Leeds music stars join chorus for European capital bid

MUSIC stars from Leeds will be banging the drum in London this evening for their home city's bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2023.
Corinne Bailey RaeCorinne Bailey Rae
Corinne Bailey Rae

Corinne Bailey Rae and Kaiser Chiefs rockers Simon Rix and Nick Baines are attending an event taking place at the Royal Society of Arts in support of the bid.

They will be speaking to fellow attendees – described as “national influencers” – about the Leeds cultural scene and the city’s ambitions for 2023.

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Rix and Baines are also due to wax lyrical about the bid at Welcome To Yorkshire’s Y17 tourism conference in York this morning.

They said they and their bandmates were “very proud” to be backing Leeds’s 2023 dream, adding: “We spent years performing on the local music scene, so we’ve all seen first hand the talent, energy and passion for music and culture that exists in Leeds.

“The international spotlight the European Capital of Culture title would bring could be a real game-changer for the city and make such a huge difference to those working hard in local communities.”

Put Your Records On singer Bailey Rae said: “As someone who grew up in Leeds, I’m thrilled that Leeds is going for the title of European Capital of Culture 2023. I hope everyone in Leeds gets involved in the bid to show the world what we can accomplish together.”

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This evening’s event will also be attended by University of Leeds chancellor Lord Melvyn Bragg, Leeds City Council leader Coun Judith Blake and Sharon Watson, chair of the Leeds 2023 Independent Steering Group.

Ms Watson said: “We’re extremely proud to have won the backing of such big names and excited about their ability to help speak about our bid and the many amazing things Leeds has going for it. It speaks volumes that these stars, who have travelled and performed for audiences all over the world, haven’t forgotten what a unique and special place Leeds is and how inspirational the communities they grew up in have been for them.”

Speaking ahead of the event in London, Coun Blake said: “We’ve had an incredibly positive response to the bid in Leeds and there’s a real buzz in the city about the competition and how transformational it could be for our communities. Now it’s time to also start shouting about culture in Leeds on a national level, showcasing the very best of our city to those who can help us spread the word even further and give us the best possible chance of winning.”

Entertainment at tonight’s gathering will include a film about cultural life in Leeds produced by young people from digital media initiative Studio 12 as well as a taste of the Leeds International Piano Competition.

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Leeds’s rivals for the profile-boosting 2023 title include Belfast, Dundee and Nottingham, with a final decision on the successful bidder due to be made next year. The city’s bid is being backed by major businesses such as Yorkshire Bank, Yorkshire Building Society and Yorkshire Water.

For further information about how to get involved with Leeds’s bid during the countdown to the 2023 decision, visit the www.leeds2023.co.uk website.