Unsigned Bands
Hi everyone!
We’ve been getting a few requests from people after information about getting their (unsigned) band onto the Leeds Festival line up. So whilst it’s no big deal for me to continue sending personal responses, I think it’s much more useful if I posted a page up on here.
Basically, you have two options available to you.
- Futuresound Competition
- BBC Raw Talent / Sandman Magazine / Stage Sponsors
Futuresound Competition
Futuresound run the gig nights at Leeds’ Cockpit venue, as well as one-offs around the city (such as Leeds Metropolitan University). For many years now - since the days of the festival being held at Temple Newsam - the Futuresound team have been able to offer six festival places to local bands. Previously, these slots were in the Comedy Tent, although the more recent introduction of a dedicated Unsigned Stage has seen the Futuresound ‘winners’ relocate to a more appropriate stage.
They select these six bands by way of an annual summer BOTB at the Cockpit in the city centre. Generally speaking, they will expect to receive a couple of hundred applications, and from these thirty bands are chosen to take part in the BOTB. And then six from these thirty will play on the Unsigned Stage at Leeds Festival.
- Locality: bands from West Yorkshire only
- When to look for further announcements: May
- Applications are usually accepted until very early in June
- Band selection: mid-late June
- BOTB: July
- Winners announcements: August
BBC Raw Talent / Sandman Magazine / Stage Sponsors
When the Unsigned Stage was originally revealed two years ago, its selections were made by a combination of BBC Raw Talent (radio show), the Sandman Magazine and the stage’s sponsors. Roughly the breakdown is about 12 / 12 / 2 or something along those lines.
The BBC Raw Talent is a radio show across the Yorkshire regions, including the Humber area, that features local talent, signed or otherwise. Their selection process is usually based on bands that have been featured or played a session on their show - so if you’re interested in playing at Leeds Festival your best bet through Raw Talent would be to regularly tune into the show, get your material to them at any time of the year, be available for interviews and just, you know, be a good band!
Sandman Magazine pick up the majority of the remaining places, and they usually do their selection in the format of a ‘competition’ - i.e. you send in your demo and details, then everyone sits around and picks the best.
Finally, the Stage Sponsors usually pick one or two bands as well. The format and methods for how this is done will vary (the stage has had different sponsors each year).
- Locality: bands from the North of England and Scotland
- Applications accepted: June or July
- Announcements: August
I hope this is of some use!
Feel free to post comments, updates, corrections, etc!
31 January 2007 | 9:28
hey ya- this looks fantastic for bands for the north!! but what about the rest of us
31 January 2007 | 9:40
To be honest, I don’t know whether the Reading leg of the dual-site festival offers unsigned bands the same opportunities. Perhaps a site dedicated to Reading may offer some guidance as to whether unsigned bands can play at Reading.
Leeds Festival has featured unsigned local bands for many, many years now -for as long as I can remember- and it has become a more prominent feature since the introduction a couple of years ago of the dedicated ‘Unsigned Stage’ for the Leeds leg.
18 February 2007 | 16:34
Where do you submit applications? What e-mail, address, etc…?
18 February 2007 | 17:17
You need to wait for the announcement(s), which will have all the information on them. We’re at least 3 months away from anything further being announced regarding unsigned bands … so no-one need rush.
Look again around May time, when more details may be revealed.
28 February 2007 | 0:36
Hi there. We would love to play leeds. This would mean everything to us. We have been going to leeds for a long long time now every year without fail nad we have just hoped to play one day. Check us out please i don’t know where this message is going but it must be going somewhere and someone must be reading this!
check us out http://www.myspace.com/forgottenangelsonline
phone number 01744752701 or 07731178682
5 March 2007 | 18:47
Oh my my….imagine playing leeds. one of these days it shall happen….maybe?? well, tis only you guys who can make it happen. so have yourselves a wee blez on our myspace pleases?if you want?don’t have to?twud b nice like…
http://www.myspace.com/thelovedonestheband
(i don’t know how to do that clever link thing…)
and as above…not quite sure where this is going….but hopefully some pleasant person shall have themselves a lovely listen to the loved ones.
apple X
5 March 2007 | 20:38
ASK THE WOMBATS!!!! THEY ARE AMAZING AND I LOVE THEM! SO DOES EVERYONE!! hope they play
xxx
11 March 2007 | 14:40
http://www.myspace.com/takeinthetrash
check that out
16 March 2007 | 11:29
ooooooooooooh imagine playing there! ive stood infront of the unsigned stage to know its a big deal. please check us out as we’d be over the moon to play…
http://www.myspace.com/fosterkidsband
gaz foster child
19 March 2007 | 12:16
oh yes get Free Haven to play, they’re ace! And they’re northern! quality!
20 March 2007 | 9:10
check this band out!! play acoustic
22 March 2007 | 11:49
pigeonsinmotion.net
http://www.myspace.com/pigeonsinmotion
these guysrule! check it out!
touchplayrecords said there the most direct british new punkband on the scene.
ithink there awesome, give thema try!
14 May 2007 | 13:43
Does it have to be a band or can it be a solo performer?
14 May 2007 | 13:56
Sky - either!
See news section, as applications now accepted for Futuresound and Sandman.
24 July 2007 | 11:14
please let the bonbons rock u!!
25 July 2007 | 9:57
Who actaully got through on this? Are the results out?
29 July 2007 | 16:03
Hi Tim, yeah, because several people are putting on bands on this stage, the announcement gets a bit fragmented. The majority were announced a while back, and I posted to LMS (http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/8624/), while the Futuresound winners have also been revealed (http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/8690/). Finally, the stage will also host a pre-event DTTR party (http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/8691/).
The remainder of the stage line up has also been revealed (Topman choice and BBC choices), and I’ll get those details posted asap.
1 September 2007 | 20:06
Dave,
thanks for replying to me if you have a minute check out this band that will hopefully be playing Leeds Festival 08′….
http://www.myspace.com/shadowsandimpressions
30 October 2007 | 10:34
THE HEMS FROM MANCHESTER ARE FUCKING ACE!! THEY SHOULD GET A LEEDS SPOT!!
9 November 2007 | 13:48
hay there i saw a band in leeds last night called MY OTHERSIDE thay were better than some of the sighned shit that played at leeds fest! check them out http://www.myspace.com/myothersidemusic.
19 December 2007 | 19:46
Wow sounds exciting, check out
http://www.myspace.com/ramshackles
its kinda more chilled and poppy than most of the indierock bands at leeds now, might be nice to have a few fun songs
20 December 2007 | 19:45
From Holland and available for shows in the UK
and the rest of europe ofcourse
http://www.myspace.com/stereoaccident
7 January 2008 | 2:07
Hey whats up!!!
Can my band THE ROOM play the 2008 Leeds Fesival would love to be a part of it!!! How can I get it to happen and how to submit…..
10 January 2008 | 15:18
Do you know if these applications can apply to DJs as well or is it bands only? I played two massive Drum&Bass sets last year in Blue Campsite, both sets getting a massive response with literally hundreds of ravers surrounding the tent, and was wondering how to go about seeing if i can get a set in one of the bigger tents?
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
16 February 2008 | 21:11
Hello,
I am speaking on behalf of a band called Flukestar who have a passion for performing and writing songs.
Flukestar, what are we about?
Based in Bristol and the surrounding, we are a strong circle of school friends who formed a band in 2003 and haven’t looked back since. In fact we are going to be soon celebrating our five year anniversary. And what a five years it has been, a constant stream of ideas with new songs being written all the time, whilst also maintaining a consistent performance schedule.
The material on our Myspace is from our album “Ride the chariot”. A fourteen track disk of some of our older material which was recorded in mid 2006. Initially five hundred copies were pressed, and these have all sold for a minimum of £5. However it must be said that we feel this does not represent our best work.
We will be recording a new EP within the month and we would like very much for you to listen to this when complete as we feel this will be more representative of where we are now.
Recently we have featured in Bristol Venue magazine who reviewed us at a recent show;
“Flukestar are a shockingly young, labrador puppy-friendly, with strong songs, outrageously precocious musicianship with a very keen audience!”
Within the five years together we have played at a great number of events, ranging from Birthday Parties through to Main Stage festivals. Every performance we play with the same enthusiasm and level of energy regardless. Therefore I feel we have the experience needed to play at your festival.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your time I hope you enjoy listening to viewing our myspace.
Yours sincerely
Jonathan Shapcott
Speaking on behalf of Flukestar
http://www.myspace.com/flukestar
20 February 2008 | 15:59
Kites Of Fiction.
No more needs to be said.
myspace.com/kitesoffiction
20 February 2008 | 21:22
Soiree For the Buskers are seriously hot stuff, get them to play, saw them at a Festival in Northampton, they’re only 17 aswell. http://www.myspace.com/soireeforthebuskersmusic
25 February 2008 | 23:23
Get Plastic Fuzz on the damn Leeds Fest Bill!
They’re taking the Leeds gig circuit by storm!
27 February 2008 | 12:33
Propala Gramota band from Ukraine.
We want to play at one of your festival.
Please look at our page and write me is it possible?
http://www.myspace.com/propalagramota
4 March 2008 | 19:01
Hey,
We’re a 3 piece Grunge/Punk band from the North East have been touring for a few years and could do with getting on the bill for a festival. We have transport and own equipment and do not need travel expenses although any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Abduction of Margaret
13 March 2008 | 15:00
wer do u get an applications????
13 March 2008 | 15:18
I know of an awesome band called the New Vinyls who live in North tyneside. I was once a member, but since I left they have made quite a name for themselves. They toured with the Maccabees and I believe they plan to release a single. If you want to contact them go to http://www.myspace.com/newvinyls and have a listen to their stuff =)
15 March 2008 | 0:22
Hi,
We are an energetic and fun loving pop rock band called ‘THE RIFFS’ from the Lakes. We have played pubs, clubs, boats, dives, sheds and shit holes all over the country and we would love to play a festival. Especially Leeds, as I am a regular attendant of this festival. I would be over the moon if you could contact me via email and tell me how to audition for Leeds festival 2008.
Thankyou.
30 March 2008 | 20:58
so when do we have to take our demo into topman in leeds like ?:)
1 April 2008 | 14:38
check out the stocks
http://www.thestocksmusic.co.uk (myspace)
8 April 2008 | 20:21
Hey guys i think u should check out this guy i think we will be seeing a bit more of him this year
all the best DazZ
10 April 2008 | 23:08
The Broadcast
should DEFFO get played at LEEDS!!!! http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/thebroadcast5
theyre from south East but theyre northern fanbase is bigger than most norhtern bands lol
Sam
30 April 2008 | 16:25
i reckon longview should get a slot sumwhere ! so should the winchell riots !!! i’ll eat my shoes if there not one of the best unsigned bands around !!!!!! they used to be fell city girl and they got on the bill 2 yrs ago it was magical !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TJ_the(poet)
30 April 2008 | 16:43
Hello,
Section 60, brand new band from sheffield.
check out the website.
http://www.sectionsixty.com
2 May 2008 | 1:13
The Franks
http://www.thefranksUK.com
4 May 2008 | 4:45
please please please tell me Flaveret 3rd are playing this year?!
they are the best leeds band by miles i wil like cry for a year if theyr not playing :’(
loz xx
4 May 2008 | 22:13
woot, check out MKAH theyre a bit good !
5 May 2008 | 16:12
”they have all the passion of, say, burn my eyes-era machine head or ride the lightning-era metallica” LIVE4METAL.COM
big words - big band - born for festivals!! ELEMENT
http://www.myspace.com/elementsound
debut album out now
7 May 2008 | 22:36
Check us out! Would be awesome to play!!
http://www.myspace.com/stonefreemusic2
xx
14 May 2008 | 0:18
check us out http://www.myspace.com/thawuk would love to play!!!!!