The Joy Formidable - Main Stage
Scuzzed up rock. Just perfect for Sunday.
There’s no getting away from it, the weather’s not exactly been tip-top this weekend, and it says that much for the spirits of the crowd that they’ve managed to battle through the rain and mud regardless.
Finally though, as Sunday broke, it seemed like Leeds was set to see some prolonged sun-based activity and the Main Stage’s opening act, Wales’ The Joy Formidable, were eager to capitalise, plundering through half an hour of truly scuzzed up rock.
A band who’ve grown up at Leeds, having graduated stages each year from their first appearance on the BBC Introducing Stage in 2008, their debut slot on the biggest of them all was well deserved and the trio instantly made themselves at home, tracks like ‘Cradle,’ and ‘Austere’ finally seeing the audience of thousands they warranted.
Admitting that playing Bramham Park felt like somewhat of a homecoming to the band, the band finished off with an extended version of set staple ‘Whirring,’ finishing in a tumultuous wall of sound that saw lead singer and guitarist Ritzy Bryan throw her six-string to the ground in scenes - echoing her performance on the NME/Radio 1 Stage last year when she destroyed her instrument.
Today on the Main Stage will, of course, see Leeds welcome some of the North’s most famous sons as Pulp play out the weekend.