Review: Infinity Song’s Live at Leeds Debut

Lucas Assagba on 8 December 2024

A slow burn is a hell of a thing. It’s one thing to be promised something, but something else entirely to be told you have to wait for it. When Infinity Song’s soundcheck ran into their Live at Leeds set by ten minutes, I was frustrated, as anyone would be, but I trusted their talent, and their ability to bring something to the table. I knew if I stuck around, the wait would be worth it.

Truth be told, ‘worth it’ doesn’t even begin to describe it. When they opened their set with a nine-minute cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’, my jaw dropped, and my expectations went sky high. The four siblings, Momo, Angel, Abraham and Israel, and their accompanying band, operate as one unit, effortlessly harmonising with one another and giving each other space to show off; whenever they’d take a step back to let Israel shred a guitar solo, my eyes and ears were wide open.

Though synchronized to an inhuman degree, Infinity Song are overwhelmingly human. They strike a perfect balance between a band of classically trained musicians with a job to do, and a family travelling the world together. Fan favourite ‘Haters Anthem’ saw them at their most fun, as they huddled together and chanted the song’s hilariously spiteful lyrics with the audience; ‘I love the way it feels to be a hater / something’s so sweet about thinking that I’m better.’

They ended their set with my personal favourite, ‘Slow Burn’, and that it was. Starting off slow and mellow, and eventually making their way to double time, the band took my breath away with this performance. Just when you thought they’d finished, one of the siblings would step forward for another riff, another run, another solo; it’s very easy for a band to overstay their welcome onstage, but they could still be playing right this second, and I’d still be stood in the crowd, singing and swaying along.

Infinity Song are a real talent. The Roc Nation signees have quickly propelled themselves into the stratosphere, and I’m so grateful they landed in Leeds for the day. Rock music has never been more back.

Words by Lucas Assagba

Review: Eszter Vida’s Live at Leeds Debut

Lucas Assagba on 8 December 2024

‘You all look so defeated. Is it because you’re seeing me instead of English Teacher?’

Festival clashes are an ever-present evil. How could anyone choose between Beabadoobee and Jorja Smith, or between SZA and James Blake? I don’t doubt that rising star Eszter Vida was a little bit worried when she found out her Live at Leeds debut clashed with the Mercury Prize winning English Teacher, but where most people would crumble, she took it in stride. It’s an honour to call Eszter my friend, and my editor, and I can firmly say that even if my friendship, my career, and my life weren’t on the line, she would still be a highlight of my Live at Leeds experience.

I’ve had the privilege of seeing Eszter live a few times, but this set was her at her very best. Her band noticeably lacked a drummer, and while I expected her to pull through, I thought the set would hit a solid ceiling of momentum. Frankly, I’ve never been more wrong, and I’ve never been happier about it; the energy in the room was palpable as Eszter invited us into her world for a breathtaking thirty minutes. Her opener, ‘Kingdom’, was marvellously addictive, and since watching the set I’ve found myself singing the chorus over and over and over again; ‘What did I see in you?’ 

I always admire how different Eszter’s sets are to her recorded songs. Producer Evan Martin, who she’s dubbed as a ‘synth god’, joined her onstage, but their collaboration was far from uninteresting. Keeping a performance engaging is deceptively difficult, and while Eszter’s uniquely percussive lyrics were enough to draw me in and keep me there, I still found myself in awe of the sheer range of sounds produced by her band; balancing drum machines, synths, guitars and flutes is no easy feat, but from the way Eszter and her band jump from one soundscape to another, you’d think it was as easy as breathing.

Unreleased tune ‘Is This My Last Night With You? and closer ‘Ethereal’ were my personal highlights. It’s hard to bring energy to a crowd, but even harder to bring a performance from a boil to a steady simmer, and keep an audience captivated as you lay your emotions bare. Eszter seems to have mastered this, as I found my mind drifting around her lyrics like a planet to a star; ‘A basket of eggs smashed on the floor / I don’t want more / Let it all fall.’

Eszter Vida is one to watch. I don’t know where she’s going next, but I do know I’ll be seated in the front row, armed with endless praise and a glowing review. Big things are coming. 

Words by Lucas Assagba

From Greasy Boy to Number One: FEET’s Unforgettable Night at Brudenell

George Bolger on 5 December 2024

On Tuesday 12th November I was lucky enough to go down to Leeds’ best music venue, the Brudenell Social Club to see FEET on their UK tour. As soon as I walked in and saw the venue packed with the typical Leeds indie kid musos, I knew it was going to be a good night. The gig promised a stellar lineup and I was particularly excited to catch local bands Gravy and L’objectif on the support slots.

Gravy kicked things off with an energetic set that had the crowd hooked from the instant. As a young band they already show remarkable energy and promise. Their latest single ‘Five to One’ translated well live, brimming with raw energy and a contagious groove. It’s clear this band has a bright future ahead of them. Lead singer Harrison stood out not just for his vocals, but also for the way he worked the crowd. As a local band, his banter and connection with the audience made their set feel especially personal. His confidence and wit gave their performance an extra spark, turning curious attendees into instant fans – also have to mention, I rate the Stella themed merch idea too lads. 

Next up was L’Objectif, another Leeds-based band that has steadily been building momentum, especially since the release of their March 2024 EP, The Left Side. Their tight musicianship and blend of post-punk, synth pop and indie influences had the audience swaying along. I first saw these guys supporting Alfie Templeman back in 2022 at Beckett’s Student Union and had been a fan ever since. Tracks from their EP such as ‘The Dance You Sell’ and ‘ITSA’ stood out for their emotional depth and strong vocal hooks which paired with the heavier side of some of their older material such as Drive in Mind – my personal favourite – proved why they’ve become one of the city’s standout acts. There’s something special about seeing a local band play on home turf, and L’Objectif delivered a performance that felt equal parts captivating and polished.

Then came FEET, the band I’d been waiting to see live for years. I’ve been a fan since their quirky, genre-blending debut album, What’s Inside is More Than Just Ham (2019). Their humor, energy, and unique take on guitar music hooked me back then, and with the release of their second album, Make It Up, in June 2024, they’ve only grown more dynamic and interesting. Finally witnessing them in person felt like a long-time coming event for me. FEET launched into the night with Good Richard’s Crash Landing, the opening track from their debut album. It was a perfect start, full of the chaotic, psychedelic charm that defines the band’s sound, and the crowd erupted. Without missing a beat, they dove straight into Changing My Mind Again, a personal favourite of mine. Hearing it live brought a whole new energy to the track—it was raw, infectious, and irresistibly fun. The band’s ability to seamlessly blend nostalgic nods to their early material with the evolution of their newer work was impressive, making their set both a journey through their discography and a celebration of their growth.

From there, they expertly balanced their setlist, weaving together old fan favourites and standout tracks from Make It Up. High-energy numbers like Greasy Boy had the crowd bouncing and shouting along, their anthemic quality proving they were made for live performance. But it wasn’t all fast-paced indie rock chaos. Tracks like Why Would I Lie and Dog Walking offered a welcome pause, showcasing the band’s more introspective side. The slower pace and poignant lyrics highlighted FEET’s lyrical depth and musicianship, providing a refreshing contrast to the more frantic moments. These quieter interludes gave the set an added layer of sophistication, proving that FEET can do more than just get a crowd moving. 

FEET’s recently released single, Number One, which dropped earlier this month, was a standout moment of the set. Its infectious synth hook had the crowd grooving from the first note, and hearing it live added an extra layer of energy and excitement. The track’s polished production translated perfectly on stage, blending seamlessly with their newer and older material. Near the end of the set, they pulled out fan-favourite Petty Thieving, a moment of pure chaos. Frontman George took it to the next level by diving into the crowd, surfing over a sea of moshing fans while belting out the lyrics—a fitting climax to an unforgettable performance.

FEET closed the night with Chalet 47, a perfect finale that captured their inherent energy and left the crowd on a high. The song’s infectious rhythm and singalong vibe had everyone dancing as the set came to an end. It was the ideal way to wrap up an evening of class bands, with FEET once again proving why they’re such an exciting and versatile group. From start to finish, the night at Brude was a celebration of live music at its best whilst showcasing the talent from local bands here in the Leeds scene too.

Words by George Bolger