card there is a discount on tickets - as well as a newsletter, so you’re always first to hear who’s up next on stage. These guys have also teamed up with Malmaison for a night of ‘food, laughs and dancing’ adding a two course menu into the equation at a reduced price as part of a ticket bundle. Ticket holders are also automatically given entrance to the Bugalu Club event that follows, meaning the fun doesn’t have to stop when the comedy closes.

Leeds University Union With several large capacity venues within the Leeds University Union they are often able to attract celebrity names with acts such as Russell Kane, scheduled for later this year. More obscure acts like Krystyna Lennon & Hypnodog: THE Comedy Hypnotism Show promise a more unusual night out with members of the audience being hypnotised alongside Princess the Hypnodog. Aside from this the Leeds Tealights are the longest standing sketch comedy act within the Union whose shows have been critically acclaimed and hailed as one of the most pioneering of their kind. When they are not touring the country taking their sketches to student audiences far and wide (as well as to the Edinburgh Fringe each year) the Leeds Tealights hold weekly meetings for comedy fanatics (those from outside the university welcome!) with regular performances throughout the year.

The WardrobeHouse of Fun Comedy is The Wardrobe’s monthly Friday night ‘fiesta of fun’ where laugh seekers can enjoy a relaxed drink and a few chuckles. Tour Shows also pop up at The Wardrobe with the acclaimed Beardyman: One Album an Hour show making a stop, and then later in November a show from Joe Lycett, who has featured on Live at the Apollo and 8 out of 10 Cats, with his class of lad comedy.

Verve Merrion Street has fast become one of Leeds’ favourite night outs as more businesses move up into the area, with some even hailing it as Leeds’ answer to the Manchester Northern Quarter. Verve is one of the long standing bars in the area and their free Tuesday comedy nights are infamous for dirty jokes and foul mouthed comedians. The Leeds Comedy Cellar Club performs there from 8pm every Tuesday so you can enjoy comedy and cocktails in a laid back and fun surrounding.

Pryzm Known more for its cheesy nights, Pryzm isn’t the first place you’d think of for a more civilised night of comedy. However, Jason Manford has set up a comedy night which features in many major cities and has now become a monthly occurrence at the City Centre club. Manford’s Comedy Club works to give budding comedians a platform to showcase their work to the masses - although Manford himself doesn’t actually feature - and each Saturday night from 7.30pm Pryzm is taken over by the newest, funniest folk on scene hoping to secure a few giggles and their big comedy break.

City Varieties Music Hall Sneakily hidden in the heart of Leeds City Centre, the interior is traditionally Victorian and has that cosy feel that comes with older, well worn theatres. Unparalleled in the number of class acts they secure, City Varieties is a comedy haunt worth knowing with Josh Widdicombe, Stewart Francis, Patrick Kielty, Rob Beckett and Ed Byrne being only a few of the acts who will take to the stage over the autumn and winter months.

Belgrave Music Hall As potentially the most innovative and multi functioning venue in Leeds, it would be odd for the Belgrave not to utilise its versatile space to host a comedy set. The monthly Sitting Room Comedy Club fills this need nicely with a monthly event held every second Thursday of the month. The Sitting Room Comedy Club strives to fill its line-up with only quality and professional names so tends to leave out open slots and amateur names, meaning you’re always guaranteed some big laughs.

First Direct Arena Relatively new to Leeds, the First Direct Arena caused a bit of a media obsession at the time of its build as Leeds’ first major music and events arena. A place like this had been a long time coming in a major city like Leeds and huge crowds flock here regularly to see some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry - including major celebrity comedians. But as with everything, big names bring big crowds who are willing to pay bigger prices, so tickets can often be pricier than the smaller comedy clubs. The arena is positioned so everyone can see the stage from all angles but because of its colossal size it can be worthwhile trying to get some floor tickets. However, when names like Bill Bailey, Michael McIntyre and Reeves and Mortimer are just a few of the star studded names on the coming line-up it’s more than tempting to grab a ticket and join the flocks of fans.

Leeds Town Hall With its stunning architecture creating not only breath taking surroundings but also perfect acoustics, it’s unsurprising that Leeds Town Hall is often comedians’ top pick for their performances. With some of the wittiest names in the business such as Jimmy Carr, Sarah Millican and Trevor Noah on the upcoming line-up, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy some side splitting laughs in this beautiful venue.

Image by iStock Photo

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Culture Vulture

Treading the boards IN LEEDSWest Yorkshire PlayhouseSet to receive a multi-million pound makeover beginning next year, the slightly ugly hunk of brick conceals a thrilling hub of top quality theatre. From local talent to national tours, a multitude of shows grace the stage, spanning several genres from traditional takes on Shakespeare to the most contemporary and cutting edge theatre. The WYP is very much an institute of theatre and proclaimed as a ‘beacon of the north’, with a manifesto of engagement, inspiration and community at its heart while aspiring to produce world class theatre.

Here is a run down of the hottest tickets at the WYP this autumn/winter:

5th September - 12th September 1984 Ballet quite unlike you know, not a nutcracker in sight, Northern Ballet innovate dance to re-tell this iconic dystopian tale. Jonathan Watkins’ adaption of the nightmarish projection of a future under ‘Big Brother’ is also a world premiere so be the first to experience a masterpiece made new.

12th September - 3rd OctoberThe Glass MenagerieThe play that first propelled Tenessee Williams into recognition was not in fact A Streetcar Named Desire but The Glass Menagerie. Young director Ellen McDougall guides this tale of domestic claustrophia and drama with all but four characters, to its heated conclusion. Tickets start at £13 and the show runs for three weeks, giving you plentiful reasons to attend.

13th SeptemberRichard DawkinsNot strictly theatrical, but arguably enigmatic, the equally loved and loathed Richard Dawkins made most famous perhaps by his controversial The God Delusion talks about his memoirs, and the theories that engage him most, through the lens of his own personal life and career. Deep thinkers mustn’t miss!

Richard III 14th September - 17th OctoberDescribed as Shakespeare’s most charming villains, Richard III once again seduces and manipulates his way through the famous play. One for any students of English Literature and the bard himself, the play strips back the frills to lay bear the dark humour and dirty politics that still remain pertinent in 2015.

Leeds Grand TheatreWalking on a red carpet makes you feel instantly more glamorous, and The Grand Theatre still maintains that special feeling of escapism and a touch of indulgence. The classic theatre seats creak satisfyingly as you settle in, maybe taking a moment to gawp at the ornate ceilings; and then the curtain goes up, the lights dim and the goosebumps set in. Known for its diverse bill of both serious plays, and putting on the ritz of a musical, or hosting slightly more highbrow delights from Opera North, there is something exciting on every week down on New Briggate.

Here’s what to pencil into your diaries this season:

2nd September - 5th SeptemberThe Shawshank RedemptionAn absolute icon of cinema, The Shawshank Redemption turns 21 this year. First penned by Stephen King, then translated into one of the nation’s favourite films, the tale of a 50s American prison is now adapted for the stage. Its tale of injustice, friendship and hope is brought to life once more by stars of television Ian Kelsey and Patrick Robinson, of Emmerdale and Casualty respectively. Book your last minute tickets!

6th SeptemberAlan CarrBag a ticket to Alan Carr’s one-o© show if you’re a fan of his particularly hilarious brand of comedy. See the world through thick-rimmed spectacles and allow yourself to hoot with laughter.

21st September - 31st OctoberKiss me KateOpera North bags a rootin’ tootin’ old timer that harks even further back to the plot of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The tale of a tangled love a©air is set against a rich tapestry of songs, performed by the Welsh National Opera. It’s also on for a whole month too so there are no excuses to miss out.

RASH DASH £5 STUDENT OFFER Tuesday 13 October at 7.45pm

For bookings visit us online at wyp.org.uk or call 0113 213 7700 Discount code ‘WWYTW5’

W E WA N T TO WATC H P R E S E N T S WIN A FAMILY TICKET FOR 4 PEOPLE TO THE CITY VARIETIES ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO

ON SATURDAY 5TH DECEMBER AT 7PMFor information please visit www.leedsliving.co.uk/comp

O©er is subject to availability.Must show valid student card upon collection of tickets. Terms: Date cannot be changed. Tickets cannot be exchanged for cash.

Interview by Emma Chaplin

Rash Dash. Image provided by Richard Davenport Shawshank Redemption

Shawshank Redemption

Richard III

leedsliving.co.uk24

City Living

SIMON on the streets

The number of people sleeping rough in England has risen by an appalling 55% since 2010,

a trend which is very worrying. According to a report published by The Institute for Fiscal Studies, an additional 700,000 adults will plunge into poverty by the end of 2015, and with 52% of those seeking help with homelessness being under the age of 25, it’s our the nation’s youth who stand to su�er increasingly as time passes.

Various personal issues can lead to homelessness, such as addiction, mental illness, domestic abuse and the heavy burden of debt. We might agree that with increasing cuts to benefits and a general lack of support for those with these di®culties, the problem will be exacerbated, placing even more pressure on the work of the many homelessness charities across the UK. It seems, therefore, that Simon on the Streets will play an ever more crucial role for Leeds’ disadvantaged community.

The issue of homelessness is usually far more complex than putting a roof over someone’s head for the night. Homelessness can seem like an alien concept, making it di®cult to know how to react or empathise. In an e©ort to combat this, Simon on the Streets has created ‘Sleep with Simon’, an annual fundraiser where participants raise funds by sleeping rough for the night. Sleep with Simon makes sure the independent charity is able to keep on helping the often forgotten victims of Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield who have no choice but to bed down in the streets. Simon on the Streets emphasises that this is by no means an e©ort to replicate the harrowing experience of sleeping rough in a city. However, the event does serve as an opportunity for participants to understand some of the challenges that members of the homeless community face on a daily basis.

Alongside the actual sleep out, participants can experience a rare opportunity to hear talks from some of the service users who Simon on the Streets has previously supported. Aissa Gallie, Development Manager for Simon on the Streets, emphasizes that the event is an opportunity for “people to come into an environment where they

can gain understanding and hopefully some empathy for people that are sleeping rough.”

“It can be a bit of a sensory overload.” Aissa warns. “You can hear things clearly and are much more aware of sirens and people passing. You get that embodiment of being outside in the city. A lot of people come away with a much deeper understanding of our client group and an experience of how hard it is being out at night in the city.”

In addition to beginning to form an understanding of the physical hardship of homelessness, participants often feel a glimpse of the isolation that rough sleepers feel every day of their lives. “We’ve had many people say that even though they’re with other people supporting them in the fundraiser, as well as our on-site team, they’re really lonely. It’s quite a strange experience, to be surrounded by other people but be very lonely.” Although, aside from the challenges involved in the sleep out, Aissa is quick to add, “It’s also quite a laugh as well as being meaningful!” Along with the company of other participants there are amenities on site such as an all-night security guard, toilets and refreshments.

Anyone keen on taking part in this amazing, worthwhile experience is advised to layer up and to bring a sleeping bag as well as money for refreshments. Sta© are also on hand to give an induction and tips on how to make a shelter. Although it is in no way comparable to the actual physicality of being homeless, Sleep with Simon provides a timely, important and insightful experience of sleeping rough, giving a window into indiscriminately unfortunate circumstances that could have befallen any one of us.

Sleep with Simon is at Tilt Yard, Royal Armouries on the 24th September 2015. Register online at: www.sleepwithsimon.co.uk

Words by Joseph Birch

The ethos of Yorkshire based charity, Simon on the Streets, is ‘No one should go unsupported’. Whilst this concept is what many recognise as a universal truth, the reality is very far removed from the ideal.

“People come into an environment where they can gain understanding and hopefully some empathy for people that are sleeping rough.”

Image by Stephen R Melling

leedsliving.co.uk 25

Eat/Drink

THE REAL JUNK FOOD PROJECT Pay as you feel cafes

The cafes always have a great community feel and provide a belly-filling way to get involved

with an exciting initiative, so we thought we’d give you the low-down on the City Centre The Real Junk Food Project locations - the City Junk-tion and Forage Cafe.

City Junk-tionThe first RJFP cafe to launch in a city centre location, the City Junk-tion is located within Santiago Bar at the Grand Arcade and serves food Thursday to Sunday on a pay as you feel basis. All the meals o©ered at the City Junk-tion are created using only intercepted or donated food goods, as the charity works to tackle both social equality concerning food and also waste in the City. People from all walks of life enjoy the welcoming and friendly atmosphere at the cafe and can choose to pay through either a monetary donation or by giving their time and skills. As the City Junk-tion is located within Santiago Bar you can always grab a craft beer from their fully stocked bar to relax and enjoy with your guilt-free meal.

Each month the venue hosts a Binner Party which aims to feed as many people and as many courses as possible, using food that is intercepted and which would have otherwise been thrown to the skips. These parties always see the tables lining the outside of the City Junk-tion packed with the inside restaurant and bar area having a similar busy buzz. Three courses are served by the cheerful RJFP volunteers which will di©er each month depending on what large food donations have been given to the project, with past o©erings that include mussel stew, vegan curries and a sweet snack table. Live music always features at these evenings, creating a real festive vibe for the event, as well as some lively dinner time entertainment.

Their pay as your feel Sunday Roasts have also become increasingly popular as word spread about their generous plates of gravy covered goodness. Vegetarian and vegans often have to miss out on such occasions, but the City Junk-tion ensure that their vegan roast is just as tasty as their meaty o©erings,

drawing crowds of hungry herbivores. The organisers have big plans in terms of events and entertainment, with craft workshops already happening each month, so be sure to check out this unique non-profit venue soon.

Forage CafeThe Forage Cafe is a new pop up pay as you feel cafe on Briggrate which opened at the end of last month and is now serving at weekends till the 20th September. The venue serves typical cafe grub such as sandwiches, cakes and smoothies, with the aim of providing simple dishes done well. When they first moved into their current venue they were faced with a dingy, rubbish filled location which had sat unused for several months. However, with help from an army of volunteers (including a group of fourteen eager 17 year-olds) the organisers have transformed the interior into a bright and open space with a plant and foliage theme to match the cafe’s name.

Founder Charlotte and volunteer Gabby both have big plans to continue The Forage Cafe after the lease runs out on their current venue, with a monthly pop up evening in collaboration with the new owners of their space, and also hope to feature at street food events and festivals in the City while looking for a more permanent location. As well as cooking up waste-less food o©erings, there will be music events (opera anyone?), children’s book readings on Sundays and a Pom Pom Party hosted by social enterprise Stitch Up.

If you’re looking for a dining experience with a di©erence and crave some hearty grub then these cafes will welcome you in with their pay as you feel culinary o©erings which you can enjoy with a sense of moral righteousness.

Words by Becky Peartree

After beginning in Leeds with a cafe in Armley, founded by chef Adam and run by a team of volunteers, The Real Junk Food Project (RJFP) has spread on a national and international scale. Ventures and venues all exist under the RJFP umbrella, which insists on the use of intercepted food and uses a pay as you feel payment system. They are rapidly springing up as the project continues to flourish. In Leeds alone there are fourteen projects and cafes (with more in the pipe line) and much of the success spurs from the RJFP army of volunteers whose generosity and dedication is relentless in their mission to conquer the City’s food inequality crisis. With so much waste in the City ever day, as businesses and restaurants throw away perfectly usable food owing to silly regulations or overstocking, The Real Junk Food Project is not only reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal but is also working to make real, positive social change.

arg

Image provided by Gabriella Papaiacovou

leedsliving.co.uk26

City Living

Annual VARSITY DAY 2015Words by Jon Howe

Leeds: a big city with big opportunities, and a daunting metropolis waiting to be embraced. The majority of welcoming events to introduce university students to life in Leeds involve sports or socialising or being urged to join active social groups. The one colossus of the Freshers’ calendar that combines all of these in one day of passion and hearty cut and thrust is the Annual Varsity day.

2014 saw the tenth Varsity day take place with the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University – formerly Leeds Met which was formerly Leeds Polytechnic…ask your Dad… – locking horns in a fast and furious day of unyielding sporting combat. Around 1600 students from the City’s two biggest universities compete in 24 di�erent sports involving nearly 60 di�erent events, all held on one emotional, suspense-filled and exhausting day, which this year fall on Wednesday October 7th.

In the build-up, daily campus life involves talk of little else, particularly as Leeds Beckett has retained the winners’ trophy throughout the ten years of the Varsity’s existence. Regardless of individual battles won, Leeds Beckett has triumphed in the overall war on nine occasions, with 2012 being the University of Leeds’ solitary bragging opportunity when the event ended in a breathless draw.

The traditional flagship event which closes the day is the Men’s Rugby Union game held in the evening at Headingley Carnegie; a fiercely competitive match-up between two clubs who both compete in the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sports) Premier League, and hence this is amateur sporting conflict of the highest quality. With the 2014 game attracting nearly 13,000 fans to Headingley Carnegie – the home of Yorkshire Carnegie and Leeds Rhinos – this is a raucous occasion and the standout ingredient of the day.

Image provided by Leeds University

leedsliving.co.uk 27

City Living

In 2014 Leeds Beckett took the honours by 46-30 and also won the overall contest by 31-25. Doubtless they haven’t been quiet about it since and the University of Leeds will once again be gearing up to make that historic first triumph this year.

In between the hardy and dedicated swimmers taking an early morning dip in the swimming section of the Biathlon at 6.30am and the brutal warfare of the men’s Rugby Union climax in the evening, there are 24 di©erent sports on o©er, with spectator entry available for many. Take a deep breath before considering what you might wish to follow, but take your pick from Athletics (range of track & field events), Badminton, Basketball, Biathlon, Cricket, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Indoor Rowing, Lacrosse, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball and Water Polo.

That such a plethora of sporting societies exist at the two universities is a triumph in itself, but the event also highlights the breath-taking facilities available to Leeds students. Varsity proudly showcases everything the city’s universities have to o©er with Carnegie Athletics Track, The Edge Hall, Gryphon Centre, Weetwood Sports Park and Carnegie Tennis Centre all heavily utilised on the day.

Results-wise, recent years haven’t been kind to the University of Leeds, and last years defeat to Leeds Beckett in the Rugby Union Finale was a particularly cruel blow, with the University of Leeds holding a 30-25 lead with only six minutes left.

Furthermore, the University of Leeds Rugby Union team has also struggled in the BUCS Premier League somewhat, flirting with relegation while Leeds Beckett have been to Twickenham twice in the last two years as BUCS Premier League North Champions; losing one Championship Final in 2014, but winning in 2015 against Loughborough at the home of English Rugby Union.

Not surprisingly in the face of such a contrast in fortunes across the City divide, University of Leeds captain Charlie Harbord is looking to this year’s Varsity contest, and the season as a whole, as a new challenge.

He acknowledges that while the Varsity contest is an emotional occasion with a lot of pride at stake, it does not detract from the bread and butter of the BUCS Premier League, for which, after all, the traditional match-up with Leeds Beckett is o®cially the last pre-season game: “It would be pointless to put all your e©ort into one game if you didn’t see the whole season out, and got every e©ort out of everyone.” says Charlie in a comment typical of his conscientious and responsible approach to the Captain’s position.

Naturally, you can’t ignore the sense of occasion that the Varsity game brings, however: “it is a very special experience because it’s the first, and probably the only time that the players will play in front of such a big crowd,” continues Charlie. “This year we’ve got a new coach Mark Lu©man, new sponsors, partners, a new kit - it’s a sort-of refresher year where we’re taking things up a notch, so yeah I fancy our chances. We’re preparing the most intensely that we’ve ever prepared.”

University of Leeds students and fellow competitors alike will be warmed by such spirit and determination, particularly with that overall first win in the third biggest university sports event in the UK still eluding them.

In terms of the Rugby Union Finale, the University of Leeds will also be encouraged by taking the flagship Headingley contest to the wire last year, at a time when Leeds Beckett held a much superior record in the BUCS Premier League.

Leeds Beckett’s Captain is 22-year-old flanker Josh Longson. Josh has played in the last two Varsity contests – winning both – but this year’s will be his first as Captain.

Josh has a vivid recollection of how close the 2014 contest was and how the final score didn’t reveal the full story: “I think we were 30-25 down or something,” Josh recalls “and we brought a couple of late subs on who made a big impact. We got a try to take the lead and then a couple more late tries that sort of, to be honest, made it look a bit more convincing than the game actually showed”.

“It’s quite a strange one with Varsity,” Josh continues “because the last couple of years when we’ve played them (University of Leeds) in the league we’ve always won quite convincingly, but with Varsity, because it’s such a big occasion and it’s our first big game of the season, there are a few boys who are still quite nervous, who maybe haven’t played in it before so that becomes a factor.”

With Leeds Beckett having the experience of playing at Twickenham for the last two years, Josh admits that the big match know-how gives his players a psychological advantage: “yes, definitely. We’ve been to Twickenham twice in two years now, so it’s not ‘normality’, but we’re used to big occasions now so it helps us a lot.”

In terms of playing in front of a big crowd, Varsity does provide a unique experience that will rarely be repeated for most of the players involved, even those who have sampled the comforts and stature of Twickenham.

“I played in front of about 10,000 at Twickenham for a schools game,” recalls Josh “but because it’s such a big stadium it’s a completely di©erent atmosphere to playing in front of 13,000 at Headingley. It’s a much smaller stadium so you can hear everything and you can hardly hear yourself think.”

The rivalry between the two universities doesn’t need much explaining, and University of Leeds captain Charlie took a characteristically diplomatic approach when asked about it: “I think this year we’re taking it on board that we are ambassadors for our club and university and we want to make sure the match is as welcoming and friendly as possible.”

Leeds Beckett captain Josh confirms that the rival rugby teams don’t socialise with each other, though one or two know each other from ‘home’. However, he agrees that on the field the rivalry is strictly sporting: “Leeds Beckett versus Leeds Uni is obviously such a big thing anyway,” says Josh “and Varsity is when it comes to a head really. It doesn’t particularly get out of hand in the games. Last year there was a bit of ‘handbags’ but there isn’t usually anything massive that kicks o©. On the pitch there might be rivalry but after the game we’ll speak with them like anybody else. That’s the thing with rugby, you can hate each other on the pitch but as soon as you come o© it, it’s back to normality.”

When asked how the University of Leeds will celebrate if they score an overdue win, Charlie maintained his professionalism by retorting: ‘Regardless of the victory, it’s always great to just enjoy everyone’s first game together...”

The Rugby Union Finale is always a lively a©air on and o© the pitch. This year Leeds Beckett supporters have been allocated the South

Stand at Headingley Carnegie and University of Leeds supporters have been allocated the remaining three sides of the ground, and tickets are available here.

Whether you are a first year fresher, an established Leeds student with wisdom and experience or even a Leeds-dwelling alumni, the first Wednesday in October will be one of the dates most eagerly circled on your sporting or social calendar.

The sheer breadth of what the two leading universities in Leeds can o©er their students in terms of facilities, organisation and simple passion for sport are perfectly showcased by the annual Varsity day. The Varsity’s o®cial tagline; ‘Friendship, Passion, Pride’ impeccably sums up the spirit and ethos behind the event; healthy sporting combat carried out in the right way but with a fierce will to win, and celebrated with the same unifying principles afterwards, whatever the result.

Image provided by Leeds University

The Varsity’s official tagline;

‘Friendship, Passion, Pride.

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Eat/Drink

A toast to A NEW TERM

Firstly, stick to new world wines: these are generally wines produced outside Europe.

Chile in particular produces some fantastic wines that are available at a very reasonable price, as does the USA and Argentina. Secondly, don’t be afraid to go for something you may not have heard of before. Often lesser known wines can rival the famous names and come at a fraction of the cost. Finally, I’d always advise asking the bartender or server for their recommendation. These guys work with the wines every day and usually will have had a chance to try them all. Even if they’re not the biggest fans of wine, they will definitely know which ones are the most popular with their customers.

A great little place in Leeds I visit regularly is The White Rabbit Bar, formerly Baby Jupiter; a very cool basement bar o© East Parade, decked out with some quirky artwork, lots of very cool 1970s album art, and a random stu©ed fox. Their resident chef The Silver Stag is doing some amazing things with Yorkshire produce and adding his Italian flair. It’s great food that I’d highly recommend to anyone, especially paired with a glass of vino! They o©er seven wines by the glass with a good selection of grape varietals to choose from including Pinot Noir, Malbec, Shiraz, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and White Rioja.

Behind the bar Jack recommended the Paparuda Pinot Noir from Romania, which I already had my eye on if I’m honest. On the nose it smells of jammy redcurrants and cherry, lots of red fruits with a slight hint of tobacco. The red fruit flavours burst onto the palate with a restrained touch of cedar and smoke leading into a lingering finish.

A surprisingly good quality wine for such a reasonable price. I’ll definitely be looking out for Romanian wines in the future, and I’d recommend everyone to come and give this one a try.

When I think of Argentinian wine, I think of Malbec. When I think of Malbec, I think of the Mendoza region of Argentina. So for the White Rabbit to have an example in Septima, I have to give them kudos; an easy drinking softer Malbec full of plum, blackberry and slight earthy notes on the nose. These flavours carry over onto the palate well with the medium levels of tannin incorporated contributing to the wine’s smoothness. A very nice, easy drinking example of Argentinian Malbec in an incredibly cool place. The White Rabbit is without doubt one of Leeds’ best kept secrets, though I’m not sure for how much longer. One for the road? It’d be rude not to.

When I was a student, albeit many years ago now, drinking a decent glass of wine when out and about in town was somewhat out of reach. Terrible box wine at house parties was the closest we got generally. But what do you do as a student if you fancy a nice glass of wine but don’t have the funds for a high priced bottle? Fear not! These days good quality wines can be found for around £4 for a decent sized glass, and if you follow a couple of rules can be very nice indeed.

Words by Andy Illingworth

“A great little place in Leeds I visit regularly is The White Rabbit Bar, formerly Baby Jupiter.”

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Eat/Drink

More grub FOR YOUR MONEY

Belgrave Music Hall and CanteenFamous for their street food ‘Feasts’ amongst other ventures, Belgrave has two resident street food stalls which o©er some of the best slices and sliders around. You can pick up your half price slice from Dough Boys every day (Monday to Thursday 4 - 7pm and 12 - 7pm during the weekend) so you’ll have every excuse to try out each of their creative toppings. Plus Patty Smith’s do their Sunday special of buy 1 burger and get the 2nd for £1 which always proves particularly popular with those needing a pick me up after an eventful Saturday night.

it BarFamed for its over the top take on burgers, it Bar is a chilled bar and restaurant hang out on New Briggate. Already reasonably priced, with regular drink deals, it Bar o©ers 50% o© all food on Mondays and their timing couldn’t be more perfect for those with depleted funds after a heavy weekend.

Tapped There are some questionable pizza takeaways in the student areas that will happily sell you a half frozen pizza covered in artificial cheese at a pumped up price. (Yes, I am talking from some regrettable experiences.) But with Tapped being only a £1 bus journey away you’d be a fool to waste your money on something sub par when this American style restaurant and bar on Boar Lane o©ers buy one get one half price on all pizzas every day before 5pm. Big Dan’s pizzas are made fresh with authentic ingredients and using the home brewed beer within their pizza dough for a soft hoppy hint are a sure win with any foodie.

Bierkeller A popular spot for society socials, Bierkeller can get pretty rowdy most nights of the week. You can often spot a drunken Fresher dancing on the tables so although their 2 for 1 deal on steins Tuesday to Friday might sound dangerous, at least there is also 25% o© food to line your stomach!

The FavershamStudent party palace The Faversham is a bit of a triple whammy with a restaurant serving home cooked meals using local produce as well as a well-stocked bar and outdoor eating area. Next to the University of Leeds campus in grassy surroundings, The Faversham rewards their membership card holders (free to sign up to online) with numerous enticing daily food deals including 30% o© all food on Mondays and Fav Fish and Chip Night on Tuesdays, with a posh version of the pub favourite, and beer/soft drink for £10.

Nation of ShopkeepersAs one of the original burger joints in Leeds, Nation of Shopkeepers (or ‘Nation’) is a hip haunt which specialises in tasty fast food dishes but also has a great bar and outdoor eating area. Most new student arrivals quickly clock on to the chilled out vibes and Tuesdays are particularly busy because of the 2 for 1 burger deal on all their colossal burger bites.

The Pit Situated in the Leeds’ ‘Northern Quarter’ on Merrion Street The Pit takes you down into the depths of Leeds’ bar scene and into an underground bar and restaurant which serves an extensive range of bar snacks and meals. Although not the typical lunch spot, they have a tempting £5 lunch menu Monday to Friday as well as a £6.95 meal deal including a soft drink or co©ee.

HumpitStudent favourite Humpit know how much students love a deal and despite already having very reasonable priced dishes, with their packed pittas at only £3.90, they are o©ering a free drink on orders over £3.90 when you quote Leeds Living, meaning you can pick up a deliciously free iced tea with your homemade falafel mezze or huge hummus pitta filled with all the trimmings and slathered in sauce.

OranaiseIf you’re wanting something a bit more varied than the usual student staples of pizzas and burgers, Oranaise, situated on Hyde Park Corner, cooks up some of the most delicious North African cuisine around with their myriad of Moroccan inspired meals. Monday through to Thursday there is a 20% discount on food orders over £10 during lunch time (12-3pm) and then a two course early bird (5-7pm) meal deal in the evening with two courses available for £9.99 - a bargain price with dishes such as tagines and grilled meat skewers on the menu.

Original Oak (of note in Headingley)With a legendary pub garden and cheap and cheerful pub grub, Original Oak is constantly teaming with students most nights of the week but their two meals for £7 deal proves particularly popular, o©ering huge portions for those with a big appetite and small budget. Meals within the deal include pub favourites such as pie and mash, fish and chips and veggie lasagne.

Black Swan Here at Leeds Living we are huge fans of the top quality grub served up at the Black Swan. One of their most enticing draws is the 2 for 1 pizza deal they feature every Tuesday, meaning you and your mates can treat yourselves to some seriously luxury pizzas without feeling guilty about your dwindling student loan. Best of all, as the restaurant is located on Call Lane, a strip of classy cocktail bars, you could always use the money you’ve saved on 2 for 1 cocktails at Mook bar just across the road.

Bangkok Thai Potentially the best take away on Hyde Park corner, Bangkok Thai freshly prepares their authentic Thai street food dishes in front of your eyes on with their huge woks. Their Pad Thais are particularly delicious with a spicy kick and generous helping with a selection of curries and fish and meat based chef specials. Monday to Thursday you can claim 20% o© orders over £30 - ideal if you’re ordering as a flat or with mates.

Words by Becky Peartree

Big Dan’s pizza

Image by Dough Boys

Everyone arrives at uni with a carefully thought out budget and the promise of your first student loan landing heavily in your account. However, Freshers’ week passes in one big boozy blur and the next thing you know you’re searching for bus fare down the side of the sofa. It’s happened to the best of us - don’t worry. But being on a budget doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t explore your new home city. With many restaurants wanting to tap into the student market there are numerous deals and discounts to be had. So to help you out when you’re feeling hungry and baked beans just won’t do, we’ve put together a round up of some of the best to get you started on a delicious culinary journey which won’t send you into the red:

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STUDENT LOCK-IN at TrinityWords by Hannah Rose. Images provided by Leeds Trinity.

Round up your housemates and get set for a night of serious style this September with Trinity Leeds Student Night. Whether you’re yet to experience the countless delights of Leeds or you’re eagerly anticipating yet another exhilarating and memorable year, come 29th September, it’s time to step away from your studies and to delve into a world of exclusive discounts, alluring freebies and non-stop entertainment. And the best part is...it won’t even make a dent in your student loan.

Last year Leeds’ newest and most happening shopping centre welcomed 21,000 students and

this year, it’s set to be even bigger. With an enticing selection of over 80 famous and popular retailers o�ering discounts of up to 25%, free up your diaries and prepare to sample the goods, as this is an evening not to be missed.

As we wave goodbye to summer, we say hello to new trends hitting the stores ready for the coming seasons and with special for-one-night-only o©ers, there’s no better time to get your hands on the chic necessities for autumn and winter, and of course, to stock up your uni-fied wardrobe. This is not just for the fashion elites, however. Some of the exclusive discounts also apply to the delicious array of food and drink outlets housed in Trinity...so why not top o© an evening of self-indulgence and choose from one of the many cafes and restaurants?

Don’t worry, because the fun doesn’t stop there. Take some snaps with your newly found coursemates in the free photo booth; preen and pamper yourself for the night ahead in the makeup and hair studio and take advantage of the free food and drink samples from major brands including Smirno© and Desperados all sound tracked by the coolest DJs. Student life has never been better.

Well, it can get a little bit better...ever fancied being let loose in a premier shopping centre, having first dibs on sizes and being able to get your hands on the seat with the very best view in your fave restaurant? Well, with a gold wristband, now you can. Look out for these limited edition bands at a selection of the City’s universities and colleges’ Freshers’ fairs for a truly VIP experience. Celebs, eat your hearts out.

All shopped out? Head to Leeds University Union’s award winning venue Stylus for the o®cial after party. Alarms at the ready or be prepared to write o© Wednesday’s lectures (ssshh...) as you’re in for a night of special yet-to-be-revealed guests, cutting edge tunes and of course, a beverage or two as you dance the night away. After all, what better way to celebrate those bargains?

So scribble the date in your diary and register now, as this is just too good to miss.

Retail Therapy

Ever fancied being let loose in a premier shopping centre?

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Culture Vulture

HYDE PARK PICTURE HOUSE A cinema worth seeking outWords by Becky Peartree

In a world of big, slightly sterile cinema complexes charging extortionate prices, Hyde Park Picture House is more than just a Leeds’ find – it’s a complete gem. The character of the charming and plushly decorated picture house is bountiful, with the venue celebrating its 100th birthday last year. The original front of the building has survived the ages and has become the iconic image of a long standing Leeds’ landmark which continues to exude an era where cinema was part of everyday life until the advent of TVs and their subsequent affordability to the masses.

The Picture House was established in 1914 in the midst of the Second World War and

quickly became a hub of Hyde Park community. At the time they showed war footage and news bulletins, as well as movies that allowed an escape from the terrifying reality of the conflict. Although only a few cinemas were built during the war, the number of people who visited grew more and more with cinema soon becoming a weekly or daily destination for many. The Hyde Park Picture House was very much a part of this cinematic boom and pays homage to the history of cinema with its almost unchanged interior, letting you experience a little bit of the past. Despite media evolving seven fold over the last century, with cinema complexes, TVs and even laptops all becoming ingrained within the media world, the Hyde Park Picture House continues to thrive to this day - with many showings selling out.

Now owned by a subsection of Leeds City Council (Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Limited), which works to preserve and protect the City’s most historic and culturally valuable institutions, the Picture House is a non-profit charitable organisation which relies on the support of members and volunteers. As an non-profit organisation prices are kept surprisingly low with tickets for as little as £5 on particular showings, as well as student and membership discounts available.

The longevity of the establishment is obvious in the interior, with lines of red velvet for you to sink into and a curtained screen that may not be as colossal as some but which creates an intimate viewing experience. The cinema strives to be the cosiest in Leeds and there is a warm, sort of squishy feeling that accompanies any viewing at the cinema, created by the sofa-like seats that almost swallow you up and the dim lighting on entrance. From art house indie movies to Hollywood hits, Hyde Park Picture House is a cinema experience with a di©erence and without the hefty price tag - plus there are not many places you can enjoy a film from a balcony!

Events and screeningsBYOB (Bring Your Own Baby)Everyone knows it’s hard to get out the house when you first have a baby, let alone take an eight week old baby into the cinema without getting death stares from the tiniest cry. However, with this in mind the Picture House hosts regular BYOB showings where light levels are raised and volumes reduced, with bottle warming services available. Tickets are £5.50 and the cinema opens earlier before the showing to allow you to catch up with friends and other mothers.

Hyde and Seek Perfect for families of film lovers the Hyde and Seek membership is completely free, plus you receive a free adult and child ticket when you sign up, as well as letters updating you about family friendly showings. Every Saturday at noon a family and child friendly viewing takes place with tickets priced at just £5 per adult and £1.50 per child - a bargain compared with other cinema prices.

Tuesday WondersEvery Tuesday the Picture House puts the spotlight on a less known but incredible piece of cinema which you may not have enjoyed on a big screen otherwise. The Tuesday Wonders showings work to highlight a hidden gem and are usually packed with film fanatics. If you’re into indie films then be sure to pick up your loyalty card which gets you into a Tuesday Wonders showing free for every four times you visit.

Scalarama 2015Every year, a whole month is dedicated to celebrating cinema up and down the country with Scalarama. It ensures each film is specially selected to suit the venue and organisation. Hyde Park will have two showings as part of the uno®cial month of cinema:

Jodorowsky’s Dune Saturday 26th September | 12a

When director Jodorowsky created his adaptation of sci-fi novel Dune he had a powerful vision. What he created became one of the most provocative films ever made. The aim was for people to have LSD-like visions without actually having the hallucinogens. This documentary interviews a number of artists and legends of the film industry and includes interviews with Jodorowsky taken over three years that delve further into his mind-blowing thinking.

Ornette Made in America & The Connection Sunday 27th September | 12a

A double bill from the intriguing film maker Shirley Clarke, linked by the use of or focus on Jazz. Ornette - Made in America is a 1985 documentary on the late Jazz great Ornette Coleman, covering three decades of his life and allowing a unique insight into Jazz history; whereas The Connection is Clarke’s first feature film which has an incredible jazz soundtrack.

Me, Earl and the Dying Girl 11-17th September | 12aCritically acclaimed and winner of the Grand Jury and Audience awards at the 2015 Sundance Festival, the film focuses on the lives of 17 year old Greg and his business partner Earl who indulge in world cinema as a method of escapism.

Hyde Park Picture House

is a cinema experience with

a difference and without the

hefty price tag

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Strictly Business

FIRST 10: Towards Purpose-led MarketingWords by Kamalika Jayathilaka. Photography by Mick Backhouse

Digital channels and mobile have increasingly shaped the purpose and direction of contemporary marketing, and First 10 is one of many independent agencies in Leeds that continuously grapple with fast-paced trends to move ahead in the business world. Dan Bosomworth, Co-Founder and Business Development Director of First 10, spoke to Leeds Living of his company’s humble beginnings, strengths, and efforts at not losing direction within a multifaceted, highly competitive and dynamic industry.

“I hated the boredom of having to sit on my own a lot of the time and crunch through work.”

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Strictly Business

Armed with considerable experience gathered from working both agency

and client-side, it was Dan’s disillusionment with the corporate set up that made him do the groundwork resulting in the earliest foundations of what would subsequently become First 10. Feeling it was time to make the next leap armed with confidence and inspiration, he stepped out of TUI Travel and into the freelance world where it all began.

“I set out with the idea that a big-ticket, high day-rate, low-volume 4-hour work week, Tim Ferriss kind of arrangement would be really great. But to be honest, I hated it. I hated the boredom of having to sit on my own a lot of the time and crunch through work.” described Dan.

Founded in 2010 as a digital marketing consultancy, First 10’s journey as an independent in Leeds began through Dan’s partnership with three similar minds, other individuals he had worked with in the past. Together, they began their collaboration on projects. Quite naturally the four of them formed First 10. With this they soon entered the web-development sphere, well on their way to forming an agency. “It was very natural and it was nothing like what I expected, because in truth, I pretty much hate agencies as a world. I don’t like the industry we are in. So it was rather ironic that I ended up creating something in the agency space.” explained Dan.

The first 18 months were relatively casual. They worked in the form of a collective, four individuals with their own businesses working together on projects and trading under a

single name. They then shifted their internal process from the way they paid themselves to how they committed to their work ethos and the company itself.

Today, First 10 is a reputed brand and content marketing leader o©ering a range of digital, brand and content marketing services. It has grown broadly in the areas of content generation, motions graphics, and design. From a web development end they engage in a range of areas from e-commerce to interactive platforms, communities and the marketing, including the planning and the activation.

What makes First 10 rather unique according to Dan is their distrust and dislike of agencies. In the current state of the industry it is easy to get caught up in a transaction-led, sales-led typical agency arrangement which First 10 aims to escape. Instead, they strive to maintain their business processes to encourage the kind of relationships that minimise the client/agency divide with a practical focus on results; they strive to design a world where marketing works because it’s helpful, where businesses grow by telling stories that people love. Speaking further on this Dan said:

“This year has been about how we come back to what we are and what we want to be and where we want to go with a clear mission and purpose. This purpose isn’t to build an agency in a ‘transactional’ sense, which is consequence of doing great purposeful work. The transactions aspect looks after itself. Getting sales is not very di®cult but building a company that matters is exceptionally di®cult.”

In this short span of time the company has been active, First 10 has achieved an enviable clientele including PUMA, RFL, Prozone, Tilda and Aviva, among many other brands and establishments of repute. Speaking about First 10’s involvement in promoting a wide range of brands and some of their most important client wins, Dan elaborated:

“PUMA was a very early win. I’m more proud of retaining that relationship four years on. As a part of this we are also working with Newcastle United. Football is a growing space for us and we are talking to them separate from PUMA about their digital strategy and platform. We were also the agency behind Joey Barton’s take over on Twitter and so on. Our job was to help him find his voice online, find his purpose and that’s been great as well.

A small independent from Leeds, First 10 has a certain sense of pride in being northern; and being from Leeds they aspire to do their best for the community they are from and are keen on playing a part in marking Leeds on the map. In such an attempt to contribute to the betterment of the home territory they are currently also exploring the possibilities of hosting a marketing focussed event before the end of the year.

Finally, reminiscing on First 10’s journey and the hardships he had to face starting out, especially working with London based brands from up north, Dan explained the many di®culties faced but also how times have presently changed. With the current trends of globalisation and people working with counterparts from all over the world, borders are fast dissipating, making it much easier, if not better and far more acceptable, being from a northern city such as Leeds.

“The north south divide is now dissolving and if anything, I now get the sense when I am facing our clients in London - and that’s really where our clients are – that they like us being northern. I think they like the fact that there is a significant di©erence: a di©erent energy, a di©erent set of ideas, and a di©erent perspective that’s not part of the whole London clique. So I’m excited to be part of kicking Leeds on and raising our profile and doing our bit around it,” concluded Dan.

To read the full Dan Bosomworth interview go to: leedsliving.co.uk/local/first-10

“I’m excited to be part of

kicking Leeds on and raising our profile and

doing our bit around it.”

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Featured PLACESA Nation of Shopkeepers 29 Cookridge Street, Leeds LS2 3AG 0113 203 1831 www.anationofshopkeepers.com /shopkeepers @shopkeepers

Bangkok Café 12 Hyde Park Corner, Leeds LS6 1AF 0113 274 1060 www.bangkokcafeleeds.com /Bangkokcafeleeds @bangkokcafeleed

Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen 1-1A Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds LS2 8JP 0113 2346160 www.belgravemusichall.com /BelgraveMusicHallandCanteen @Belgrave_Leeds

Bierkeller 1 South Parade, Leeds LS1 5QL 0113 821 4850 www.thebierkeller.com/leeds-bar /The-Bierkeller-Leeds @LeedsBierkeller

Black Swan 37 Call Lane, Leeds LS1 7BT 0113 827 2349 www.blackswanleeds.co.uk /blackswanleeds @blackswanleeds

Brudenell Social Club 33 Queen’s Road, Leeds LS6 1NY 0113 275 2411 www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk /leedsbrudenell @Nath_Brudenell

Canal Mills Brandon Street, Leeds LS12 2EB 0113 200 2780 www.canalmills.com /CanalMills @CanalMills

City Junk-tion 1-3 Grand Arcade, Leeds LS1 6PG /cityjunktionleeds @city_junktion

City Varieties Music Hall Swan Street, Leeds LS1 6LW 0113 243 0808 www.cityvarieties.co.uk /CityVarieties @CityVarieties

Crash Records 35 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PU 0113 2436743 www.crashrecords.co.uk /Crash-Records @Crash_Records

First 10 78 East Street, Leeds LS9 8EE 0113 244 5273 www.first10.co.uk /first10digital @first10digital

First Direct Arena Clay Pit Lane, Leeds LS2 8BY 0844 248 1585 www.firstdirectarena.com /firstdirectarena @fdarena

Forage Cafe 156 Briggate, Leeds LS1 6LY www.foragecafeleeds.com /foragecafeleeds @Foragecafeleeds

Headingley Carnegie St Michael’s Lane, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3BR 0844 248 6651

Headrow House 19 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PU www.headrowhouse.com /Headrow-House @headrowhouse

HiFi 2 Central Road, Leeds LS1 6DE 0113 242 7353 www.thehificlub.co.uk /HiFiClubLeeds @HiFiClubLeeds

Holy Trinity Church Boar Lane, Leeds LS1 6HW 0796 102 5581 www.holytrinityleeds.co.uk

Humpit Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds LS1 7BR 0113 245 3836 www.humpit-hummus.com /Humpit-The-Hummus-Pita-Bar @HumpitHummus

Hyde Park Picture House 73 Brudenell Road, Leeds LS6 1JD 0113 275 2045 www.hydeparkpicturehouse.co.uk /TheHydeParkPictureHouse @HydeParkPH

it Bar and Food Joint 59-61 New Briggate, Leeds LS2 8JD 0113 246 9080 www.itbars.co.uk /itbarleeds @itbarLeeds

Judy’s A�ordable Vintage Fair www.judysvintagefair.co.uk /JudysA©ordableVintageFair @JudyVintageFair

Jumbo Records 5-6 St. John’s Centre, Leeds LS2 8LQ 0113 245 5570 www.jumborecords.co.uk /JumboRecords @JumboRecords

Leeds Beckett University Portland Way, Leeds LS1 3HE 0113 812 0000 www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/ /leedsbeckett @leedsbeckett

Leeds Does Vintage Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds LS1 7BR 07824 559272 www.britaindoesvintage.co.uk /leedsdoesvintage @britdoesvintage

Leeds Grand Theatre 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NZ 0844 848 2700 www.leedsgrandtheatre.com /LeedsGrandTheatre @GrandTheatreLS1

Leeds Town Hall The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AD 0113 222 4444 www.leedstownhall.co.uk /Leeds-Town-Hall @LeedsTownHall

Leeds University Union 2 Lifton Place, Leeds LS2 9JZ 0113 3801 400 www.luu.org.uk /leedsuniversityunion @LeedsUniUnion

Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair www.thevintagefair.com /VintageFair @loulouslondon

Mustapic and Jamieson 49 Aire Street, Leeds LS1 4HT 0113 243 5752 www.mustapicandjamieson.com /mustapicandjamieson @mandj_ltd

Northern Monk Brew Refectory The Old Flax Store, Marshalls Mill, Holbeck LS11 9YJ 0133 243 6430 www.northernmonkbrewco.com /NORTHERNMONKBREWCo @NMBCoRefectory

Oranaise 1 The Crescent, Hyde Park, Leeds LS6 2NW 0113 274 4422 www.oranaise-cafe.co.uk /oranaisecafe

Original Oak 2 Otley Road, Leeds LS6 2DG 0113 275 1322 www.theoriginaloakleeds.co.uk /theoriginaloak @originaloak

Pryzm 16-18 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 8LX 0113 243 9510 www.pryzm.co.uk/leeds /PRYZMLEEDS @pryzmleeds

Red Tattoo and Piercing Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds LS1 7BR 0113 242 0413 www.redtattooandpiercing.com /Red-Tattoo-Piercing @RedTattooLeeds

Relics Records 53 New Briggate, Leeds LS2 8JD 0113 2347361 www.relicsrecords.co.uk /Relics-Records-Vinyl-Record-Shop @relicsrecords

Royal Armouries Armouries Drive, Leeds LS10 1LT 0113 220 1999 www.royalarmouries.org /Royal-Armouries @Royal_Armouries

Sacred Electric Tattoo 2-3 Mill Hill, Leeds LS1 5DQ 0113 242 5553 www.sacredelectrictattoo.tumblr.com /Sacred.Electric @Sacred_Electric

Snake and Tiger Tattoo 11 Thorntons Arcade, Leeds LS1 6LQ 0796 733 3521 www.chrislamberttattoo.com /ChrisLambertTattoo @chrislamberttattoo

Stylus Leeds University Union, 2 Lifton Place, Leeds LS2 9JS 0113 380 1400 www.unionevents.org/venues/stylus /stylus.leeds

Tapped Leeds 51 Boar Lane, Leeds LS1 5EL 0113 244 1953 www.tappedleeds.co.uk /Tapped-Leeds @tappedleeds

The Core he Headrow, Leeds LS1 6JB 0113 244 0416 www.thecoreleeds.co.uk /The-Core-Shopping-Centre @TheCoreLeeds

The Faversham 1-5 Springfield Mt, Leeds LS2 9NG 0113 243 1481 www.thefaversham.com /TheFaversham @The_Faversham

The Pit 9 Merrion St, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 6PQ 0113 247 0601 www.arcinspirations.com/pit /ThePitLeeds @ThePitLeeds

The Wardrobe 6 St. Peters Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS9 8AH 0113 383 8800 www.thewardrobe.co.uk /thewardrobeleeds @wardrobeleeds

The Warehouse 19-21 Somers Street, Leeds LS1 2RG 0113 234 3535 www.theleedswarehouse.com /TheWarehouseLeeds @Warehouse_Leeds

The Tetley Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JQ 0113 320 2323 www.thetetley.org /TheTetleyLeeds @The_Tetley

Trinity Leeds Albion Street, Leeds LS1 5AT 0113 394 2415 www.trinityleeds.com /TrinityLeeds @TrinityLeeds

University of Leeds Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT 0113 243 1751 www.leeds.ac.uk /universityofleeds @UniversityLeeds

Verve 16 Merrion Street, Leeds LS1 6PQ 0113 244 2272 www.verveleeds.co.uk /vervemariachi @VerveBarLeeds

Vintage Union /VintageUnion @Vintage_Union

Wetherby Racecourse Wetherby LS22 5EJ 0193 758 2035 www.wetherbyracing.co.uk /Wetherby-Racecourse @WetherbyRaces

West Yorkshire Playhouse Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP 0113 213 7700 ww.wyp.org.uk /westyorkshireplayhouse @WYPlayhouse

White Rabbit 11 York Place, Leeds LS1 2DS 0113 242 1202 /thewhiterabbitleeds @whiterabbitls1

Wire 2-8 Call Lane, Leeds LS1 6DN 0113 234 0980 www.wireclub.co.uk /wireclub @wireleeds