Every year, anticipation for Live At Leeds builds like bubbles in a soda bottle. This morning, the cap was unleashed and excitement over-brimmed as The Vaccines were announced as headliners.

Topping the bill on the brand new Leeds Festival Stage, the guitar kingpins will have everyone belting back lyrics, clambering onto friends’ shoulders and befriending strangers in swirling moshpits. With a new album on the horizon and  definitive cuts like ‘If You Wanna’, ‘Teenage Icon’, ‘Handsome’, ‘Post Break-up Sex’ and ‘Norgaard’ soundtracking adolescence and lighting up crowds with unparalleled ease, this set from The Vaccines is not one to miss.

Just as exciting additions to the bill include Superorganism, Nadine Shah, IDLES, King Nun, The Night Cafe, Cosmo Pyke, Yak, Demob Happy and many more. These join the already tempting line-up, which sees Peace and Circa Waves headlining, sets from British Sea Power and The Horrors, and inevitably brilliant sets from emerging artists Anteros, Blaenavon, Pale Waves, The Magic Gang and Spring King.

Festival promoter Andy Smith says:

“This year is arguably looking like our strongest line up yet. As you can see from the nearly final line up, we have the biggest array of new music to showcase over the bank holiday weekend. This is what Live at Leeds is all about for me. Expect early shows from big bands, secret sets still to be announced and you might just find the next big thing along the way.”

Live at Leeds is definitively a celebration of new music in 2018, showcasing both regional and national talent. As the first weekend in May approaches, all the indie moshers of Leeds need to get ready to scuff up their Doc Martens and don their glitteriest garms in preparation for Live At Leeds; a simply unmissable day festival that encompasses venues around the entire city.

Live At Leeds takes place in venues across Leeds on the 5th of May. Tickets are available here

Meg Firth