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Item 5: Watch a gig at Headrow House.
Last week I ticked off the first of 14 items on my Leeds Bucket List – to watch a live gig at Headrow House.
Although I’d visited the vibrant and varied venue before, enjoying many a cocktail up on the venue’s rooftop, I’ve always been keen to explore some of the other levels. The versatile, multi-storey building is host to a multitude of different types of evening, with a beer hall in the basement, a restaurant and hall spaces in the mid-levels where live acts frequently perform, as well as the roof top bar.
The event was ‘Welcome Party’, a free event showcasing various up and coming live acts, hosted by local event hosts Super Friendz. The event was spread across 2 venues; Headrow House and Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen. I chose to attend the Headrow House event as alternative, hip-hop music duo, 808INK with whom I was familiar were performing here.
We arrived and had a quick drink up on my favourite rooftop spot before heading straight down to the event space on the middle floor. We caught the end of S4U, who were great, there was a short break, where the DJs from Youth Club – the co-hosts of the event –played some funky tunes to keep the crowd moving.
From the second 808INK came on stage the atmosphere was incredible. Even though we were in a fairly small venue, with a full capacity of 200 people, we could easily have been in the London O2 or a much larger space. The South-London duo knew exactly how to work the crowd and get everyone pumped.
The best kind of gigs are the ones where you can dance and have a great time even if you haven’t necessarily heard the songs being performed before. Some of the friends I came with hadn’t heard of 808INK before, but within the first 5 minutes we were all dancing as though they’d been our favourite act for years. The duo played a wide variety of songs, moving and dancing across the stage with great energy, getting the crowd just as excited as they were to be here.
They played old songs and new, including their most well-known song, Suede Jaw, as well as giving us an exclusive preview debuting their new song which was yet to be released, ‘Flexing’, which went down a treat.
808INK’s first performance in Leeds and they certainly did not disappoint, and I hope it will be the first of many. My first experience of live music at Headrow House was fantastic, I will certainly be returning very soon, and urge you to do the same!
I’d also like to shout out to and thank Super Friendz and Youth Club for organising and pulling off such a fantastic free event. Keep your eyes peeled for their next free event, they’re definitely not to be missed.