Preview: Live At Leeds 08

With over 80 bands spread over 8 venues around the city, Live At Leeds is returning for another year after last year's triumphant debut. With a good portion of the line up hailing from the city itself; such as i Concur, Grammatics, This Et Al, International Trust, The Chiara Ls and many more, there are just as many impressive names who have come from far and wide including New York City's White Rabbits, London's XX Teens and the band that everybody's now taking notice of because of a pairing up with a certain Arctic Monkey - the Miles Kane fronted band The Rascals. We've coughed up a preview featuring some of the bands that we can't wait to see.

Date: 02/05/08

Band #5 - The Dead Certs (Trash, 12pm)

The Dead Certs are kicking off the proceedings at Trash club, formerly known as the Mixing Tin. With snappy riffs and witty observations, The Dead Certs remind us of some other quite good band from Sheffield, but there's more to these lads than meets the eye. They haven't been together a year yet, but have made tongues flap already because of their energetic live shows. Check out 'She'll Love You Tonight' for the best example of what these five boys are capable of.

www.myspace.com/thedeadcerts

Band #4 - Grammatics (The Cockpit, 6pm)

Leeds band Grammatics have come a long way in a short space of time. After a slew of roughly cobbled demos, the band's sound came together when they employed Emilia Ergin on cello, to give the band's songs that added touch of colour; that extra splash of identity. Undoubtedly though, it's the band's front man Owen Brinley who brings that bit of magic to the band, that something special that elevates Grammatics above their contemporaries. To see what we're waffling on about, check out their debut 7" single Shadow Committee, especially the outro, and ask yourself this - When did you last hear a voice like that?.

http://www.myspace.com/grammatics

Band #3 - i Concur (The Cockpit, 7pm)

Photograph (c) Kevin Petch

i Concur come across as an intelligent, calculated band. When we interviewed singer Tim Henn, he came out with comments that made you wonder why every band don't go about their business with such methodical efficiency. But then, achieving success isn't simply down to setting goals, creating targets and going about your business with an air of purpose - you also have to have the tunes. Thankfully, i Concur have them in abundance, from the grandiose, landscape aping build-ups of Build Around Me to the swirling guitar riffs and power groove bass lines of Oblige. i Concur create a more powerful sound than they probably think they do, and with a very real chance of making it to the top, catch these guys in the intimacy of The Cockpit whilst you still have chance.

http://www.myspace.com/iconcurband

Band #2 - White Rabbits (Faversham, 9pm)

New York Cities' White Rabbits are no doubt going to be one of the biggest draws of the event this year. Their line up alone makes them that bit different from other bands - with two drummers and three singers, they dub themselves 'honky-tonk calypso'. White Rabbits are known for their entertaining live shows, whey they often partake in the switching of instruments and performing cover versions with a twist. Their own songs are a bit special too; check out 'Kid On My Shoulders' - a stomping, almost Lambada-esque slab of power-pop. White Rabbits are the most enticing connoisseurs of guitar pop on the entire bill, and for those who just want to have a bit of a dance (if you're still standing after drinking since 12pm), it's highly recommended that you finish off the day at the Fav.

http://www.myspace.com/whiterabbits

Band #1 - This Et Al (The Cockpit, 8pm)

A criminally overlooked band and one of the finest live acts that the city has to offer, This Et Al have been doing the rounds longer than the majority of acts on this year's Live at Leeds bill. Their debut proper Baby Machine was released last year; an album full of thrashing guitars and urgent, harmonised vocals, it served up eleven tracks of highly energised, hook-laden rock. The band have a new EP out this month, titled The Figure 8 EP, which has already received positive reviews for its continuation of the band's darkly brooding and hard hitting sound.

Having only started performing live again in the past month or so, This Et Al, for us, is the most enticing draw of the day. Not only have the band already got a silly assortment of fine songs after only an album and an EP, but one gets the impression that the band are hungry for 'it', eager to prove just what they can do, and are ready to put on a show that simply demands your attention.

http://www.myspace.com/thisetal

Words: Kane Fulton