Leeds Live Lounge was set to be a perfect, chilled mid-week event that I had been looking forward to for a while. After a busy start to the week with lectures, reading and homework, a relaxed gig in the Library Pub was just what I needed. Upon arrival, the atmosphere was lively and friendly, with an energetic crowd of about 200 people laughing, chatting and having a good time. The candle-lit tables subtly acknowledged the pre-Valentine’s Day date. Having only heard Stray Arrows and The Undercovers before, I had no pre-conceptions about what the event was going to be like.
First up was Josh Davies, a great choice for the opening act. The solo singer- songwriter had a stylish look and kicked off the evening with songs played on acoustic guitar. His music had a very strong yet relaxed feel and his rich, gravelly voice gave an undertone of passion to his performance.
Next up were Stray Arrows. I’ve been to many Stray Arrows gigs, particularly over the last few months, but this one has to be the best performance I’ve seen. One of the reasons I like Stray Arrows is because of the diversity within their music. Their genre is hard to define: it has a bit of soul, a spot of R&B, a speck of Jazz and fleck of blues – an impression of assortment and originality came across strongly throughout the set. Their first song, ‘Bad Energy’, was one of my favourites. I found myself subconsciously clicking my fingers and tapping my foot during this particular jazz tune, only to look around and find the audience doing exactly the same thing. The lead singer, Zoe Campbell, has a powerfully unique voice in addition to an awesome stage presence. She engaged well with the crowd, getting them involved by encouraging them to clap in unison for their last song ‘End How We Start’. This feel-good song had very catchy lyrics, and I found myself singing them at various times throughout the night.
Where to I start with The Purple Emperors? I absolutely loved their set! I’ve never come across a band quite like them. The five-piece boy band an intriguing range of instruments, with a cello, violin, electro-acoustic guitar, bass guitar and drums. The band had a folk-rock style genre, with some great harmonising. I was particularly fond of the progression built up amongst the string instruments. It was evident that each individual was musically gifted, meaning that together they became a collaboration of raw talent. The lead singer had a smooth voice with an at times raspy edge, adding to the band’s laid-back, indie feel.
The Undercovers began their performance with a classic that everybody loves: R Kelly’s ‘Ignition (Remix)’. The easy-listening duo had a smooth mix of blues, R&B and jazz, with lead singer Kimberley Dixon’s stylish elegance and edginess perfectly matching her vocals. I particularly loved the guitarist and his ability to use the body of his guitar percussively whilst strumming. The band played a few favourites like ‘Promises’ by Nero, heightening the buzzing atmosphere in allowing us all to sing along and enjoy the music.
The Reeds were the final act of the night and rounded up the evening with a blast. The upbeat four-piece rhythm and blues band wore suede jackets, sporting a casually eclectic look. They had an immensely friendly stage charisma and I loved the enthusiasm from the front man. My favourite song of the set was the cover of ‘Twist and Shout’ which got the whole crowd doing their own form of jazz twist. They were received well by the crowd who duly called out for the all-important encore at the end of the set.
Overall, I loved Leeds Live Lounge, the only downside being that it was all over so quickly! It was a well organised event in a great location with a fantastic vibe and fantastic talent. I love the fact that there’s something out there to support emerging new talent, and I’m constantly checking the Support Young Talent’s Facebook page to find out the latest news. You should be too!
Image sources:
First – Copyright Amy Adejokun
Second – Copyright Support Young Talent
Third – Copyright Amy Adejokun