Leeds Fest 2024 Rundown

Disclaimer: these are just silly messages that I send to my family for fun. They are incredibly cringey and I make no apologies for it. My opinions are completely subjective and I am in no way a music connoisseur, just someone who likes to dance and sing. Everyone on these lists are infinitely more talented than I am. If I don't like your favourite artists, please don't take offence xo

Day 1

Hello and welcome to the first instalment of ALEX’S FESTIVAL RUNDOWN: LEEDS 2024 EDITION!

21 Savage - 3/10

I've heard of him but didn't really know what to expect. He wasn’t really performing, just playing minute-long snippets of other peoples songs and “rapping” along to them. He played a couple of bangers but I could have done without it tbh. Really not my vibe at all.

Catfish and the Bottlemen - 8/10

Were genuinely very good! Sounded great live and the crowd LOVED them. Very good classic British 'indie' band, -2 because I only know a few of their songs, but they entertained me well enough.

The Japanese House - 9/10

Love them. Amazing, chill vibes which were just what I needed after such a hectic day. Sounded exactly the same live as on studio recordings and the lead singer was very sweet and seemed genuinely happy to be there. -1 because they didn’t play any of my personal favourites, but I still very much enjoyed the set and so did [boyfriend] which rarely happens. Also all the BSL interpreters came with us to watch them because nobody in the group likes Liam Ghallager. They enjoyed the set too even though some of them had no idea who they were so, on second thought, they get +1 for that so... PLOT TWIST they get 10/10

Misc:

I woke up at 6am to a big CRASHBANGWHOLLOP and turns out one of the temporary walls fell over and genuinely could have killed/SERIOUSLY hurt [boyfriend] and I. It had been continuously picked up and moved by the wind for a total of about 2 metres and, if the caravans weren’t there, it would have landed directly on me (I was sleeping at the back of the tent) and on [boyfriend] too. It took them 7 hours to get a team of rude men to take the wall down, we weren’t allowed in the caravan/tent until that happened which meant we were in our PJs until 1pm. It was extremely stressful and I had a little cry once I realised just how dangerous it was and now [boyfriend's mum] (and others who were hit) are suing for damages/negligence so that’s fun! [Boyfriend] and I are sleeping in the caravan from now on, which I don’t mind too much as it’s warmer.

This second picture shows just how close it was to my head when it came crashing down (the brown hole right next to the tent is where the "supporting" pole landed).

The wind has also damaged several of the stages, so a lot of acts have been cancelled including Brad from the Vamps and many others I wanted to see.

I am allowed in the accessible area this year which is extremely helpful with supporting [boyfriend's dad] and me avoiding meltdowns.

Apparently many of the interpreters have complimented my signing and genuinely thought I was a communication support worker so now [boyfriend's mum] is on a mission to turn me into an interpreter.

I’m exhausted but in surprisingly high spirits, hoping tomorrow will be a lot less chaotic.

Day 2

Hello and welcome to day 2 of Alex’s Leeds Fest Rundown 2024! I once again remind you that this subscription is mandatory and cannot now, or ever, be cancelled. I must also say that your positive feedback and glowing reviews have been very much appreciated and a lovely pick-me-up, thank you. Today’s rundown is:

Jorja Smith - 8/10

Genuinely think she’s one of the most stunning people on the planet, sounded great, did 3 of my favourite songs, thoroughly enjoyed. -2 because I couldn’t really hear her, I think it was an issue with the sound mixing. Not her fault but made it less enjoyable than it could have been. Such is life.

Spiritbox - 7/10

Never heard of them before, [boyfriend] wanted to see them. Not my vibe personally (too screamy) but very talented and she has an amazingly strong voice for such a small person. I’m sure I’ll be able to find a couple of less screamy songs that I enjoy because she is very talented.

Two Door Cinema Club - 9/10

SO good! -1 for a surprisingly short set but it meant that they had to do all the popular ones so everyone was singing along the whole time. Also I swear the sun came out specifically for them because they’re such a “windows down driving in the sun” vibe band! Always wanted to see them and they did not disappoint at all.

Neck Deep - 8/10

They did two sets today; We didn’t see the first one and then second one (unknowingly) was for the “proper fans” and was their more obscure music. I didn’t know any of the songs but they were very good and they had a girls only mosh pit, he dedicated a song to his wife etc. so very good vibes from them which I love.

Blink 182 - 8/10

Surprisingly really enjoyed them! They played the 4 songs that I knew so that was good. -3 because I was freezing and exhausted the whole time, they kept making weird jokes that were not landing and I’m also not a fan of them so was relatively bored. Their actual fans seemed to be having a blast and that's all that matters. They redeem 0.5 because they had lots of fireworks throughout the set, not just at the end like most people, and they also sang a bit of Taylor Swift. Both of these things were greatly appreciated. Apparently Kourtney Kardashian’s here (she’s married to the drummer) and the thought of her just banging about Leeds is very entertaining to me.

Misc:

I invested a whole £8 into some rip-off Crocs and I fear they may have converted me to the croc lifestyle. Not always of course, but specifically for festivals etc. they really are the perfect indoor/outdoor shoe; Comfortable, breathable, don’t have to wear with socks. Perfect. (The actual crocs company have just released a Scooby Doo collection, I believe it’s divine timing).

Had a banging fry-up breakfast this morning (thanks [boyfriend's mum]), definitely started my day off right.

Now we all know how much I hate porter-loos so I won’t go too into it for fear of redundancy, but what I will say is that, although I despise them with every atom of my being, they’re not too bad this year. I think they’re cleaning/maintaining them a lot more regularly this time which makes them slightly nicer to use. Still in the minus range but perhaps a -95/10 rather than -100. Progress is progress, people!

It’s dusty again and I’m getting worried as I really don’t want another visit to A&E, but it’s forecast to rain at some point so that may help and I’m also being cautious when I do have to walk places. Genuinely don’t think my lungs have ever been the same since that first year…

There is the most majestic falcon (or other similar bird of prey, I don’t know I don’t possess that brand of autism) just flying around. I spotted him yesterday and today and I would very much like to befriend him. He flies over the campsite and the arena bit so I just get to sit and watch him vibing above everyone. It’s oddly calming. Author's note: I have since had confirmation that it was actually a Red Kite, shoutout to Ellie who does possess the Bird brand of autism. I thought it was initially but was gaslit by several people and didn't have enough signal to check (raging).

The weather can’t decide if it wants to be hot or cold and I’d quite like for it to make up its mind so I can dress accordingly, but I’m currently having to carry around jumpers etc. to put on/take off when the temperature shifts every half an hour.

Got hit in the head with a paper plate by a stupid man who was continually throwing them as frisbees and when I confronted him hoping for an apology, his friends squared up as if they were going to hit me so that wasn’t particularly enjoyable and really put a whole damper on Blink 182, but we did move away from them to enjoy the rest of the set, so all good.

[Boyfriend's] colleague met up with us and we saw some people with her and now we’re friends and we're gong to go watch some other bands together at some point so that’s nice (new friend, yay!).

For dinner I had a gluten and dairy free Mexican burrito bowl. Absolutely banging 10/10, just wish festival food wasn’t so expensive.

[Boyfriend] and I got matching “forever bracelets” they’re basically welded on so you can’t take them off, they’re very cute and (for now) making up for a lack of ring.

I’m having a good time but I am very much looking forward to going home and being clean and warm in my own shower and bed.

Day 3

Hello and welcome to the final instalment of Alex’s Leeds Fest 2024 Rundown! Please also note that this could be the last one ever (depending on how [boyfriend's mum] feels next year). As sad as you all must be about this, it teaches us the valuable life lesson that nothing should be taken for granted, including how hilarious the youngest member of our (immediate) family is. That being said, today’s rundown is:

Raye - 100/10

Another of the most beautiful people on the planet. I genuinely believe she is one of, if not the, biggest talents of this generation of artists. I have never heard such a gift grace my ears before and I’m not sure I ever will again. She had an orchestra and gospel choir with her which only uplifted her voice more, and I was in such awe that I even took off my headphones so I could appreciate the music in its full glory. My only grievance is that she started 10 minutes earlier than planned, so I missed the first 1.5 songs, but they (luckily) were songs I wasn’t too fussed about. I really really think she is a once in a generation vocalist and song writer and I cannot recommend her album and EP enough. Desperate to see a full concert of hers so I can hear Oscar Winning Tears live.

Lana Del Rey - 9/10

Again, one of the most beautiful people in the world, she truly is majestic. The set pieces and choreography were insane and she sounded amazing. -1 because she showed up 10 minutes late (she’s always late to everything though so I did expect it) and another -1 because she changed the setlist so the interpreters were relying on me to tell them which song she was singing and that was an unexpected stress, but they did very well at improvising and I impressed myself with my Lana knowledge. However, I’m giving her a redeeming +1 just for vibes and how much I enjoyed her set. I was expecting minimal effort from the clips that I’ve seen of her at other performances, and she actually exceeded my expectations so she redeemed herself there. Very glad I’ve seen her, definitely a bucket list artist for me.

Misc:

I woke up absolutely exhausted and in a foul mood so had an hour-long nap, ate some food, watched the F1 and was re-born. I’ve come to the conclusion that I am just a 5’11” toddler.

I am incredibly grateful to not have to use a porter-loo for another year.

I fear, despite my best efforts, that I may have breathed in quite a bit of dust due to the fact that Leeds decided to become Kansas for 3 days. My hair is a birds nest, my lungs hurt and I don’t know who or where the wizard is, but I want him to send me home.

I found the Cajun cauliflower bites I loved 2 years ago and couldn’t find last year, but it was too late and the queue was too long to justify getting them so I may have to scour the internet in search of a similar recipe. Please wish me luck on my pilgrimage.

We are coming home tonight and I am very excited to shower and sleep in my own bed and not be awoken by blaring music or the screams of whomever The Wall decides to claim as its next victim.

We discovered last-minute that we had access to the private guest area that happens to house the Press. Perhaps this is my sign and calling.

This has been Alex’s Leeds Fest 2024 Rundown. I truly hope you have all enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it and I do truly hope this is not the end of our journey. I truly hope to entertain you all next year. Until then, so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu. Adieu, adieu, to you and you and you. Thank you and goodbye xxx