Leeds Festival 2022: An appetite for secret sets and dissipated discontent on day one

Rage Against The Machine, Maneskin and Jack Harlow dropped out of the festival, but their absence didn’t dampen the mood on the first official day.

All stages are now open, and the first performers were greeted by a magnificent sun.

The revelers took to the dinner show early, which featured the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, known on stage as WILLOW.

The four-piece Earlestown band The K’s also drew an energetic crowd on the western main stage despite their early spot.

They took the stage at 12:30 but there were no signs of a hangover as people climbed on the shoulders of their friends in front.

Ahead of the evening of performances of celebrities, the atmosphere is lively, but friendly.

Today was supposed to be the day Rage Against The Machine returned to Leeds, but instead The 1975 will be headlining the East’s main stage.

It’s true that many die-hard Rage fans may have chosen not to attend, but overall attendees don’t seem overly disappointed by their absence.

Many people have told the Yorkshire Evening Post about their excitement about meeting the new headliners, and the site has t-shirts that say The 1975.

Other bands causing a lot of excitement are indie favorites DMA, hip-hop heroes Run The Jewels, and award-winning Halsey.

The latter is due to headline the Main Stage West at 19:50.

When interacting with people, it became obvious that there was an appetite for secret kits.

Many times YEP had to let down curious visitors by telling them that no information had been leaked from the press tent.

There were rumors that the Australian five Pendulum could appear at the Reading festival, but in Leeds the organizers were silent, and hints came only from social networks.

Thomas Headon did not deny he would show up at Bramham Park when asked on Twitter, but there was no official confirmation.

Artists such as Foals and Wolf Alice have previously appeared as surprises at the Leeds Festival, so a big name is not out of the question and YEP will be keeping an eye on them.

Secret set or not, today’s playbill is already varied enough to satisfy the most eclectic musical tastes.

Outside of music, comedian Russell Howard is leading the way in the alternative scene.

We’ve also completed the arena tour, which might whet your appetite for those gearing up to visit with day tickets tomorrow or Sunday.

It’s only Friday, but those present are already discussing the return of the Arctic Monkeys to Leeds. Some have confessed that they bought their weekend ticket just to see the icons of Sheffield.

The weather is warm, the drinks are in hand, and the energy is contagious – Friday night promises to be fun.