The Student Playlist

Showcasing the Best New Music, Curating the Classics

PREVIEW: Gigs of the Week in Leeds, 20th-26th October

Moses Sumney @ Howard Assembly Room, Saturday 20th October

Moses Sumney is a Los Angeles based artist who blends folk, soul and indie rock with his hypnotising falsetto. His music is atmospheric and deeply intimate, showing vulnerability in a world dominated by the superficiality of social media. His 2017 debut album Aromanticism was incredibly well received, and proved that the unpopular opinion about romantic love – that it’s not the purpose and centre of every person’s life – can resonate with more people that it may seem. Whether you agree with Sumney’s thoughts or not, his gigs are most definitely worth attending for the simple pleasure of listening to his mesmerising voice and the ambient, melancholic melodies of his songs.

David Byrne @ Leeds First Direct Arena, Sunday 21st October

Sunday evening represents the opportunity to see one of alternative music’s true legends in the flesh, as former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne brings his world tour to the First Direct Arena. American Utopia, his first completely solo record for 14 years, appeared back in March. While it split the critics, what nobody could deny was how great it was that Byrne was recording and intending to tour again. Don’t miss out!

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever @ Brudenell Social Club, Sunday 21st October

Another key piece of evidence that Australia is no longer to be regarded as some sort of remote indie outpost, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever’s debut album Hope Downs has been a quiet, low-key indie success story in 2018, full of unforced, subtle yet powerful and melodious rock. Catch them at the Brudenell if David Byrne isn’t taking your fancy!

Superorganism @ Leeds University, Monday 22nd October

Superorganism are no strangers to Leeds audience, being one of the most vividly remembered acts of this year’s Live At Leeds festival. Back in April, Superorganism showed that they are full of energy, colour and have a great setlist of memorable tunes. They released their eponymous debut album this year and have dispelled the mystery of their true, previously unknown identity. The eight-piece “supergroup” led by Orono, a 17-year old coming from Maine, currently resides in London and makes quirky, incredibly catchy art-pop music. Nevertheless, Superorganism are still amazingly intriguing and the best way to get as close as possible to their enigmatic presence is to attend their gig, which is coming up this Monday at Leeds University.

Snail Mail @ Brudenell Social Club, Monday 22nd October

Having lived up to all the breathless hype with her long-awaited Snail Mail debut Lush, Lindsay Jordan is wrapping up a sensational 2018 with another exhaustive tour, swinging by the Brudenell Social Club for the second time this year. If her performance at May’s Gold Sounds Festival is anything to go by, you can expect an emotionally intense experience.

IDLES @ Leeds University Styles, Wednesday 24th October

Anger and positivity aren’t mutually exclusive elements in punk, as Bristol’s IDLES have demonstrated ever since their rise to prominence in the last 18 months. That ascent culminated in the release last month of their sophomore effort Joy As An Act Of Resistance, an album of ferocious intelligence and heart-swallowing urgency in calamitous, Brexit-threatened Britain in 2018. Their live shows match that intensity, and if you can beg, steal or scalp a ticket for Wednesday’s show at Leeds Uni, you will not regret it!

Alt-J @ Leeds Town Hall, Tuesday 23rd October

Alt-J don’t really need to be introduced anymore, especially in their spiritual hometown of Leeds. Since their 2012 debut album, An Awesome Wave, the band’s music has probably made it to every corner of the planet and elevated Alt-J to the rank of an international phenomenon. Their following albums, 2014’s This Is All Yours and 2017’s Relaxer, proved that the magnetism of Alt-J’s music is definitely a lasting quality, while those who have already seen the guys play live can also confirm that there is something even more special in hearing ‘Breezeblocks’ or ‘Left Hand Free’ in a venue full of people. The next occasion to do that is this Tuesday at the Town Hall, be sure not to miss it!

Dream Wife @ The Wardrobe, Thursday 25th October

The recipients of only the third perfect 10/10 score on The Student Playlist for their stunning self-titled debut album, Dream Wife are still criminally under-recognised despite a succession of scorching singles and EPs trailing that album. Hopefully, that won’t be for much longer – the intimate underground environs of The Wardrobe should be the ideal to experience one of the country’s finest and most innovative punk acts.

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