Leeds Punk Scene (actual)

While we may be a long way removed from the punksplosion of 1977, the genre is still a subject of vast adoration by fans. Many aspects of the ethos in the original punk community may have been lost in the last 35 years but some, such as the DIY ethic, still remain. If punk, while no longer storming the charts, is still a valid genre then what does the bustling city of Leeds have to offer its fans?

Well, the truth is if you’re a militant punk rocker who would rather be caught dead then listen to punk with ‘pop’ before it, there isn’t a whole lot on offer. Santiagos Bar in The Grand Arcade, for instance, offers the most punk friendly clubnight in Leeds. A monthly night with a DIY approach, free entry and donation-based live shows, ‘Hello Bastards’ offers a request-friendly punk playlist featuring music you won’t hear anywhere else on a night out. It’s refreshing, unique and takes place in a bar with any spirit imaginable, guaranteeing a good time.

Elsewhere, the Pie Race festival has become a great punk all dayer that helps to showcase some of the best talent from across the UK. The first Pie Race Festival took place in October 2010 and was organised by Leeds punk band Acid Drop. Thought to be too good for just a one off, Pie Race 2 was organised in April 2011 with the third in November of the same year. A fourth event under the Pie Race banner was organised for St Patricks day of this year. While not as big as the huge Rebellion Festival that takes place in Blackpool, Pie Race is a fantastic festival for the local punk scene and is an aid in bringing unheard of talent to the forefront.

Now that is something that Leeds has going for it. A lot of the venues around the city are host to some fantastic gigs. Venues like The Cockpit, The Well, Brudenell Social and Empire share the same DIY and underground ethos as punk and offer unsigned and unheard talent a stage that allows them to get up and do it. In addition to unsigned talent, venues across Leeds host punk gigs with bands from across the globe, spanning all the subgenres of punk. If you are a local Leeds band playing any type of punk, there is a wide selection of promoters willing to get you a slot on one of their gigs and often times they’ll come to you to ask.

As I said, pop punk has a huge presence in Leeds. The legendary club night ‘Slam Dunk’ has been a successful Tuesday night staple at The Cockpit for 11 years. Slam Dunk plays a popular playlist of Pop Punk, Emo, Ska, Metal, Hardcore, Dubstep and Pop that has arguably been the catalyst for similar nights across the country. Such is the success of the club night that in 2006, Slam Dunk set up their own music festival. While initially set in Millenium Square, subsequent festivals have taken place around Leeds University Student Union at the various live event venues available in the establishment. In 2010, the festival expanded and established a secondary site at London’s Hatfield University. Slam Dunk Festival plays host to the best punk, pop punk, ska and hardcore bands both internationally and from the UK and is a real bright spot for the Leeds music scene.

In addition to Slam Dunk, The Cockpit hosts two monthly speciality nights that will be of interest to a general punk fan. ‘Pinky Swear’, held on the first Saturday of every month, plays a variety of pop punk tunes that fans of the genre would be delighted to hear. Meanwhile, on the third Saturday ‘Ska Rage’ delivers top quality ska punk, 2 tone and reggae.

The Well plays host to a new, laid back, free entry pop punk and metal night with pool and darts available on the night as well as an early start time of 8pm: Power Up! The Well has a good reputation for hosting stellar punk gigs and is an ideal venue for a night such as Power Up! Finally, Fuel takes place every Friday across the university calendar and delivers pop punk and party anthems. Hosted by Leeds Met Student Union, Fuel features an eclectic mix of music, alcohol, fire and a dancing troupe known as the Steelcats. The organisers make sure the night is unique by organising various theme nights across the year, including movie night, kids party, wild west etc. It amounts to an incredibly fun night full of pop punk anthems and good times.

If you’re a fan of the sub genres of punk, you’re in for a treat in Leeds. However, if you’re a punk purist you might be let down by the lack of offerings for nights out. Nevertheless, in terms of gigs there’s no room for disappointment as venues across Leeds play host to top quality punk acts from across the globe in addition to local talent. Punk’s dead? Well, it’s just surviving in Leeds.