Leeds is known to punch above its weight in terms of club picks, but this week’s bank holiday celebrations are particularly impressive across the board, with no less than five picks under our microscope, and plenty of other exciting events on the fringes.
Selective Hearing - Wire, Call Lane, Friday
One of the most respected underground techno producers in the world and a real journeyman as a DJ, Levon Vincent’s ‘Anti-Corporate Music’, his debut LP after a decade of scintillating productions was released for free by the man himself earlier this year. That didn’t stop it flying out on wax from any record shop worth its salt, proving Vincent’s reputation as much respected experimentalist who knows how to truly deliver on a dancefloor, yet isn’t afraid to take things in a deep, psychedelic direction when needs be. Selective’s residents - Olsen, Ste Robert and Reflec - warm things up and take it down.
J.E.S.U.S. - Mint Warehouse, Aquatite House, Saturday
While you’d think that JESUS would be a booking more suitable for a Christmas or Easter bank holidays, the unholy union - Jackmaster, Eats Everything, Skream and Seth Troxler - were only all available for this weekend. But, here they are, four of the biggest alternative DJs in the world, fresh off the back of two weekends closing Coachella’s Yuma tent, spinning house, techno, disco and who knows what else throughout their marathon set.
The Orbit - Warehouse, Somers Street, Saturday
Presumably taking its name from the legendary '80s acid raves around the outer limits of the M25, this party, headlined by the still pumping techno powerhouse Dave Clarke, also dips into fresher, younger talent, with an appearance from 19-year-old Yorkshire prodigy, Happa. Aiming to have further fists pumping, they’re joined by Gemma Furbank, James Mulligan and the tellingly titled Techno Junkie residents.
Amine Edge and Dance - Mission, Heaton's Court, Saturday
Founders of cult label Cuff, Amine Dance and his good pal Edge, are the Parisian forefathers of what’s become known as the G Funk movement, described as a cross between classic West Coast gangster rap, classic house, and if we may reckon so ourselves, a slice of Ed Banger electro. They’ll be bring their distinct brand of provocative funk to Mission this Saturday.
Acetate - Wire, Call Lane, Sunday
Ben UFO last visited Leeds with his Hessle Audio cohorts back in March, but just a couple of months later, he’s back armed with vinyl only, as Acetate requires, and a good friend in the form of disco king, Panorama Bar resident and Running Back boss, Gerd Janson. Together, united by impeccable taste and a classic rotary mixer, the pair will be rifling through their immense collections to deliver a sweaty and satisfying evening of house, techno, disco and whatever else takes their fancy. This may very well be rather sublime.