Update Leeds Gig Guide site now live at www.leedsgigs.co.uk.
Bit of a dull update considering this is my first post in over two years!
I’ve recently spent a bit of time creating a more general Leeds site. I started off with the idea of having a portal (-style) front page mixing and matching the best bits of other sites (ahem, legally!) and then creating a web directory of Leeds websites.
Regarding the Web Directory – one of the annoyances I had with DMOZ and hence Google, and Yahoo too, was the fact they are global directories and don’t quite suit all regions. I also found the regional navigation a little difficult. Well, less difficult, more bugging.
Finally, I couldn’t manage to get a domain name of choice, so went for leedz.co.uk ! Zzzzzzzzz… haha.
Posted by davelms | Posted in Music | Posted on 25-12-2006
With two young children it’s always an early start in our household on Christmas Day. But with Santa’s presents now opened and the kids playing with their new toys it’s time to reflect on 2006 and look forward to 2007.
I recently wrote a summary of the Leeds music scene in 2006, where I tried to rattle through most of the news releases I had come across throughout the year. There’s so much that went on in 2006, so why don’t you have a read of that article and add your own thoughts.
For me personally (i.e. my tastes in music), 2006 was an excellent year. The bands I like most in Leeds enjoyed a rapid rise in public awareness and nationwide popularity. In particular, the two bands I’d single out most would be Forward Russia and The Sunshine Underground. The former band feature a few friends of mine, whereas the latter were a band I first encountered during 2005 when they sent me their demo CD. I farmed it out, as I do, to a new and amazingly talented writer (Lauren Strain, who now writes for Plan B amongst other publications) and from that first listen she was hooked. As was I.
Both Forward Russia and The Sunshine Underground have albums out now.
Other bands I’d single out from 2006 would be The Pigeon Detectives, who I have seen a handful of times but most memorable was at Middlesbrough Music Live where they played just before headline act Bromheads Jacket. My gig of the year!
Emerging bands for 2007 would be Wild Beasts and Sky Larkin. Wild Beasts have just released their debut single, whereas Sky Larkin release theirs early in 2007.
I’ve also been listening to the debut single from Voltage Union and the album from Piskie Sits. If these new releases are an example of what to expect from 2007, then the Leeds music scene is definitely marching onwards with strength.
Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
In the charts at number 39, cool.
There’s a few singles out at the moment – or about to be released – that I’m particularly keen on. It’s no surprise that they’re mainly Leeds/West Yorkshire based bands.
First up is The Sunshine Underground who re-released their “Commercial Breakdown” single yesterday – it was originally scheduled for release last week, but the date was put back a week for some reason. Anyway, it’s ace, and given the amount of airplay it has received and the fact the boys are on a sell out UK headlining tour at the moment I anticipate a decent chart placing. Their last single just entered the Top 40 and I reckon this one will break over and into the Top 30. My estimate is number 24… roll on Sunday!
Also out now is a song by Wakefield band Last Gang called “Beat Of Blue”. You can watch their video on their Myspace page.
Out next Monday is The Pigeon Detectives, and I reckon this one will do fantastically well. Out on the Dance To The Radio label this release comes in those multi-formats, CD, 7″, Digital, etc. The band are also supporting Kaiser Chiefs on their European Tour. Another chart hit I hope. Let me hear you sing…
“Going out with! Going out with!”