The streets of Leeds will likely seem a little dusty soon enough as the student throngs return home or abroad for the summer season, but as the exodus begins, there’s still plenty enough to keep people in the city’s clubs throughout June.
Friday 5th June actually sees the event of not one, but two full scale and eclectic all day festivals in the city. Canal Mills will be hosting it’s first ever day and night party in the form of Patterns, where the requisite food stalls and temporary art installations are joined by artists representing three distinct genres. The House and Disco room will hear sets from the likes of Eliphino, Crazy P’s Hot Toddy, Andy Hart and more. Funk, Soul and Breaks comes courtesy of The Reflex, DJ Format and Mr. Thing, while Bass & Garage is provided by heavyweights Benton and El-B. Naturally, there’s a host of supporting talent on offer too.
Meanwhile at Beaverworks, High Rise see night into day with a party featuring some of the biggest names and most powerful soundsystems in DnB, grime, reggae, bass and more. Beginning with an afternoon soiree involving two stages, free watermelon and some conspicuously assured sunshine, before throwing open the vast venue itself to five inidivudal rooms of music. Heavy handed highlights include Trojan Sound System, Kenny Ken, Congo Natty and a B2B session between grime queen Flava D and the inimitable DJ Q.
Deep and trippy techno comes courtesy of Sub:terranea (Saturday 13th) the following weekend at Wire, with enigmatic R&S staple Alex Smoke delivering a pumping yet poignant set for the club’s second birthday. On the same evening and in bigger scale, Made in Leeds festival culminates with a MILF Afterparty (oh my), headlined by Dirtybird boss Claude Von Stroke and Steve Lawler, whose recent ‘House Record’ continues to earworm it’s way into the suggestible brains of clubbers on an international scale.
On Saturday 20th, Back to Basics returns to Leeds and goes, well, Back to Basics, with a Hudd Trax 10th anniversary label special. Cult selector Brett Johnson headlines, with assistance from Moody Manc, Eddie Leader, James ‘Boggy’ Holroyd, Dave Beer and a host of other knowledgeable jocks spanning either side of the Pennines.
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