Bramham Park, Leeds welcomed festival-goers from August 23rd to 25th for the highly anticipated Leeds Festival 2024. Despite the havoc caused by Storm Lilian the night before, attendees remained resilient, leaving a testimony to the festival’s spirit of community and hedonism. Paul Clarke reported from the scene, where the energy was palpable despite some logistical setbacks, including the closure of two stages for health and safety reasons.
Day one was headlined by Liam Gallagher, who celebrated the 30th anniversary of Oasis’ landmark album Definitely Maybe. Dressed in a furry hat with earflaps, Gallagher opened with Rock ‘n’ Roll Star, showcasing his legendary swagger. The nostalgic setlist included songs like Shakermaker and Cigarettes & Alcohol, much to the delight of a crowd adorned with Manchester City paraphernalia. Interestingly, Gallagher’s simple yet effective storytelling and stage presence won over a younger audience, many of whom weren’t alive during the song’s original releases.
The day also featured performances from groups like Pendulum, who returned to perform a high-energy set characterized by their fusion of metal and drum & bass. Other notable acts included the British rapper 21 Savage and Welsh rockers Catfish And The Bottlemen, who reaffirmed their status as one of the finest live acts in the UK.
Despite temporary venue issues and weather disruptions, Day One of Leeds Festival 2024 highlighted the enduring nature of festival culture and music. Attendees left the site in high spirits and eager for the rest of the festival, with the success of this day setting a promising tone for the upcoming performances.