Dirty Projectors @ Leeds University, Monday 20th August

Dirty Projectors are a New York based band whose eclectic music brings a breath of fresh air onto the indie rock music scene. A creation of Dave Longstreth, a former Yale University student, Dirty Projectors have long been one of the most interesting acts in indie music, showcasing an ability to step out of their genre and incorporate different influences into their sound, such as pop and R&B on their latest album Lamp Lit Prose, awarded Best New Music last month here.When it comes to their live performances, Dirty Projectors need to be appreciated for their harmonically dense and complex shows, as well as the fun and infectious atmosphere.

Kevin Morby @ Brudenell Social Club, Tuesday 21st August

A former frontman of The Babies and a guitarist with Woods, Kevin Morby is currently exploring the paths of his solo career. He released his debut solo album Harlem River in 2013, followed by three more records, the latest one being the excellent City Music from 2017. Morby’s music is atmospheric and lyrically stirring, often contemplative and intimate. His songs can move the imagination when he sings in a confident yet weary manner. Surely influenced by the great singer-songwriters of the ‘60s and ‘70s, such as Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, Morby also possesses the ability to see the small things in life and turn them into songs – would anybody want to miss hearing that live?

Pussy Riot @ Leeds University, Wednesday 22nd August

Pussy Riot don’t really need an introduction, being one of the most controversial and loudly outspoken feminist collectives of our time. With their performance, the Russian protest punk rock group is trying to spread out a message – against capitalism, discrimination and most importantly, against Vladimir Putin. After three members of the group were imprisoned for two years in 2012 for a performance at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Pussy Riot gained international attention, also on a political background. Today, the remaining members of the group perform to share their zeal for “freedom and truth,” combining elements of punk and electronica, theatre performance, and adding politically charged messages.