Preview: This Must Be The Place

Fancy some live music this August Bank Holiday, but Leeds Fest’s 2003 greatest hits lineup isn’t doing it for you? Good news: This Must Be The Place returns to Headrow House & Belgrave Music Hall for its second year, and this time it’s twice the size.

Following the success of last year’s all-dayer, band-booking baes SuperFriendz are back at it again with a full weekend line-up for our enjoyment, here’s a few hot picks from the line-up so far

Beach Fossils are one of those bands that make you feel a certain sense of nostalgia, thinking of those laid-back summer holidays (before that dreaded adult life kicked in). With an airy aura accompanying their indie-pop tones, big hits like ‘Shallow’ and ‘Youth’ are guaranteed to get you fondly reminiscing those past summer days, basking in their chillwave vibe.

Fans of pop-punk faves Martha should definitely catch Edinburgh quartet The Spook School. Recently added to the already killer line-up, this band have perfected the art of combining indie-pop with fierce punk energy through punchy riffs and lyrics celebrating diversity, breaking down the boundaries of sexuality and gender, and generally just being yourself.

Likewise,  Leeds’ based 5-piece Menace Beach take influence from Pavement, Dinosaur Jr and alt bands of the 90s, perfecting the art of creating perfect surf garage sounds, blending fuzzed out indie with melodic pop.

Finally making their long awaited return to Leeds, Canadian quintet Alvvays will be sure to have everyone up and dancing to their back catalogue of surf-tinged songs, with the likes of ‘Archie, Marry Me’ spurring everyone to sing back those “HEY HEY”s from that oh-so catchy chorus. New single ‘In Undertow’ (aka the indie-pop soundtrack to Summer) will be sure to serve up more of those arm-swaying inducing hooks and have you enraptured not only by the band’s twee nature but also by Molly Rankin’s pure vocals.

There’s no doubt that you will have heard of Cowtown, veterans of Leeds’ DIY scene. With a back catalogue of songs full of erratic energy, this band produce a cacophonous symphony in fun filled sets, it’s really no wonder they’ve earned such a reputation.

New York punks and Sunday headliners, Parquet Courts describe their sound as “Americana Punk” and are pros at producing noisy indie rock with those jagged undertones. Punchy riffs and catchy hooks will have you singing along to the likes of ‘Berlin Got Blurry’ and ‘Outside’ in no time, guaranteeing a rowdy end to festival.

This Must Be The Place, Headrow House & Belgrave Music Hall, Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 August, Limited day tickets available here