If you have been a fan of live music in West Yorkshire for a few years, you should already know the score when it comes to Long Division, the award-winning metropolitan festival has been bringing incredible performances to Wakefield for over a decade. Festival alumni include the likes of The Cribs, Fat White Family, The Fall, Big Joanie and The Lovely Eggs among countless others. Unfortunately, Long Division 2023 is said to be the last. One thing that is for sure, though, is that it’s going out with a band! The line-up for this year boasts The Orielles, BDRMM , Opus Kink, Thank, The Lovely Eggs, Folly Group…I could go on! There will be no shortage of incredible bands to see at this year’s festival and, with cheap and quick transport links from Leeds by train or bus, it is surely an excellent way to celebrate the end of the academic year in style!
Long Division are operating a flexible ticket system this year with general sale available at £40 or reduced £30 tickets are available for those unable to cover the whole cost with no proof required and a third tier priced at £50 is available to help the festival cover the cost of reduced ticket sales. Cheap tickets, cheap transport and – as those who have been lucky enough to experience a night-out in Wakefield can attest to – cheap drinks, what’s the best festival in Wakey?
Contemporary Irish folk group The Mary Wallopers have been making waves with their anti-establishment, Jinx Lennon-inspired tunes since their live streamed gigs during the pandemic. The seven-piece band was formed by brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy – who you may recognise from their previous project; the hip-hop act TPM, who’s hits included ‘F*ck RTE’ and ‘All the Boys on the Dole’. Their self-titled first album, which arrived last year, perfectly encapsulates the energy and chaos which was prevalent on their early recordings and those live streamed lockdown gigs, it is that chaos and humour which make the band so endearing.
On the 27th April, The Mary Wallopers released their new song ‘The Holy Ground’ – “a song written about a place in Cobh, County Cork where sailors would stop off on long voyages across the Atlantic.”, according to Charles Hendy, “Despite the name of the place there were little-to-no churches, instead it was the town’s red-light district where all sorts of fantasies could be realised”. The single is thought to be from their upcoming album, set to release later in the year. In May, the group are due to set off on their biggest UK tour to date, including a date at the legendary Leeds Irish Centre on Saturday 6th May, before performing at numerous festivals in the Summer, including Latitude and Truck Festival.
With a band so famous for putting on energetic and enthralling live performances, The Irish Centre show is sure to be a sight to behold – helped along by a support slot held by rising post-punk outfit Gurriers. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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It is no secret that student populated areas are favoured targets for criminals: As reported by Whatuni, every 3rd student in the UK is estimated to fall victim to crime with research placing burglary on the top of the list.
This easter, the crime rate in Hyde Park and adjacent areas has reached a peak: Break ins, burglaries and people peeping through bedroom windows with torches have ripped students of their right to feel safe and secure in their own homes.
Countless incidents were reported on the LSG group in an attempt to warn fellow students: Statements by victims, such as “I feel like, as students, we’re a bit helpless with this”, call for more efficient support from universities, landlords and the police. Those affected have expressed to feel shaken up, constantly on edge and scared in their own homes.
A third-year student at Leeds Conservatoire, whose house got broken into near the Co Up in Hyde Park around 2 am on the 19th of April, has told the Gryphon that due to stories from friends and posts on LSG, she has always been very aware of the crime threat in Hyde Park, making her more conscious to lock doors. Yet, during the early hours of Tuesday morning, burglars forced their way into her locked house, leaving the door broken. They are believed to have taken an Amazon Alexa charger and the students’ car keys. Upon entering the victims’ room with torches and finding her awake in her room, the burglars fled the house, jumped into the students’ car and sped off. The victim has expressed to feel tense and hyper aware of loud noises ever since the incident occurred.
Mayville Road in Hyde Park at 11 am on the 19th of April – no sign of the incident that happened mere hours ago
Another student living in Headingley has reported an attempted burglary around 3.50 am on Easter Sunday: The criminals smashed a window with a plant pot and entered the house through the utility room, cutting themselves on the splintered glass and leaving blood stains everywhere. They are believed to have fled after a neighbour has sighted them. The student was not aware of the incident until the next day. Upon calling the police, fingerprints and blood samples were taken and a welfare check was conducted the following day. The student has told the Gryphon that the incident “has taken a serious toll on him” and that “not feeling safe in his own home is not the best thing to have in one’s head at night.”
Burglars have smashed a window to gain access into a student house near Headingley on the 9th of April
A similar event has been described by a second-year Fashion Photography student in Woodhouse: Two guys smashed a window and tried to break in what they thought was an empty house around 4.30 am on the 12th of April. The incident left one housemate being too afraid to open her blinds during the day.
Attempted burglary in Woodhouse in the early morning hours of the 12Th of April
With windows being smashed and door locks being picked, the students’ supposed carelessness can hardly serve as a scapegoat for facilitating crimes anymore.
The Gryphon has contacted the University of Leeds and the West Yorkshire police for a comment. While the University press team has referred to their website on how to deal with crime, a West Yorkshire police spokesman commented “A good precaution to take is to make sure you don’t have expensive items on view through your windows. If you feel the security on your rented home/flat is lacking, speak to your landlord initially.”
In fact, a survey by Here! Student Living has shown that 44 % of students in the Northeast feel their house lacks sufficient security. Even though Landlords should be held responsible for renting out houses with flimsy locks, it is advisable to check the security state before signing for a house.
The spokesman added: “Officers covering Inner Northwest Leeds, as well as dedicated University Officers and Crime Prevention Officers continue to work with students to provide support and advice.”
