2024 Line up

Andrew Metheven is based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, and writes lo-fi folk songs on acoustic and electric guitar, and voice. His music explores the hills and the concrete, the highs and the lows, the births and the losses… Andrew released his first EP “A Quiet Life” in early 2022.

City of Leeds Youth Training Orchestra play a wide range of music – anything from Bach to James Bond (and beyond!) Players of all orchestral instruments (strings, woodwind, brass and percussion) can join the group and our age range is from 10-18. For most instruments the music is around Grade 4-6 level but you don’t need to have taken
any exams to join. We don’t hold auditions, but it’s helpful if you’ve played in a group before.

We give concerts three times a year, often joining with other City of Leeds Youth Music groups or ensembles from music centres across Leeds.

Colour of Light are a guitar, banjo, double bass and harmonica and vocal ensemble blending folk, blues, and bluegrass classical influences into their own unique sound.

Their finely crafted original songs combine rebellion, reflection and celebration.

Individually these musicians have performed at Glastonbury and Latitude festivals, won awards, been played on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 4 and have over 3 million Spotify plays.

Coming together around the vibrant Leeds music scene, this exciting five-piece are guaranteed to inspire and engage with their honest storytelling, joyful performance and first-class musicianship.

We are delighted to welcome Fiesta Mestisa to the festival for the first time this year. We know they will provide a fantastic carnival atmosphere – and hopefully similar weather!

With uplifting traditional songs from Latin America, the band features Ana Luisa Muñoz on vocals, guitar and cuatro and some very special arrangements by the Mestisa brass, woodwind and rhythm sections.

There will be mariachi music from Mexico, huayno from Bolivia and carnival music from Chile. Expect passionate performances, moving ballads and irresistible dance songs to transport you from Kirkstall to Colombia.

Fresh from performing at our Festival Fundraiser with Weetwood Mac and Gary Stewart’s Graceland Band, we are delighted to welcome back this multi-talented musician (he’s also the drummer with festival favourites Hope & Social) to perform his solo show.

Influenced by the major singer/songwriters of the sixties and seventies, Gary writes, records and performs music in the Folk/Pop vein. The Scottish songsmith (with his roots now firmly in Yorkshire) has released four albums to date – his latest, “Lost, Now Found” self-recorded, produced and released in June 2021.

Indigo Slink – a group of well-known local musicians – play catchy melodic guitar pop. Their songs cross borders taking you on a lyrical adventure. Expect songs from their recent self-penned album Trip.

Kinaara, meaning water’s edge, is a meeting point for a mixed heritage of Punjabi folk, Anglo Celtic epics and Indian classical roots. Featuring the haunting vocals of Satnam Galsian and Johnny
Hogg’s electric guitar.

‘…you can hear Punjabi sounds– but there’s also folk, rock and jazz. Sometimes all at once’. Local Sound Focus.

Ready to rock the ruins are the musicians of award winning live performance music school LS18 Rocks.

Their stable of eight brilliant bands will be delivering a non-stop barrage of singalong hits guaranteed to get festival-goers dancing, as they host the LS18 Rocks Stage within the dramatic
confines of the church knave.

LS18 Rocks are recipients of the Child Friendly Leeds Award for Inspiring Creativity Through Arts and Culture and are the current Yorkshire Prestige Awards Performing Arts School of the Year.

Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip are genuinely delightful, indefinable and incredibly funny.
Northern rock n roll stand-up comes close!

They rock, they swing, they are funky and they are hilarious!

Formed in 2016 and based at Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club, Music From The Attic MFTA) have been regarded as ‘Kirkstall’s House Band’ for a number of years now – and are no strangers to the festival.

Welcoming people of all ages and all abilities, the group encourages people to get their instruments (and voices) out of the attic, dust them off and start playing again!

Now led by Jonny Flockton (Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip, Colour of Light), the band perform a variety of covers as well as originals written by group members or the band as a whole – including their popular single about living in Leeds & Yorkshire “See What I Can See”.

Such was the impression she made in the Tea Tent last year, the wonderful staff from Butler’s
asked for Naomi to play again this year!
Blending folk, indie and pop to create a solidly acoustic and homegrown sound, Naomi Kelly is an 18-year old singer-songwriter with a DIY attitude to their music. From teaching themselves guitar in the 2020 lockdown to releasing a self-produced EP in September 2023 to a sold-out Hyde Park Book Club gig, Naomi’s nothing if not ambitious!

The three members of Pick ‘n Mix – Nick Davis, John Hulbert and Vics Marshall – began playing together as a trio during lockdown having become friends performing with Music From The Attic. Individually and collectively they have played at venues through Leeds and beyond (including as support act for the World Champion Bagpipe player)!
Playing a mix of covers and originals and featuring vocal harmonies, acoustic guitars and a bit of harmonica, Pick ‘n Mix’s set will have something for everyone! (Oh, and they may have a special guest joining them for a couple of songs!)

Roots Alive play traditional and folk music from Britain and around the world, on a range of instruments – mainly strings (e.g. violins, guitars, mandolins, cello, double bass and woodwind (especially flutes and whistles), but also including hand percussion and accordions.
They regularly perform at concerts and ceilidhs and also regularly travel – in recent years going on an exchange to Chemnitz, Germany, to partner with a local music school there.
Most members are fluent on their instruments and have a willingness / ability to play by ear or memory. Roots Alive don’t hold auditions, but do encourage prospective members to join them for a trial rehearsal.

A very rare opportunity to see Sam Thornton, front man of King Zepha Band and Louis Louis Louis,
perform solo.

A well-seasoned and well-travelled performer, with a repertoire that includes jazz, soul, country and rhythm ‘n’ blues.

Formed after the first Covid lockdown in 2020 we are: Fiona McCormack (vocals, ukulele, percussion) Steve Adams (vocals and ukulele) Allen Hodges (Bass
ukulele) and Paul Sandham (vocals
and Ukulele).
We play mainly for our own enjoyment. We try to do Open Mics
where we can and get the occasional ‘music day’ gig. In recent years we’ve played at Uke Power, Drax, Epworth Music Day as well as the Kirkstall Festival.
We’re delighted to have been invited to play again in Butler’s Tea Tent
at the Kirkstall Festival
You can check out our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@sociallydistant32/videos

Headlining the main stage this year will be West Yorkshire super-group VIG VAM BAM. Fancy heading back to the glitter-filled Glam Rock days of the 70s? Old School Discos? Your favourite old Top Of The Pops memories? If so this is not to be missed. Expect everything from Alvin Stardust to Wizzard – and all the letters in between!

Sometimes all that sparkles IS gold!!