Video: Leeds Festival preview

AN unsigned band from Leeds have won the chance to play at the city's international music festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.
Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.

Fighting Caravans won a competition to join the bill at the Leeds Festival, in a competition run by local concert promoter Futuresound.

Today they and other up-and-coming festival acts attended a ‘meet the press’ event at its venue, Bramham Park, near Wetherby.

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The band – who take their name from a 1930s Western film and count everybody from Elvis Presley to Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner as influences – say they cannot wait to return to Bramham for the big one later this month.

Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.
Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.

Drummer Josh Hagan, 21, said: “I was 16 when I first went to the festival and it’s a bit surreal to think that this year I’m going to be on the stage and not in the crowd.

“We know we’re in a very fortunate position.”

Two of Josh’s bandmates, guitarist Alex Fletcher and singer Daniel Clark, were with him at today’s event.

The quintet are completed by guitarist Ross Day and bassist Simeon Lees.

Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.
Daniel Clark, Alex Fletcher and Josh Hagan from Fighting Caravans.
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They will be joined on the festival bill by Futuresound competition runners-up The Indigo Project, Vexxes, Dusk, Adore//Repel and Night Owls.

Also playing are Yorkshire band Faux Pas, thanks to their win in the annual Centre Stage contest that raises funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice, near Wetherby.

Festival boss Melvin Benn said he hoped all of the acts would seize the chance to make an impact at one of the biggest events in the UK’s music calendar.

He said: “I’m delighted to be giving these bands an opportunity that a lot of others have taken, including some bands that are playing this year.

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“Two Door Cinema Club started here at Leeds Festival, Cage The Elephant started here at Leeds Festival.

“For these bands it’s a real, real opportunity – it gives them a national platform because they play both Leeds and [sister event] Reading.”

Day and weekend tickets are still on sale for the festival.

Acts playing its Main Stage include Biffy Clyro, Foals, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Vaccines and Courteeners.

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