Leeds Festival 2022 kicked off in style yesterday. Adam Kennedy reports
Before a single note had been played at Bramham Park yesterday, the world-renowned festival had already made headlines. When approximately ten days before the event Rage Against The Machine withdrew due to an injury endured by frontman Zach de la Rocha the festival organisers were given the difficult challenge of replacing their Friday night headliners at short notice.
In stepped indie outfit The 1975, who were a controversial announcement for some, whilst welcomed by others.
- Scroll down to see our gallery of pictures from Day 1 of Leeds Fesitval 2022
With balmy weather from the off, yesterday’s festival opening was almost as hot as the stellar line-up on display. For those who made it into the arena early in the day they were welcomed by antipodean star Mallrat, who had flown all the way from Australia to attend the event. Whilst Willow (daughter of Hollywood stars Will and Jada Pinkett Smith) showed that talent runs in the family via her hard hitting brand of heavy rock.
Yesterday's undercard was very strong. US-based rapper Denzel Curry was one of the highlights early on, delivering a high-energy performance. Curry even ventured into the pit in front of the stage early in the set to get closer to his fans.
Similarly, Denzel's fellow country men Run The Jewels showcased a repertoire that channelled the hip-hop legends of yore. Chants of RTJ resonated around Bramham Park throughout.
Acts such as Bad Boy Chiller Crew and Bastille were huge draws on the Main Stage West, with many fans raised on the shoulders of their friends to get a prime view over the rest of the audience. Having recently been on tour with Ed Sheeran, Dylan proved to be a big hit on the Radio 1 Dance Stage mid-afternoon.
Highlights away from the main stage included Liverpudlian rockers Crawlers and one of the rising stars of the scene Beabadobee. The latter of which are labelmates of headliners The 1975 and have recently returned from performing at the Summer Sonic festival in Japan.
The beauty of Leeds Festival is the diversity of the line-up. There was something there for everyone yesterday. From drum and bass sensation Bru-C to the hotly-tipped anime-styled Ashnikko, each of the event’s many arenas provided opportunities to experience a variety of musical stylings.
But what of the headliners? With a huge crowd congregated in front of Main Stage East and a constant stream of tweets projected on the screens at the side of the stage from excited fans, it's fair to say that the atmosphere at the conclusion of the first evening of the festival was at a fever pitch.
Sporting a black suit, white shirt and grasping a cigarette Matt Healy and co took to the stage at around 9:20 pm. Black and white imagery was projected onto the huge screens at the rear of the stage as the chart-topping stars delivered a career-spanning setlist that perfectly illustrated their distinctive brand of infectious indie pop.
And just the title of one of the early inclusions in the band's set, both The 1975 and Friday at Leeds Festival 2022 was sweet like Chocolate.
US-based rapper Denzel Curry proved very popular with the crowd and delivered a high-energy performance.
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He even ventured into the pit just in front of the stage early on in the set to be closer to his fans.
Run The Jewels performed a nostalgic hip-hop set which was a massive hit with festival-goers.
Acts such as Bad Boy Chiller Crew and Bastille were huge draws on the Main Stage West, with many fans raised on the shoulders of their friends to get a prime view over the rest of the audience.
Recently having been on tour with Ed Sheeran, Dylan proved to be a big hit on the Radio 1 Dance Stage mid-afternoon.
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Highlights away from the main stage included Liverpudlian rockers Crawlers and one of the rising stars of the scene Beabadoobee.
There was a big variety in musical styles yesterday from drum and bass sensation Bru-C to anime-styled Ashnikko.
Considering The 1975 was not originally supposed to be performing, the crowd was incredibly enthusiastic.
Sporting a black suit, white shirt and grasping a cigarette Matt Healy and co took to the stage at around 9:20 pm.
Black and white imagery was projected onto the huge screens at the rear of the stage as the band delivered a career-spanning setlist.
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