Leeds Fest 2023 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

WELCOME TO ALEX’S LEEDS FEST 2023 RUNDOWN!!!! Polite reminder that this subscription cannot be cancelled (not that you’d want to).

Today’s rundown is:

The Snuts - 7/10

-3 because I didn’t know any of the songs, so I was a bit bored, but they sounded very good so will probably give them a listen. Not their fault I’ve never heard of them but it’s my rating system so I’m going with it. Also, the name confuses me. They did a good cover of “Let Me Entertain You” so that was fun.

Don Broco - 9/10

Loved them as a teen so was very excited for this. -1 because they only did a couple of their older songs, but it was a short set so I get it. It did spark an interest for the newer stuff though! Rob (the main singer) was having the time of his life on the stage, brought great vibes with his funky clothes and mullet. Went on a tangent about how much he loves Yorkshire, even though he’s southern, which obviously got the crowd going. I didn't even know they were English, despite one of my favourite songs by them literally saying "Bedford? Where's Bedford?" right at the start (10 points to you if you can guess where they're from). Sounded amazing and the crowd loved it. Stay tuned for a surprise!

A plethora of comedians - 4/10

There were a few so I don't know any of their names. The lady (I think called Tiff) was funny ,but everyone else was just a bit awkward. There was an American guy doing the in-between bits and literally NOBODY was laughing it was so awkward I frankly wanted to rip off my skin. I cannot STAND awkward silences, and second-hand embarrassment makes me feel like setting myself on fire, so it was not a pleasant experience for me. Tiff brings the group average up though.

Mollie Coddled - 10/10

[Boyfriend's] friend that he met at a previous Leeds Fest. She was amazing! Really chill, summery vibes. Had a couple of songs about being autistic and feeling like a burden which hit really hard. Lovely voice and very fun. She covered the intro to iCarly which got me (and everyone else) going so that was very fun. Really nice to watch and I got a free tote bag, sticker and a hug from her! Honestly really really good, and she was very sweet. Will be listening in the future.

Imagine Dragons - 7/10

I couldn’t be bothered to actually go and see them because I only know approximately 2 songs, but I heard them from the caravan and the 2 songs I knew were great! Listened to them whilst eating my pizza so they get an extra point or two for that since I was generally happy in that moment anyway. [Boyfriend's mum] enjoyed the lead singer and I concurred that he's very pretty. He's also known for performing shirtless so I'm sure that helped her opinion of him.

Billie Eilish - 100/10

Absolutely love her. Cried, danced, cried again, so-on and so-forth. Awesome energy and genuinely amazing music and voice. SO glad I’ve seen her, I’ve loved her (and her brother who she performs with) for years - her first two albums got me through my breakup with [Dickhead] so it was really cathartic and just an overall great time. She did a perfect balance of her old and new stuff and she sang the song from The Barbie Movie and it was so beautiful to hear so many girls singing along. I screamed so loud that I think I’ve killed my voice, but you only live once and I feel amazing so definitely worth it! Would love to see her again.

Misc:

I actually have signal this year which is very exciting as it means I’ll be able to watch the F1, which we all know is the priority. Although, I am very upset that Danny Ric will not be taking part as he managed to break his hand. Raging. Nothing to do with Leeds Fest but everything to do with my happiness, so obviously important.

I’m not allowed in the accessibility area this year because they over-subscribed but, now that I have my autism diagnosis, I should be able to get in next time because we’ll just request it when we book the tickets (assuming we go next year). It’s not the end of the world, but it means I have to sit by myself on the grass. #Lonely. Unless I manage to guilt [boyfriend] into dancing with me. #Whipped.

I did get to ride on the disability access cart (effectively just a golf cart) back to the camp which was very fun and meant we got to see the back of the stage. The person driving nearly crashed on the way to the camp but what’s fun without a little danger? We then got the cart back to the arena AND I GOT WAVED AT BY THE LEAD SINGER OF DON BROCO!!!!! He was at the back of the stage practicing vocals and I held my hands up like this 🫶🏻. He waved and I waved back and I shouted that I loved him and he gave me a thumbs up so I screamed and think I scared him a bit (sorry dude), but the 15-year-old within me has never been happier. Weekend absolutely made. [Boyfriend] failed me deeply and didn’t manage to get a video of it, but I did sneak a pic of him singing, before the interaction.

The weather is perfect for me; It rained a little bit last night which settled the dust, but not enough to make it muddy. Warm but overcast, so lots of shade and a nice breeze. Living my best life in a flowy dress and cardigan.

[Boyfriend's mum] saw Max from The Wanted and an actress from Eastenders - I asked her to tell Max that I loved him but she said I had to do it myself but 1) I was nowhere near the area and 2) I’m far too autistically awkward for that. Apparently I can shout it from afar but shan’t if I’m fewer than 10 metres away from someone.

Day 2

Welcome back to Alex’s Leeds Fest 2023 rundown! Today’s rundown is:

You Me At Six - 8/10

Sounded very good, even though the lead singer had a sore throat. Another teen-Alex favourite so I'm very glad that I’ve seen them. Had lots of fun but the get -2 because they only did their new songs and then did their most famous one right at the end (Underdog). I was really hoping they would do more off their old albums but alas, 'twas not to be. They were very good though, even though he couldn't sing his best. Got the crowd going and were great vibes.

A random DJ - -100/10

I was subjected to what I call "unce unce music" (all bass, no actual melody) while waiting for another act. Too loud, even with my headphones on and sitting on the floor. A very nice girl asked if I was okay because I was starting to cry which was very sweet, but I ended up having to go back to the caravan. All fine a while after but I ended up missing the other act that I actually wanted to see because I was too anxious.

Sam Fender - 10/10

He was so good! Amazing voice, sounds exactly like the recordings. I only knew a few of the songs but it didn’t matter, the set was really fun and the whole crowd was loving it. Had amazing visuals on-screen, confetti, streamers, flames, fireworks; the lot. [Boyfriend] even danced with me at one point which is quite a feat to achieve! I'm definitely a fan now. I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that he’s geordie, which is always a bonus. It did make me miss my friend from uni because they have very similar voices (like... freakily similar...) so it made me very nostalgic for my uni days (turns out that they grew up down the street from each other so it makes sense). He had to pause the set a few times because people were ill/injured and he was very kind and patient about it which was lovely to see. Genuinely really good, would love to see again.

Misc:

Feet and back are hurting today but I’m pushing through for Nothing But Thieves and The Killers tomorrow. Almost there!

Still hate tents with a fury violent enough to fuel a small car. Are you hot or are you cold? Make up your damn mind. Also it somehow manages to trap bugs in itself even if all the holes are closed. I don’t fancy sleeping in a Venus Flytrap, thank you very much.

No celebrity encounters today. Disappointed.

A lot less dusty this year but still a bit dusty so trying to be careful and not breathe too much. Would rather breathe less now than not at all later.

I got an iced latte with gluten-free oat milk. Cost an arm and a leg but a win is a win. Also had peanut butter syrup which was new, felt very bougie and tasted amazing. May have to invest in some peanut butter syrup.

One of the BSL volunteers (who is deaf) complimented my signing today. We bonded over being autistic and I had an entire conversation with her, another deaf lady and [boyfriend's mum]. She said I’m easy to understand and I’m a natural with the facial expressions etc. [Boyfriend's mum] said I did a very good job and I’m very proud of myself.

Sorry if the rundowns aren’t as amusing this time, honestly I’m just trying to chill and prioritise seeing the people I really want to, then relaxing the rest of the time rather than forcing myself to see random people and inevitably panicking.

Day 3

Welcome to the third and final instalment of Alex’s Leeds Fest 2023 rundown! Today’s rundown is:

Nothing But Thieves - 10/10

Have always been and will always be amazing. Very short set which was upsetting but it just means I’ll have to get a ticket to see them on tour again (oh no... how sad...). They did a couple of my favourite songs, even though the set was so short, so I was very happy. Sounded as amazing as always and Connor actually did the big note during Amsterdam which he rarely does so that was a fun surprise! Love them now and forever, desperate to see them again.

Knucks - 6/10

Saw these by accident waiting for The 1975. Not my kind of music (rap) but sounded like the house parties I went to as a teen so I felt like I was transported back in time and location. Could bop along which is always nice and they overall sounded good, despite not being the kind of thing I'd choose to listen to. Good effort.

The 1975 - 9/10

-1 coz Matty Healey (main singer) is problematic but their music holds a lot of nostalgia for me so I wanted to see them anyway and I’m glad I did. He came out drinking from a flask because he’s just so edgy and misunderstood. He managed to avoid saying anything particularly offensive today (gold star for him) which meant I got to just enjoy the vibes. Sounded good and the songs still slap. 10 year anniversary since their first album, which made me feel very old, but they made it a special set dedicated to the album which is great because it’s their best album. Did my faves, and a couple of their new ones. Can’t complain.

The Killers - 10/10

Sounded just like the albums. -1 point because I forgot how aggressively Christian they are so I felt like I was being preached at for an hour and a half. However, they re-gain the point because I’ve never heard a crowd go as feral as they did for Mr Brightside. Did all the classics that we listened to growing up so that was very fun. I surprised myself at how many songs I actually knew and that was great as I actually enjoyed 90% of the set. Wouldn't necessarily want to pay to see just them but it was a very fun time and I'm happy to have seen them. Made me very nostalgic for my childhood.

Misc:

Had a chilli today. Very good. 9/10. -1 for a lack of dairy/gluten free options at the festival all-round so it was literally the only thing I could get.

It rained and it was lovely. A smidge muddy but nothing awful and it meant no dust and that I got to wrap up warm and not feel like an idiot. I will always be in absolute awe of other girls’ ability to just not be affected by the cold in the name of fashion. Big shout-out to them, they’re far stronger than me.

My feet are throbbing and I want to sleep in an actual bed.

Absolutely knackered, can’t wait to sleep properly tomorrow and then to Whitby on Wednesday! Exciting times.

This has been Alex’s Leeds Fest 2023 Rundown.

See you next year! xx